Roses Always Have Thorns [Completed]

8. Partner

'You said you're not from 'round here. I take that you came here on your own, right?' Alekzandre asked, to which Rose nodded in response. 'What are you even doing here, then? Didn't your parents teach you that the world is dangerous?'

The sun now shined with all its pride in the middle of the sky, giving people the last moments of heat for that year.

Rose looked at Alekzandre in hesitation. She didn't feel like She could fully trust him, but taking the fact that he not only saved her life but gave her shelter, she considered that she owed him an explanation.

So she did. She told him everything, from her days with miss Black at her old house, until her arrival at Lady Van Burgh's mansion up in the hills and the discovery that made her flee. Throughout, Alekzandre didn't interrupt her Once, making funny faces at times, giving Rose the sign that she needed to go in a little more detail about something.

'With all respect,' Alekzandre said after Rose finished, 'but this is all a big mess, in my opinion. Agler isn't that of an uncommon name, and you're not even a hundred per cent sure if that man really is your uncle.'

Rose went quiet, processing his words, and Alekzandre thought that he shut her off with that one, but he was wrong.

'Well,' a smile grew on Rose's face, 'there's only one way to find out!'

Alekzandre blinked a few times, taken aback by the girl's energy.

'He could be some creep like Argus from yesterday evening.' Alekzandre pointed out. 'He could lure you in and snap!'

Alekzandre clapped his hands at the last sentence, making Rose jump a little.

'What if he's not?' Rose held to her opinion stubbornly.

'You're stubborn, but you know I'm right.'

Rose rolled her eyes and continued walking, not bothering to check if her companion kept up with her. Sadly for her, Alekzandre could keep up to her with no trouble; he was used to walking long distances.

'You know, he might already be dead-'

'Shut up, now will you?' Rose stopped walking, only for her to turn around and fully confront Alekzandre.

Noticing her wrinkled forehead and how her eyes sparked with anger, Alekzandre shivered as the memory of his angry mother appeared in his mind.

'Alright, Alright.' Alekzandre raised his hands in defeat.

He learned from a young age that women's minds were slightly different from the men's and that they could be dangerous when angry. If he could, he avoided it as much as possible.

Rose and Alekzandre continued to walk in a more quiet manner for quite a while until later that day when they reached the beginning of another forest.

'Do you want to rest?' Alekzandre asked.

Rosemary narrowed her eyebrows. It was afternoon already, and it was true that her leg muscles were sore, but she felt like She could drag her stone a little longer until later in the evening.

'I'm fine.' She said. 'Please don't treat me like one of those high-class, shameless girls from the rich families. I may not be from here, but I can be as good as you.'

Alekzandre felt a smirk grow on his face. He had to admit that, although she appeared as an annoying pest, she might have something different in her.

'Well, if so, let's see how far you can get.' Alekzandre challenged. 'I rested Well, and I could walk kilometres without taking a single break. Let's see how far you can get.'