Chapter 32 Part 1: Blushed Red

For the next two days, sleet fell.

On the third day, the cool sunlight shone again.

The thick blackout curtains were flung open.

The winter air entered the stuffy room.

“Are you very cold?”

Reina Isollet.

The handmaiden with a brown ponytail had recently become Rosa’s temporary exclusive handmaiden.

“Please wait a moment even if you’re cold. I need to ventilate the room.”

Rosa replied softly.

“Reina. I’m really okay now.”

“No. Your Highness. Your voice is hoarse.”

It’s not that her voice is hoarse, it’s just that her body is still languid.

If that’s the same thing, then there’s nothing more to say.

She was sick in bed.

It wasn’t that she had caught a cold.

Her body was burning with fever and she felt languid as if she had done strenuous exercise.

She had already experienced something similar a few times.

‘It’s been like this for years.’

Several layers of blankets are piled on top of Rosa’s body.

It feels soft and comfortable, as if someone is holding her.

There was a touch that she suddenly remembered, and Rosa consciously shook it off.

‘Ah, I’m embarrassed.’

It’s right after that incident with Cayron.

She was somewhere hungry, tired, and her whole body was languid and her mind was dazed.

[Rosa…]

She was exhausted.

The bewildered face of Cayron is still vivid in her eyes.

‘Even so..’

It’s too much protection.

Reina didn’t even go home and came into the room a dozen times a day.

[It is the order of His Highness the Archduke.]

“..What on earth did the doctor say.”

Reina answered with a smile.

“He said you need absolute rest for a few days. He said there must have been something that was very difficult for you emotionally.”

“Something difficult..?”

Yeah. If it’s something like that, only one thing comes to mind.

‘I want to die. Really.’

Why did she do that?

She’s not a child, and it’s not her fault.

The moment she saw those scars, she couldn’t breathe, and her heart was pounding.

‘Why did I do that?’

She cried.

In front of Cayron, no less.

In fact, even now, when she thinks of that moment, she feels like she’s going to cry without realizing it.

She was so upset and sad.

What happened next wasn’t very important.

Rather, the dark emotions that were creeping up went back down thanks to Cayron.

‘It’s not like it’s the first or second time.’

Rosa’s face, thinking that, was actually slightly red.

She knows.

Something was different.

But Cayron was just trying to comfort her.

It’s absurd to call that comfort.

Doesn’t it seem like he’s treating her like his real lover?

‘But Cayron is originally a strange guy.’

He’s unpredictable and incomprehensible from the perspective of ordinary people.

Besides, he himself said that he was trying to stop her tears.

In the end, the problem is that she cried.

Like a child.

After that, she was swept away by the atmosphere.

Rosa wiggled under the layers of blankets.

The belated feeling of self-loathing was constantly tormenting her.

So she didn’t even know.

That Cayron had entered the room.

He looks the same as usual.

Black and neat aristocratic formal attire, golden epaulets covering the ends of both shoulders, and a dark blue cloak flowing down from the epaulets.

But she knows about the wounds that are full inside.

Rosa’s thoughts didn’t last long.

“You look like a pupa.”

“What..?”

The words that were just heard broke her mood.

“A pupa? What does that mean?”

At those rather sharp words, Cayron chuckled.

“You’ve definitely recovered your energy. Look at yourself.”

Cayron chuckled and moved his steps closer to Rosa’s bed.

And right next to her, he asked with a worried expression.

“How are you feeling?”

Rosa’s face slightly reddened.

Because of what happened, she felt nervous when Cayron approached her for some reason.

“I keep telling you. I’m fine. I’m well enough to move around right now.”

Cayron firmly shook his head.

“Don’t talk nonsense and rest. At least until the morning.”

After that, a large, cool hand covered Rosa’s forehead.

“..Alright.”

Rosa just sighed with a reddened face.

Cayron, who had been looking at her silently, soon got up from his seat.

“Today is a rare day off, so if you’re feeling well, let’s practice together in the afternoon.”

“Pr, practice..?”

Rosa was visibly flustered.

Cayron frowned.

“Didn’t you say you wanted to learn horseback riding?”

“Oh.. right!”

Rosa hurriedly agreed.

After Cayron left, Rosa let out a deep sigh.

She was flustered for no reason and misunderstood on her own.

‘Why am I like this?’

Her heart was beating differently than usual.

Thump thump-

Her heart is beating.

It was beating at a different speed than usual.

Before she knew it, the midday sun was high in the sky.

But Rosa was still lost in thought.

She cried because she was overwhelmed with emotion, and she was swept away by the atmosphere.

Of course, she thinks it was a situation where that could happen.

‘Have I really.. become a woman now?’

No, such an expression is strange again.

She has already lived in a woman’s body for many years.

People around her treated her as a girl or a young lady.

Her originally delicate personality became more feminine, and although some masculine personality remains, it is now almost faint.

‘It’s not particularly strange.’

