127. A Gift for the Prince

A sudden fan blocked the space between Asif and Roselia, and Asif frowned.

“You came looking for me because you were curious about that fan?”

Asif shot Klaus a displeased glare, to which Klaus replied flatly.

“I bought it from a Benuve merchant and got curious about the artwork on it.”

At Klaus’s seemingly pointless remark, Asif’s frown deepened.

“That fan isn’t from Benuve. Just a glance tells me it came from the Zelos continent.”

The folding fan was ink-painted with plum blossoms.

Klaus gave a faint smile at Asif’s cold response.

“Is that so? No wonder it didn’t seem like something from Benuve.”

Asif, frustrated over losing the perfect timing with Roselia, glared at Klaus, while Roselia tilted her head in confusion.

“Prince Asif, didn’t you have something to say?”

Startled by Roselia’s blunt question, Asif sucked in a sharp breath.

Then, glancing at Klaus standing calmly at Roselia’s side, he spoke with resignation.

“I… I’ll tell you later…”

Asif’s voice was drained of energy, and as Roselia tilted her head again, Klaus smoothly changed the subject.

“More importantly, Roselia, weren’t you heading somewhere?”

How did he know that? Was he watching me?

Roselia eyed Klaus suspiciously but answered curtly.

“I was browsing the shops to find a gift for Prince Aaron before his coronation. The Imperial Family probably has plenty of expensive jewelry and trinkets, so I wanted to give him something special.”

At that, Asif, who had been feeling dejected, perked up and jumped into the conversation.

“If it’s a special gift you want, nothing beats goods from Benuve. Aaron would definitely like something in Benuve’s unique style.”

“I thought about that too, but nothing came to mind…”

“I’ll help you look. I know the value of Benuve goods better than anyone.”

Roselia nodded without much thought at Asif’s confident offer.

Just then, Klaus interjected with a neutral expression.

“It’s important to consider the Empire’s perspective too, not just a Benuvean’s. I’ll assist as well.”

At Klaus’s words, Asif made a face like he had bitten into a rock.

“You’re not even from Raphelios, you’re from Rugbeljet.”

“Both nations are part of the Empire.”

Asif scowled at that logic, and Eva, unable to bear it, stepped in.

“The more eyes to choose a gift, the better. Let’s all go together.”

At Eva’s bold suggestion, Asif and Klaus exchanged sour looks but reluctantly nodded.

Before long, Roselia and Eva were moving through the Benuve merchant stalls with two towering men trailing behind like obedient pups.

Anyone passing by would naturally be drawn to the sight of two tall, clearly high-born men following a young woman.

Trying to ignore the attention and walk naturally, Roselia soon noticed a familiar figure approaching.

“Viscountess—ah, no, Miss Roselia, isn’t it?”

It was Marquis Bellog, who had apparently just visited the Benuve stalls and greeted her warmly.

“It’s been a while since we met at the Imperial banquet. Thanks to you, trade with the connected Benuve guilds is progressing well. But who are these two gentlemen…?”

Spotting Klaus and Asif standing on either side like statues, Bellog asked curiously.

Roselia gave an awkward smile and answered.

“I was just out looking for a gift for Prince Aaron, and we happened to run into each other.”

Bellog glanced between the two men, whose serious expressions didn’t exactly scream ‘coincidence,’ but he simply smiled.

“A gift for the Prince? That’s a wonderful idea. Have you found something in mind?”

“No, nothing specific yet.”

“Oh, perfect. Some goods from Zelos just arrived through the Benuve guild. Would you like to take a look?”

Since there was nearly no trade with Zelos, their goods were extremely rare.

Most items from Zelos were obtained from shipwrecks or, by chance, from fugitives who made it across.

Roselia, intrigued, nodded, and Bellog excitedly called over a Benuve merchant he was familiar with to bring the Zelos goods.

There weren’t many, but some looked familiar to Roselia.

“Amazing, isn’t it? Who knows what they’re used for, but the colors are beautiful.”

Roselia picked up a jade token and examined it.

There were characters engraved on it that resembled Chinese script, and upon closer look, it seemed to bear the character for “auspicious” – 吉.

Staring at it with awe and curiosity, Roselia murmured,

“It looks like a talisman.”

“A talisman? Not just an ornament?”

At Bellog’s puzzled question, Roselia lifted her head with resolve.

“I’ll take this.”

“You don’t want to see anything else?”

“This is more than enough.”

At Roselia’s firm words, Bellog wore a bewildered expression, and just then, Asif—who had been peeking from behind—interjected.

“This is from the Benuve guild, right? Just take it. Mention my name, and it’s yours for free.”

At Asif’s offer, Klaus, who had been quietly observing, furrowed his brows and stepped forward.

