Chapter 5 Attempt of Peace

"Are you really sure about this, Boss?" Dean asked, glancing sideways at Maverick as he drove.

"Sure about what?" Maverick replied without looking at him.

"About leaving the mansion."

Maverick leaned back in his seat and let out a long, tired sigh. He stared out the car window as they passed trees and buildings.

"Yeah. I'm sure," he finally said. "This is what's best. I don't want my mom thinking I'm getting close to the new family Dad brought into our home. That's not happening."

Dean hesitated, then added, "What about Roseline?"

At that, Maverick turned his head slowly and gave Dean a puzzled look.

"What about her?" he asked, a bit confused.

"I mean... I saw her earlier. She hugged you, Boss." Dean gave a tiny smirk. "Do you think maybe she likes you?"

Maverick's eyes narrowed sharply.

"Dean," he said in a serious voice. "I didn't make you my right-hand man so you could gossip like some teenager. And wait a second-didn't I tell you to leave the room earlier? How did you see that hug?!"

Maverick gave him a cold glare, his voice sharp and accusing.

Dean scratched the back of his neck, looking nervous.

"I-I thought Roseline was already leaving," he explained quickly. "I didn't expect there'd be... hugging involved." He chuckled lightly, clearly teasing, but Maverick wasn't amused.

"The next time I tell you to leave, you leave. Got it?"

"Yes, Boss!" Dean said quickly, straightening in his seat. "But really-didn't you feel anything when she-Ow!"

Maverick smacked the back of Dean's head before he could finish. "You talk too much for a grown man," Maverick snapped.

Dean rubbed the spot where he'd been hit but just laughed softly to himself as he kept driving.

For a while, they both stayed quiet. But in the silence, Maverick couldn't help it-the memory of Roseline's hug came rushing back into his mind. The way her arms wrapped around him. The way her voice trembled. It was a strange feeling. No one had ever hugged him like that before-not to stop him from leaving. Not like they truly cared.

But he quickly pushed the thought away.

"She's still young," he told himself. "Probably just acting on emotion. She doesn't even know what she's doing."

Back at the mansion, Roseline sat alone in the living room. Her eyes were fixed on a small photo frame-one that held a picture of Maverick.

She hugged her knees to her chest and sighed deeply.

"I thought I'd finally have a big brother," she whispered. "Someone I could talk to... someone who'd protect me."

But now he left too.

Before she knew it, her feet had carried her upstairs. She slowly opened the door to Maverick's room and stepped inside. It was quiet-too quiet. She looked around and saw that most of his things were gone.

On his desk, she spotted an old photo of Maverick as a child. She picked it up gently and stared at it, trying to figure out if she had seen him before. Maybe once, when she was very young?

As she turned the frame around, something caught her eye. There was another photo-hidden behind the first one. It was a picture of a woman. She was beautiful, with a soft smile and kind eyes.

Roseline's brows furrowed as she carefully pulled the photo out.

"Who is this woman?" she whispered. "Could she be... Maverick's girlfriend?"

She flipped the picture over and read the name written on the back.

"Elowyn..." she read aloud. "So that's her name... Elowyn."

She stared at the name for a moment before putting the photo back exactly where she found it.

After that, Roseline walked over to his closet and opened the doors. Most of the clothes were gone-only a few old shirts and jackets were left hanging.

Her chest felt heavy. Her fingers brushed over the empty hangers.

"He really left," she whispered to herself.

With her head down and her shoulders slumped, she slowly walked out of his room.

As she stepped into the hallway, she overheard one of the maids talking nearby.

"That boy is so hard-headed! Can you believe it? Leaving the mansion just like that, and now he's asking for Charity to be his personal maid? Unbelievable!"

Roseline stopped in her tracks, biting her lip as she listened. Her heart ached, but she said nothing. She just kept walking, wondering what else she could possibly do to make him stay-or at least stop hating her so much.

