Chapter 193: A Broken Rose
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"I am very thankful for everyone presence here. And everyone is already aware of today's celebration occasion, it's my birthday....I am tutnring 37 today...and the last time I celebrated my birthday like this was when I was 17, so I am well aware that many people have this question in mind as to why would the Duke after 2 decades celebrate his birthday." The Duke said as he looked at the crowd of people among which a certain masked girl was standing with a bunch of colorful dandelions on her hand.
.
"Here he goes with his philosophy..." Harris said as he rolled his eyes and the masked girl who was just next to him let out a giggle.
.
"It may sound vague and lame or even unacceptable to some people but my reason for this celebration is something different...as the Duke I married young and had too many responsibilities on my shoulders which hindered me from taking care of my children...it's not that I wanted to neglect them but I didn't have any way out of it." He said and the hall suddenly went silent.
.
"Are rich nobles birthday parties always so serious? I will get indigestion at this rate." Sam self talked as she rubbed her belly.
"Lady Maxim, whats wrong? Are you not feeling well?"
"Lady Winter...I think maybe...I ate a bit too much..." Sam said while bending a bit while clenching onto her stomach.
.
"This is why I told you to eat less...Father I will be walking out a bit. Lady Maxim, come with me." Irene said while pulling her out of the crownd and waking outside the mansion.
.
"So, today after giving everything a thought I have decided to remarry again!" He said and lots of murmuring started at the hall whereas Harris just let out a smirk with thousands of unknown curses where being played inside his mind.
.
"Remarry again, the Duke?"
"But with whom?"
"Won't this be his 3rd marriage?"
"God knows, if this is for his children or himself."
"So weird, the Willson kids don't look like they need a mother though."
.
"Remarry...?" The Masked girl said as she clenched the dandelions on her hands and looked at the Duke tearfully.
"I understand your questions...but my pure intention is only to find a mother and suitable host for the duchess sit and I think thr only person who fists the criteria is my long time confident Jessica." He said and the door opened with Jessica's beautiful entrance.
.
"Jessica....Marriage..." The Masked girl murmered and the flower boutique which she was holding so delicately were now being clenched bitterly form her hands.
Harris who noticed her werid behavior tried to check on her but beifre he could even ask her name sje tuend around and stated to run towards the exit but sometimes thing does not go the way you want them and it was the same thing for that masked girl aka Rose who bumped into Irene and
.
*clang*
Her mask which was hiding her totally broken down face and expression got reveled.
"Rose..."
.
"Lady Willson!" Sam said a little loudly as she was surprised to see her there.
"Young Lady?? How can she be here?" The butler said to himself as he looked at the Duke who was having the same level of amusement as that if him.
.
"Rose, are you okay?" Irene who had not yet heard the announcement just made asked as she forwarded her hand.
"Don't touch me!' Rose shouted as she pushed away her hand and her voice echoed everywhere in the mansion and by now all were aware of her presence on the ball.
.
"Sister!" Harris said as he walked past the crowd of people towards the source of the voice.
.
"Rose what's wrong? Why are being like this?"
"Just shut up and leave me alone! You---" Rose who was too much surprised at the moment felt sudden dizziness but thanks to Harris who reached to catch her before she could touch the ground nothing bad happend to her.
.
"Sister, careful." He said while making her stand properly.
"Harris...Harris you tell me what's happening here? What with all the sudden marriage with Jessica and why was I left unnoticed about it?" Rose asked as she held onto his cold hands.
.
"Sister, I am sorry...I was..."
"What are they talking about?"
"Lady Willson, is the eldest daughter and yet she wasn't aware of the Duke's special announcement today?"
"Maybe the Duke himself wasn't sure about his decisions."
"Well, who is to blame here. Growing up as the second duchess child they already had so much of stigma intitlted on them and now having a new mother would only put more pressure and stress on them."
.
The murmerings and opinions of the nobles filled the hall but no one came forward to pick up that shivering child and that helpless brither of hers which made everything more pitiful.
.
"Your Grace, just what were you thinking of while announcing your marriage, see now the ones you wished to protect are the ones you ended up hurting the most." Raymond thought as he walked past the crowd and pulled both of them up while gently patting their backs.
.
