Chapter 39 Part 2: The Calm Before the Storm

[How are you? Rosa. It feels like it’s been a while since I’ve sent my regards.]

The letter began with such a greeting.

Roald’s neat and tidy handwriting.

Right below it was an unexpected sentence.

[I will have some free time soon, so I’m planning to visit Elchen. I’m curious about how you’re doing, and I felt bad that I couldn’t go to the capital with you back then.]

It was a memory from quite a while ago.

During the Triumphal Banquet, Roald couldn’t accompany her due to circumstances.

Rosa came straight to Elchen.

So they hadn’t seen each other much before she came here.

Naturally, Rosa’s expression brightened.

‘What, Roald is coming..?’

It had been about two months since they last saw each other.

She has a deep bond with Roald.

Upright, gentlemanly, and very caring for his sister.

Roald was quite the ideal older brother.

‘I’m still not used to the title of older brother, though..’

Still, they are siblings.

They have spent a considerable amount of time together.

Below that, he wrote about his general updates.

[Father has been very busy lately. I think he’s planning to re-enter politics. He’s quite determined. After you left for Elchen, he even visited Mother’s grave.]

Count Anencia has a steadfast side.

Except for once a year, on the anniversary of her death, he rarely visited his wife’s grave.

He probably thought that if he showed his sadness outwardly, it would affect the two siblings.

But the fact that the Count visited the grave seemed to show that he had made some kind of resolution.

‘I had forgotten.’

The battle for the throne.

The Count must have made up his mind to contribute to it.

Rosa felt strange.

When the battle for the throne comes.

Her contract with Cayron would have already ended.

Of course, the female protagonist of the original work, who is a helper, will be by Cayron’s side.

Even without her and the Anencia family’s help, Cayron will surely overcome the crisis.

Because that’s his destiny.

But the reason why a corner of her heart aches.

‘No.’

Rosa didn’t want to realize it.

So she shook her head to clear those thoughts.

‘Anyway, the name Anencia is already tied to Cayron.’

So there’s no harm in preparing in advance.

Of course, Rosa also wanted to help Cayron.

The rest of the letter was about everyday life.

Roald’s promotion, the story of butler Ed’s retirement.

‘That’s right. He’s at that age.’

Rosa recalled the gentle smile of the butler who had been with her since childhood.

Ed was the loyal butler of the family.

It seems that he has now gone to his hometown for the rest of his life.

[And. It’s a story you’ll be curious about. It’s about your handmaiden, Mary.]

‘Mary..?’

Rosa’s eyes widened.

Mary was a precious person who had been with her since she first became Rosa, for a long time.

Of course, she often thought of her unconsciously.

When she was drinking tea alone, even before going to sleep.

There were times when she missed that lively voice.

‘Besides..’

She was even more worried because they parted so suddenly.

Below was a rather unwelcome sentence.

[Rosa. I have some sad news to tell you.]

Rosa’s expression darkened rapidly.

[At first, I was going to tell you in person, but I decided it was better to tell you in advance rather than meeting after a long time and telling you this.]

Her heart sank.

It is said that Mary’s mother passed away.

She suddenly became seriously ill and eventually passed away.

It’s not a very strange thing.

‘Mary’s mother was quite old..’

But.

That doesn’t lessen Mary’s shock.

Late birth.

And the Viscountess who raised Mary alone.

As such, her relationship with Mary was more special than other mothers and daughters.

Of course, Mary was severely ill and stayed at home for several days.

Neighbors who were worried about Mary informed the Anencia family of the fact.

At this point in the letter, Rosa’s heart pounded.

‘No way..’

All kinds of bad thoughts came to mind.

What if Mary made a wrong choice?

‘In that case..’

Rosa’s gaze turned to the next paragraph.

[Mary entered a convent a month ago.]

Convent.

It is an act of dedicating oneself to religion.

[The family tried to persuade her, but her will was too strong. In the end, she quit being a handmaiden altogether. It will be difficult to see Mary in the future.]

