The Mistress Runs Away

Rowena turned around at the sound of the hostile’s voice. The woman was Baroness Estelle whom she had given a decent amount of embarrassment the other day.

“I see you are out on a walk. I thought that a woman  like you would only sleep during the day and stay up at night.”

Her face turned red as she couldn’t find  anything to retort back at her. On the other hand, Baroness Estelle acted all high and mighty, perhaps proud of her background with her speaking so sarcastically, poking fun at her.

“By the way, why are you running in such a hurry? Where are your manners?”

The Baroness’ words were equally rude as what she had said earlier, yet their meanings were both distinctly different. Not only was she dragged into this situation when she was in a hurry, but the person she was dealing with was someone she wasn’t happy to see or easy to deal with. 

This made her feel even more irritated. Rowena clenched her fists tightly in a knuckle before slowly loosening her grip as she replied back in an attempt to rein in her anger.

“It’s a personal matter, so don’t worry about it. See you later.”

“Are you running away now, Miss Philone?”

“Wait. This is Miss Philone?”

Rowena, who was getting more annoyed by every second, was about to shake off the hand of the Baroness when the young girl, who had been watching their quarrel, interrupted.

“Ah, Yes, this is the woman I told you about. Lady Taldon.”

Taldon? 

Rowena paused at the mention of the surname. The lady from Marquis Taldon’s house? Who the queen said she would consider making the next duchess.

“Oh, I see.”

The young lady spread out the fan she held in her hands, placing it over her nose and mouth covering half of her face partially.  With that same posture, she examined Rowena from head to toe.

“I didn’t expect to meet her like this.”

“Why would you ever meet with someone of her kind like this? These types of women, normally, would never have the chance to even lay an eye on a high-born noble woman like you, Lady Taldon.”

It was as if they were watching a strange animal performing in a circus. Rowena calmed herself inside her mind as she felt a type of gaze she hadn’t felt in a long time after returning to the capital again. She expected to meet Marquis Taldon’s daughter somehow one way or another but  not under these circumstances, at least.

“It’s nice meeting you, Lady Taldon., However, I’m in a bit of a hurry due to an urgent situation, so I’m unable to engage in further conversation with you at this point of time. Well then, I’ll be on my way.”

Marquis Taldon’s daughter was looking down at her openly, but she had no intention of succumbing to her provocation.

“Oh my, how rude!”

Rowena, who was trying to leave after she gave a respectful slight nod, was caught again by the young lady, now with a harsher grip.

“You should properly apologize. Otherwise, I won’t let you go.”

Many eyes were drawn to the loud voice. It seems that some started to recognize the lady’s loud voice and with that a crowd started to gradually gather around. The more people came to watch the commotion with curiosity, the drier Rowena’s mouth felt. 

Although she was told that there were only herbivores in the forest hunting grounds, such as rabbits, foxes, and deer, Damian was only just a child! He was a little kid who  could possibly trip and fall in the dark forest and suffer a severe injury. If Joanne failed to catch up with him and eventually lost him, he might cry in the midst of the maze-like forest.

Impatiently, Rowena put aside her pride and bowed her head.

“I’m sorry, Lady Taldon. I must have bumped into you because I didn’t look ahead with careful eyes on the path.”

Rowena was annoyed at the accusation made by the young lady as soon as she attempted to try and excuse herself. It was almost as if the woman had been waiting for this very moment to embarrass her. Still,  it was her fault for running recklessly without looking out for people nearby.

Lady Taldon and Baroness Estelle, who had been taken by surprise at the unexpected surrender, looked quite confused as they chewed their lips in thought. Rowena added a decisive statement after speaking out.

“If you are so generous enough to forgive me, I’ll surely make sure to tell of your deeds to his excellency.”

“Are you saying you’re going to tell on me now?”

She meant that she would speak of her good deeds to Killian, but the young lady seemed to understand her words the exact opposite way.

“How dare you threaten me?”

“This is not something to be overlooked, Lady Taldon. We must inform the guards.”

The buzzing voices in the crowd  grew louder and louder  as the Baroness came forward to assist Lady Taidon excitedly.  At that moment, Rowena, unable to hold back her frustration, was about to say something when the Countess, who had pushed her way through the mass of people and was approaching, called out to her.

“Miss Philoneee!”

“Countess!”

“I’ve been waiting for you! Your tea is getting cold. Let’s go quickly.”

“Wait a second! Where do you think you’re doing?”

The startled Baroness stood there,hesitating for a moment.

****