“…I don’t let go once I’ve gotten my hands on it.”
In the end, Derivis’s greed won over the conflict. Instead of facing the treacherous path ahead, he found satisfaction in seeing himself reflected in Rosalie’s deep khaki-colored eyes. Derivis held the small hand tightly.
⊱⊱⊱────── {.⋅ ✧✧✧ ⋅.} ──────⊰⊰⊰
Due to another wave of attackers, the moment was cut short. Except for the injured Venick, Derivis, Nathan, and Rosalie ended the short battle.
“Are you hurt?”
After the fierce, albeit short battle, Derivis asked Rosalie. The number of attackers was low due to the several repeated attacks.
“I’m fine. I was almost just a spectator.”
Thanks to Nathan and Derivis’s rampage, only one enemy reached Venick and Rosalie, who were in the back. When Derivis heard the clashing sounds behind him, he rushed over to take care of it.
“What do you mean you’re fine?”
Derivis furrowed his brow as he spoke. Following his gaze, she found a shallow cut on her arm.
“Oh, this is nothing.”
Rosalie lifted her arm and examined the cut. It was barely a cut by her standards, but Derivis’s expression didn’t improve. He even looked like he was upset.
‘Is it bothering him that much?’
There was no way a strong swordsman like Derivis would be deterred by a wound like this.
Rosalie knew that his body was scarred with scars both large and small. And yet, every time she got hurt, those blue eyes would sink.
“Derivis, I’m okay. This isn’t even a real wound.”
He took out a handkerchief and tore it into strips before gently wrapping her wound with a familiar touch.
“In the future, there may be more incidents like this since you’ve held my hand.”
“It doesn’t matter. It was my choice.”
She grabbed Derivis’s wrist as he finished tying up the handkerchief. Her gaze remained firm and unwavering.
“Rosalie~ Shouldn’t we start moving soon?”
“Yes, let’s move.”
After confirming that the handkerchief was tied up, Rosalie looked away from Derivis and released her grip on his arm. Derivis glanced down at his arm, where her touch had lingered.
“Since there might be people lying in ambush, it would be better to go back even if the road is a bit rough.”
“Yes, Duchess. That would be best.”
When Derivis whistled, his black horse and Venick’s brown horse, which had been hiding during the battle, appeared. These were the horses that were trained to come back at the sound of the whistle.
Rosalie also led the horse she had ridden, and the four of them rode quickly.
As usual, the night in the forest came quickly, and they found a new crevice between the rocks to hide in. Venick, who was tired from the injury and forced march, dismounted and immediately sat down.
“Are you okay, Sir Venick?”
“Yes. I feel much better thanks to the potion His Highness gave me.”
Venick answered Rosalie’s question nonchalantly, pretending to be fine. However, the wound hadn’t healed, and a cold sweat ran down his face.
“Hmm… It seems like he was really hurt, though they were able to block the pain with the potion.”
Nathan murmured behind Venick’s back. He struggled to lift his head, saying he was fine, and Rosalie took out the potion she had received from Moiron from her pocket.
“Would you like to drink this?”
“Oh, no thank you. I’m really fine.”
When Venick strongly refused, Rosalie opened the lid of the glass vial without any hesitation.
“I already opened it. By the way, once you open this, you can’t close it again.”
Because Rosalie had opened the lid and handed him the potion, Venick eventually drank it.
“…Thank you. I won’t forget this debt.”
“No need to burden yourself with that, Sir Venick.”
Venick’s eyes glistened with gratitude. Not only did she rescue him, but she also generously provided a potion! Steeped in deep despair and overwhelmed by the gesture, Venick impulsively grabbed her hand.
Taken aback by Venick’s strong reaction, Rosalie’s eyes widened. Startled, Venick quickly released her hand.
“I-I’m sorry. I was just so moved…”
“It’s okay. Seeing this side of yours, I can tell that Sir Venick is definitely related to Bianca.”
Rosalie chuckled lightly and urged him to let her know if he needed more of the potion.
Venick, still moved, turned his head once more. However, he began to break out in a cold sweat as soon as he discovered a pair of cold eyes.
‘I… I think I’ve messed up.’
He prayed to the heavens that this situation would pass safely as a pair of eyes bore into him more sharply than the wounds on his back.
Rosalie, Derivis, and Nathan decided to take turns keeping watch except for the injured Venick. Rosalie, who was the first to take the watch, leaned against a rock and gazed absentmindedly at the moon floating in the sky.
“What are you thinking so hard about?”
She turned at the sound of a low, hushed voice to her right.
“Why aren’t you sleeping yet?”
“…I was thinking about what you said earlier.”
