✓ | REBIRTH OF THE REBEL [Book One]

CHAPTER 4

Note: Happy New Year, Rebels!

[ C H A P T E R 4 ]

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LATISHA VALENTINE

Duke Roshan Thaddeus Riedensteigh. Matunog ang pangalan na 'yan sa buong Imperyo. Kaakibat ng kanyang pangalan ang iba't ibang mungkahi ng mga tao tungkol sa kanya. He could be an epitome of new justice, and sometimes he could be a plague that can destroy the land.

His father, Thaddeus Riedensteigh is the Emperor's youngest brother. The Empire follows the rule of primogeniture, wherein the eldest son of the late Emperor will succeed the throne, and its eldest child will be the Crown Prince.

It has been going on for almost two centuries since the Empire was established by Gregor Riedensteigh. It's Roshan's great-grandfather. Before they united these lands to become an Empire, Magnolia was a wide landmass of Kingdoms and forest.

It has a history that has been passed down from generation to generation, and the more this history is transcribed, the more it points out that it was a single man's work. Clearly, it wasn't.

Roshan's parents went to the sea for exploration, but there was a typhoon that broke their ship and it hasn't been found until today. At this generation, with limited mobility to travel the wide ocean, it was concluded that the Duke and Duchess of Riedensteigh died of shipwreck.

He was sixteen back then. Kakasimula niya pa lang pumasok sa akademiya sa mga panahon na 'yon. At sa murang edad, inatasan siya ng responsibilidad na matagal pa sanang ibibigay sa kanya.

He became a Duke by force, because if he didn't, the assets of Riedensteigh would be divided and the Duchy would be dissolved. It would be a hassle to appoint another Duke, and that's why he wasn't given a choice to pick.

I was 12 when we settled on the state of Edinburgh. It was the time where his parents died, and I wanted to count that as a coincidence, but I was shocked by the truth. The trap had been set, and it was waiting to lure the bait.

Roshan grew up being aloof from his peers. He doesn't smile, he doesn't last long at any social gathering and he always ends up being gossiped about how rude he was for leaving mid-meal.

He spends his time alone in his office, and I always wonder what keeps him entertained. Well, I may add the fact that Annabelle's portrait is keeping his sanity intact.

According to the rumors, the Duke saved that mistress during a battle that struck a town. The whole town was destroyed, making the townsfolk migrate to another place until they settled in Edinburgh.

He met her again, and he saved her, again. She was adopted to become a courtesan, and when Roshan got wind of this rumor, he bought her from there, and that was where their love started.

The Emperor doesn't like where this girl was raised, and how she turned out to be. Tinanong ko minsan ang mga matatandang kasambahay na nasa Duchy, at lahat ng sinasabi nila tungkol kay Annabelle ay taliwas sa narinig ko sa ibang tao.

Marami ang nagsabi na maalaga, mabait, at mapagmahal ang dalaga. Subalit, tingin ng iba sa kanya ay mukhang-pera, ahas, o kung ano pang pwedeng iinsulto sa isang ipinanganak na mahirap.

I get why Roshan fell in love. Aside from her beautiful face, she has a kind heart. Tuwing wala si Roshan sa opisina niya, lagi akong pumupuslit roon at pinapakialaman ang kanyang mga dokumento.

I read their exchange of letters, I read how passionate she was, and caring for the Duke. I felt envious when it was easy for Roshan to convey his emotions to her, and it takes me ages to do that. Also, it would make me happy if it weren't anger that sprouted at him, but it was.