Chapter 40 Part 3: The Calm Before the Storm

Inside the warm greenhouse.

The three were having a friendly conversation.

What Mary had just said was hard for Rosa to believe.

“I heard the voice of God.”

The voice of God.

In other words, an oracle.

“Don’t lie. Mary.”

“Eek- It’s true. Miss.”

But Rosa knows.

“Mary. Do you think this is the first or second year I’ve known you?”

Mary has a particular habit.

When she lies, her cheeks twitch slightly.

“Hehe. I was joking.”

As expected, Rosa was right.

Mary confessed the truth to her.

“I just, suddenly wanted to believe.”

Mary lost her only family.

The Viscountess was her mother and, at the same time, her father.

Because the Viscount passed away when Mary was young.

The Viscountess raised Mary alone.

“Suddenly, I had bad thoughts.”

People die someday.

So there comes a time for parting between parents and children.

But even if it’s an expected hardship, there is a sadness that is hard to bear.

A faint shadow fell on Mary’s face.

She must have suffered a lot.

“But. Strangely, when I was at the convent, I felt a little at peace.”

There was the influence of an old acquaintance.

“Do you remember a child named Louis, by any chance?”

“Of course. He’s the child I sponsored.”

“Sponsored?”

At Roald’s question.

Mary smiled and answered.

“Yes. There was such a thing. I met the Mother Superior who was taking care of that child.”

Mother Superior Emma gave Mary various advice.

And after much consideration, Mary chose the path of a nun.

“It’s not that strange. My position as your exclusive handmaiden was already gone, and I had no particular interest or energy to start a new job.”

Unknowingly, there was Rosa’s influence.

“Suddenly.. I remembered Louis. He looked so happy back then. I thought that if I could make others happy like that, I could be happy enough myself.”

“I see..”

Rosa agreed.

It’s a common occurrence.

When people go through hard times, they look for a place to lean on.

In Mary’s case, it was religion.

She said she suddenly felt like she wanted to live a life of service.

“You’ll do well.”

“Of course. Whose handmaiden do you think I was?”

Mary added with a smile.

“Oh right, I met Louis. He was already working as a promising playwright?”

And she handed over a letter.

[To my sponsor. With all my respect.]

The letter was filled with heartfelt gratitude.

He graduated from the academy early and already joined a famous theater company.

[I want to show you a play I made someday.]

Such a sentence was also written.

And there was an item that the Mother Superior had given her.

Mary scratched her cheek and said.

“She said it was something like a holy relic.. I don’t know exactly what it is. But she said it brings good luck to the person who possesses it.”

It was a pure white stone, or maybe an egg.

“..Really?”

Rosa accepted it.

She didn’t know what it was for.

‘But she wouldn’t have given it to me with bad intentions.’

The Mother Superior had said that she wanted to repay her someday.

This must be it.

Rosa put it in her pocket.

Not knowing what kind of coincidence it would bring in the future.

After that, it was back to normal conversation.

Roald said he had successfully completed two dispatch missions.

“Because the weather is warming up, the bandits are becoming active again.”

Mary asked.

“Young Master. What does the warm weather have to do with bandits?”

“Because there’s more movement between estates. Peddlers, travelers.”

“Ah..”

Roald Anencia.

After being officially appointed as a knight, he seems to be on a smooth path.

Not an ordinary knight.

He is a holy knight belonging to the main religion.

The Holy Theicia Knights Order.

Simply put, it is the concept of a holy knight order.

It is different from a typical knight order.

Only those who have gone through much more arduous training and a strict selection process can be recognized as a knight of the Holy Theicia.

Even though the power of religion has weakened compared to the past, the honor of the holy knights of Theicia was still recognized.

They only move by oracle.

In normal times, they are engaged in various relief activities and maintaining public order, so there are few people who dislike them.

“How is Father?”

Rosa asked.

“Fortunately, he’s doing well.”

Roald answered.

“The real problem is that he worries about you too much. He frets every night, wondering if you’ve fallen ill again.”

Especially after Ed, the butler who had been with them for half their lives, left.

He often drinks alone.

Rosa felt a little sorry and worried about the Count.

“Tell him to cut down on drinking. I should contact Father more often from now on.”

Roald chuckled and added as if to reassure her.

“Don’t worry. Rosa. I’ll tell him how happily you’re living.”

“No. Roald..”

Rosa tried to retort but stopped.

Because it was true that she was quite happy here.

Especially the times she spent with Cayron.

“It’s almost time for him to come. I’m looking forward to it. Rosa. I’ve never had a proper conversation with him before.”

‘That’s right.’

Rosa thought.

Cayron and Roald.

The two of them only have a passing acquaintance.

They didn’t have time to talk.

Cayron first visited the Count’s house just before the wedding, and Roald was very busy around that time.

Besides, Roald couldn’t even attend the wedding.

What is Roald’s intention in saying he’s looking forward to it?

Rosa felt strangely nervous.

If possible, she wants the two to like each other.