Roseline was coming down the stairs when she heard voices from the dining area. It was Henrik and her mother, Alodia. They were having a light snack, chatting over tea and biscuits. Normally, Roseline didn't like to listen in on other people's conversations-but this time, something made her pause. The way Henrik sounded, the tone in his voice, it pulled her in.

She slowed her steps, careful not to make noise, and stood just out of sight, listening.

"...I've tried everything to get that boy to listen," Henrik was saying, frustration in his voice. "But he's always been so stubborn. Honestly, I'm just relieved he didn't end up marrying that girl he used to be obsessed with."

"Oh?" Alodia responded gently.

Henrik continued, shaking his head. "I still have dreams for him-big ones. He just needs to let go of the past."

That part caught Roseline's full attention.

Curious, she walked into the room like she hadn't heard anything, acting casual. She sat across from them, picking up a piece of cookies.

"Where is Maverick's condo?" Roseline asked suddenly, pretending it was a random question.

Henrik blinked in surprise. "Oh, don't worry about that, sweetheart," he said with a small laugh. "You'll only stress yourself thinking about your brother."

Roseline felt her face flush, but she tried to hide it.

"He's been hard-headed from the start," Henrik went on. "But at least he's free from that girl now. She almost ruined him."

Roseline stayed quiet, but her thoughts were spinning. 'That must be the woman in the photo-the one hidden behind Maverick's childhood picture.'

"Is she still in New York?" Roseline asked softly.

"I have no idea," Henrik replied, waving his hand like it didn't matter. "It's been years. I don't think they talk anymore."

Roseline nodded and didn't say anything else. She finished her snack quietly, but her mind was busy.

Afterwards, she walked out to the backyard, where she found Charity hanging freshly washed bedsheets on a clothesline. The sun was warm, and a light breeze fluttered the white fabric as it dried.

"Charity," Roseline called gently, stepping closer, "can I talk to you for a moment?"

Charity turned, surprised to see her. "Oh! Miss Roseline. What is it? Do you need something?"

Roseline smiled shyly. "I heard that Maverick asked you to be his personal maid. Is that true?"

Charity chuckled softly. "Well, yes... but only sometimes. He doesn't want someone around all the time. I just go when he needs help with cleaning."

Roseline looked down, playing with her fingers. "Can I go with you next time you visit him?"

Charity blinked in surprise. "Of course! But... only if Don Henrik gives you permission."

Roseline hesitated. "Uhm... Charity, what if we just... didn't tell him?"

Charity's eyes widened, and she lowered the bedsheet she was holding.

"Oh no, young Miss. I could get fired for that," she said in a hushed voice. "Don Henrik would be very upset."

"Don't worry," Roseline said quickly. "I'll take full responsibility. I'll tell Mom. She'll understand-I know she will."

Charity looked unsure but nodded slowly. "Alright. But just so you know, I don't sleep there. Sir Maverick only calls me when he needs something cleaned or delivered."

"That's okay," Roseline said with a hopeful smile. "Just let me know when he contacts you."

"I will. He usually sends a text message," Charity said, picking up another sheet to hang.

"You have his number?" Roseline asked, her eyes lighting up. "Can I have it too?"

Charity laughed softly and pulled out her phone. "Sure. Here."

She opened her contacts and handed the phone to Roseline, who quickly saved Maverick's number into her own phone.

"Thank you," Roseline said warmly.

Charity gave her a gentle look. "You know, Sir Maverick isn't a bad person. I think he's just... carrying a lot inside. He hides it well, but you can feel it."

Roseline lowered her head, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yeah. I feel guilty. He left his home... all because of me and Mom."

Charity didn't answer right away. She only gave a small, understanding smile, then turned her attention back to the laundry. She didn't want anyone from the senior staff overhearing their talk and scolding her for it.

Roseline took the hint. "Alright, Charity. I'll go now. I still need to take a shower anyway," she said politely before walking back into the house, her heart heavy but her mind already forming a plan.

