The Quinnston Family

Welcome back to the polite society of Caga, where one old dowager countess was known to be ahead of a society that was known as Scandalmongers as well as the one player that did matchmaking all over the gentry in Caga. And this time, her main focus was not on her grandsons because they were happily married to their wives and she was waiting for the heirs from those marriages. Hence, the old dowager had a lot of time on her hands to do something else, which was making sure that other lords of Caga would be made matched to their standards and perfect for each other. And what a better person to be experiencing all this if not for the cousins of the royal family, the Quinnstons, starting with the oldest of them, Vincent Quinnston, Duke of Donavan. *~*~*~*~* I cannot believe I will be moving here, at last, Rosie thought as she was looking at the enormous castle where the royal family lived. It had been her childhood dream to be placed as the royal healer, just like her father, Lord Page, who had shown her the world of healing and herbs and medicine. She was excited about starting her new apprentice since she got her pedigree from the Academy months ago. And after she graduated, she spent some time with her best friend, Lady Darla Lockwood, who opened up an orphanage in Norkins for the orphaned children and the poor so that they had a better chance at life after they left. Rosie was one of the tutors there that taught children who were interested in being healers later and showed them how to differentiate all the herbs that can be used as medicine and poisons. She just hoped that they would not use it in the wrong use of the knowledge that she taught them. Then, one day, a ‘gram, a yellow parchment that was sent by the Royal Healers, stated that her father had taken ill and had been unable to take care of the royal family. She was summoned to take his place and be an apprentice in his stead. How can Rosie say no to that summoning? So, she told her best friend, Darla, that she would be heading out to Red Cast one day when she discovered that Darla was betrothed to one Lord James Flemington, who was rumored to be a rake. Rosie never understood her choice, but who was she to tell Darla who she was supposed to marry? Certainly, Darla knew best for her own life. “Are you sure this is what you want?” Darla asked Rosie as she was putting up all the stuff that she would be needing when she was in residence at the castle. She turned to look at her best friend before smiling brightly. “And are you sure that you want to marry that rake, Darla? I know that’s the least you want out of your life,” Rosie said before Darla turned away, her cheeks blushed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said before Rosie chuckled softly. She went to her side before taking her hands. “And what about the baron?” she asked before Darla turned to look at her. Her eyebrows furrowed. “What about him?” “Doesn’t he propose a marriage as well?” Rosie asked, arching her perfect eyebrow at her best friend. Darla sighed before shaking her head. “He told me that he had someone else. And then, my parents thought that it would be best for me to be betrothed to James,” she said before Rosie looked at her face. There was something in her eyes that told her everything she needed to know that her best friend was in love with her mortal enemy, as she claimed Lord James was to her. “Take care, Darla. I will see you soon,” Rosie said as she mounted her horse. Her riding habits made it easy for her to mount the saddle as the skirts were splitting into two slits as Darla was rubbing the horse’s neck. “I will see you after the summer then?” she asked before Rosie smiled. She nodded. “If I can be here earlier, I will, but for now, until summer ends, my dearest,” she said before Darla nodded as Rosie reined the horse toward Red Cast. She rode early in the dawn so that she would not be in the Fik Forest at night. With that note in mind, Rosie rode hard and fast as her heart was leaping into her throat knowing that something had happened to her father while she was away in Norkins. ***** Rosie blinked her eyes as she was looking at the constables that guarded the gates of the walled city of Red Cast. They were scanning the ‘gram that she brought with her to note that she had the royal decree for her to be in Red Castle. And the constable was taking his time to go over the ‘gram. “So, this is the royal decree that summons you to be here today, miss?” he asked as he was turning to look at her face while his hand was still gripping the ‘gram. Rosie felt irritated as she was being questioned by the constable when the merchants and tradesmen were passing through the gates without the constables batting their lashes at them. “Yes, I need to see my father. He’s the Royal Healer,” Rosie said as she was reining in her mare before the constable was looking at her horse. Then, he was scanning the ‘gram for one last time before he rubbed his chin with his hand. “I