Chapter 11: Just Before a Cold Heals, It Hurts the Most

A Street Urchin.

Though born a commoner, Rosel’s plight was more wretched than that of a slave who at least had a place to rest. Yet, he clung tenaciously to life.

Countless nights were spent sleeping under the blanket of the night sky, dreaming under the company of stars.

How many days he had survived like this, he didn’t know.

Using sunlight as his nourishment, he toiled in menial jobs, painstakingly saving every scrap of money, clinging to dreams of a better future.

His goal was singular:
To save a hero who had yet to descend into the world.

As he cultivated the barren land of his existence, luck graced him.

He was hired as a servant at a noble’s manor, where his gift of “foresight” began to manifest.

He shared with his lord, Geldon, predictions of forthcoming events in the kingdom.

Fortunately, the benevolent Geldon didn’t dismiss him.

One by one, Rosel’s predictions came true.

This earned the favor of the king, who provided financial support to both Geldon and Rosel.

Over time, the childless Geldon grew to treat Rosel like his own son.

Rosel’s eloquence was so remarkable that he could hold conversations even with noble heirs without faltering.

A commoner more noble than any noble, Rosel naturally earned Geldon’s affection.

The once-insignificant baronial family of Ron, led by Geldon, prospered greatly thanks to Rosel.

The estate developed rapidly, and its newfound glory was attributed entirely to him.

Despite his young age, Rosel exhibited unparalleled insight, judgment, compassion, and courage.

At times, his wisdom surpassed Geldon’s own, leaving the lord astonished.

It was as if the revered late king, Delocan, had been reincarnated.

Geldon, unable to hide his admiration, kept Rosel close.

His peers also regarded Rosel as a quasi-heir to the Ron family.

At the time, Rosel was only 16, a young boy yet to debut in social circles.

A Year Later.

Rosel predicted a plague would spread through the capital.

His warning earned him the title of baronet from the king, along with a fief near the city.

Now independent of Geldon, he began cultivating his land.

The estate naturally flourished, and Rosel formally debuted in the nobles’ social circles.

Rosel’s Appearance.

He had bold, straight eyebrows that exuded strength, light blue hair that radiated purity, melancholy black eyes, a sculpted nose and jawline, and porcelain-like skin that added to his striking presence.

From the moment he debuted, Rosel captivated noble ladies.

He received countless handkerchiefs from admirers, which drew jealous stares from overlooked heirs, making it a challenging time.

Daughters from prominent noble families abandoned decorum to vie for a dance with Rosel, resorting to schemes and intrigue.

After much deliberation, Rosel chose one lady.

She had soft pink hair like cherry blossoms, crimson eyes, and a delicate frame that belied her inner strength.

This lady was none other than Resilust de Vierra, who would later join the hero Emilia in defeating the Demon King.

Rosel danced and drank wine with her, fully aware of her destiny to betray Emilia and cause her downfall.

Yet, he could not change Vierra’s fate.

Nor could he alter the fates of Daltan and Gleon.

Though their endings were doomed, their roles were essential.

Without them, Hero Emilia could not defeat the Demon King and save the world.

Tampering with their destinies might lead to greater catastrophe or even prevent him from meeting Emilia altogether.

So, Rosel smiled alongside the radiant Vierra, enjoying their dance without harboring any ill will—neither toward her nor toward Daltan and Gleon.

Because in the end, everything would unfold because of him.

Of course, this was under the assumption that they would later feel remorse and repent for their actions.

After declining Vierra’s advances, Rosel concluded his successful social debut and steadily built his position as a nobleman.

**Of course, it wasn’t easy due to resistance from the established factions.**

It was unprecedented for a commoner to rise to the rank of baronet.

To the arrogant and haughty nobles, Rosel was a thorn in their side.

But Rosel was undeterred. He amassed an enormous fortune through the export of [pencils] and used that wealth to gradually turn opposition forces to his side.

Thus, he spent his days tirelessly working until the arrival of Hero Emilia, busier than he could have imagined.

He even fended off advances from noble ladies at every banquet, fiercely guarding his “innocence.”

It was all for Hero Emilia.

Though he couldn’t be sure if that was what she wanted.

And then, two years later,

Rosel finally met the long-awaited Hero Emilia.

His jaw dropped.

He had merely asked a question, thinking it might aid in healing.

But the nightmare Esil recounted was beyond anything he could have imagined.

Assault? Me?

– “It was… just a dream, nothing more! I don’t actually think that about you, Master…”

Esil’s voice quivered as she hurriedly added to her explanation, sensing Rosel’s stunned silence.

Still dazed, Rosel leaned his head comfortably against the door. His expression, which had been momentarily bewildered, now seemed calmer.

In fact, a faint smile played on his lips.

“…So, you’re no longer afraid of me, Esil.”

Rosel had been taken aback at first.

At his age, to have resisted the temptations of noble ladies for years and preserved his innocence, only to appear in someone’s nightmare as an assailant?

It was an utterly absurd notion, even more ludicrous given that he had never shown even the slightest impropriety.

Thus, the interpretation of the dream was simple.

Esil was slowly beginning to open the tightly shut doors of her heart.

When someone who offers kindness appears in a nightmare, it reflects the dreamer’s deep fear and anxiety about betrayal.

And Esil had experienced profound betrayal before.

That she dreamed of Rosel in such a context paradoxically meant she now harbored expectations of him.

