“Episode 14”
Surprisingly, it was a sufficient answer. While there might have been concerns on Rocsanne’s face, there was no sign of frustration or confinement. It wasn’t something that appeared overnight but rather evidence that she had grown up freely since childhood.
“If we start as friends, will you choose me?”
Aris hesitated.
“The palace is a cage where you can enter but not leave. No matter the country, you can’t turn back once you’re in. Becoming an empress was never my intention. Just the thought of Patrick’s face still makes my skin crawl and my stomach churn. I wouldn’t last even a day.”
“But you haven’t become empress yet.”
Unexpectedly, Aris looked up at the response.
“You can choose me.”
“But…”
“I can handle the rest. You don’t need to worry, Princess.”
Was there truly such power in a duke? But if he couldn’t do that much, he couldn’t change Aris’s fate.
“Now that the empress’s nomination has been mentioned, we both don’t have much time.”
Ricard spoke calmly.
“I’ll wait for your decision.”
“Does my choice matter? If the emperor doesn’t give up…”
“Leave that to me.”
Ricard’s smile was surprisingly gentle.
“In fact, obtaining Your Grace’s permission is easier than yawning.”
Aris wanted to believe that too. If she could just escape from Patrick’s obsession and be completely forgotten by him.
“I’m different.”
His low voice resonated deeply.
“The choice is yours, Princess.”
Whether it was the end of teatime or not, Ricard rose first. Aris remained seated. Ricard briefly straightened up and walked past Aris.
“The sparkling necklace suits you well. I look forward to seeing your beautiful appearance again.”
Aris didn’t respond and sipped her tea with burning lips.
“Is it really… true?”
His peculiar condition was as unbelievable as the concept of freedom. Both seemed like blatant lies.
“If it’s true?”
Suddenly, the white fingers that had been touching her neck stiffened.
“The necklace…?”
Suspicion deepened gradually.
“Is it true that everyone suffers when near His Grace?”
Rocsanne’s gesture paused. Did she already discuss such profound matters with the princess? Ricard seemed sincere.
“How did you know not to stay long and naturally moved away from where His Grace sat and cleared the tea cups?”
The most important thing was how naturally Rocsanne moved as if she saw something. It wasn’t enough time for warmth to linger on the seat.
“I wish you had been honest with me. Of course, I’ll keep the secret.”
Aris looked into Rocsanne’s black eyes. Rocsanne seemed momentarily puzzled before sighing.
“…since you’ve already heard, I can’t help it.”
Was everything true?
“It’s difficult for people around Ricard to breathe. It feels like something pressing down, and weak people sometimes faint. It’s an instinctive fear… Even I, as family, can’t approach easily.”
Aris widened her eyes.
“I could feel a subtle toxicity even where he stayed. That’s why I naturally avoided it. And… it seems it was true that there was no harm to the princess.”
Rocsanne was also surprised.
“Even though I couldn’t feel anything…”
“It’s a miracle. I’ve never seen such a person before.”
“Are all those stories true?”
“I’m not sure how much you’ve heard, but it’s true that there’s no one who can stay close to Ricard. Everyone keeps their distance. Even the closest ones are family and close aides.”
Even they had special circumstances.
“No one can touch him with bare skin.”
“But…”
Surely, on the day they met in the square, he rescued Aris barehanded.
“If they feel pain or faint. Sometimes they cause confusion.”
Rocsanne’s face darkened.
“It wasn’t like that all his life. It hasn’t been many years. He’s been through a lot. When he tried to push away in pain, in the midst of an episode of hysteria… he got this scar on his cheek from my mother unintentionally.”
“Really? That faint scar on his cheek?”
Rocsanne nodded. She couldn’t forget Ricard’s expression, as if he had lost his mind.
“My mother didn’t mean to. When she tried to push him away in pain, she had a fit of hysteria… Since then, Ricard hasn’t been close to anyone.”
“It’s all true.”
“It’s a strange story, but only the princess can get close to Ricard and come out unharmed.”
Even family caused him pain, such loneliness was unimaginable. Aris felt she understood why Ricard seemed excited and happy just by drinking tea.
“You must have felt burdened by the princess, Ricard’s attitude… But the proposal is sincere.”
Aris nodded slowly.
“If you come as the Duchess, I’ll have nothing more to ask for.”
Suddenly, the tea cooled down.
“May I bring another pot of warm tea?”
Rocsanne asked cautiously. Aris also wanted to hear more. If she could understand his reasons, maybe an escape route would open up for her.
