The sun rose over the forest on the south side of the manor. As I ran I thought about all the things that I needed to get done not only today but for the rest of the year. The biggest issue is the divorce. I slowed to a walk as the pain in my chest reminded me that I was injured. Over-thinking things was not going to help things. I stopped in the garden to take in the surroundings. I made a mental note to make a list of plants to order and have planted.
" It is rare to see you up this early." The prince said
" And how would you know that?" I asked
" You have been under surveillance since we first got engaged." he said with a smirk
Shit. I had forgotten that. In the web novel they told the prince every move that she made. That is how towards the end he was able to stop Elizabeth from killing Julie.
" Ah yes how could I forget." I said " The surveillance that let assassins into my bedroom. "
" Assassins?" He asked. And for the first time instead of anger there was shock.
" I am sure that you heard about it already since it has been four weeks now."
His assistant who was trailing behind him said " They tried to inform you when it happened but you were out. Miss Julie took the message and said that she would tell you."
That explained it. She thought that one of her competitors was out of the way. She had a strange obsession with Hunter. From what I remember from the book she was sly as a fox when it came to manipulating him. I don't exactly remember all the details and nor do I care to. I just want to be able to live my life as a normal person. I have no intention of changing my past nor do I want to make it big by some other means. I just want a nice quiet life.
" If you were hurt then why are you out here?" He asked
" I am getting exercise. I plan on learning how to fight when I am a hundred percent."
" You're not fully healed?" He asked
I shook my head and then said " Don't you have a carriage to catch?"
He shook his head and stormed off. His assistant gave me a look of pity. I glared back at him and said " You can take that pity look and put it back where it came from."
I walked off without another word. When I walked into my office after my bath there was a note on the desk that read
I will look into the assassination attempt
Hold off on divorce
~HA
'Oh now he is showing and interest in me." I thought ' now that I don't want him' I put the letter on my desk and went about my day. Around late afternoon there was a knock at my door.
" Come in." I said not looking up from the stack of papers.
A bulk of a man with a scar across his left eye walked in. His black hair was shaved close to his head and his green eyes showed very little emotions.
" I am Author. I am the head of the guards."
I arched my eyebrow and waited for him to explain further. But he seemed to be like Henry, a man of few words. Sighing, I asked " What guards are you talking about? As far as I am aware we have no guards."
" Prince Anworth assigned us to your manor. If you need to leave the premenices one of us will escort you."
I just nodded and waved him away. He walked out without another word. I had no reason to leave. When a piece of my hair fell in front of my face I realized that I did have a reason to go out. I had to change my hair color. Right before I took over this body Elizabeth dyed her hair to look more like the woman that Hunter was sleeping with. Blonde blue eyes. She could not do anything about the green eyes that she was born with. All she could do was change the color of her hair. While blonde hair looks good on most people it made her pale skin even paler. The past week I was able to get some color on her but it was hard. I rang the bell for Anna. She stuck her head in.
" I want to go to town to change the color of my hair. Can you get everything ready?" I asked
She smiled and said " Certainly. What color were you thinking?"
I smiled and said " I wanted to try something out there. I want to go dark purple."
" Purple?" She asked
" Yes. If they can. Also thanks to his royal pain in the ass we have guards now. Let Author know the details when you get them finalized."
She nodded and then left. By the time the sun started to rise I finished all the paperwork that Elizabeth had left piled up.
The land was beautiful as it rolled past. We had a day's ride to town. Author sat silently in the carriage across from us scanning the area for danger. There was something about him that made me feel uneasy. I don't remember him in the story at all. Having read as many web novels as I have , it was my luck that the story had changed since I took over. It was fine with me. Since I know not to make the same mistakes that the main character did then the story can change all it wants. It ment I could have a quiet life. The inn was a nice quiet little place just on the outskirts of the city. It was one of the few that still allowed me to stay there. The innkeeper went pale as she saw me.
" Miss. Rose, how can I help you?" She asked, trying to sound strong.
" I need two rooms please." I said placing two gold coins on the counter. I then placed another one down and said " For all the trouble that I have caused in the past."
She stared at me trying to understand what I was saying. At this point I should get used to it. Elizabeth was a terrible person. If I was going to interact with people from her past I should be prepared for the stairs and the questions. She slowly nodded and then said " The last two rooms at the end of the hall are yours."
