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P e t e r - W i n t e r s


"Rutherford?" That was a surprise. He would never have guessed that the Viscount would come today. What a shame that he had to visit right when Eduard was sick. They really should make their meeting short... "If his problem is the way I'm dressed... Then if I change, it shouldn't be a problem, right?" He hoped that this would permit Elizabeth to let him out of the room.

"I dare not say they regretted it, for they probably went for the money, but if Lady Rosaline is as you describe her—which I can see myself—then if you let her down like you have done with all the others, she would be broken. She is much too innocent." This was the first time that Rutherford ever wanted one of Eduard's women. They usually were too high held for him, but this new, beautiful young woman was wonderful in his eyes. He felt a pang of jealousy.

P e t e r - W i n t e r s


Peter nodded in agreement, but he followed Elizabeth anyways. "People who are resting do get up eventually, you know," he said, laughing. He didn't think of Elizabeth as a maid, but more as a friend. That was how he viewed everyone, even Rutherford. Really, Peter could be quite naive at times.

Rutherford paled. "No..." Absolutely not! He was outraged that Eduard would finally want to settle down. It would put a stop to his plans. And last night, he had found Lady Rosaline to be quite amiable. He had hopes that Eduard would leave her like the rest so that Rutherford could swoop in and pick her up. This was one of the few women whom Eduard dealt with that Rutherford actually liked.

But his statement could be thought of as ignorance. He hoped that it had passed off somewhat like 'No, I didn't know that,' instead of 'No! A vile creature like you with fair Lady Rosaline?' He looked away from the window, not able to stand Eduard's satisfied smirk.

P e t e r - W i n t e r s


Peter looked up, genuinely surprised. "Really?" He hadn't seen much last night that would point to such a history. He did sense some tension, but it didn't seem to be that strong. "Surely it isn't as bad as you make it out to be..." Nonetheless, Peter quickly donned the light dress and put on a small golden necklace to match. He, of course, had put on some fake padding first to make it believable. He fixed his hair himself quickly, facing the mirror. Turning to Elizabeth once he was finished, he asked, "Am I presentable, Lady Elizabeth?" He curtsied, laughing at the ridiculousness of what he was doing.

"You gloat, and yet, I shall be the one to have the last smile..." he whispered this quietly to himself, though possibly just loud enough for Eduard to hear and no one else. He turned, his expression very delighted, and said, "Well, you do seem to be feeling under the weather today. Maybe it's best that you refrain from taking any further actions today that may bring you further from your mattress that so many women have sought after, hm?" He smirked.

P e t e r - W i n t e r s


Peter nodded, both in thanks and acknowledgment to Elizabeth's advice. He walked down the hallway and found Eduard's room as quick as possible without displacing anything. This would be the first place that he would look.

Rutherford nursed his bleeding jaw as much as he could with the resources currently available to him. The force had sent him tumbling onto the ground, but he quickly got up. The perspective from that level, with the brooding figure of Eduard looming over him, was too reminiscent of his status. He couldn't stand it.

Peter knocked lightly, but no one seemed to hear him. He was about to knock again when Eduard spoke. He listened, entranced by the words. He was confused. What was happening? Responsible for Eduard's current condition... Rutherford...? What?! His eyes widened and he opened the door wide, his eyes filled with fear and concern that showed that he had had heard everything that had just come to pass. "E-eduard, dear. A-are you all right?" The 'dear' had come out of pure acting instincts, but he really was genuinely concerned for Eduard.

That's when he saw Rutherford holding onto his evidently bleeding jaw and gasped in horror. Now if he was being just Peter, he would most probably have broken into surprised tears and sobbed like a helpless fool in the corner, but he was an actor. He was Rosaline.

That being said, he quickly rushed over to Rutherford and gently pried his hands away from his face. "Please, sit. Let me examine that wound." He glanced quickly at Eduard, but said nothing. He was still trying to figure out what had come to pass. On the one hand, he was worried for Eduard's health, on the other, he was a little angry at Eduard for acting so rashly and rudely to a guest, and to undermine all the support that Sebastian and Elizabeth had given him to recover.

