Run away 10

Chapter 10

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Rosette's fingers trembled slightly in the water. She furrowed her brow and focused her senses on her fingertips.

Beads of sweat broke out on her pretty forehead.

Everyone around murmured at her seeming recklessness, but they were silenced by the incredible sight that was unfolding.

The opaque waters of the lake gradually turned clear, starting with Rosette's hands.

"It's power!"

"My God, the rotten water is clearing."

"A saint has appeared!"

She had performed a miracle. They couldn't believe they were actually seeing Rosette's power. But it was indisputable.

The murky, stagnant water had been transformed by her to its pristine state.

And not long afterward. The sunny sky clouded over, and cold raindrops began to fall on their cheeks.

"Rain, rain, rain."

"The gods are impressed!"

"Now... can we farm?"

The rain, which hadn't fallen in a year, was pouring everywhere, soaking everything.

The light rain gradually became stronger and stronger, and then it poured down like a torrent. The rain, which hadn't fallen in a long time, poured down with such force that the people wept with joy and cheered for the emperor, whom they had criticized only minutes before.

'I did it.......'

Rosette savored the cold raindrops falling down her face. The soaking rain penetrated her heart and refreshed her, just in time for her to show what she could do.

It was purely coincidental that it was raining now, but it was a ray of hope that her future would be smooth sailing.

Rosette, momentarily weakened from using her powers for so long, staggered for a moment, but then she felt a warm touch.

It was Theodore, who had approached her, picked her up.

As he walked with her, the crowd parted on either side, like the miracle of Moses.

"In my time, a saint... a saint has appeared."

Many people made holy signs or bowed to her, all of them reverent.

Rosette's heart beat wildly in Theodore’s arms. The distance to the ground must have frightened her. His chest was harder and wider than she had expected. Leaning against him, she felt strangely secure.

As he strode through the crowd, he was greeted with cheers and shouts of exasperation, and a black figure slipped stealthily through their shouts of hail.

***

Back at the palace, Rosette had removed her damp dress and showered. She had planned to go to bed early tonight, as using her powers had always been accompanied by dizziness and fatigue.

She was feeling a little tired after a long day of traveling and thinking.

Knock. Knock.

"Come in."

Charlotte called out to Rosette as she prepared for an early night.

"Princess, His Majesty is calling for you."

"At this hour?"

"Yes."

"Very well, I'll go and change my clothes."

Roughly brushing her damp hair out of her face, Rosette changed and followed the knights to Theodore.

Her freedom was limited within the palace, she was unable to move about freely, and they were already entering the first hallway they came to.

Her palms were sweaty with trembling as she made her way through the long corridors to the emperor’s quarters. The thought of facing him made her nervous. And at such a late hour.

Finally, she arrived at Theodore's study. He had changed from his formal uniform to a shirt. His shirt collar was unbuttoned, revealing his bare skin, and Rosette couldn't help but gulp at the change in mood.

He was drinking vodka from a crystal glass. Spotting Rosette, he motioned for her to sit down.

"What are you doing......."

“A toast."

Was he suggesting they have a drink alone? If Rosette's quicker-than-expected progress today had anything to do with it, it was that.

Theodore offered Rosette a glass of red wine, which he poured into a wide, round goblet.

She accepted the glass of wine, determined to earn his trust and willing to accept his friendship.

The red wine was the finest fruit wine from the southern part of the Kaisen Empire. Rosette swirled the glass several times, savoring the aroma before taking a sip.

"Wow......."

She had gourmet meals and tasted many wines in her life, but never one so fragrant and sweet. Her silver eyes widened as she tasted the wine again and again. It had the deepest flavor and smoothest mouthfeel of any wine she had ever tasted.

Theodore smiled at her favorable reaction.

"I'm glad you like it."

It was the first genuine smile he'd ever given her.

"Yes, it tastes very good. Perhaps this is a wine only found in the Empire?"

"Yes. It's rare, only about twenty bottles a year."

Rosette's mouth watered in disappointment, this wine was even better than she'd expected.

"Perhaps you should try some, Your Majesty."

"I don't like sweets."

He sipped his vodka, his eyes studying her for a moment, almost observant. Rosette sipped her wine, looking away unnecessarily at the rising tension.

It was bound to be awkward to spend time alone like this, and she was feeling increasingly weirded out by the oddly different atmosphere today, so she changed the subject.

"The lord of Tristan, the one we saw today, I think you should... investigate him."

Theodore looked at her with a puzzled expression, asking why.

"How could he look like that, in a region that is short on supplies and resources, and plagued by famine. Maybe he has some food stashed away."

"So, his size made you suspicious?"

"That could be, but it’s the ring he wore on his finger. It looks like an ordinary ruby at first glance, but it's a red diamond, only found in the kingdom of Hercia. And it's of the finest workmanship."

"I see."

"Yes, I know, and I find it very suspicious how he could have gotten hold of something so hard to come by... and if it hadn't rained for a year, donations would have been pouring in from all over, including the imperial palace, but with so many people dying, it's just too strange."

"He's already been arrested."

"What?"

"There were irregularities in the books, and the princess said he seemed too wealthy."

"Oh......"

Rosette hid her embarrassment at her uncontrollable laughter and resumed her normal expression.

"Hmmmm, well, that's a relief."

Meanwhile, Theodore's expression changed oddly as he watched her, his eyes studying Rosette's face with interest before he spoke again.

"As I said before, I'm a man of my word when it comes to deals and rewards, and if you want something for today’s work, I'll give it to you."

"It's... part of the job, to help Your Majesty......."

"So you don't want it?"

"Not really."

"Then? Tell me about it."

A reward... a reward. Should she ask for money for her future? Or this wine, which tasted so good... No. That would risk her prestige. Theodore couldn't help but notice the seriousness with which she considered her options.

"Then... I'd like you to expand my radius."

"Widen your radius?"

"Yes. Everywhere I try to go, soldiers block my way... Even the most beautiful palace is like a prison without bars, and if I stay like that for the rest of my time in the Empire, I'm sure I'll catch some unknown disease."

"I see. Is that all?"

"For now."

The forbidden order on her was simply lifted. It indicated that Theodore no longer rejected her so blindly, which was no big deal to him, but to Rosette, it was.

"You're going to be a little busy from now on, Princess," he said, "you've become very popular."

What happened today in Tristan would spread like wildfire across the Empire. The Emperor's stature would be enhanced by the fact that he had brought a saint from the enemy kingdom of Hercia.

It was a good start. Rosette, who had been drinking wine, decided to enjoy the moment. If things continued to go so well, it wouldn’t be long before she returned to her homeland. In the midst of all this warmth, she began to feel a little tipsy.

She was tired after using her powers, but the wine tasted better than she expected, and she'd drained half the bottle before she realized it. Now the dizziness had set in.

Now that they had a toast and she got rewarded appropriately, it was time to go.

"I think I should get going."

"Of course."

And with that, Rosette pushed herself to her feet and swayed, suddenly dizzy.

Her legs gave way, and she nearly fell, and at the same time, she was swept into Theodore's arms, who caught her wobbly wrists and held her close.

He held her close and their eyes met. It was the second hug of the day.

His face was so close, so close that she could feel his breath. She could smell the intoxicating musky scent of his cologne.

****