ROSES HAVE THORNS-Chapter 82 - Wendy’s Dilemma

Knock Knock

"Ms. Valentine, are you up? It’s time for your morning bath. Breakfast will also be ready in a few minutes." Wendy stood patiently behind the door to Diana’s room and waited for an answer.

"..."

Knock Knock

"Ms. Valentine? Are you still asleep?"

Wendy waited for another thirty seconds for an answer, but none came. She then took out a golden key that hung around her neck, and with a soft click, the door let out a soft screech and swung open to reveal a room plunged into near-total darkness. The heavy red velvet curtains had been drawn tight, sealing out every scrap of daylight.

As Wendy stepped inside, she was immediately hit with a thick, heavy atmosphere. The air was stagnant and uncomfortably warm. It carried an odd stench that was mixed together with spilled wine, stale sweat, and a musky, primal scent that made her nose instinctively wrinkle in distaste.

The floor, usually a pristine expanse of polished wood, was a minefield of chaos:

A silky red gown lay shredded near the front door; the intricate Persian-style rug featuring a vibrant crimson field and a bold ivory medallion was creased at its edges and nearly flipped over; and to top it all off, an apron lay mixed in with everything else.

’My goodness. What in the world happened here? *Gasp* Was there a break in!? But, who would dare provoke my lady? And how did they sneak past the security outside?’

Wendy quickly crossed the room and pulled back the velvet curtains to check for any damage. Thankfully, there were no signs of broken glass nor were any of the windows slightly ajar. She then fully pulled the curtains aside and opened the windows to let the fresh air in.

The sudden influx of gray light coming from the overcast clouds, cut through the darkness and revealed the wreckage of the room. As Wendy turned towards the bed, she felt her breath hitch.

"Ms. Valentine and... who?"

The king-sized bed was a battlefield of tangled red silk sheets and pillows scattered all across the bed and floor. There, stripped of every ounce of her mature dignity, lay Diana. She was completely naked, save for a small piece of blanket covering her lower half.

It appeared as though she was resting on top of someone else with both their heads buried deep within the gap of two-euro pillows. She also noticed that the unidentified person’s hands were gripping onto her behind as if to keep her in place.

Wendy stood frozen when the harsh rays of morning light revealed the raw, scandalous intimacy of this scene. The silence of the room, punctuated by the soft drumming of drizzle pitter-pattering outside and the sleepers’ breath’s, felt suffocatingly loud.

’What should I do? Should I wake her up or...’ Wendy bit her nail as she contemplated on whether to leave or not.

’I... I shouldn’t let her sleep in. I’m sorry Ms. Valentine, but even if it’s the weekend, I know how cranky you get when you oversleep.’ She took in a deep breath and held her nose close as she stepped closer to them.

"Ms. Valentine." Wendy poked Diana’s bare back and gently shook her shoulder. "Ms. Valentine, please wake up before I pass out from lack of oxygen."

"Zzzzz... Hmmm... not dirty... zzzz..." Diana’s voice could barely be heard as she muffled some random jumbo.

"Ms. Valentine. You better wake up before I throw away your favourite muffin. Or worse, I’ll eat myself and give the rest away to the servants and maids."

"Noooo... don’t do thaaat... zzz..."

"I see you’re still not getting up. I’m leaving now Ms. Valentine. Say goodbye to your muffins." Wendy quickly walked to the door and caught her breath before she herself passed out.

"Waaaiiit..." Diana slowly dragged herself up and sat while straddling the unknown person as she looked towards Wendy with droopy eyes and a strand of her hair stuck in her mouth.

"There. I’m up."

"Ms. Valentine, who is that beneath you?" Wendy pointed with a shaky finger.

"Rosie."

"And that is..."

"My... my other half." Diana blushed as she looked down at Kurt’s headless body.

His head was still trapped between the pillows.

"Y-You’re other half?.... So, so it’s true then? My assumptions were right? Madam Valentine was skeptical when I told her about the news, but now! Oh my goodness, but now she’ll be so happy!"

"I see you haven’t disbanded that silly club of yours..."

"I should call her over immediately." Wendy whispered to herself and turned around.

"Wait, Wendy! My bath! My muffins!"

"Right, yes! Silly me, haha. Guess I got too excited." Wendy made a U-turn and headed for the bathroom door just past Diana’s bed.

A few minutes later, she returned only to find Diana’s head once again lodged in between the pillows.

"Haaa, Ms. Valentine..."

"I know. I’m still up. I was just admiring his sleeping face." She popped her head back up and got out of bed in her birthday suit.

"By the way, is he just going to keep sleeping there or...?"