Roseline skipped happily back up to her room. She had planned to take a bath, but once she saw her soft bed, she threw herself onto it with a sigh. Her body felt tired, and before she knew it, she was staring at the ceiling, lost in thought.

Even though Maverick was still upset with her-even though he had left the mansion-she still wanted to see him. Deep inside her heart, she still hoped that one day, he would forgive her and her mom. She didn't expect it to happen soon, but she believed that if she just showed him kindness and patience, maybe... just maybe... his anger would fade away.

Sometime later, she heard someone calling her name from outside her door. She sat up groggily, realizing she had fallen asleep without even taking that shower she had planned.

Gertrude, the older housemaid, gently knocked and peeked in.

"Miss Roseline, your father is calling you for dinner," she said.

Roseline yawned and rubbed her eyes. "I'll just bathe really quickly, Gertrude," she said, already heading to her bathroom.

"Alright, dear. Just be fast. The food is already on the dining table," the older woman reminded her kindly.

"Yes, ma'am!" Roseline said with a grin, rushing to take her shower.

She cleaned up as quickly as she could, changed into fresh clothes, and then hurried downstairs, still drying her hair with a towel.

Henrik was already at the head of the table, looking serious as always.

"We may now begin our dinner," he said in a firm voice.

"Sorry, Dad. I'm late," Roseline said softly, a little embarrassed.

"No worries, dear. Take your seat and let's eat," Henrik replied, his tone much gentler than usual.

Roseline smiled shyly and sat down beside her mother, who gave her a warm smile. She noticed that everyone at the table was already in place. She hadn't realized before that Henrik was very strict about family dinners. If she had known, she wouldn't have wasted time with her shower.

As they began to eat, Henrik suddenly spoke again.

"I'll be gone for a week."

Roseline turned to him quickly, surprised. "Where are you going, Dad?"

"Just something important I need to take care of in Paris," he answered shortly.

Roseline glanced at her mother, hoping for more information, but Alodia only offered her daughter a gentle, knowing smile. She hadn't told Roseline anything either, it seemed.

Henrik continued, speaking loudly enough that even the maids could hear from the background. "If anything happens while I'm gone, don't hesitate to call me. If any staff disrespects you or your mother, fire them on the spot. Starting tomorrow, Alodia will be in charge of the household."

At that moment, the head maid, Dolores, stepped forward politely and gave a small respectful bow beside Henrik.

"Don't worry, Don Henrik. I'll make sure the rest of the staff treat them both properly."

Henrik nodded. "That's good, Dolores."

Roseline sat silently, watching everything unfold. Her stepfather was strict and commanding, but the way he spoke made her feel something she hadn't expected-safe. Even if he didn't say it directly, his words made her feel like he was protecting her and her mother.

Later that night, Roseline was in her room again, brushing her hair in front of the mirror. That's when she heard a soft knock on her door. She quickly stood up and opened it.

To her surprise, it was Charity.

"Charity! Come in," Roseline said with a smile, opening the door wider.

"Miss Roseline," Charity began quietly, glancing behind her nervously, "Sir Maverick just sent me a message. He wants me to go to the condo tomorrow. Are you still planning to come with me?"

Roseline's eyes lit up immediately. "Really? Yes! I'll go with you for sure!"

Charity smiled. "Alright. Should I wait for you at 6 a.m.?"

"Yes, please. And, um, just call me Roseline, okay? I don't really like being called 'Miss.' It sounds too formal."

Charity chuckled softly. "Alright then, Roseline. I'll see you tomorrow morning."

"Thank you, Charity!" Roseline said excitedly.

"No problem," Charity replied with a kind smile before slipping back out into the hallway, careful not to be seen chatting for too long.

As Roseline closed the door, she felt her heart flutter with nervous excitement. Tomorrow, she would finally get the chance to see Mavy again. She didn't know what would happen-but more than anything, she just wanted a chance to make things right.