Rozalia grew up with little knowledge about the outside world. The Sertfell Marquisate is one of the leading aristocratic families in the kingdom, and their household boasts a vast estate.
Rozalia couldn’t take a step out of here, and it’s not much different from her garden. Still, she only accepted her fate and lived out her life in seclusion.
Rozalia has been living here for sixteen years. She had been living wisely for a long time and she knew that there are things she couldn’t acquire and had no desire for anything.
She's unable to enroll at an academy for noble children. Even though the royal family and all children of aristocracy enrolled to generally have cordial interactions with each other as well as to develop and form connections. However, she didn't utter a complaint when she only had a tutor that would enter their residence for her education.
Rozalia's parents died prematurely and her family was only her grandfather, the current Marquess, and her energetic younger foster-brother, who was brought from their distant relatives to take over as Grandfather's successor. It seems to be small in terms of the size of the mansion, but they also have talented servants. Her fiance, who has already been decided from their childhood, would occasionally come to visit. They are all within the narrow world of Rozalia.
Until that moment, on her way to her favored glasshouse, she found an unfamiliar red-haired knight.
Amongst the knights, there are also who are recognized as special guards of the Kingdom of Lestria. Rozalia knew of their existence, but it’s her first time to actually see one.
He was a tall man donning black and gold armor, with dark skin and a chiseled body visible under his clothes. Although he was like a war god, he had a complicated air of innocence around him. Furthermore, why is he on the premises of the Sertfell estate in the first place?
Rozalia couldn’t help but feel restless that she had no choice but to speak out, “You there, do you have any business in my house?”
She was being careful with her conduct as there’s a possibility that he might be someone's guest. Though she immediately lost her guard as he turned around, his eyes shining like that of a puppy.
Rozalia walked up to the young man with a wry smile, “Excuse me, good Sir?”
“Ah, I’m Cade Grant. Well, uhh…”
“Sir Cade, my name is Rozalia Sertfell. Would it be easier to understand if I say ‘Rose Princess’?”
Although she was smiling, she watched his reaction with a cold heart. Rose Princess. It’s a title currently used only for Rozalia. However, most aristocrats know that it isn’t any glorious title. What will the man before her do? Would he grimace in contempt? With a smile plastered on her face, would he sneer at her? Surprisingly, his reaction was none of them.
He tilted his head innocently like a child and his face brightened as if he got the point, “Rose Princess…I see. You are indeed as beautiful as a rose.”
With eyes wide open, Rozalia was taken aback by this unexpected turn. Looking at his smile, one can see that he was serious. She thought that a knight who served under royalty would have heard rumors before.
“I am honored to hear your compliment. By the way, I am a resident of this house.”
“Ahh…What?! This is a residence?! I’m sorry, I thought it was a park!”
Cade Grant is a good looking young man. He has vividly red hair and sharp eyes with an air that shimmers like gold. His nose bridge is high and has thin lips and smooth bronze skin. His body is well-structured, slender yet firm even when wearing armor. He has an appearance that would attract a lady’s gaze wherever he went, it is even powerful enough to be a weapon.
However, he quite resembles a puppy as he was tilting his head before anxiously said, “I’m very sorry. I had intruded in without permission, but I am not someone suspicious. If you tell me where the exit is, I'll leave.”
Cade declined his body to a deep bow as he apologized. If he’s left unattended, he will surely be apprehended by one of their servants. Rozalia couldn't leave him alone as she began to feel pity.
“If you don’t mind, please let me guide you to the gates. I don’t think even a strong knight will be able to escape the eyes of the servants in my residence.”
Rozalia is allowed to walk alone due to the safety within the premises. There was hesitation behind her words, but Cade began to meekly follow her.
“That’s right. I met some of them, but they do not seem to be just mere servants.”
“They are a few selected elites.”
“Is it fine to use the word ‘elite’? No, I’m sorry to trouble you, but please take care of me.” He gravely took a bow and Rozalia nodded.
Rozalia was aware that the people under the Sertfell Marquisate have a reason to undergo rigorous combat training. Rose Princess is easily targeted whether for good or bad reasons. Unless one has a reliable background or good personality, one will be played at interrogation. If one doesn’t have the fighting power, then that’s it. It is rumored that it’s rather impossible to work for the Sertfell family than serving the royal palace since even a letter of recommendation from someone famous wouldn’t qualify one to be employed.
Cade walked next to Rozalia, smiling, “I would like to thank you, but since I am assigned to the Lestria Academy, I have no chance to walk around freely. If you have anything you like, if there are sweets or accessories that are recently popular in the capital, please tell me. If it isn’t that expensive, I'll try to get it for you.”
“Well.”
He doesn’t have any sense of vigilance and leaks personal information every time he speaks. First of all, she can imagine a knight of the palace attending school since he has to guard a royal family member. It was known that the prince’s younger brother will turn sixteen this year and the strongest among the knights was assigned to escort him. She believed how strong he is since he wasn’t caught by her people, but not only his ability, his trust in the royal family is strong.
She wondered if it was a deterrent that he exposes his daily life's activities quite easily. She got worried over another person's affairs.
“I can only accept your kind gesture…I’m ashamed to say that I don’t know much about the capital.” She added her own circumstance casually and as expected, he tilted his head.
“Well, isn’t it difficult to keep staying here? I'm worried that they won't let you out to play.”
“Well, it is quite natural for a noble lady to receive such commands. Though, how many means of escape are there? It is necessary for anyone to take a breather, so it's unusual for a lady to never go to the capital. For me, my situation is a bit special.” Rozalia explained to the best of her knowledge.
Cade tilted his head as confusion increased, “Well…What circumstance is it where you can’t act on it freely?”
“Hah. It can’t be helped.” She was only playing him. It’s no use crying over her misfortune, and it’s enough to live a comfortable and peaceful life. It’s just that she doesn’t have any freedom. Well, how is he going to respond to that, will he act surprised by her incoherent remarks?
Her expectation once again got easily overturned.
“…Why do you have to endure it? Because I don’t know the circumstances, I might say something irresponsible. However, as I’m living my own life, I think that I should live as I like.”
“—”
Indeed. He knows nothing, but he was the only man who ever thought of Rozalia’s freedom. She stopped before she realized it. Her world is vividly repainted. For the first time, her heart began to make some commotion like it’s trying to jump out of her chest.
It was a dramatic change for a young lady who had lived with her whole life like a dead doll. Blood rushed to her body like a tidal wave. The feeling of being uplifted, it heated up to the tip of her fingers and it freely went up to her cheeks. Her chest hurt so much, but it helplessly felt sweet.
― Like. I like this person. It was no longer an intuition. There is no shame, no doubt, and she will give everything no matter what it is.
…She must definitely get Cade Grant.
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