Demon Prince's Forsaken Bride-Chapter 52: You do not touch my people (3)

’’I am merely saying all this so you cannot back out and claim that you also use the same oil as me later. In your current circumstances and after your proclaimed hatred towards humans, it would only indicate that you have some entanglements or fascination with humans,’’ Lareina continued, ’’Sometimes, Rosie gets curious about the things that I use so I let her use them just like the rose oil that I just talked about. Do you have any booze with you?" Her question was directed at Astra and Rune.

Astra pulled out a small clay jug from her waist, ’’My Lady, what do you want to do with it?" She could not be bothered with Moira but she was worried that Lareina would hurt herself in anger. She was even asking for booze at such a crucial juncture, wasn’t it a bad sign? Did she want to get wasted by drinking till she was silly? How was she going to answer His Highness then?

Hence, when Lareina tried to take the jug of booze from Astra’s hand, Astra’s grip was solid. Lareina pulled it once, Astra pulled it back. Lareina pulled it again and Astra pulled it back again.

Lareina’s lips twitched. Was it perhaps the last bit of booze she had and she was reluctant to give it away?

Both women held the jug, each having their own concerns.

Eventually Lareina spoke up, ’’I need this to prove if Moira has been in close proximity with Rosie.’’

Astra held back her concerns and released the jug. Lareina walked towards Moira.

’’What do you want?’’ Moira raised her hand but before her hand could touch Lareina, it was restrained by Astra.

’’Don’t panic, Lady Moira. My Lady means no harm. She just wants the truth. Since you have nothing to fear for, you should not be scared.’’

’’I am not panicking... You people...’’ Moira trailed off when Lareina splashed the booze on her hand.

Astra released the woman. Everybody in the room held their breaths as they stared at Moira’s hand that had booze dripping from it. Even the quiet and almost non-existent Rune seemed to be observing things. While Rosie bit her lips, worried if Lareina would be in trouble if nothing happened.

Only Lareina stood there with the same confidence from earlier. Her facial features had been dulled a bit by Astra but she still seemed just as beautiful and bright as her eyes gazed at Moira peacefully.

’’Are you satisfied now?" Moira spoke through gritted teeth as she extended her hands, ’’What did you even prove by humiliating me? This...’’ As she spoke, tears of grievances pooled in her eyes, ’’I would take this matter to His Highness and...’’

She trailed off as a layer of cloudiness formed on her pale skin that seemed to have changed into a rosy hue in place. Faint discoloration spreaded across her skin where the rose oil residue lingered.

’’The rose oil residue, even though invisible, is rather sticky in nature and the fragrance of it stays on one’s skin for days, if not months. It has an odd property. When it comes into contact with sour or fermented liquids—like this drink. It reacts sharply, becoming cloudy and changing colours subtly.’’

"We shared a carriage and I have yet to take a bath. Unlike the luxury of you, the princess, I have not been provided with fresh water,’’ Moira straightened up, ’’So, it is only natural if this fragrance is found on me.’’

’’Only the colour of your right palm that has been in close contact with her face has changed. Is that understandable now?"

Once Lareina’s words dropped, Astra nodded, ’’It is as My Lady says. Lady Moira, we are here for a mission as you kept reminding us throughout the way but now you are abusing one of us behind closed doors and you even threaten My Lady with His Highness’s name. What would he think of you if he knew you were up to this?"

’’What is she up to?" The voice made everyone turn towards the source of it. Azrael strode inside the room, his gaze trailing across each person inside before, pausing at Lareina for a moment before eventually landing on Moira.

"Your Highness, I am being wronged here...’’ The moment Moira saw Azrael, her cocky stance from before dispersed into thin air. Like a helpless bird, she looked at him with tears in his eyes.

However, Astra stepped forward and cut her excuses short by relaying the entire matter word by word impartially. She narrated the entire matter like it was a military situation and her description was crisp.

’’Is that true?" Azrael turned to Lareina.

Lareina had many questions to ask him, whether he found the man or not and what happened outside that it took him so long to get back but at the end, she just nodded twice when he asked the question.

’’So what if she slapped a maid?" The man’s indifferent words settled in the room as his gaze scanned across all the people present over there, ’’It is a trivial matter, not worth taking such risks fussing about it!"

When he looked at Lareina again, he was met with eyes that seemed to have been betrayed. Not anger, or sadness but just sheer betrayal.

’’Your Highness, please do not be angry with My Lady. She is just so kind that she gets worried about me...’’ Rosie rushed forward, tears covering her face at the realization that Lareina might have offended Azrael again, this time, for her sake. She bent her knees to kneel in front of Azrael.

But before her knees could touch the floor, Lareina held her elbow. Caught off guard by the sudden pull, Rosie was jerked back to her standing position.

’’Come with me.’’

Lareina had just turned to leave when Azrael’s voice rang again.

’’Did I say you could leave?"

She looked at him from above her shoulder, ’’Do you want me to apologize to Moira? Or shall I let her slap me as well?"

When her words were met with silence, her emotionless eyes landed on Moira who was clinging to Azrael like a filthy octopus spreading its tentacles, ’’You do not touch my people.’’