"Irene, bring Lady Willson to her room." Raymond said as he looked at Irene who just understood the situation.
"--Yes, Father--" She said while clenching her fists and glaring at Jessica who seemed to have a cool look on her face not giving a Damm about anything or anyone's opinion.
.
"No wonder I felt negative vibes from her from the first meeting." Irene thought as she held onto Rose and started walking towards the willson chambers leaving behind the Duke and the nobles in an awkward situation.
.
But it was not like the Duke was unbothered by everyone infact the thing that most bothered him was the broken look on Rose's face which he saw only once and that too at his Roslin's death day.
"Rose, she is hurt---I--I must go to her...I must go and see her!". He thought as he towards the direction they left but Jessica who was not happy being their all alone stopped him.
.
"Your Grace? Are you going to look for Lady Willson?" She asked in a pitiful voice with a little shaky hands.
"Jessica---I---"
"Not only Rose even she needs me right now, after all sje is my responsibility I can't leave her here to face everyone one of them." He thought and put his arms around her shoulders.
.
"Please don't mind the chaos that just happened, and as I said before Jessica will be the next duchess and today infront of everyone I am going hold our engagement right away." He said while looking at the crowd who had no idea is they should laugh, bless or curse at him.
.
"Everyone, I know compared to previous duchess I have nothing, nor a powerful family nor money but I promise to work hard to make the best out of myself and help the Willson family in every step.
.
As for the kids, I know that it's hard for them to accept me...afterall taking someone's place isn't easy but no worries because I have always seen them as my own children...and more then anything I am happy to become their mother." She said with tears in her eyes and a pitiful face which fooled most of thr people on the crowd and even the Duke fell for those words.
.
"Jessica really has given a whole decade for the Willson siblings."
"She is the right mother figure the kids need."
"But will the kids really ever accept her as their mother?"
"Its all nice talk."
.
"Marriage...Mother...What a rubbish!" Kelly who listened to all that big speech she just gave said while giving her a death stare.
"Kelly! Mind your language!" Molly who was behind her siad as hit her head lightly.
.
"Don't hit me."
"Oh really then what should I do with you? And why are being so angry in the first place?"
"Sister, you are older then me I am sure you know that certain things are not how they are shown and that person standing so proudly is the perfect example."
.
"Kelly!...you know what, exactly just stop talking and follow me." Molly said as they walked toward the chambers where they saw Irene and Sam already leaving the room with a puzzled expression.
.
"Irene!" Molly said as she waved towards her and for just when she did that Irene ran over to her and hugged her tightly, as if she was finally feeling the peace.
"Irene are you okay?" Molly asked as she slowly touched her hair and patted her head.
.
"Molly...."
"How is my sister? Why isn't she saying anything?" Harris who was walking the doctor outside asked with a worried look on his face.
"Young Master, please calm down and let the doctor give his report." The butler said as he held him tightly.
.
"Everything is his fault.....everything is his fault!" Harris shouted as he shook his hand form the butler clutches and took his steps towards the hall in absolute anger.
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"I am very thankful for everyone presence here. And everyone is already aware of today's celebration occasion, it's my birthday....I am tutnring 37 today...and the last time I celebrated my birthday like this was when I was 17, so I am well aware that many people have this question in mind as to why would the Duke after 2 decades celebrate his birthday." The Duke said as he looked at the crowd of people among which a certain masked girl was standing with a bunch of colorful dandelions on her hand.
.
"Here he goes with his philosophy..." Harris said as he rolled his eyes and the masked girl who was just next to him let out a giggle.
.
"It may sound vague and lame or even unacceptable to some people but my reason for this celebration is something different...as the Duke I married young and had too many responsibilities on my shoulders which hindered me from taking care of my children...it's not that I wanted to neglect them but I didn't have any way out of it." He said and the hall suddenly went silent.
.
"Are rich nobles birthday parties always so serious? I will get indigestion at this rate." Sam self talked as she rubbed her belly.
"Lady Maxim, whats wrong? Are you not feeling well?"
"Lady Winter...I think maybe...I ate a bit too much..." Sam said while bending a bit while clenching onto her stomach.
.
"This is why I told you to eat less...Father I will be walking out a bit. Lady Maxim, come with me." Irene said while pulling her out of the crownd and waking outside the mansion.