Rutherford's jaw wasn't as badly damaged as one would think. No bones were cracked, but a lot of skin was broken. Peter turned his concerned expression over to Rutherford and smiled politely, "Please, wait until I return with the necessary items to bandage up that wound." He glanced hesitantly between Eduard and Peter and left to ask Sebastian for some supplies.

Rutherford was surprised and jealous at Lady Rosaline's sudden appearance. Though she should have been resting, she looked just as pretty, if not more fair than he had remembered. And so he hated the fact that he had mentioned Eduard first, even if that was only right.

His jealousy was immediately put off when Rosaline came over to examine his jaw. The tenderness of her voice and the gentleness of her touch made her a very lovable woman. No wonder Eduard wasn't ready to give up on her; she was like no other.

He remained silent through Rosaline's quick examination and couldn't help but smirk at Eduard as Rosaline left. There was evident smugness plastered all over his face. It was obvious enough what he was thinking and feeling without him having to say anything.

((Phew!))

P e t e r - W i n t e r s


Rutherford didn't reply, though a part of him feared Eduard's powers. He knew that angering a person of such a status was very, very risky. He was banking on the fact that Eduard wanted to appear gentle in front of such an innocent and lovely lady as Lady Rosaline. Surely Eduard's love for women would keep him from acting out of line. But that punch had threw him off, and he wasn't so confident anymore.

Peter quickly returned and silently patched up Rutherford's chin, not sure whether or not to apologize. After all, he still wasn't sure exactly what had went on in this room while he had been asleep. Now he regretted being so tired after only one night of festivities. He was already letting Eduard down.

The moment Rosaline finished, Rutherford stood up and smiled graciously at her, leaning down to kiss the hand that had touched him so gently only moments ago. "I humbly thank you for your care, fair lady. I hope to make your acquaintance again in... better times..." He straightened, took one sneering glance at Eduard, and left. Sebastian was all to glad to lead him out.

Peter remained completely silent through all of this, not sure what to think nor say. After Rutherford departed, he still stood in the middle of the room, facing the door with his back to Eduard. His little burst of biased anger hadn't quite subsided yet. He knew that he had no right to be mad without knowing all the facts, but how could Eduard punch a guest?

and yet, Eduard was always so gentlemanly that it seemed impossible for him to ever harm anything. At first, Peter had feared Eduard—feared that he would be like the tales commoners told among each other about aristocrats. But over time, Eduard appeared to be the most gentlemanly and kind person he had yet to meet. Had be been led into a false sense of security? He cursed himself for always being so blind and naive. Maybe Eduard really was like everyone else. The thought brought him great pain, and he finally slumped to the ground at the foot of Eduard's bed and burst into silent tears.

P e t e r - W i n t e r s


Peter quickly reigned in his tears and emotions. There was no good crying over such a trivial topic as his own confusion. He was causing Eduard to worry. He could figure it out himself later on, but not in front of Eduard. He wiped away his tears and stood up. He smiled shakily, looking at Eduard, and murmured, "Idiot... I told you... There's nothing to ever forgive you for..." His expression then turned to concern. "Please... G-get back to bed..." And Peter grabbed hold of Eduard's arm and dragged him there anyways.

He had decided not to mention anything about his confusion. All that news about Rutherford was too much to take in at once so he just blocked it off until later when he would have time to himself to review it. He scolded himself silently for not seeing it before.

P e t e r - W i n t e r s


Peter replied nothing, simply because he could find no words to do so. He was far too confused to trust himself at saying anything; he might regret it later. And while Eduard slept, he had his chance to go over everything and set himself straight. He smiled at Eduard and murmured, "Sleep, Marquess... You've had quite a day as it is..."

Peter remained by Eduard's side, in the chair right by the bed, holding his hand. He was thinking about all the things that Eduard had said about Rutherford, not doubting any word of it. It was evident that he held great trust in Eduard, so what was Eduard so worried about? Idiot... Eduard was worrying over pointless matters and straining himself. Most of all, he was making Peter worry.

But at least Peter's little anger had disappeared once he had received Eduard's explanation. It hadn't even occurred to him that Eduard could have made it all up in self defense. That idea would have been absurd. And, oddly enough, he didn't feel anger towards Rutherford either. Surely he had his own reasons for doing so... One can't hate him for being himself... Naive as always.