"No. He’s coming with me. Rosie, wake up." She shook him.

"Mmmm... it’s still early, Ms. Alarm... zzzz..."

"Wake up before I start biting your nipples."

"Huh!? N-No! I’m up!" Kurt sat up like a certain deadman and covered his nipples with both his hands.

"Oh my~" Wendy blushed when she saw Kurt’s toned body, which was covered in teeth marks, and handsome face that was riddled with red lipstick and love bites.

"Ahem! Diana, who is this?"

"Save the introductions for breakfast. Now let’s hurry before the water gets cold." She took his hand and pulled him off the bed.

"W-Wait! The blanket’s gonna fall!"

"I-It’s ok!" Wendy turned around and covered her eyes. "I’ll clean the room while you two are... well... cleaning up."

"Thank you, Wendy. Also, if you check the corner of the room, you’ll see a pile of bloodied clothes. Have those cleaned up by the time we’re done. Much appreciated." Diana dragged Kurt into the bathroom and closed the door behind them.

"... Pick me up and carry me to the bath, Rosie~"

"... Yes, You Highness. Whoa, this bathroom is huge."

"Ms. Valentine... After so many years, hehe. I have a feeling that things will become much livelier around here soon." Wendy chuckled as started cleaning up.

....

"So, what are your plans for today?" Diana asked Kurt as she relaxed with him in the bath.

"Well for starters, I obviously need to check in with Emelie. Don’t want to keep her waiting and worried about me."

"Hmm. You should do that, yes."

"Oh. Not gonna throw a jealous fit?"

"Don’t tease me now. You know what will happen if you do~" She looked over her shoulder and pitched his cheek. "It’s just, last time I saw her, she wasn’t looking so great. Emelie has an important tournament starting next Friday and I want her focused and ready."

"Yeah... I also want to find out about who that cultist was. This is only our second encounter, but I already know that they’re going to be a pain to deal with."

"How will you find them? The cult lives in absolute secrecy. It’s a miracle that you even crossed paths with them in the first place. And us landing on that island was by complete accident."

"I have a ’source’ who might know."

"Who?"

"I obviously can’t tell you. These types of relationships are based on trust. I can’t have them finding out I blabbed about their identity to anyone."

"I understand. Just double checking, are you sure you’re alright? You can stay here until you’re better."

"Yes, for the tenth time. I’m 100% ok. With the Saintess healing me plus my skill negating the poison, I’m feeling extra chipper. I even learnt how to control my mana a bit properly during my fight against the princess. I promise you, nothing will bring me down again."

"That’s a big promise to keep. Are you sure you can uphold it? Because if not..."

"I will certainly do my best, now that I know how the cult likes to play their games." Kurt tried to reassure her before she started having doubts.

"Alright. I believe in you."

"What about you? What are your plans for today?"

"Just some finalisation of a few things. It’s raining so I can’t do any outdoor work, but that’s fine by me. That just means I get to go home earlier than usual."

"Working on a Saturday? Oof, must suck."

"Well, I am the principal of the most prestigious academy in all of Eldoria. It comes with the job."

"Nice humble brag."

"Hehe~"

After they finished bathing, Kurt changed into his now clean clothes and equipped all his weaponry with his tags. Diana watched him change from the bed without missing a beat.

"You’re not changing?" He asked her with a raise of his eyebrow.

"I am, but I like looking pretty. My maids are waiting for you to leave the room before they can come in and help me. You can wait for me in the kitchen or foyer once you’re done."

"I’m definitely not skipping breakfast this time... I don’t see my eyepatch anywhere."

"That bloody thing? I threw it away. It didn’t hold any sentimental value, did it?"

"Nope. Just a cheap thing I bought at the dollar store."

"Dollar store? Anyway, there’s a replacement in the drawer by the mirror over there." Diana pointed across the room.

"You keep replacement eyepatches?"

"Only for you~" Smiled widely at him.

"Right. Hmm. Thanks." Kurt opened the drawer and found at least ten eyepatches just laying inside. He took one without questioning her and casually slid his phone in his pocket. "See you downstairs."

"Mmhm."

When Kurt opened the door, he saw three maids waiting outside.

"Good morning." He greeted them.

"... G-G-Good morngwing– u-uwaaaah!" The first maid tried greeting but stumbled over her words and ran inside.

"Yo! Morning, bossman!" The second maid patted him on the arm and went inside.

"...."

".... ?"

"....."

"Uhm are you just gonna keep staring at me or..."

The third maid kept staring blankly at Kurt for about 10 seconds before,

*Tsk!*

She clicked her tongue in irritation, went inside the room and closed the door.

"Heh, aren’t they quite the characters..."