.
"So, today after giving everything a thought I have decided to remarry again!" He said and lots of murmuring started at the hall whereas Harris just let out a smirk with thousands of unknown curses where being played inside his mind.
.
"Remarry again, the Duke?"
"But with whom?"
"Won't this be his 3rd marriage?"
"God knows, if this is for his children or himself."
"So weird, the Willson kids don't look like they need a mother though."
.
"Remarry...?" The Masked girl said as she clenched the dandelions on her hands and looked at the Duke tearfully.
"I understand your questions...but my pure intention is only to find a mother and suitable host for the duchess sit and I think thr only person who fists the criteria is my long time confident Jessica." He said and the door opened with Jessica's beautiful entrance.
.
"Jessica....Marriage..." The Masked girl murmered and the flower boutique which she was holding so delicately were now being clenched bitterly form her hands.
Harris who noticed her werid behavior tried to check on her but beifre he could even ask her name sje tuend around and stated to run towards the exit but sometimes thing does not go the way you want them and it was the same thing for that masked girl aka Rose who bumped into Irene and
.
*clang*
Her mask which was hiding her totally broken down face and expression got reveled.
"Rose..."
.
"Lady Willson!" Sam said a little loudly as she was surprised to see her there.
"Young Lady?? How can she be here?" The butler said to himself as he looked at the Duke who was having the same level of amusement as that if him.
.
"Rose, are you okay?" Irene who had not yet heard the announcement just made asked as she forwarded her hand.
"Don't touch me!' Rose shouted as she pushed away her hand and her voice echoed everywhere in the mansion and by now all were aware of her presence on the ball.
.
"Sister!" Harris said as he walked past the crowd of people towards the source of the voice.
.
"Rose what's wrong? Why are being like this?"
"Just shut up and leave me alone! You---" Rose who was too much surprised at the moment felt sudden dizziness but thanks to Harris who reached to catch her before she could touch the ground nothing bad happend to her.
.
"Sister, careful." He said while making her stand properly.
"Harris...Harris you tell me what's happening here? What with all the sudden marriage with Jessica and why was I left unnoticed about it?" Rose asked as she held onto his cold hands.
.
"Sister, I am sorry...I was..."
"What are they talking about?"
"Lady Willson, is the eldest daughter and yet she wasn't aware of the Duke's special announcement today?"
"Maybe the Duke himself wasn't sure about his decisions."
"Well, who is to blame here. Growing up as the second duchess child they already had so much of stigma intitlted on them and now having a new mother would only put more pressure and stress on them."
.
The murmerings and opinions of the nobles filled the hall but no one came forward to pick up that shivering child and that helpless brither of hers which made everything more pitiful.
.
"Your Grace, just what were you thinking of while announcing your marriage, see now the ones you wished to protect are the ones you ended up hurting the most." Raymond thought as he walked past the crowd and pulled both of them up while gently patting their backs.
.
"Irene, bring Lady Willson to her room." Raymond said as he looked at Irene who just understood the situation.
"--Yes, Father--" She said while clenching her fists and glaring at Jessica who seemed to have a cool look on her face not giving a Damm about anything or anyone's opinion.
.
"No wonder I felt negative vibes from her from the first meeting." Irene thought as she held onto Rose and started walking towards the willson chambers leaving behind the Duke and the nobles in an awkward situation.
.
But it was not like the Duke was unbothered by everyone infact the thing that most bothered him was the broken look on Rose's face which he saw only once and that too at his Roslin's death day.
"Rose, she is hurt---I--I must go to her...I must go and see her!". He thought as he towards the direction they left but Jessica who was not happy being their all alone stopped him.
.
"Your Grace? Are you going to look for Lady Willson?" She asked in a pitiful voice with a little shaky hands.
"Jessica---I---"
"Not only Rose even she needs me right now, after all sje is my responsibility I can't leave her here to face everyone one of them." He thought and put his arms around her shoulders.
.
"Please don't mind the chaos that just happened, and as I said before Jessica will be the next duchess and today infront of everyone I am going hold our engagement right away." He said while looking at the crowd who had no idea is they should laugh, bless or curse at him.
.
"Everyone, I know compared to previous duchess I have nothing, nor a powerful family nor money but I promise to work hard to make the best out of myself and help the Willson family in every step.
