The Blood Rose Lady

Chapter 1

Rozelyn just finished her first week of being a freshman. Psychology was the major subject she chose and Philosophy was the minor one.

She currently studies at St. Patrick's College, located only five minutes from their abode in the heart of Shamrock, Ireland.

Her raven-black hair was in a tight bun, causing her nape to be wholly exposed as she walked by the streets of the city.

The sky was already enveloped by the tawny sunset when she arrived home. Their house was not that grandiose, but it can already be called a home due to its cozy ambiance and serene atmosphere.

Romaine was cooking an Irish stew and some anchovies. Rozelyn's appetite suddenly dropped from being famished to being forcefully full. She hasn't liked anchovies or Irish stew since she was five years old.

But, respectful as she is to her sweet stepmom, she willingly changed from school clothes to household apparel; then eventually sat down on the rectangular dining table. On her left side, her emerald green eyes suddenly caught an intriguing scenario—a third plate and wine glass was laid beside Rozelyn.

"Are we expecting anyone tonight, Romaine?"

Rozelyn's hoarse voice echoed in the private dining room. They usually dine in the kitchen when no visitors or friends seem to bother by unexpectedly ringing their doorbell with a champagne on their left hand and a chocolate cake in their right hand.

"Cyrill's already home, Rosie." Romaine's reply seems to be a bit gloomy.

Does it have something to do with his surprise return to their place? What could have happened to Cyrill in London?

Cyrill Clarke has been studying and performing in London as a professional musician, particularly being a cellist and a violinist. Clarke was neither her cousin nor her stepbrother.

Cyrill was the son of Romaine's best friend Cassiopeia Clarke—Cassie as Romaine usually called her. Cassie killed herself due to being pregnant at the age of sixteen and having STD at a very early age.

Romaine was always sweet and altruistic ever since Eku introduced her as Rozelyn's substitute mother. Though Visenna will always be Rozelyn's blood mother, it was Romaine who gave justice to the title and responsibility of being a mother. After all, not all women who give birth are already considered a mother and not all women are required to bore a child in order to gain the title and honor of being a mother.

Because of her amiable attributes, Romaine willingly adopted Cassie's son and took him under her wing. He was her protegee since Rozelyn's stepmom cannot bear a child due to medical complications.

She just smiled at the thought that her stepmom was gradually becoming an orphan sympathizer. Not mentioning the fact that even the triplet cats she adopted are also orphans and stray ones.

Coincidentally, she and Cyrill both grew up without entirely knowing their parents and their respective backgrounds. They are both stray roses in the middle of the thistles' bed. If not for Romaine, perhaps they'll end up being weeds in an orchard that will eventually wither away in the silent winds of this planet.

***

"Where is he now? It's already six in the evening and the food is getting cold already."

She tried to sound like someone who's about to gobble everything prepared on the table. Rozelyn was always a big eater despite her gender. But this time, she can no longer feel hunger in her stomach—especially the smell of anchovies kept on spoiling the fragrance of her velvet shirt's fabric conditioner.