The Second Mistress (Sovieshu x OC)

Chapter 11

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-In Navier's room-

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-Navier's POV-

I sat in a chair drinking tea as Countess Eliza and Lady Laura walked over "Your Majesty, have you heard? Duke Ergi Claude arrived at the palace." Laura said as Countess Eliza smiled "I'm sure, Her Majesty is already aware of this, Laura" Countess Eliza said.

Laura moved closer to me "Does Her Majesty also know who the Duke was with all day?" She asked, I halted her movement before thinking 'Since Duke Ergi is well-known for being close friends with Prince Heinrey' I thought and looked up at Countess Eliza and Laura "Prince Heinrey?" I asked and Laura shook her head "No! He was with that slave girl, Rashta! They spent the whole day together." Laura exclaimed.

"I heard they seemed to get along well. They both ended up getting involved in an incident that took place earlier today. They were taking a walk together when a nobleman humiliated Rashta by asking the Duke if he knew she was a runaway slave. And then... Almost before he finished speaking, Duke Ergi punched him." Countess Eliza said.

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-In Rashta's room-

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-Third Person's POV-

Rashta smiled at Duke Egri "Thank you for what you did today, Your Grace" She said as he lifted the teacup to his mouth taking a sip of tea before answering her "There's no need to thank me. I taught a scoundrel some manners" He said setting the tea cup down. Rashta looked down as she blushed "Well, I am very grateful. You must have heard what he said earlier. I've been distressed lately because this false rumor about me has spread." She said and looked up at him. "Does this kind of thing happen to you often?" Duke Egri asked Rashta making her look down not saying anything giving him his answer, he got angry "Damn them all to hell. They've got some nerve to say you're a slave to your face. And even if that were true, there's nothing wrong with that. I should have given them more of a beating" He said.

Rashta looked at him "That sounds quite scary, Your Grace..." She mumbled.

He sighed and moved his hair out his face "I came here to meet a friend... But I'm glad I ran into you first." He said and looked at Rashta "I doubt you would have been able to deal with that scoundrel properly if I hadn't been there." He said and Rashta's eyes widened that he cared about her. "Though I'm sure my friend is throwing a fit right now because I'm late. He has quite the temper, you see. In any case, it would be best if people stopped spreading these lies, but it's unlikely that fools like that will suddenly stop talking nonsense. I suggest you deal with the problem as soon as possible." He said his gaze on her. Rashta's head went down and she put her hand in her lap "There's nothing I can do. Even though the man who started the rumor made it clear it wasn't true, nobody believes him." Rashta said "Then make someone else the target. That will be faster than trying to respond to the rumors" Duke Egri said.

"What do you mean?" Rashta looked up at him confused.

Duke Egri picked up his fork and cut a slice of cake lifting it on the fork "You're currently everyone's number one target" He said and turned his gaze to Rashta "So if you can get people talking about someone else, everyone will attack them instead." He said smirking at Rasta.