" You-"
" You can go back to your quarters now." he said, interrupting me
" P-pardon?"
" Go back to your quarters. You look unsightly." I genuinely looked at him incredulously.
I had just poured my soul out and shared the most gruesome story for me, and he did not have the basic etiquette to know that he had to share something, too? I didn't share my experiences for free.
I was baiting him to say something!
" What? Or do you want me to kill you?" He said as I remained rooted on the spot without moving.
" W-What? No."
" Then take a hint. You have been pardoned, so go back to your quarters." he said as he pinched the area between his eyebrows
With a Hmph, I lifted my dress and stomped towards the door. How could he be so dismissive? The more I thought about it, the more infuriated I got. I even planned on slamming the door on my way out, and just he added," Give me three conditions, and I'll try to fulfill them."
" Conditions?"
" What's this? I heard that the marquess's new daughter was smart and straightforward. Are you pretending to be slow, or do you want to work for free?"
This guy was unbelievable. He kept throwing insult after insult at me. Now he was calling me slow witted? But then I was also relieved that he was actually considering cooperating with me and allowing me to help him with his investigation,however, I was not going to let his last comment slide.
I dropped my hand from the door handle, turned around, and said," Your Highness shouldn't believe all kinds of rumors caught on the streets. They are, after all, just rumors." I said, emphasizing my last sentence. Ryan smirked but didn't say anything, which infuriated me, but then I kept internally repeating to myself, "Patience is virtue."
" As for the conditions, I will communicate with you once I have something I actually want." I said in a professional tone with my head held high as I turned around and opened the door.
" I wouldn't do that if I were you." he spoke once more
" Pardon? You don't want me to communicate my wishes to you? Then how will you know what I want in exchange for helping you?" I asked genuinely
" No, not that. I meant, I would keep my head down if I were you. Who knows who you might bump into and scare away in the corridors." I turned around with a swoosh as I used too much force to do so.
Ryan kept a serious face the whole time like he hadn't said what he had just said. He was looking at papers in his hands
" What do you mean by that Duke?" I asked as I glared at him. I get that I cried, and maybe my makeup was a bit messy, but I had light makeup. It couldn't be possibly that bad. He was doing this on purpose.
" I mean, I might have important guests, and I don't want them to be scared away."
" And why would they be?" I asked in a challenging manner as I placed my hands on my hips.
" Because of you, your makeup is smeared all over your face. It looks like Little Jack was the one who painted you." As he said this, his eyes lit up a bit, and it looked like he was suppressing a laugh.
I couldn't refute because nothing came to mind, so I chose to ignore him and leave his presence at once.
" See at dinnertime." he exclaimed after me.
I stopped and said, " I think I won't be hungry tonight. hmph." I then stormed off without waiting for a reply, and I heard him laugh as I left.