Rosalie thought that Derivis was asking about how to get out of the palace, so she whispered in a small voice.
“If that’s what you’re asking, I have a way. I’ll explain it to you in detail when we’re in a quiet place outside the forest. It’s better if you get some rest for now.”
Rosalie suggested, trying to ease his worries. Even if the plot of the novel had changed, some facts remained unchanged. That clearly meant that Rosalie held a trump card that could overturn the game board.
‘Hmm, that’s not what I meant.’
Content just to have Rosalie by his side, Derivis didn’t ask for any more details. He gently took her hand in his own.
“I didn’t really think you’d come to my rescue.”
Feeling the warmth from his hand, Rosalie welcomed the darkness of the forest. Judging by the heat on her face, it was clear that she was blushing.
“In the end, Nathan’s nose was more helpful than the ring.”
Derivis chuckled, and Rosalie squeezed his hand tightly.
“I’m glad I found you.”
They didn’t let go of each other’s hands until the morning sun rose.
Next up for watch duty was Nathan. However, Derivis, who was still awake, held Rosalie’s hand while gazing at her sleeping form.
“Devi, you look much better.”
“She asked me to come with these small hands. I’ll go even if I have to use all my strength.”
Derivis did not take his eyes off Rosalie while answering Nathan. Nathan smirked.
“When I asked her what she would do if we were in danger, she said that she would go and save us without any hesitation. She might be braver than us.”
Nathan gave a short shrug, and Derivis gave a small laugh.
“Do you know what I was thinking when Rosalie grabbed my wrist earlier?”
Derivis clasped Rosalie’s hand tighter. At the same time, he acted carefully so that she wouldn’t wake up.
“What were you thinking?”
“Even though she was warning me, the way she held my hand and looked at me… It was satisfying.”
Nathan chuckled softly.
“Devi, you really are a greedy bastard.”
“I can’t deny it.”
She was truly a brave and upright woman. That made her shine brighter and more alluring than anyone else. That’s why Derivis resolved to ensure that no one would dare to touch her recklessly or threaten her.
As the darkness receded, Rosalie made an effort to conceal her expression. She never expected to fall asleep while holding his hand. Even worse, she woke up to find herself leaning on his leg.
When Rosalie woke up, she avoided Nathan’s gaze, who was smiling at her. She was glad she’d woken up before Venick.
“Did it make you uncomfortable?”
No matter how light the weight, there was bound to be some numbness or pain when a person’s head pressed down on someone’s legs.
“No, not at all.”
Despite having her lean on his leg for several hours, Derivis was actually smiling. Feeling even more awkward, Rosalie swiftly mounted her horse.
“His Majesty must be worried. Since there was a disturbance, he probably returned to the palace first for safety.”
Derivis, who had mounted his horse, clicked his tongue at the thought of Patrick’s pale face.
“If the Empress also influenced those who managed the portal…”
When Venick, who hadn’t mounted his horse yet, spoke with a worried tone, Rosalie spoke.
“It’s okay, Sir Venick. My maid would have already conveyed the message to Marquis Bright and Count Heffdin. Even the Empress can’t mess with three noble houses.”
“…Have you also prepared for the journey back?”
“I was just thinking about the worst-case scenario.”
Rosalie replied casually even though Venick looked surprised. Respect grew in his eyes.
And so, the four of them set off again.
⊱⊱⊱────── {.⋅ ✧✧✧ ⋅.} ──────⊰⊰⊰
Bianca, sleepless with worry, wandered out of her tent and spotted the horses galloping in the distance. Recognizing the familiar figures, Bianca shouted loudly.
“Sister! Brother!”
“Bianca.”
Venick quickly dismounted and hugged Bianca as she ran towards him. When Venick groaned in pain, Bianca quickly let go.
After exchanging a brief greeting with Venick, Bianca immediately approached Rosalie. However, she trembled when she saw Nathan behind Rosalie.
Venick tilted his head at Bianca’s reaction, but shrugged it off as just surprise.
“Here! His Highness the Crown Prince and the Captain of the Imperial Knights are here!”
Imperial Knights and nobles soon gathered upon spotting Derivis and Venick.
“We will escort you. This way.”
An Imperial Knight approached Derivis, but Rosalie blocked their way and showed them an imposing attitude.
“I will escort His Highness. The same goes for Sir Venick.”
The bewildered Imperial Knights were momentarily taken aback. Meanwhile, Derivis smiled smugly and stuck close to Rosalie.
“Well, that’s what she said.”
He wore a delighted smile, like that of a child who had just eaten a satisfying treat. The Imperial Knights instinctively felt that it was time to step back.
Like my translations?
Buy me a Milktea!