I thanked her and headed up the stairs to our rooms. The next morning after eating breakfast we made our way into town. The hairdresser was a popular place. They just recently started to offer other options beside natural colors. Julie was walking out as we were walking in. She spotted me and asked " Are you here to get that blonde of yours fixed. It is way off from mine. Only certain people can pull it off."
I smiled and said " You're right, only certain people can. And being blonde is not for me."
Her smile tightened and she then said " I heard you sent a letter to the prince. I hope everything is okay between the two of you."
My smile grew as I said " Things will be better for the both of us if we get a divorce won't it. SInce you want to know all the details I will tell you. I asked the prince for a divorce. I know since you seem to have him wrapped around your finger why not help me speed up the process. Then you can have him all to yourself."
Her eyes burned as she spat out " What are you implying."
I raised my hands defensively and said " I am not implying anything. I am asking for help."
" Are you asking for my help?" She asked as she raised an eyebrow. " Yeah right. I am not going to fall for it Rosie."
She stormed off before I could say anything. I shrugged my shoulders. I was being serious. I wanted her help to get out of this marriage. The host smiled tightly as he asked
" What can I do for you Mrs.Rose."
" First of all, call me Elizabeth. And I am looking for someone that can dye my hair purple."
He nodded and led me to the chair of a man named Dave. He swiftly understood what I wanted. He even offered a haircut that would suit my face shape. I nodded and told him that he had full control, he was the professional. A new hair for a new person. And that was exactly what it was. After leaving we decided to get something to eat. There was a small treat shop not far from us. Author waited outside while me and Anna went in. Sitting in the center was Julie and the prince. Julie smiled and waved us over.
" Come and sit with us." She said " I am sure you and your husband want time together."
Everyone was on me seeing how I would react. The look in Julie's eye told me that she wanted me to react badly.
" While I appreciate the offer." I said, " I would hate to interrupt your date with him."
The prince choked on his drink. After wiping it away he said " This is not a date. So please join us."
He had an amused look in his eye. It was almost like he was enjoying this. His words held a dare. Unfortunately for him I loved a good dare. And since he was like this might as well see how uncomfortable I can make them both.
" Of course, dear. I would love to join the two of you. I was just wanting to give you space." But since you ask then I will be more than glad to join you."
I turned to Anna and told her to go ahead and take the rest of the day off and enjoy the town. She was reluctant to leave me but I reminded her that Author was outside. After sitting down and ordering Julie said " I thought I was your role model."
" Oh whatever could you mean?" I asked, knowing just what she was saying.
" You always copied me from my hair to the way I dressed." She said before taking a sip of tea.
" Well people grow. Miss Julie. I have decided it is time to grow up." I replied, taking a sip of my drink.
" What is that supposed to mean?" She sputtered, almost choking on her drink.
I smiled and said " I don't have to try and compete with anyone. So why show as much as I used to. I find nowadays it is a childish tactic."
As she was spewing some nonsense about how it is not childish to show off natural beauty, the desert came. I stared at the strawberry shortcake. It has been so long since I had some. The prince was also staring at it.
" Would you like a bit?" I asked
He smirked and opened his mouth as if he was a baby bird. I decided to see if I could make him blush. So I used my fork and gave him a bit. While he was chewing I used the same fork to take a bit. When he realized what I did his face turned a light shade of red. It was not as much of a reaction as I wanted. Julie on the other hand was mad. She offered him a bit of hers but as he went to take a bit I placed my hand on his mouth. He went to pull my hand away but I said
" Are you not allergic to pecans?"
He moved my hand and said " I am. What does this have to do with anything?"
" She got a pecan pie. Which is full of them."
She dropped her fork and went pale. " I-I-I did not know that" She stuttered.
I stood up and said, " If you are going to sleep with another woman's husband, at least try not to kill him."
And with that I walked out. I heard laughing coming from the sweet shop. After meeting back up with Anna we made our way back to the inn.When I got back the innkeeper stopped me and handed me a letter. In Hunters handwriting it said
Since you are in town
Meet me at dress shop at
8 in the morning
~HA
The letter behind it said
Be there or go to Jail ~HA
Guess I have no choice. I paid for another night and headed to bed. I had a strange dream. It was like several of my favorite anime combined to make a strange new one. The main characters were: me, the prince and of course Julie.