.
As for the kids, I know that it's hard for them to accept me...afterall taking someone's place isn't easy but no worries because I have always seen them as my own children...and more then anything I am happy to become their mother." She said with tears in her eyes and a pitiful face which fooled most of thr people on the crowd and even the Duke fell for those words.
.
"Jessica really has given a whole decade for the Willson siblings."
"She is the right mother figure the kids need."
"But will the kids really ever accept her as their mother?"
"Its all nice talk."
.
"Marriage...Mother...What a rubbish!" Kelly who listened to all that big speech she just gave said while giving her a death stare.
"Kelly! Mind your language!" Molly who was behind her siad as hit her head lightly.
.
"Don't hit me."
"Oh really then what should I do with you? And why are being so angry in the first place?"
"Sister, you are older then me I am sure you know that certain things are not how they are shown and that person standing so proudly is the perfect example."
.
"Kelly!...you know what, exactly just stop talking and follow me." Molly said as they walked toward the chambers where they saw Irene and Sam already leaving the room with a puzzled expression.
.
"Irene!" Molly said as she waved towards her and for just when she did that Irene ran over to her and hugged her tightly, as if she was finally feeling the peace.
"Irene are you okay?" Molly asked as she slowly touched her hair and patted her head.
.
"Molly...."
"How is my sister? Why isn't she saying anything?" Harris who was walking the doctor outside asked with a worried look on his face.
"Young Master, please calm down and let the doctor give his report." The butler said as he held him tightly.
.
"Everything is his fault.....everything is his fault!" Harris shouted as he shook his hand form the butler clutches and took his steps towards the hall in absolute anger.
"I am very thankful for everyone presence here. And everyone is already aware of today's celebration occasion, it's my birthday....I am tutnring 37 today...and the last time I celebrated my birthday like this was when I was 17, so I am well aware that many people have this question in mind as to why would the Duke after 2 decades celebrate his birthday."The Duke said as he looked at the crowd of people among which a certain masked girl was standing with a bunch of colorful dandelions on her hand.."Here he goes with his philosophy..."Harris said as he rolled his eyes and the masked girl who was just next to him let out a giggle.."It may sound vague and lame or even unacceptable to some people but my reason for this celebration is something different...as the Duke I married young and had too many responsibilities on my shoulders which hindered me from taking care of my children...it's not that I wanted to neglect them but I didn't have any way out of it."He said and the hall suddenly went silent.."Are rich nobles birthday parties always so serious? I will get indigestion at this rate."Sam self talked as she rubbed her belly."Lady Maxim, whats wrong? Are you not feeling well?""Lady Winter...I think maybe...I ate a bit too much..."Sam said while bending a bit while clenching onto her stomach.."This is why I told you to eat less...Father I will be walking out a bit. Lady Maxim, come with me."Irene said while pulling her out of the crownd and waking outside the mansion.."So, today after giving everything a thought I have decided to remarry again!"He said and lots of murmuring started at the hall whereas Harris just let out a smirk with thousands of unknown curses where being played inside his mind.."Remarry again, the Duke?""But with whom?""Won't this be his 3rd marriage?""God knows, if this is for his children or himself.""So weird, the Willson kids don't look like they need a mother though."."Remarry...?"The Masked girl said as she clenched the dandelions on her hands and looked at the Duke tearfully."I understand your questions...but my pure intention is only to find a mother and suitable host for the duchess sit and I think thr only person who fists the criteria is my long time confident Jessica."He said and the door opened with Jessica's beautiful entrance.."Jessica....Marriage..."The Masked girl murmered and the flower boutique which she was holding so delicately were now being clenched bitterly form her hands.Harris who noticed her werid behavior tried to check on her but beifre he could even ask her name sje tuend around and stated to run towards the exit but sometimes thing does not go the way you want them and it was the same thing for that masked girl aka Rose who bumped into Irene and.*clang*Her mask which was hiding her totally broken down face and expression got reveled."Rose..."