The first term test incident has passed and daily life has returned.
Rozalia continues exchanging friendly banter with Renwild while dodging the persistent Alexis on the side.
Lutier still speaks to her without reserve, and Folse acts as if Rozalia was not there.
Everything was the same as before, but there was only one person whose attitude had changed since then. It was Cade.
They had a more awkward greeting than before, and he doesn't smile often. Rozalia seldom sees him nowadays. Whenever they meet, he looks as if he wanted to talk to her about something.
Rozalia consulted Renwild and asked him to create a situation where they could be alone again.
Perhaps Cade himself was looking for a place to talk. Surprisingly, now that they're alone, he didn't look as embarrassed or as troubled as before.
Just like the first time, the two of them face each other in the study room.
Since Renwild has taken charge of his duties on his own, she wouldn't have any trouble speaking to Cade casually. The tea has all set before Miria left them alone.
Tea was just right to pass the long silence. When Rozalia added milk to her tea, amber and white colors are mixed in a swirl, creating a mysterious pattern.
As she stared at it vacantly, Cade began to speak.
"... You know, I've been thinking about the meaning of 'Rose Princess' all this time."
There was an unbearable pain in his tone. He clenches his hands on his lap.
"When we first met, you called yourself 'Rose Princess' and yet I didn't even doubt that it didn't mean anything but wonderful. I regret that now. I couldn't even refute the rude way I spoke about it to you at that time..."
She thought that he was afraid of the crude meaning behind it, but it seems it wasn't the case.
It is said that the word "Rose Princess," which was spat with contempt during the disturbance, only made him frustrated by his ignorance.
Rozalia's eyes were wide open as she suddenly thought of an idea.
—Oh! Maybe I can use this as that strategy of showing my "surprising side" that I had previously thought of.
An ordinary woman would suffer from such terrible circumstances if she was in her shoes. This would be a perfect opportunity for her to use her own ordeal. It would have even been better if she showed her grief.
Rozalia looked down as she tilted her head a bit to the side to create a fragile form.
"... Do you know a creature that is known as the Dragon?"
Cade suddenly shot his head forward and earnestly answered her question.
"Well, yes! I've heard of this story. If I remember it correctly, there is a legend that the Kingdom of Lestria was built on top of the Dragon's body."
"That indeed is correct. It's an ancient creature that only appears in stories now. It had lizard-like features with scales all over its body and bat-like wings on its back."
It is believed that the dragon was the ferocious ruler of the sky and a calm creature with intelligence.
"They say that long ago, the ancestors of the Marquisate of Sertfell had a contract with the Dragon."
Even though there is said to be a contract, there was no physical document and the contents of it have not been conveyed.
But perhaps because of the contract, the women of the Sertfell family sometimes were born with a special condition. That condition is being the "Rose Princess".
"... The reason why I'm called the 'Rose Princess' was due to the rose-like fragrance in my blood."
He kept blinking his eyes, but he was surprisingly calm.
"To be honest, I was surprised by the smell of roses myself, but is that even justifies the way people look at you? Like they see something so hateful..."
Rozalia lowered her eyes and shook her head.
"It's because of the scent. It was told that dragons attracted by the distinct smell of roses will wake up from their deep slumber and destroy the whole kingdom."
It is not clear as to why the blood gives off fragrance and why it is limited only to the women of the Sertfell household. Of course, no one has confirmed that a drop of blood can really destroy the kingdom.
The legend of the "Rose Princess" bringing disaster is enough of a reason for the people to be fearful.
"The dragon is the foundation of the kingdom. I was isolated from the outside world to prevent myself from getting hurt that will lead to bleeding. That's why the aristocrats avoid me."
The Sertfell lineage where many "Rose Princesses" were born, was not well-received by other families.
However, it is also strongly suggested that the bloodline must not perish, so she was betrothed to a boy named Folse at an early age. He was the third son, so there was no issue if she marries him.
Everything in Rozalia's life was already set in stone.
"...I didn't think love was necessary for marriage. It's already quite enough if someone accepts me."
But things are different now.
