"You found my brothers at one his mines?"
I inquired Argus while the court had been dismissed for fifteen minutes. Mama had taken Thalia to the washroom while the Marquis and the lawyer were talking to each other at the courtroom.
"....yes..."
"But he said they were at his mansion?"
"...it's a long story..."
I raise my brow in curiosity, waiting for him to start explaining. Seeing my sharp gaze, he everts his eyes and adds,
"We did find them from his mansion however to have solid proof evidence against him, we devised a plan where the officer found them at the mines and can thus come and give his word in front of the judges. Moreover, his words cannot be taken as a lie since he is now an eye witness and additionally an officer of the public and the Kingdom."
"What's going to happen now? Didn't you say that the judges are also with him?"
"Not all of them. The female judge is a close friend of the Marquis and he requested her to take over the case as the head judge."
"Then it's going to be in our favour?"
"You can say that..."
"Duke Dallarosa. May I have a few words with you?"
"Yes, of course. I will be right back."
Upon the Marquis call, Argus takes his leave for a while whereas I was waiting for my mother and sister to be back.
Suddenly I hear footsteps approaching. Thinking that it's either them or Argus, I reflexively turn around to see Ryker Cash standing there, glaring.
"You.....huh...."
He scoffed, rolling his eyes, anxiously brushing his hands through his hair in stress.
"I should have known. Why did I bother letting you go so easily when I could have had you in the other way as well? I guess I was enjoying seeing you in trouble. You know....a dog should never bite it's owner. You still owe me. Regardless of whatever I will be charged with, you still owe me."
"So what? That does not mean you own me."
He bursts out laughing and chuckling,
"That's just how it is. Don't forget the interest. It's still increasing even as we now speak. By the time, I'll be out soon from the jail so then what will happen to you, darling? With your current situation, I doubt you will be able to gather that much amount...."
His hand reaches for me while I move a few steps back until I could no longer do so since my back collided with the wall. I push my feet a bit back, ready to kick him in the gut as soon as he would dare to touch me. However, that's when I recall that if I move here right now, they might counterattack in the court saying I attacked him. Damnit. I gritted my teeth. I wanna punch him so badly.
His fingers are about to touch my cheek when a hand grips his arm tightly.
"What do you think you are doing?"
A cold voice escaped Argus's mouth as both continue to glare at each other.
"…nothing."
Ryder grits his teeth and tries to pull his hand back however, Argus doesn't let go of him. Instead his grip tightens and he whispers in such a low voice that only Ryker was able to hear him in his ear,
"You better know your place before you do anything. Too bad, you could have had your chance to live a better life but in the end, a trash can remains a trash can no matter how much you clean it."
Hearing those words, Ryker's eyes go round as he realised that Argus found out that he wasn't from the book. And he just confirmed that his suspicions regarding Argus being not from the book is true.
Argus lets go of his arm with a push and takes me away from there as I turn around to stick my tongue out at him. I had no idea what Argus had just told Ryker but it had seemed to shake him up and that's all that matters to me. Still, my curiosity got the best of me hence I inquired,
"What did you talk to him about?"
"You will find out soon enough."
Before long, the break ended and Ryker was given the sentence of 12 years jail time with 10 years of community service and a fine of 350 billion mels. Apparently his original punishment was going to be of 8 years however after the incident and his actions and attitude with the judges, his jail time was increased.
After everything was settled and all, the Marquis went back to his mansion. While we were planning to go back to our new home, a beautiful comfortable cottage not too far away from the main city with a little side lake and little land to graze animals just enough for us to live peacefully. Argus had just offered to drop us there when a carriage arrived and from inside came out Lark and Eros, eating chocolates along with Fidelis who had been taking care of them since last night. Everyone rejoices and it was such a jolly moment, that I felt really blessed.
I had forgotten all about the book for two more months as we settled in our new life. Mama baked while I went with Reynold to deliver them to the specific shops where our goods were sold. We also took personal orders and delivered their orders to them. We even bought hens, goats, sheeps, and two horses as well as Thalia adopted an abandoned puppy from the streets which she named, Fluffy since we could barely recognise his face due to all it's fur. At the beginning because of it's too much fur and it being muddy, we couldn't recognise what breed it was. Later on we found out it was a husky pup. We had no idea how it came here but Thalia insisted on taking care of it and frankly, it was too cute to let go of.