Now her name is Rosa Anencia.

There was no need to think about this and that in a complicated way.

For now, it’s a one-year contract marriage.

After that, she can just leave to find her true life.

Cayron will probably be fine.

By then, the heroine of the original work will be by his side.

Throb-

Her heart suddenly felt stuffy.

‘Yeah. I should find out soon.’

It was because she still didn’t know where the heroine was.

Rosa drank a lot of cold water by the bedside and only then did she get out of bed.

‘Yeah.’

Let’s not think in a complicated way.

For now, she should proceed step by step from the goal in front of her.

Her purpose for learning horseback riding became clearer.

‘I can’t be a stumbling block to Cayron.’

This incident made it more certain.

She didn’t want to leave any more scars on that body.

A flashback from the original work.

In the past that Cayron recalls, he faces a crisis.

One of the two biggest festivals in Elchen.

Couples participate together in the hunting festival.

‘And I can’t guess at all how it happened..’

The original Rosa Anencia falls far from the barracks.

The farther you go from the barracks, the deeper the coniferous forest becomes.

The prey there are all beasts.

They are not ordinary bears or wolves.

The beasts of Elchen are even more ferocious and huge.

‘Rosa Anencia, who headed to such a place, is kidnapped.’

Right in front of Cayron.

To be precise, after she, who is not used to riding a horse, falls off.

Because of that, the distance from Cayron increases, and a mishap occurs.

The lurking Elchen rebels kidnap her.

“Your Highness. Will you get ready?”

Reina, who had entered the room at some point, spoke, and Rosa nodded.

Meanwhile, Cayron waited for Rosa in the hall.

How surprised he was.

It’s a feeling he had forgotten.

Looking back, she has a long-standing illness.

Ore disease, whose cause and treatment are unknown.

The reason why it was named ore disease is very simple.

It was because most of the patients were Elchenians living in the north of the cold continent.

The empire called the Elchenians barbarians or ores.

A long time ago.

There was a time when ore had power.

It is written in ancient books that the beings called divine beasts, which exist only in Elchen, that is, animals that have acquired mysterious powers, were also influenced by the ore.

Elchen was once a prosperous magical civilization.

Hunters who hunted divine beasts learned how to use ore.

They were able to use the mysterious power called ‘magic’ with the power of ore.

‘But that’s an old story now.’

Cayron was just worried.

That it’s a disease with no known cure.

He reflects on his selfishness.

When Rosa cried for him, Cayron was secretly happy.

He was filled with a vile joy, wondering if he had become such a precious being to her.

But as a result, Rosa was bedridden for several days.

Usually once a month, if something emotionally difficult happens, the severity increases, he heard.

Soon, Rosa came down the white stairs with a pitter-patter.

Wearing a red and white casual dress, she was beautiful today as well.

“Let’s go.”

Cayron held out his hand to her.

Normally, she would have grabbed it right away.

But Rosa hesitated for some reason.

After a while.

She shook her head slightly and carefully took his hand.

Cayron held her small, white hand tightly as if he would never let go.

The two exit the main tower of the inner castle.

Everyone around them bowed their heads.

“Where are we going?”

Rosa asked.

“The courtyard of the outer castle.”

Cayron answered.

Rosa, who had been hesitating, suddenly opened her mouth.

“Cayron. Is it necessary to hold hands like this?”

“Why?”

Cayron had a puzzled expression.

Rosa mumbled.

“No. I just thought it wasn’t necessary. We’re just moving for a bit.”

But Cayron firmly shook his head.

He had no intention of letting go of Rosa’s hand.

“It’s necessary.”

And he even interlocked their fingers.

Rosa, who was at a loss for words, didn’t pull her hand away.

She just turned her gaze elsewhere and cleared her throat for no reason.

This whole situation is just awkward.

Her heart has been strange since that evening.

‘Cayron is probably doing this without thinking.’

She feels like a fool for being the only one conscious of it.

Suddenly, Cayron’s voice is heard, and only then did Rosa realize that they had arrived at the courtyard of the outer castle.

“We’ve arrived.”

Rosa turned her gaze.

And her eyes widened at what she found.

“Wow..”

It was a white foal.

It was so small and pretty that it made her exclaim in admiration.

“It’s yours.”

Cayron said.

He heard from Bender, the stable master.

That Rosa had already become quite close to the horse.

‘Still..’

She is small in stature, so she needs enough practice first.

Rosa felt like she had received an unexpected gift.

Her heart was filled with joy at the sight of the pretty foal.

“Really. You’re giving it to me..?”

Cayron readily nodded.

“It’s quite dangerous to ride a fully grown horse from the beginning.”

The foal boasted a pure white body, and its black eyes shone gently.

The still blunt ears and tail indicated that it was a young foal.

If it were a lie that Rosa had no fear of riding a horse, it would be a lie.

“Still, I think I can try riding this foal.”

“Yeah. Learn slowly.”