Cayron and Roald.

Both were precious to her.

After that.

The three of them toured the inner castle together.

Of course, the one who guided them was Arnad’s head butler, Hamel.

“It’s the inner castle of the city that was once the capital. As such, there are many things to see.”

“..Indeed.”

“I can understand that.”

Roald was particularly impressed by the large training ground of the inner castle, and Mary by the simple yet elegantly decorated chapel.

They also saw the spacious kitchen where the servants were bustling, the banquet hall on the first floor, and walked along the patrol path of the castle wall.

Many curious gazes were directed at them.

But most of them felt like goodwill, so Roald was really relieved.

‘You’re recognized here. Rosa.’

It was the feeling of an older brother who felt 괜히 satisfied.

They also went to the outer castle courtyard and watched Rosa ride a horse.

Roald and Mary were surprised.

“Amazing! Rosa. You can ride a horse so well in such a short time.”

“What? Was a horse such a big animal?”

Mary was startled and ran away even at the sight of the young foal, Ron.

“Ugh, go away!”

“Ron. Come here.”

The pure white foal trotted over at Rosa’s call.

“Did you just say.. Ron?”

“It sounded like Ron, didn’t it?”

Rosa didn’t know at all.

Roald and Mary looked at each other and chuckled.

“She must really like him.”

“Mary. They’re newlyweds.”

“That’s right. They’re newlyweds.”

After such an enjoyable time.

Early evening.

Cayron returned to the inner castle.

Late at night.

The outer wall of Arnad Castle.

Two men stand side by side on the wall.

The cool night air can be felt on their bodies.

With a gaze filled with interest and admiration, Roald said.

“The city is very large.”

The view of the city at night could be seen at a glance.

Earlier, at dinner.

The two exchanged greetings awkwardly.

But they didn’t really talk at that time.

Rosa and Mary led the conversation.

So they made time like this separately.

“You can speak informally to me.”

At Cayron’s words, Roald shook his head.

“Your Highness should also speak informally to me.”

Cayron smiled and shook his head.

“No, it’s fine.”

Roald was only surprised inside.

His first impression was really cold.

A handsome young man with gray hair and red eyes.

It felt like a cool sharpness emanated from his whole body.

It wasn’t something that could be made.

The second prince of the empire, Cayron Winslet.

It was his innate dignity as a ruler.

The Black Wolf, the leader of the undefeated knights.

The one who unified this vast land of Elchen and now rules it under his control.

But was it an illusion?

Roald thinks he knows.

The fact that the Archduke is nervous right now.

A slightly stiff expression, a respectfully clenched fist.

Even the occasional small cough.

It was really surprising to see.

The Archduke of Elchen is nervous.

The wolf of the battlefield, the ruler of the vast land.

But Roald could guess the reason, so he slowly opened his mouth.

“Do you know? I really like Your Highness.”

Cayron was slightly taken aback.

“I’m glad. That you see me that way.”

“It’s not just empty words.”

As he answered, Roald thought to himself.

‘Would he have acted like this if he were the First Prince..?’

Usually, if it were a proud prince of high status.

Even if it’s his wife’s older brother, he wouldn’t act like this to the son of a count.

So no further questions are needed.

He already sees how much he cares for his sister.

But that wasn’t the only reason Roald was satisfied.

“People are smiling, the security of the inner castle is thorough and without gaps. The shouts from the training ground continued until late in the afternoon, and I could see an unspeakable pride on the face of the head butler in the square.”

He’s a great lord.

The man in front of him.

So even if he falls, he won’t fall easily.

“So. I trust Your Highness.”

Everything he had seen today.

He trusts his sister and the attitude shown by the man in front of him.

“Please take good care of Rosa. She is a kind and gentle child.”

Cayron gladly clasped the firm hand extended to him.

“I heard that you are leaving tomorrow.”

At those words that seemed to express regret, Roald smiled and answered.

“Unfortunately, my schedule is busy.”

But he made time for this brief moment.

Because he cared for his sister.

And it’s not like he came without a purpose.

“To continue, I have something urgent to tell you. It may not be very important..”

Cayron nodded.

Soon Roald’s story began.

Rosa was carefully walking around the room.

‘What kind of conversation did they have?’

She’s curious and also looking forward to it.

‘I hope Roald likes Cayron..’

She has such a small wish.

It’s not necessarily for any other reason.

Because it’s a meeting between her most trusted friend and her brother.

Thud-

Cayron’s door opened.

Rosa was waiting for that sound.

Until then, Rosa had been listening with her ears perked up.

“Cayron.”

She opened the door.

Cayron, who had been lost in thought, looked at her with a puzzled expression.

“Why?”

“Come here for a second.”

Cayron slowly entered Rosa’s room.

“What did you talk about?”

That’s the first thing she said.

Cayron recalled the conversation he had earlier.

Roald himself said that it was information that could be taken lightly.

He heard two things.

One of them was rather strange.