Occasionally, I exchange letters with Argus since we were so busy in our daily lives that we barely get time to meet. Lydia is still the same. She wouldn't talk about her past at all. I think she doesn't remember. Which reminds me that I am starting to forget everything as well. I wonder if it's the affects of merging into our current lives.
The only problem still left was the debt that was still hanging over our heads like a knife, ready to stab us any moment. It all depended on when Ryker's wife would demand money from us. After he was jailed, all his remaining assets and authority went over to his wife whom I heard was taking a divorce from him. This was so different from what happened in the book. Perhaps its because the plot line already changed a lot that it affected the real character's as well. Or maybe perhaps she isn't from this book as well? Either way getting a divorce especially in this society that's presented in the book where a divorcee and a widow are considered as taboos, it will be a huge step for her. Wherever you are Mrs. Cash, my prayers are with you!
Thinking that, I was walking back to my home after finishing delivering an order, when I notice a female shadow standing in front of the main gate.
"Can I help you?"
A woman wearing a gorgeous fluffy blue gown with multiple white frills turn to look at me. To shade her face from the sun, she wore a bonnet matching her dress with a white frill and a pink flower at the corner. Her hair was brown tied up in a bun with almond hazel eyes observing me.
"I am here to talk to Rhea Leneghan."
Hearing my name, my ears perk up,
"Yes. That would be. You are.....?
"I'm Giselle Cash or should I say Giselle Ray since I am going to be divorced soon."
Soon after we sat inside at the main lounge of the cottage. Mama, Thalia, Eros and Lark were peeking from either the stairs or the door while I sat across the ex-Mrs. Cash.
"How can I help you?"
Knowing full well that she must be here to demand for the money, I still pretended to be oblivious. Since she came alone, I assumed that she must be here to talk about something else but what could it be?
"That..."
She glances at the people who were eagerly eavesdropping and peeking. Reaching for her purse, she brings out a letter and hands it to me. I quickly open it to read,
'Dear Miss Rhea,
I will address you as Rhea since I do not know your real name. Yes, I am not from this book. First of all, let me begin by apologising. I couldn't stop Ryker when he was bothering you in the start. Believe you me, I tried my best. However, it turned out to be a lot more difficult than I had imagined. I am however thankful that I managed to help escape your brothers. I am not sure if the Duke informed you of this, but I was the one who contacted him to inform him of your brother's location and I helped them along their plan. I also told him of how Ryker was also not from this book which I am sure you must've guessed by now.
What in the world?! My mouth goes wide open when I read that sentence. If he was not from this book then why did he even bother acting the same way. Was he crazy? I continue to read the letter as it answered my questions,
Yes, he must seem crazy and he was crazy. He wanted to have the female lead all to himself. I know....weird, right? I'm glad you got rid of him. I can now live freely as well. I have been trying to divorce him for a long time but I needed a proper credible reason that my family would deem as appropriate and thankfully, him going to jail turned out to be perfect for me. So, thank you! Oh and Duke Argus mentioned that you will be curious about my past. I am sorry to say, I do not remember. I became Giselle when she was only 2. Last I recall, I was celebrating my 20th birthday when suddenly everything blackened with a sharp noise that pierced my ears. I don't remember anything about my family or my life. However, I do remember the feelings and I am quite happy living here, being Giselle. I have everything that I ever wished for.
After finishing the letter I look up at Giselle who warmly smiles,
"As it is stated in that letter, you do not have to pay the interest any more. I went to the ministry to get it changed. In exchange for the debt, you can work at my cafe as a manager for a year without income. You can also display and sell your bakery items there since I only sell tea and coffee. It would be good to have something to eat along with it. Please do not worry, you will get fair price for whatever you sell."
"That....."
Before I could respond, my family who was eavesdropping, pushes the door open to rush inside. My mother excitedly comments,
"Are you an angel? God bless you, my dear!"
"We will be delighted to accept this offer."
They all one by one start hugging and praising her.
I also hug and thank her. She takes her leave as I follow her outside to the main gate. When we were alone, I whispered,
"Do you perhaps know the ending of the book?"
"No."
"Guess you didn't read it all the way to the end as well, am I right?"
"No. That's not it. Don't you know?"
"Know what?"
"This book doesn't have an ending. It was unfinished."
"What...how do you know....."
"I got this book as a present the night before my birthday. I started reading it but soon enough, got bored and skipped to the end pages which turned out to be blank. Sadly, I didn't get to read the last plot that was written however a lot of the pages at the end were blank."
"That means..."
"This is an unfinished book."