Chapter 17
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"You see, His Majesty has ordered me to keep an eye on you, and I'm the one who'll get in trouble if you do anything stupid."
"Since when have you been so good at carrying out the king's orders?"
"I don't know. He seems to trust me more than you, which is why he personally summoned me to give me the order."
"Your loyalty to the king is great."
"It is one of the most necessary virtues in a knight, and one that you lack. Be careful, lest someone think you have other intentions for the king."
"You worry too much."
Bastard. As if the sight of him wasn't bad enough, now Julian had to see him every day. One of these days, he was going to flatten his nose. Julian glared at him with a rather menacing gaze.
Walter, conscious of the stare, raised the corners of his mouth and looked at Julian in a pathetic way.
"Why don't you stop chasing after girls and start thinking about your future?"
Julian’s brow crinkled at his words. Anger welled up in him at this man who had crossed the line and touched the depths of his soul.
"You mean... Rosette?"
"She is the only woman you have."
Before Walter could finish his sentence, Julian grabbed him by the collar and shook him violently.
"Watch your mouth. Walter Bradley."
"I say this for your own good. Do not insult the deepest feelings of our princess... who has made a noble sacrifice for her country."
It was like pouring oil on a wildfire that had been burning dangerously without direction. Julian chewed on the flesh of his mouth, almost growling as he spoke.
"Don't tell me you know anything about Rosette."
Despite Julian’s intimidation, Walter sneered at him, one corner of his mouth lifting.
In terms of skill, he was one of the best men in the kingdom of Hercia, and with a wicked grin, he answered him as if he were chastising a child.
"Child's play is over, my boy."
Dumbfounded by his remark, Julian tightened his grip.
"Weren't you courting Rosette, too, and now you're engaged to another woman before the footprints she left behind aren’t even dry? How despicable. You should be ashamed of yourself."
All noble lords of his age had set their hearts on Rosette at one time or another, and Walter was no different. But it was only for a moment, and when her worth was up, he changed his attitude as quickly as the flip of a palm.
As soon as she left, he was engaged to a noblewoman from a prestigious family who had been courting him for years and promised him a future. Walter's feelings for Rosette only went so far.
"I have nothing but respect for the Princess as a citizen, and if you continue to behave like this, I will have no choice but to report you to the King."
Julian slapped Walter roughly across the face in his grasp.
He glared at the bastard for a long moment, then kicked the bucket beside him, the loud clatter of the iron cutting through the night air. He glared at Walter menacingly, trying to get a grip on his emotions, then stalked back into the mansion.
His feelings were not for him to discuss, and he must find a way to get Rosette back. With that, Julian gritted his teeth and strode away with determination.
****
A boutique alley in the capital city of Winterreus.
With an unrestricted radius of action, Rosette was free to roam the streets of the capital as well as the imperial palace. The Kaisen Empire was more developed than the Kingdom of Hercia, and trade was brisk. The bustling streets of Winterreus had a very different atmosphere from Rosette's homeland of Hercia.
There were dresses made of materials and cute little accessories she had never seen before. The various workshop-like spaces were enough to pique her curiosity. Sometimes, when she had time, Rosette would wander through the bustle and buy what she needed.
She stopped by a workshop that was said to be frequented by noblewomen, and her eyes lit up when she spotted something. The clerk, sensing her interest, stopped her.
"You have a great eye," he said.
"I'd like to take a look at this."
The cloaked woman's face oozed beauty, even though she was covered from head to toes. Her white, fair hands beckoned to show her the goods. She was so beautiful that the clerk was inwardly curious about her, but he fought it down.
"Here it is."
"Thank you."
At first glance, it was clear that she was a high-ranking noble, but she was also polite. The clerk's demeanor grew more polite as he continued to explain.
"This is the finest thread, brought in from the Barnon Empire not long ago. It is extracted from the larvae of the Starfly, and only after many layers of thin thread are spun into this single strand."
"That's why the color is so beautiful."
As a species of butterfly, the starfly had a small range and very few vectors. When they encountered enemies, they spewed powders from their mouths, which sparkled and looked like stardust, hence the name.
"Yes, I was just about to retrieve it when my exclusive contract with Annette's costume shop ended, and you happened to find it. I'll sell it to you if you like, but would you like a gift?"
"Sure. Give me as many as you can afford per color."
"Yes, My Lady."
The corner of Rosette's mouth twitched upward at the unexpected harvest. Mysteriously shiny and solid. Turning it over and over, Rosette paid the clerk and tucked the wrapped package under her arm.
A satisfied smile spread across her face.
Leaving the workshop, Rosette made a few more stops for a quick shopping spree, including a late-night stop at a famous meatball restaurant before heading back to the palace.
By the time she returned from her outing, the sun had set. Rosette sat down on the sofa and began to organize her purchases, lining them up on the table.
"This goes here, and this goes here......."
The starfly caterpillar thread she had bought at the workshop earlier. She was going to make a gift for her brother with it. A letter had just arrived for her from Queen Isis.
Most of the letter asked for Rosette's well-being, but the last paragraph told her that her younger brother, Elliot, had been accepted into the Academy. She also mentioned that Elliot had shown a talent for swordsmanship and was training every day.
The kingdom of Hercia had found a sense of normalcy thanks to Rosette.
She was relieved once again at the peace she had preserved, and she knew that if she had to go back to that time again, she would make the same choice. With that, she pondered the future.
Rosette was a handy woman and excelled at embroidery and knitting, and she was going to make a muffler for her brother to wear around his neck.
Rosette took out her yarn and began to sketch and draft a design. Suddenly, her eyes caught sight of Theodore's handkerchief lying next to her.
Theodore's silk handkerchief, the one she hadn't been able to return after wiping his face in the carriage yesterday. It was dark in color, just like him, and the handkerchief even smelled like him.
No word had been heard from Theodore since his sudden disappearance from the carriage yesterday. Rosette couldn't help wondering if he was ill or had met with some other mishap, but if she asked the soldiers or the servants, she doubted they would know anything about him.
The grotesque condition of the man she'd seen at first glance would not leave Rosette's mind.
She had gone out to try to calm her disturbed mind, but her curiosity was only heightened by the sight of his handkerchief.
"Should I return the handkerchief?"
Besides, he asked for tea leaves that only come from the kingdom of Hercia, so she would have to try. With that, Rosette scooped the tea leaves into a glass jar for him, her pockets stuffed with Theodore's handkerchief.
I'm worried... No, I have something to give him, and I'll be back in a moment.
"Charlotte, I think I should see the Emperor for a moment."
"It's late."
"Just for a short while. I have something to return."
"Yes, I'll get ready, Princess."
Rosette checked herself in the mirror; she wasn't sure why she was suddenly checking her appearance, but perhaps it was because she was nervous. She concluded that it was because she was nervous and she examined her skin carefully.
When she reached the front of his chambers, Rosette listened to the sounds coming from within. The Emperor's chambers were filled with sounds similar to yesterday's, only worse.
Just hearing it sent chills down her spine. It was the sound of pain.
Theodore's groans were intermittent in the chamber, and they were more intense than yesterday's, almost animal-like.
Is he hurting badly......?
With a trembling heart, Rosette stepped up to the doorway and mustered up the courage to open it slightly. Her pupils dilated at the sight of Theodore peeking through the small crack.
He was shirtless, bound by tight ropes, writhing in pain, and the scent of potions wafted through the crack. The scent of a mixture of herbs hit her all at once, and for a moment, her stomach turned. Was this the best for his condition? Rosette squeezed her eyes shut at the sight of him.
***
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