don’t know, miss. This doesn’t seem legit and I cannot let you into the city unless you have the right royal decree,” “But—“ “And I never saw you before. Surely, you must know that we don’t usually let strangers be inside the walls,” the constable said before Rosie bit her tongue to say something stupid. “If you could reach the Healer's House, that would be great. I’m sure they have someone to confirm my eligibility to enter the city,” she said through her gritted teeth. The constable looked at her before he walked away with her ‘gram to ask for the Healer's House to confirm what she said earlier. Rosie sighed before she turned around and looked at the carriage that was coming up beside her. She was looking at the crest on the carriage and instantly knew who it was. The crest was silver and the griffin was its insignia. It must be one from Quinnston, the royal cousin to the current monarch of Caga. “My lord, we are happy to see that you are well from your journey,” the constable said as he was speaking to the window. The person inside the carriage did not respond and, as Rosie wanted to rule out the arrogance of the lord, the window opened before a velvety voice hit her eardrums. “And I still see that you are holding me back from meeting my family,” the voice was male. Rosie could guarantee that. The constable stuttered before he waved at his men to let the carriage through. She sighed as she was still waiting her turn to be admitted into the city. Then, she saw the constable was coming toward her with someone that she did not know. Her petite stature was similar to Rosie, if not smaller, as her blonde strands could be seen under her cap. She was smiling as Rosie turned to look at her before smiling back. The constable gave the ‘gram to the young lady before she curtsied to him. “Thank you, sir. Have a nice day,” her sweet, angelic voice was hitting her eardrum before her blue eyes were beaming at her. The constable let her through as the healer was walking next to her horse. They were inside the city for an instant and the hustle and bustle of the city was greeting Rosie’s eyes. “Do you have a horse? You can ride with me if you don’t,” Rosie offered before the petite healer was pulling her own mare from a stable. She mounted the horse as her white healer robe was bunched up to reveal tight breeches that she wore underneath. “No, I’m alright. We can ride to the castle now. Oh! Where are my manners? My name is Bethany but my friends call me Anny,” she said as her blue eyes were shining under the sunlight. Rosie smiled. “Rosie and people call me Rosie,” she replied before Anny chuckled. “Perhaps I will call you Rose. That would be much better,” she said, before Rosie shrugged. “If you like. I have no complaint,” she said before they were moving their horses toward the castle that was known as the House of Dragon because the royal family’s crest was a dragon. They passed through the busy streets that led them to Dragon’s Bazaar, where most tradesmen and merchants from all over the Kingdom of Ludonea liked to do their businesses in Caga, other than from Warydeval, the Elopement Town. Rosie was looking around as the chatter between the vendors and customers was all over the place and all in different languages. It was exciting when one spent most of her time in Norkins around children that only spoke Caganese. “You will get a chance to look around later. For now, we have to be at the Healer's House since your father has been under the weather for more than a week now,” Anny said before Rosie nodded, bile lumped in her throat at the thought of her father’s illness. “Of course, let’s get going then,” Rosie said before Anny nodded and they were riding toward the Healer's House. They had arrived in front of the royal castle where the royal family lived. Rosie was taking a deep breath as she was looking at the Gothic castle structure that had gargoyles all over its towers. Still, she did not feel anything, as she was looking forward to being in the Healer's House more than ever. “This way,” Anny said before she was moving her mare toward the Healer House, which was known as Healer Hall by the royal family. Rosie sighed before she moved her mare toward the hall as well. Then, she saw it. The carriage that was coming up by her side at the gates earlier. A footman was opening the door as the lord who was sitting inside the carriage was coming out. And her breath was taken away as she was looking at the most beautiful man she ever had in her life. Dark hair as midnight with his pale complexion. A tall built, lean body. His powerful thighs as he stood and looked around the castle courtyard. The Duke of Donavan was nodding at the footman before he was making his way toward the entrance of the castle. Rosie’s heartbeat loudly before Anny was calling after her. “Coming!” she replied as she turned her back from the Duke, making sure that she would stay out of his way because he was known to be a powerful lord. And a dangerous one as well.