Without being tied to anyone, Rozalia will be free. You can say whatever you want. You can reach out to the person you like.
Like the one sitting before her, the gentleman whom she is currently interested in. Cade was in deep thought, not realizing the intense gaze Rozalia was giving him.
"In other words... it will be dangerous if you bleed."
"Not all bleeding is dangerous though."
Cade tilted his head as though he doesn't understand what she meant.
"Eh? Is there any bleeding that is not dangerous?"
Rozalia made a cheerful smile.
"Yes, there is no problem with natural bleeding. Otherwise, the kingdom will be in danger of being destroyed every month."
"Huwaa?! Even if you put it that way, a young lady shouldn't say that!"
Furthermore, Cade shot up from his seat quite flustered. After scolding her, he came to his senses and fell back down. It's such a shame that Rozalia couldn't put out the cute image that reflected her eyes.
At some point, her eyes met with Cade who was so riled up at what she said. His brown complexion makes it difficult to comprehend how flustered he was, but she could clearly notice that he's embarrassed through his moist eyes.
Before Rozalia could think of it as cute, her body temperature suddenly rose. She couldn't take her eyes off his moon-like eyes.
The temperature in the room seems to have risen. Even though they're just staring at each other, her skin was getting goosebumps.
Cade was the first one to avert his gaze.
"Let's calm down a bit."
"... That's right. Please take your time drinking tea."
Rozalia's heart was beating fast, but for some reason, she's out of breath. Rozalia desperately hid the trembling of her fingers holding the teacup. Her body doesn't move the way she wanted it to, like it doesn't belong to her.
It's a topic that she brought up intending to tease him, but it seems she gets embarrassed together with him.
Cade regained his composure relatively early, but he became serious after drinking his tea.
"Since you told me an important secret, I will share one with you. Don't you think it's strange that Lady Lutier suspected you of cheating?"
Rozalia could hear him swallowing hard across the table before continuing.
"—She is probably a reincarnator. And as a person who understands that, I am the same. I told you that I had amnesia, but actually, I don't even have the knowledge of this world, let alone any memory."
Cade gave Rozalia an uncomfortable look for a moment but explained his life slowly one at a time.
Cade said he lived in a different world until a few months ago. He had an accident at work and probably died instantly. He just woke up and found himself possessing the body of Cade Grant.
When he explained his situation first to his direct superior, Renwild, it seems that there was no problem with his fighting ability, and he was able to protect his surroundings as usual. With the help of his Highness, he learned and studied this civilization.
After a long talk, Cade exhaled in exhaustion.
"...I don't think it makes sense if you suddenly say something like this out of the blue. I won't say that I understand your situation. However, if you say that Lady Lutier has the ability to see the future, that's a rather concerning matter. For that reason, she might use this ability against others. And I won't definitely allow it."
His appearance after she said that seemed to have completely deflated and worn out. It's all so ridiculous that she still couldn't believe it.
Rozalia gazes at his hand on the table. She gently put her hand on top of his, which was tightly clenched.
"I still don't quite understand it all, but please don't give up."
Cade widened his eyes in awe and took a deep breath.
"I was certainly surprised, but thanks to you, there are some things that can be explained now. I believe you."
It is also true that she did not seem to understand most of the things he revealed. There were times when she also felt uncomfortable in every aspect of his behavior and language.
Like when they're alone in the classroom the first time, Rozalia thought it was strange for him to carefreely sit next to her just because she told him to.
In everyday situations, this is not deemed a problem. However, sitting next to each other in a situation when both of you are alone should be allowed only to those who are intimate with each other.
Even if not engaged, the action itself expresses your unspoken intentions that you are willing to have such a relationship.
Rozalia was measuring his distance from her in various settings, but if he had no obvious knowledge as a nobleman, on the contrary, she could understand his actions.
"I want to know more about you. No matter how trifle it is. I want to understand you."
Rozalia prayed that he can feel the warmth beneath her cold hand even a little bit. She put little strength into her fingers as she grasped his hand.
Cade stared at Rozalia in surprise, but then his taut expression loosened.
It's been a long time since she saw him smile like the blue sky.
Comments
Post a Comment