Cayron smiled at Rosa’s bright smile.

Rosa skillfully approached the foal.

She deliberately made a noise and moved from the diagonal.

The young foal rolled its gentle eyes.

“Cayron. Do you have any carrots?”

Cayron took out a sugar cube that he had brought in his pocket.

“Horses like carrots, but they like sugar cubes even more.”

“Sugar cubes?”

Rosa tilted her head.

“They like sweet things. Horses too.”

Thud-

Rosa burst into laughter.

“It somehow doesn’t suit you.”

Cayron, knowing that.

Cayron just frowned.

“But since you said it, I believe it.”

Rosa placed the sugar cube on her palm.

And she slowly brought it to the pure white foal.

Prrr-

The foal, which had been watching her, began to lower its head little by little.

Success.

While the foal was licking the sugar cube on her palm, Rosa took the opportunity to gently touch the foal’s left side.

She also brought the back of her hand close to the horse’s nose.

To make it familiar with her scent.

Finally, it’s time to ride the horse.

She put on the prepared bridle and saddle.

“Well, how do I get on..?”

The worry didn’t last long.

“What, what!”

Cayron lifted her up.

He gently placed her on the foal, like a princess carry.

She felt his touch on her thigh and chest for a moment.

Unlike Rosa’s flushed face, Cayron’s expression was indifferent.

“Keep your balance. If you fall, I’ll catch you.”

That statement is reassuring.

Cayron held the reins, and Rosa sat on the foal and balanced herself.

“Whoa..”

Then the foal slowly walked forward.

A cool breeze blew on her face.

The feeling of riding a horse for the first time is really fun.

“Cayron. This is a little fun?”

Rosa gradually began to enjoy this situation.

Rosa’s excited horseback riding continued until late afternoon.

“It’s really fun.”

A bright smile bloomed like a flower.

Cayron stayed by Rosa’s side the whole time, steadfastly.

A few days passed like that.

Rosa fell in love with the joy of horseback riding.

In fact, even though her personality had become quite feminine, she didn’t do embroidery like other noble ladies.

She didn’t go out much either, so when she was at the Count’s estate, she mostly spent her time reading.

Then, when she was bored, she would go out to the terrace and contemplate, or at most take a walk on the nearby hill.

So she really had no choice but to fall in love with it.

‘No. Still..’

This situation is too awkward.

It’s already been a few days.

“Lean straight.”

Such a low, deep voice is heard from above her head.

Rosa is definitely holding the reins.

But even if she’s holding them, it’s not really her holding them.

Because Cayron is the one actually holding the reins.

The two were riding Lactea together.

Lactea is the name of the horse that Rosa had worked hard to get close to for the past few days.

It’s quite high, and it’s definitely different from a foal.

Cayron sat right behind Rosa, who was holding the reins.

“Focus. Rosa. Look ahead, and pull the reins slowly.”

Moving a horse is not just about the reins.

You have to adjust the position of your legs and the pressure according to the direction you want to turn.

Cayron knew how to do that skillfully.

Rosa was a little scared of the increased height, but she was relieved because of Cayron behind her.

But what she’s really concerned about is not the fear of heights or anything like that.

When she maintained an uncomfortable posture, Cayron made her lean towards him.

Quite firm chest muscles.

A faint breath was felt above her head.

Cayron held her without any hesitation.

With his left hand, he held the reins tightly, and his right hand, wearing a thick glove, was placed on Rosa’s left side.

It’s a posture that is no different from a back hug.

Rosa felt a little strange every time this happened.

But she soon shook her head and got rid of her idle thoughts.

Certainly, something has changed since that day.

For the past few days, Rosa has been having strange thoughts.

But since Cayron is taking the time to teach her.

‘Let’s focus. I have to learn hard.’

Rosa snuggled into Cayron’s arms.

She leaned her body comfortably.

When she relaxed her mind, Cayron’s arms were reassuring and wide enough to make her feel at ease.

She had the illusion that the breath that was being exhaled on her head suddenly stopped for a moment.

Of course, the horse didn’t stop, and the two continued riding.

After such hard work.

Before long, Rosa was able to ride a horse alone.

“Of course, I must always be by your side.”

A separate riding course.

The horse moved slowly along it.

Rosa was wearing protective gear like armor.

But even so, Cayron, who couldn’t be relieved, walked right beside her.

Lactea.

It seems that he likes Rosa quite a bit.

He moves gently as if he cares about the presence on his back.

Bender, the stable master, said.

“Your Highness seems to have quite a natural talent. You seem to be learning knowledge much faster than I thought.”

Cayron nodded.

Still, Bender thought to himself as he couldn’t take his eyes off her.

‘It seems that he has fallen deeply for Her Highness.’

The end of the year came in the blink of an eye.

As the Archduke’s ice-like heart melted, this season was gradually coming to an end.

Bender, the stable master, put his hands behind his back and chuckled.

He was looking forward to the upcoming lantern festival.