The Cursed Relic

Chapter 32

But Yves have no choice but to concede.

''O-of course..y-young master.''

Rosh smiled. ''Thank you, Yves.''

He started writing three invitations to be mailed at the Schneider, Rome and Lune households. After he finished writing, he sent Yves to give the letter to the servant.

-

***

''It's an honor to see you again, young master Rosh.''

''Samuel, how many times do I have to tell you? Drop the honorifics, we're friends now, aren't we? That includes you guys too.'' Rosh said to the three.

Samuel chuckled shyly but complied. Surely, he still wasn't used to calling him his name. ''A-alright..young ma——R-Rosh.''

''It's so cool to see you, Rosh! Your house is so big, I'm jealous!'' Enzo joked earning an eye roll from Eveia.

''You're acting as if your estate is any less bigger than this place.'' Eveia crossed her arms.

''Says the one who's manor could compare to the side palace of the imperial family.''

''No, my home is bigger than the side palace of the imperial family.'' She said in pride.

''Okay, okay, everyone. Let's go to the library, no one would disturb us there.'' Rosh said and led them through the halls.

''Who would dare disturb young master Rosh and his guests?'' Samuel stated with a huff. ''Servants shouldn't interfere with their master's activities.''

Rosh looked down. ''I think...that rule doesn't really apply on me, Samuel.''

Samuel and Enzo realized what he meant and immediately assumed that he was being treated differently by the workers because the duke doesn't favor him. They looked at each other awkwardly.

''S-sorry for touching a sensitive topic, Rosh.''

''Don't apologize for something trivial, Samuel. It's nothing, really. I understand that my brother will always be more special to others than I am.''

Rosh gave them the 'it's-okay, I'm-okay' smile.

Eveia, on the other hand, couldn't help but click her tongue quietly. She didn't want to come, but if she didn't, it will make a bad hit to her reputation. Samuel and Enzo already saw her rude attitude towards Rosh. She's quite surprised they hadn't spread a word or rumor yet.

''Let's not make this bonding gloomy. All that aside, let's go to the library, we have lots to do!'' Rosh said cheerfully and turned around.

With his back facing them, nobody saw the slight tug on his lips.

***

1 week later...

Out of nowhere, rumors of Rosh getting close to the young masters of Lune and Rome and the young lady of Schneiders spread through the kingdom. Many nobles pushed their children to get close to Rosh, leaving his mailbox as full as an erupting volcano.

They have been inviting him in all kinds of things. Tea party this, horse riding that, playing this, eating that. It made Rosh irritated because it wasn't his plan to be noticed, yet, although his father's anger covered it up and eased his mood.

Yves made such a mistake, and Rosh knew that she will receive punishment from the duke.

But who exactly spread such rumors?

''That godd@mn Aphen! He planned this!''

Rosh slammed the daily newspaper on his table before glancing on the side where many invitations were laid. He had ordered Amros to politely decline each one of them by creating letters himself.

''He did this because I declined his bloody invitation!'' He glared at Amros who's smugly leaning on the wall at the far corner of the room. ''Such a petty pest! My plan of being 'low-profile but slowly rising' is breaking because of him!''

''Seems like that boy is hindering more of your plans, Master, he's witty if not for his pettiness.'' Amros snickered lowly but stopped when he saw Rosh shot him a sharp gaze. He cleared his throat.

''Yeah, yeah, I get. Now what do you plan to do? Master.'' Amros straightened up and walked towards him. ''Clearly, you won't just let this be right?''

''Let this be? That thing dared to try and use my name. I'll play his game.'' Rosh slowly showed him a smile.

He snapped his hand, suddenly Hugo (Luar) went inside the room. He bowed respectfully. ''Master.''

''Hugo, hire some trustworthy people to spread a rumor for me. But don't tell them it is I who ordered this, and don't show yourself. Give them 10 gold each.''

Amros created a bag of at least a hundred gold coins and threw it to Hugo who easily catched it. Rosh satand leaned on the bed rest, he looked at his knight, his eyes faintly glowing red.

''The Aphen young master sent an invitation to the young master of Razon but was declined. A marquis' son trying to ride on the ducals. Like children, like parents.''

''Your message will be heard, Master.'' Hugo bowed before disappearing.

Rosh hummed, satisfied. Laying down, he felt Amros going near him. He shot a questioning gaze to his master.

''Why hire people, Master? Luar could easily control them using his bugs and even erase their memories to erase evidence.'' He asked.

Rosh smirked.

''Nobles are prideful, Amros. When such a word spreads, it's either the Aphens or my father who tries to dig out whoever made the rumor. But since the root themselves don't know who gave them the order, they will find nothing.'' Rosh clicked his tongue. Being a noble himself, he knows the nature of his fellows. Pride, honor and reputation are far more important than a nobles' life. ''They'll be dying of curiousity.''

***