[I don’t know the exact reason, but.. Cardinal Emilio visited the Count’s house.]

And very secretly.

He said he had a private meeting with Count Anencia.

[Father said that he just stopped by while passing by.]

Usually, a person of the rank of Cardinal does not visit for such a reason.

Especially not secretly, so that only a few people know.

The other one was that.

Count Anencia’s efforts.

He has 본격적으로 re-entered politics and is meeting with some neutral, and even a few nobles from the First Prince’s faction.

[And. There were some results.]

There was also an unexpected name among them.

‘But.. it’s not certain yet.’

After 고민 for a while, Cayron said.

“Not much. We didn’t talk about anything in particular.”

Rosa has a dissatisfied expression.

“How was your brother? Did you two get along?”

A face full of anticipation.

It’s somehow obvious.

Why Rosa is like this.

Cayron smiled lowly and asked.

“Why. Are you worried?”

“..What?”

“That I want to be seen well by your brother.”

Slowly.

Very slowly.

Rosa’s cheeks flushed.

“..That’s not it!”

Cayron chuckled.

Then he came right in front of Rosa.

“Enough, untie this for me.”

His cravat, tightly tied around his neck.

“Untie it yourself?”

Rosa retorted, feeling 괜히 embarrassed.

Cayron opened his mouth as if he had been waiting.

“Your brother told me. That he likes me. That he asks me to take good care of you, his precious sister.”

“..Really?”

Rosa’s expression brightened slightly.

She was so cute, being so concerned about it.

He had completely forgotten that he himself had been very nervous.

Cayron pointed to his neck and said.

“What do you think? There should be give and take.”

Today, he showed the utmost courtesy to Roald.

He emphasized that fact to Rosa.

Rosa couldn’t deny it.

‘Cayron’s appearance today..’

It was as if he were really treating his wife’s older brother.

The dinner time when the four of them were together.

And even when they were talking alone.

He seemed to be very polite to Roald.

Rosa was pleased and relieved by that fact.

“Alright.”

In the end, she reluctantly approached Cayron.

Rosa had no idea that it was a trap.

Right below her line of sight.

There’s Rosa, standing on her tiptoes and낑낑.

Cayron has no intention of hiding his selfish desires.

He naturally hugged Rosa tightly.

It happened so suddenly.

“Wh-what.”

Rosa was trapped and flustered.

“Rosa.”

Soon, Cayron’s low breath can be felt.

Right near her slender neck.

The breath gradually moved up and stopped just above her pink lips.

“Give me. A reward.”

What nonsense is this?

“A reward..?”

“I worked hard. Today.”

It was a rather random statement.

But unexpectedly, Cayron’s expression was really serious.

Today, when he went to work and when he came back.

Both times, he couldn’t hug Rosa.

In the morning, Rosa was busy seeing Reina off.

In the afternoon, there were guests, Roald and Mary.

So at this moment.

He wanted to quench that thirst.

“Wh-what reward.”

Rosa pushed him slightly.

But Cayron hugged her even tighter.

“You know.”

He now held her slender waist.

A hot breath can be felt on her forehead.

Not knowing what to do, Rosa’s heart began to race.

There was no particular reason.

“..Can I?”

When Cayron asked that.

Rosa couldn’t figure out what to say.

“Huh..?”

She reacted with a dazed expression.

“If not, do you not want to?”

This time, she couldn’t even answer.

In the meantime, Cayron slowly lowered his head.

Then, the two heads overlapped as one.

As always, her lips are nibbled.

Her pink lips slightly parted at the now-familiar sensation.

The force holding her waist grew stronger, and Rosa was trapped by Cayron like prey.

A hot breath flowed into her mouth.

‘It’s a good thing I brushed my teeth beforehand.’

Absurdly, Rosa thought that.

A necklace is hanging around her neck.

Of course, it’s the one Cayron bought her at the festival.

“Ha-“

When their lips parted.

Cayron looked down at it with passionate eyes.

“You’re beautiful. Rosa.”

It’s not the first time she’s heard that.

But every time she hears those words, her small heart pounds.

Strangely, she feels a heat spreading in her lower abdomen.

Rosa’s breath, which was already about to burst, became even more rapid.

She’s in big trouble.

Because she doesn’t hate this situation.

Rather, she likes it.

She’s embarrassed by herself.

Rosa, who was helplessly swept away.

Now, even when there’s no particular reason.

There’s herself, naturally accepting Cayron.

But compared to the first time, it’s different.

A more intimate kiss, exploring each other.

“Ngh..”

Before she knew it, Rosa’s back was against the wall.

Her waist was slightly separated from the wall thanks to Cayron’s arm holding her.

Cayron held her smooth and supple waist with one hand, and the cool wall with the other.

Chuuut-

Their wet lips make a squelching sound.

Their breaths mix intimately.

The two were so close that they didn’t even notice someone knocking on the door a couple of times.

No, they must have heard it.

But they were so focused on each other’s touch.

And.

Thud-

The door opened.