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nTwo women who have been eyeing Roselyn and Sharon since they first entered, walked toward them, the older woman pursed her lips looking with disdain first Roselyn then Sharon.

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"I'm afraid your family is not very … known… since I've never seen you two around.

" She said in a judgmental low tone of voice.

nSharon, who didn't take criticism very well went returned her the same haughty gaze, with a confident look on her face she replied,

"Miss Benedict, our names are not the only thing you seem not to have learned about, the education is surely another thing you don't seem to know.

"

nWhen the middle aged woman heard her brave reply, she gave a light scoff and raised her eyebrow.

nRoselyn tried not to wide her eyes hearing her sister's comeback, pulling the skirt of her sister from behind to indulge her to be more respectful.

nAfter taking a misery forced smile Sharon spoke again,

"Besides her inappropriate manner, I'm honored to get your acquaintance, Miss Teresa, my name is Sharon from the Clayton House.

"

nThe woman stared at the girl who dared to reply in that manner.

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"I'm Roselyn Clayton.

" Roselyn offered a plastic smile.

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"House of Clayton… I heard few things about you now that I recall.

" The woman pursed her lips,

"and about your spiteful temper.

" She gave a smirk as her voice went lower to become a whisper.

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"Let me tell you, never let anyone run rings you, not even a old lady like me who has nothing left beside her high rank.

" She smiled, and her gaze once pretentious now became friendly.

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"I often see young Ladies who let whoever they came across with take advantage and they knuckle down just to seem to pleasure to the ones they put their attention on. Whenever rarely I get the luck to meet ladies like you who are couragious enough to let their voice be heard, I always feel like the world is not going into the fray.

"

nWhen Sharon heard what that woman said she relaxed her facial muscles and smiled hugely.

nThe woman raised her hand to wave behind, having Roselyn and Sharon turn around to see who she was waving to.

nThere he was, the King, who had still his horse armour on, probably just returning from his daily ride. He waved to the woman with his usual tensed cold expression. At the sight of the King Sharon stack her chess out and proudly standed still, holding her breath when she saw him approaching them.

nKathy, who has been quietly for all the conversation seeing the King, looked at Roselyn widening her eyes, like if she suddendly had woken up from a deep sleep.

nWhen Kathy was present to events she rarely spoke a word, she didn't have any interest to and at the same time she didn't feel like she had the right to intervent.

nSharon bowed in advance to the King's arrival, Roselyn bowed right after.

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"Ladies Claytons.

" He greeted them with a light nod.

nTeresa took him under his arm and leaned nearly. Kathy tilted her head to the side to hear better what she was saying and at the same time her gaze was directed to the floor to see if he was having a shadow.

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"You shall go. If Victor sees you here he's going to cause a scene.

"

nThe King turned his head to gaze at Kathy for few seconds, probably suspecting her intention.

nThen, with his usual pretendious posture, he shrugged to Teresa.

"My father would want me here with my family, even if mostly of it hates me, I don't mind. I'm here for him,

" he then pointed at the huge table still filled with most of the food.

"and for the food. From what I can see he still likes to exaggerate, doesn't he?

" His lips' corners curved up into a grin.

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"How dare you?

" Victor yelled as his voice thundered from the opposite side of the room.

nHe left Abigail to march toward the King when he reached him, Lord Victor pushed him aside. John caught off guards retroceded for the push but just to regain his balance and smirk in defiance.

nLord Victor groaned, while King John scoffed, rolling his eyes.

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"See, he likes to exaggerate.

" King John remarked before he gazed at Miss Teresa who, as soon as Victor reached him, walked between them and spread her arms wide.

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"Don't you two dare to make a scene in front of three Ladies,

" she raised her voice.

nLord Victor, took a step back right in time, before letting his anger took control and fixed his collar. His gaze traveled to the opposite side of the room where Abigail was and nodded.

nKing John unconcernly giggled, he then walked toward the table. Few people in the room looked at him like if they saw a ghost but the remaining majority of people glowed at him like if he was someone they deeply loathed.

nJohn grabbed a bowl and filled it with some food and smirked from there to his cousin

"very good,

" he mouthed.

nVictor became red with anger and frowned. His fists were tighten and he was releasing long deep breathes.

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"Look, he doesn't have a shadow either.

" Kathy whispered gazing down the floor, Roselyn followed her gaze and raised her eyebrow in a shocked expression.

nThat was a further proof that the King was hiding something. Maybe there was a deeper reason connected to his absence during all years that his father ruled?

nThe hostility was clearly perceptible in the room, everyone seemed to be furious to John but he didn't seem to care less. To drive Victor that madly they must have shared a troubled past.

nRoselyn's interest in the King's uncertain nature and his past was driven by her curiosity. At the same time she loved to play the detective game Kathy to find an escapement out from the unsatisfied life she was living.

nLooking at Victor carefully she noticed his eyes became darker and reddened just like the King's eyes did the day before. Was that correlated? Were they both two creatures of the night?

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