Hooo-

Rosa let out a breath she had been holding.

Unlike her worries, nothing bad happened.

“What’s wrong?”

Cayron got up and approached her.

Then he put his hand on her shoulder.

At that voice filled with concern, Rosa answered.

“It’s nothing. Fortunately.”

After a sigh of relief, she read the last part of the letter.

[So if there is a nun accompanying me this time, she will surely be someone you know well.]

“Roald-!”

Rosa got up from her seat.

It was really too much.

She felt like she was being teased.

No, he must have intended to scare her.

Roald must have written the letter like this on purpose.

[I hope you weren’t too surprised. I’ll be going to Elchen soon with Mary. So by the time this letter arrives.. yes. We’ll be almost there.]

The laughter felt in the writing.

Roald was originally a bit of a prankster.

Thanks to that, Rosa went from hell to heaven in an instant.

Now, a very happy feeling filled her whole body.

She felt like hugging someone.

Rosa’s face brightened.

She suddenly hugged Cayron, who was right next to her.

“Cayron. My brother is coming. Mary too.”

Cayron hugged her back without being flustered.

But soon he smiled lowly and stroked Rosa’s hair.

“I see.”

“..Huh?”

Rosa came to her senses.

She quickly tried to get away from Cayron because she realized what she had just done.

But Cayron doesn’t let her go.

Whoosh-

Rather, he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her towards him.

“That’s good.”

He said, filling his selfish desire while pretending to empathize.

“Ca, Cayron..?”

Rosa was very flustered.

But she was the one who hugged him first, so she was at a loss for words, and her face gradually turned red.

“Ugh..”

She struggles like a kitten.

Still, her face was completely red because he wouldn’t let go of her.

If you keep doing this, I’ll misunderstand.

But to the servants, Cayron always looked like this.

“Now, can you let go?”

Only after she said that did Cayron release his arm.

The atmosphere at the meal was still awkward.

But awkwardness is not always bad.

Chef Jeff chuckled at the two’s youthfulness.

‘Well.. You’re young.’

Because they were the young Archduke and his wife, who were always interesting to watch.

A few days later.

Rosa faced an unexpected farewell.

If there are people who come, are there people who go?

It was a cool morning at the main gate of the inner castle.

Several people were standing to see off one person.

Rosa’s temporary exclusive handmaiden, Reina.

She quit her job as a handmaiden as of today.

“Take care. Your Highness. I’ll definitely miss you.”

“Congratulations. Reina.”

Rosa responded like that, but she was also bewildered.

She heard the news only two days ago.

Reina had a long-time fiancé.

She knew that fact from the beginning.

But they had conceived a child before marriage.

The usually demure Reina.

“Well.. I should have been a little more careful.”

But Reina, who said that, only looked happy.

As a result of a moment’s passion, she had to have an earlier wedding than expected.

“When is the wedding? Reina.”

At Rosa’s question, she answered.

“I’ll gratefully accept your sentiment. But it’s the hunting festival soon. Your Highness.”

It coincided with the hunting festival.

Not all the nobles of Elchen participate in the hunting festival in Theicia.

“The wedding will be held right after a small hunting festival in his estate.”

The sisters Wendy and Rudy were in tears.

“Sister Reina. We’ll miss you.”

“When the time comes, I’ll definitely come visit.”

“You did a good job. Reina.”

Head Handmaiden Louise also said goodbye.

Reina, who was standing in front of the carriage, smiled.

“Everyone. Then please take care of Her Highness. She’s a really kind person. Please assist her well by her side.”

“Of course.”

“Don’t worry!”

Just before getting into the carriage.

Reina waved to everyone.

“Goodbye. Reina.”

And so Reina really left.

Such a brief encounter.

But if that’s the case.

Who will be Rosa’s new exclusive handmaiden?

The sisters Wendy and Rudy were still young.

Head Handmaiden Louise had other duties.

Of the original seven handmaidens, four had left.

Of those, three were dismissed by Rosa, and one left to find her own happiness.