."Lady Willson!"Sam said a little loudly as she was surprised to see her there."Young Lady?? How can she be here?"The butler said to himself as he looked at the Duke who was having the same level of amusement as that if him.."Rose, are you okay?"Irene who had not yet heard the announcement just made asked as she forwarded her hand."Don't touch me!'Rose shouted as she pushed away her hand and her voice echoed everywhere in the mansion and by now all were aware of her presence on the ball.."Sister!"Harris said as he walked past the crowd of people towards the source of the voice.."Rose what's wrong? Why are being like this?""Just shut up and leave me alone! You---"Rose who was too much surprised at the moment felt sudden dizziness but thanks to Harris who reached to catch her before she could touch the ground nothing bad happend to her.."Sister, careful."He said while making her stand properly."Harris...Harris you tell me what's happening here? What with all the sudden marriage with Jessica and why was I left unnoticed about it?"Rose asked as she held onto his cold hands.."Sister, I am sorry...I was...""What are they talking about?""Lady Willson, is the eldest daughter and yet she wasn't aware of the Duke's special announcement today?""Maybe the Duke himself wasn't sure about his decisions.""Well, who is to blame here. Growing up as the second duchess child they already had so much of stigma intitlted on them and now having a new mother would only put more pressure and stress on them.".The murmerings and opinions of the nobles filled the hall but no one came forward to pick up that shivering child and that helpless brither of hers which made everything more pitiful.."Your Grace, just what were you thinking of while announcing your marriage, see now the ones you wished to protect are the ones you ended up hurting the most." Raymond thought as he walked past the crowd and pulled both of them up while gently patting their backs.."Irene, bring Lady Willson to her room."Raymond said as he looked at Irene who just understood the situation."--Yes, Father--"She said while clenching her fists and glaring at Jessica who seemed to have a cool look on her face not giving a Damm about anything or anyone's opinion.."No wonder I felt negative vibes from her from the first meeting." Irene thought as she held onto Rose and started walking towards the willson chambers leaving behind the Duke and the nobles in an awkward situation..But it was not like the Duke was unbothered by everyone infact the thing that most bothered him was the broken look on Rose's face which he saw only once and that too at his Roslin's death day."Rose, she is hurt---I--I must go to her...I must go and see her!". He thought as he towards the direction they left but Jessica who was not happy being their all alone stopped him.."Your Grace? Are you going to look for Lady Willson?"She asked in a pitiful voice with a little shaky hands."Jessica---I---""Not only Rose even she needs me right now, after all sje is my responsibility I can't leave her here to face everyone one of them."He thought and put his arms around her shoulders.."Please don't mind the chaos that just happened, and as I said before Jessica will be the next duchess and today infront of everyone I am going hold our engagement right away."He said while looking at the crowd who had no idea is they should laugh, bless or curse at him.."Everyone, I know compared to previous duchess I have nothing, nor a powerful family nor money but I promise to work hard to make the best out of myself and help the Willson family in every step..As for the kids, I know that it's hard for them to accept me...afterall taking someone's place isn't easy but no worries because I have always seen them as my own children...and more then anything I am happy to become their mother." She said with tears in her eyes and a pitiful face which fooled most of thr people on the crowd and even the Duke fell for those words.."Jessica really has given a whole decade for the Willson siblings.""She is the right mother figure the kids need.""But will the kids really ever accept her as their mother?""Its all nice talk."."Marriage...Mother...What a rubbish!"Kelly who listened to all that big speech she just gave said while giving her a death stare."Kelly! Mind your language!"Molly who was behind her siad as hit her head lightly.."Don't hit me.""Oh really then what should I do with you? And why are being so angry in the first place?""Sister, you are older then me I am sure you know that certain things are not how they are shown and that person standing so proudly is the perfect example."."Kelly!...you know what, exactly just stop talking and follow me."Molly said as they walked toward the chambers where they saw Irene and Sam already leaving the room with a puzzled expression.."Irene!"Molly said as she waved towards her and for just when she did that Irene ran over to her and hugged her tightly, as if she was finally feeling the peace."Irene are you okay?"Molly asked as she slowly touched her hair and patted her head.."Molly....""How is my sister? Why isn't she saying anything?"Harris who was walking the doctor outside asked with a worried look on his face."Young Master, please calm down and let the doctor give his report."The butler said as he held him tightly.."Everything is his fault.....everything is his fault!"Harris shouted as he shook his hand form the butler clutches and took his steps towards the hall in absolute anger.
