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IGF 14
“Pardon?”
“When you smile like that, you look like a princess from a fairy tale.”
At the sudden compliment, Roselyn’s face flushed with joy. As Roselyn adjusted her grip on Cesare’s hand and smiled again while heading toward the garden, Cesare frowned as if making a firm decision and declared.
“When I become a great knight, I’ll protect Roselyn. Because knights protect princesses!”
“Shall I look forward to that, then?”
“You definitely should!”
Cesare chattered on for a long while about how he would protect Roselyn once he became a knight. As they passed through the garden and reached the vicinity of the stables, they saw a man waiting for them, holding a small wooden sword. It was Montague, a knight of the Marquis Russell household and Cesare’s riding instructor.
“Hello.”
When she hesitantly greeted him first, he gave a slight nod in return. Though his demeanor was blunt, she felt at ease knowing he was that way with everyone, not just her. He was one of the few whose attitude toward Roselyn remained the same both before and after the rumors involving Ashley began to circulate.
She had heard that while his skills were outstanding, he had failed to achieve recognition due to his uncompromising personality and his background as a commoner. That was likely why, despite being a knight of the Russell family, he was tasked with minor duties such as Cesare’s riding lessons.
Still holding Cesare’s hand, Roselyn stepped closer to him. Montague, who seemed somehow more stiff than usual, looked at Cesare with a surprised expression.
“You arrived quite early, Young Master.”
“A wooden sword!”
The bold promise to become a knight and protect her vanished in an instant at the sight of a single small wooden sword. Letting go of Roselyn’s hand with ruthless speed, Cesare scurried over to Montague. Montague easily avoided the small hand trying to snatch the sword by lifting his arm high.
“Riding lessons come first.”
“Hmph. Then hurry up! The lesson!”
Cesare rushed to the entrance of the stables and gestured frantically toward Montague. After giving Roselyn another brief nod, Montague followed Cesare. Roselyn waved goodbye until they entered the stables, then stretched lightly.
“Phew.”
Cesare’s education time was almost the only break Roselyn had. To enjoy a moment of leisure until the riding lesson ended, she walked slowly across the garden toward her room. As spring fully arrived, a fragrant breeze brushed past, fluttering her hair. Gazing blankly at the early-blooming roses, Roselyn let out a faint sigh without realizing it. Though she longed to stroll and feel the season, it was becoming increasingly difficult to endure the malice people directed toward her.
“Just a little longer.”
She decided that once she gathered enough money to serve as seed capital after the day of the banquet, she would leave the Marquess's residence immediately. It seemed impossible to hold out here for much longer. She had been lucky enough to receive help last time, but there was no guarantee that things would be resolved as well if she encountered another man with ill intentions.
Perhaps she could find a quiet village where no one recognized her and open a small apothecary. If she saved up money bit by bit, she might be able to trade for her mother’s keepsake.
“I need to find the necklace, too...”
It was said to be a mystical necklace usable only by direct descendants of the Bluebell family. Since it was practically the symbol of the family, she desperately wanted to recover it. Fortunately, Selena had no idea that the necklace held such value. This was because the previous Count Bluebell had also been a son-in-law and did not know the details of the necklace. Selena simply believed that Roselyn wanted the necklace back because she missed her mother.
It was one obstacle after another. Though she believed she had lived quite bravely, far from the hardships passing, they only seemed to pile up, making it difficult to smile as easily as she once did. Leaving her cluttered thoughts alone, Roselyn entered the mansion and blinked. The residence had become incredibly noisy in a short amount of time. It was the first time it had been this chaotic since the day of the banquet.
“Where have you been? And where is the Young Master?”
As she stood blankly trying to grasp the situation, Karen, the head maid, questioned her in a stiff voice.
“The Young Master is in his riding lesson. Has something happened?”
“There was a message that Prince Aiden will be visiting urgently. Lady Roselyn, please go to your room and stay out of sight. As for the Young Master... was it Betty? You, go and bring the Young Master here.”
“Yes, Head Maid!”
A maid named Betty quickly scurried toward the garden. Perhaps frustrated by Roselyn standing there blankly, Karen hardened her expression and gave a pointed nod.
“His Highness will arrive shortly. Hurry.”
“Oh... yes.”
Flustered, Roselyn lifted the hem of her skirt and climbed the stairs. If it was Prince Aiden, then that person from the garden... I heard there were talks of a marriage proposal with Violet; it must be true.
Roselyn imagined Violet standing beside Prince Aiden. Whether in terms of status or appearance, they would be a perfectly matched pair. For some reason, a bitter taste lingered in her mouth. She couldn't help but compare her own situation—where everyone wanted to hide her existence—to that of Violet, who had grown up as the precious daughter of the Marquess.
Roselyn trudged along and pushed open the wooden door attached to Cesare’s playroom. In the space, filled only by a narrow bed and a small nightstand, sat a lonely plate and tray from the morning meal that had not yet been cleared.
Since she was told not to be seen, she would have to clear them later. Pressing her lips together, she crouched weakly by the bedside. Resting her chin on her knees and closing her eyes, her turbulent mind calmed slightly. After staying like that for a considerable amount of time, drowsiness naturally washed over her. Perhaps she had fallen asleep for a fleeting moment; Roselyn snapped her eyes open at the sound of a cautious knock on the door.
“...Who is it? Nanny?”
Since the Prince was visiting, there was no reason for Violet to call for her now. She asked with a puzzled expression, but no answer came. The low sound of knocking on the door was heard again. Roselyn clenched and unclenched her sweaty palms, stood up, and carefully opened the door.
“Eh?”
The black-haired maid Karen had ordered to bring Cesare was standing before her. Her name was Betty, if she remembered correctly. As she looked at her, wondering what was happening, the maid placed her index finger over her lips as if telling her to be quiet and whispered.
“There is someone looking for Lady Roselyn. Please follow me.”
“What?”
“It’s almost time for the shift change, so hurry.”
The maid urged Roselyn forward with a glint in her eye, as if there were no time to waste. Feeling an inexplicable momentum that made it impossible to refuse, Roselyn began to follow the maid instinctively. The maid called Betty began to lead Roselyn, walking quickly and scanning the surroundings. The truly strange thing was that they didn't encounter a single person until they reached the garden.
‘Who on earth is this person?’
Unable to hide her surprise, Roselyn followed Betty with quick steps. As they went deeper through a path in a corner of the garden, a familiar route appeared.
“Please follow closely.”
Having a rough idea of where they were heading, Roselyn paused and hesitated. Noticing that the footsteps behind her had stopped, Betty turned around and urged her forward. As Roselyn reluctantly moved, her eyes suddenly widened. Beside a familiar tree stump stood an unexpected person.
“I have brought her, Your Highness.”
“Good work.”
Aiden La Chapelle. As the Empire's Prince praised Betty with a relaxed smile, the maid bowed her head and vanished instantly. Standing there dumbfounded, Roselyn’s blue eyes entangled with the Prince's cold gold eyes in mid-air.
Realizing belatedly that she was staring directly at the Prince, Roselyn hurriedly knelt to show her respect. As she bowed her head, she saw a pair of polished black shoes take a step closer to her.
“I greet Your Highness.”
“Roselyn Bluebell.”
Does he know my name? What on earth is happening? Her heart plummeted. Lifting her head with trembling eyes, she saw the Prince's face, his lips curved into a smooth smile.
“We've met before, haven't we?”
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