‘It’s not like Mary will be a handmaiden again.’

Cayron said that a new handmaiden would come soon.

“We’re still narrowing down some candidates. Since there was a previous case, we have to choose a proper handmaiden.”

When he said that, of course, Rosa believed him.

Surely a good person will come.

‘If it’s Cayron’s eye..’

The new handmaiden will arrive in Arnad in a few days.

And that afternoon.

Rosa had a meeting she had been waiting for.

Roald and Mary.

A carriage slowly slid into the inner castle.

Rosa was literally on edge.

Creak-

The door opens.

Then a long man’s leg came out first.

A noble youth with neatly combed silver hair and warm red eyes soon appeared.

“Rosa.”

He looked at his sister walking towards him.

Rosa’s steps, which were getting faster.

Soon she stopped in front of Roald.

His sister was still frugal.

She still liked to wear everyday dresses.

But that neat outfit rather adds to her beauty.

Roald was surprised.

Because his already pretty sister had become even more mature.

“It’s been a while. Roald.”

His sister, who frowned.

But there is no doubt about the joy on her face.

Roald can tell just by looking at her face.

More than he expected, his sister was adapting very well here.

“Your face is quite radiant. I wonder if I even needed to come?”

“You’re already here, don’t talk nonsense.”

Even as they said that, the two hugged each other lightly.

“How is life in Elchen..? Is he treating you well enough to your satisfaction?”

At Roald’s whisper, Rosa pinched his arm for no reason.

“Don’t talk nonsense. Roald.”

Roald chuckled.

Then, another figure appeared.

“It’s been a while. Miss.”

Mary, who smiled faintly.

“Mary?”

Rosa was surprised.

Mary’s chubby cheeks had become slender.

“How is it? Does it suit me?”

And her slender body was wearing a white nun’s habit.

Rosa didn’t know what to say.

Instead, she carefully hugged Mary.

“Mary. Are you okay..?”

“..Of course.”

There was a slight hesitation.

But soon Mary’s voice, which Rosa knew, was heard.

“Miss. I’m really okay. We have a lot to talk about, right?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

Agreeing with those words, Rosa led the two to a prepared place.

The greenhouse she had been managing recently.

“Look at these forget-me-nots here. I planted them.”

“Wow-“

Mary admired.

“It’s really amazing. The greenhouse. It feels like spring even though spring hasn’t come yet.”

Roald also stroked his chin.

It was also his first time seeing a greenhouse.

The sisters Wendy and Rudy brought hot tea.

“P-please blow on it.”

It’s bergamot tea that Rosa likes.

“This also has quite a nice flavor.”

“It’s bittersweet, so it’s good.”

Mary agreed with Roald’s words.

And so a friendly chat began.

“How has Elchen been for you so far? Impressions, or. Memorable memories. Or there are things you do.”

It was Roald’s question.

Rosa started talking without much 고민.

First, of course, her impressions of Elchen.

“It feels a bit more free and open than the Empire.”

And the things she does.

Seeing Cayron off in the morning and greeting him again in the evening.

The fact that Cayron bought her a foal.

The Lantern Festival they spent together.

How Cayron was foolishly ripped off there.

That romantic night, the scenery of Arnad that the two of them walked around and saw.

“Hmm..”

“Miss.”

The two listening to the story had satisfied expressions.

“You’re doing well enough.”

“Indeed. Mary is right.”

Roald and Mary smiled at each other.

“Why?”

Rosa asked back.

“The expression on your face as you were talking just now. You looked really happy.”

“Of course, most of it was about being with His Highness the Archduke.”

“What are you..”

Rosa tried to refute, but she had to shut her mouth.

Because it was clearly true.

But her face flushed for no reason.

“It’s not what you think. Really.”

It feels strangely hot inside this greenhouse.

Rosa quickly changed the subject.

“Right! Mary. Why did you become a nun?”

“That’s..”

Mary slowly opened her mouth.

The story that followed the next moment was also quite surprising.