“Receiving a gift for free brings bad luck. I’ll pay for it.”

Asif scowled at Klaus’s calm response.

“That’s the first time I’ve ever heard such nonsense.”

“It’s a proverb in the Empire.”

“Then I’ll pay the guild myself!”

While the two men bickered over something so trivial, Roselia, unfazed, casually took out her purse.

“How much do I owe?”

* * *

Roselia had visited the Empress’s palace alongside Johannes.

As it happened, their visit coincided with Prince Aaron’s audience time, and so Roselia ended up having tea with both the Empress and Aaron. She took out a jewel box containing the jade token she had prepared in advance.

“It’s nothing grand, but this is a small gift for Prince Aaron.”

Roselia gave a sheepish smile, and the Empress looked surprised.

“Oh my, Roselia. A gift for Aaron? How touching. Isn’t that right, my prince?”

At her words, Aaron looked startled before his face turned red.

Roselia looked at him fondly, finding his reaction cute.

For Roselia, who had lived alone both in her previous life and in this one without a real family, blood relations held special meaning.

From her brother Johannes to the Empress and Prince Aaron, who shared blood through a mother she barely remembered—unlike Baron Hesingk and Antonio, who had been family in name only—these people treated her with genuine warmth, and she cherished them for it.

Soon, Aaron shyly reached out and took the jewel box Roselia offered.

When he opened it, the radiant green jade token gleamed inside.

He picked it up, eyes wide, and gazed at the shimmering token, running his fingers over its smooth surface, as if spellbound.

“It’s like a talisman. It symbolizes good fortune, so keep it close to your heart at all times.”

Still entranced by the jade token, Aaron let out a small cough and responded in a deliberately mature tone.

“Thank you, Lady Roselia.”

“No need to thank me.”

Roselia smiled at Aaron’s childlike attempt to act grown-up, a tone that never failed to amuse her.

Aaron blushed even more, clutching the jade tightly, and turned his head away to avoid her gaze.

Roselia watched his flustered movements curiously.

“It seems His Highness is a bit embarrassed.”

The Empress, gazing at her son with affection, added, “Aaron has his moments. I think he tries to act mature because he’s always being compared to his older siblings.”

At the Empress’s bittersweet words, Roselia smiled softly.

“I’ll visit him often and keep him company.”

“That would be more than I could hope for.”

While the Empress beamed, Aaron awkwardly spoke up.

“I—I am a busy man and cannot spend idle time with Lady Roselia.”

His adult-like tone made Roselia smile again.

“Then… will you not meet with me at all, Your Highness?”

As Roselia gazed at him kindly, smiling, Aaron’s face turned crimson and he averted his eyes.

“M-Maybe not often, but… sometimes, perhaps…”

At his stammered reply, both the Empress and Johannes smiled.

Roselia looked fondly at the prince, who resembled a golden-haired doll, and smiled warmly.

Johannes had to remain behind to deal with matters concerning Aaron’s coronation, so Roselia left the Empress’s palace alone.

As she walked through the corridors and passed the garden, a sharp voice stopped her in her tracks.

“Do you know how much these shoes cost? Someone like you couldn’t afford them even if you worked in a tavern your entire life!”

It was Princess Tania.

Not far off, Tania sat with a few noble ladies, apparently in the middle of tea. Among them was Nora, and it was clear the princess was once again tormenting her.

Judging by the situation, Nora had probably dropped a teacup due to unfamiliarity with etiquette, and the tea had splashed onto the princess’s shoes.

Flustered, Nora tried to wipe the shoes with her handkerchief, but Tania recoiled as if it were filthy.

“I-I’m sorry, Your Highness.”

“Is that all? Your handkerchief is dirty. Why don’t you lick them clean instead?”

The noble ladies beside her covered their mouths, stifling laughter.

“What, can’t lick them?”

At Tania’s outrageous words, Roselia’s expression darkened.

Nora trembled on her knees, unable to bring herself to do such a thing.

Roselia looked away, trying to suppress her discomfort.

She had already helped Nora once at the Langley Count’s banquet and remembered well how Nora reacted.

Roselia had no desire to get involved with someone who clearly disliked her.

Just then, a loud, sharp crack echoed through the air.

Smack—!!!

Tania had slapped Nora across the face.

“Then you’ll have to be hit.”

With a vicious smile, the princess raised her hand again.

Smack! Smack—! Smack!! Smack!!!

Her hand struck without mercy, and even the noble ladies around her looked frightened.

Nora’s lips had begun to bleed, and as she collapsed, Tania grabbed her by the collar, continuing to strike her.

Unable to bear it any longer, Roselia finally spoke.

“That’s enough!”