Without expectations, there is no betrayal.

When a stranger wrongs you, it’s upsetting but fleeting.

When someone you trust does the same? That’s betrayal—a source of deep wounds and terrifying nightmares.

In other words, Rosel was gradually nesting in Esil’s heart.

And this scared her.

She feared opening her heart only to be betrayed again, as she had been by her former party members.

If that were to happen, she might truly lose her sanity this time.

Rosel smiled warmly and spoke, his tone laced with teasing reassurance.

“Are you afraid that I, your master, might suddenly change?”

– “…Yes. I am afraid… I’m scared that you’ll… mock me and toy with me like they did…”

Esil confessed honestly.

She, too, believed her nightmares stemmed from her paranoia.

But fear wasn’t something she could easily overcome.

The betrayal Esil suffered from Vielle, Dalton, and Gleon left a deep and harrowing pain within her.

For Esil, the scars on her body, inflicted through torture in the underground prison, were far less severe than the emotional wounds carved into her heart by the betrayal of the royal court.

Rosell, who understood this better than anyone, could only offer her comfort.

“I understand, Esil. You must be afraid of me.

You wonder if I am merely wearing a mask, extending kindness with ulterior motives.”

“However, know this one thing.

I have no reason to commit any act that would make you feel betrayed, nor to mock you as they did.

You are my slave. If there is something I desire, I simply need to command you to provide it.”

“…Is that really true?”

“Believe it. I have never forced trust upon anyone before. But with you, I must. You are my slave, and I am your master.

“As I always have, no matter what happens, I will protect what is mine, and no matter the cost, I will save you. So, believe in me. Unconditionally.”

Rosell spoke with firm resolve.

In two days, Silia’s birthday party would commence, and it was inevitable that Esil would have to face her fears once again.

Before that, Rosell wanted to give Esil “faith”—a reassurance that no matter how harsh the storms of life might be, a warm sanctuary awaited her.

Only with that belief would she endure.

A brief silence fell, and Rosell waited patiently.

Then, from beyond the door, came the sound of a sorrowful sob.

“…Hngh… Huhuh…”

Understanding the meaning behind her tears, Rosell stood up.

Dusting off his pants, he let a gentle smile grace his lips.

“It seems my words have reached you. Rest well now; I will take my leave.”

As Rosell began to walk away, hurried footsteps approached from the other side of the door, followed by the sound of the lock turning.

Was there something she wanted to say?

Rosell turned back toward Esil’s door and felt his breath catch.

Esil stood there, tears streaming down her face, yet with a faint smile brightening her expression as she looked at him.

It was the most beautiful and vibrant face he had ever seen her wear.

Esil shyly held out a glass vial to Rosell, wiping her tears with one hand.

“Hngh… M-Master… Please… take this… and apply it…”

Esil knew well that a noble’s facade often concealed their true intentions.

But she also knew that a noble who sacrificed for their “prey” did not exist.

“This… feels like it’s the last chance. It’s late… but please…”

Esil decided to trust Rosell this once.

Though this trust might leave yet another scar, Rosell, who sacrificed his emotions and time for a mere slave, seemed more a noble lord worth following than a master to obey.

She mustered the last of her courage.

“…Gladly.”

Rosell looked at her and finally let the smile he had kept hidden emerge.

In his eyes, tears shimmered, carrying emotions not unlike hers.

The next morning, Esil awoke from a rare peaceful sleep and looked over her body.

“…It’s gone.”

It was clean.

From the small scars caused by torture to the deep wounds, all of it had vanished.

It felt as if everything had been washed away.

Esil caressed her now smooth forearm with a look of awe and emotion.

“…Soft.”

It was all thanks to Rosell.

His profound care had wiped away every scar.

It felt as if the horrible memories etched into those scars would never resurface again.

Esil turned her gaze to Mila, perched on the bars of her cage.

When she extended her finger, Mila gently pecked at it with her small beak.

“Now… I’ll be able to hear it. The reason Master bought me.”

“Chirp, chirp!”

As if celebrating, Mila lifted her head and chirped.

Esil looked at Mila and let out a faint chuckle.

Then, suddenly, she realized something.

She, too, was someone who could smile.

The bittersweet realization made her heart heavy, and Esil walked over to the window.

She would not cry anymore.

Last night, she had even promised her Master.

She promised she would not cry, that she would not be sad.

So, Esil gathered her feelings while gazing at the vibrant scene of the garden bathed in sunlight.

And that’s when she saw Rosell step out of the front door.

The moment she saw him, her lips instinctively curved into a small smile.

“Master… He must not have slept properly…”

Muttering to herself, Esil watched him as if sneaking a peek.

Then, all of a sudden, Rosell looked up and met her eyes.

After checking his surroundings, he raised a hand and waved at her with a smile.

Startled by his cheerful greeting, Esil’s face turned bright red as she ducked below the windowsill like a frightened mole.

Thump, thump.

Her heart raced.

Like a girl caught stealing a glance, her heart pounded so hard her legs trembled.

“Ugh… He must have seen me.”

Their eyes had already met.

And her Master had smiled and greeted her.

As a slave, it would be improper not to return his greeting.

In the end, Esil made up her mind.

Clenching her eyes shut, she extended just her arm above the windowsill and waved it in greeting.

…By that time, Rosell, still smiling, had already stepped out of the garden.

Esil waved her hand endlessly toward the now-empty front door.