Episode 41

Even after leaving the high-end tailor shop, Kyle remained trapped in the swamp of shopping. That was because Rosanna had dragged him to a department store that hadn’t officially opened yet. Though the newspapers advertised that the grand opening would be next month, surprisingly, some nobles had privately reserved the store in advance to enjoy exclusive shopping.

Without time to marvel at such a different world, Kyle trailed behind Rosanna, wandering through the grand interior. Picking out various gifts for the children at the orphanage, they ended up buying enough to completely fill the carriage’s luggage compartment. The more they bought, the more uncomfortable Kyle became, insisting that they had enough, but Rosanna didn’t even pretend to listen.

The same woman who had affectionately called Henry a runaway locomotive was now displaying that very same energy herself.

“Please… this is too much.”

“Just this one last thing. I promise.”

Rosanna gestured to the servant who had been following them since they arrived. The man, sent by the butler, pulled out a checkbook and signed a blank check. The department store’s general manager, who had already received checks signed by Rosanna, filled in the total amount on the spot, confirmed it with her, and stepped back.

“……”

Kyle stole a glance at the amount and felt a wave of unease. Once again, he was painfully aware of the vast financial gap between them. Their time together was always fun, the thought of meeting again filled him with excitement, and waiting for her was something he looked forward to. But in moments like these, he just wanted to disappear.

To think that he had ever considered proposing to a woman like this.

With what confidence, exactly?

Because he loved her? Because he wanted to share a future with her? Those feelings alone felt embarrassingly insignificant. The only thing he could offer was an intangible heart, while Rosanna had the power to drown him in her generosity.

If he proposed as he was now… He didn’t like to think of marriage in materialistic terms, but by society’s standards, Rosanna would be making a losing bargain. The mere thought of the whispers among the aristocrats surrounding her filled him with shame. It was obvious how cruelly people would mock a marriage between nobility and someone beneath their station.

The resolve he had mustered wavered once again. He was sick of this endless cycle of indecision and determination. To be a man worthy of standing beside Rosanna, he had to be someone who possessed as much as she did—whether that meant confidence or wealth.

‘If she knew I thought like this, she’d be disappointed.’

Determined not to let his pitiful thoughts show, he smoothed out his expression.

As they walked to the carriage, Rosanna chattered endlessly, but none of her words remained in Kyle’s mind. Despite thinking she was too good for him, he selfishly wanted to keep those smiling eyes and coral-colored lips all to himself.

Was he going insane?

Kyle scoffed at his own irrational desires and stepped onto the carriage footboard, following Rosanna. And then—

“You should’ve just said so if you wanted to.”

“…What? More importantly, why aren’t you sitting across from me—?”

Rosanna deliberately slid into the seat beside him, making the space between them even tighter.

“You were staring at my lips the whole time. I’m always ready, you know.”

Hooking her arm around his, she leaned into him, looking up with a mischievous glint in her eyes. Her words and actions were far from what a refined lady should display, and Kyle was keen enough to realize exactly what she meant. He’d at least developed that level of awareness when it came to romance—if he could even call this a romance.

The carriage began to move. At the first jolt, Kyle lost his balance and nearly toppled toward Rosanna. Their lips almost brushed, but he managed to straighten his back just in time. That was close—too close. A sigh escaped from between his lips.

“You shouldn’t say things like that so carelessly to just any man.”

“But you’re not just any man. You’re Kyle Mason.”

Rosanna’s fingers slipped between his, intertwining their hands. The way she wound around him, her arm coiling around his and her fingers threading through his own, reminded him of a snake preparing to devour its prey.

“So it’s fine. Go on.”

Her breath, carrying those teasing words, was warm against his skin. Kyle wanted to give in. To close his eyes and push all his worries aside, just for this moment. But his thoughts were in disarray, his emotions tangled, and he knew he couldn’t kiss her like this.

If he took the easy way out and indulged his desires now, he’d be using Rosanna as a mere outlet.

Besides, it hadn’t been long since he’d had a nocturnal dream about her. Would he really be able to stop at just a kiss? He had nearly lost control on the day of the charity bazaar, hadn’t he? His hands had instinctively roamed up her waist back then, and the painful tightness in his body had been all too vivid.

Kyle lowered his gaze to Rosanna’s face—a face far too noble to be tainted by his crude lust.

“No.”

“Why not? It’s not like it’s the first time.”

“…Because I don’t think I can stop. Because I don’t trust myself.”

A flush spread across Kyle’s face. Seeing that, Rosanna pressed against him more firmly, squeezing their arms together until her chest pushed against him. She studied him, curious if he would give in. But Kyle remained unresponsive.

Did seminarians go through some sort of special celibacy training or what?

Kyle clenched the opposite hand resting on his thigh, causing his trousers to wrinkle slightly, but that was all. His patience was remarkable. Seeing him struggle like that, Rosanna almost felt sorry for him. So, she decided to stop teasing him—for now.

“Alright. Just lend me your shoulder.”

She leaned completely against him and closed her eyes.

“…We’re going to the orphanage now, right?”

“We are. Just one stop first.”

“Where?”

“We need to bring snacks for the children.”

That explained why she hadn’t bought any desserts at the department store. Hiding her true intentions, Rosanna chuckled.

The carriage arrived at Ruby’s, a shop drenched in deep red hues that made it stand out unmistakably. Even from the outside, the sweet scent of desserts filled the air, signaling to passersby what kind of store it was. Customers leaving the shop all wore expressions of bliss, as if they had just eaten happiness itself.

“This must be Mr. Raymond’s shop.”

“That’s right. He mentioned donating desserts last time. A promise is a promise.”

Kyle recalled the day he had met Raymond at Ingdberry Cathedral.

“I heard there’s an orphanage nearby, so I thought about stopping by with some treats now and then.”

“That would be wonderful. Snacks are always in short supply.”

“Well, my little brother and I… We grew up in a similar situation.”

That conversation had been their point of connection—bonding over their shared experience as orphans.

“Did you plan this in advance? When did you prepare all this…?”

“Nope. I’m just going to ask him now. I fully intend to get them for free.”

Rosanna flashed a wicked grin, looking every bit the villain.

“Ah…”

Kyle hesitated, wondering if it was really okay to go along with such a brazen request, but he didn’t really have a choice. Rosanna had already opened the shop’s door and stepped inside.

The interior, recently swept clean after a rush of customers, was now relatively quiet.

“We’re on a break right now… Oh?”

Nina had just come around the counter to flip the sign on the door when she spotted Rosanna and Kyle. Her lips curled into an exaggerated smile.

“Oh, hello!”

Hehe. A strange giggle followed.

“Where’s Raymond?”

“He’s in the back. Raymond! You’ve got customers!”

Nina flipped the sign to indicate break time and called out loudly. Her gaze, which had been focused on the register, now flicked back and forth between Rosanna and Kyle.

Just like the last time she was here, Rosanna found this girl unsettling. She couldn’t pinpoint exactly why, but something about her rubbed her the wrong way. She wished Raymond would hurry up and come out, but for some reason, he remained silent in the back.

Rosanna took a seat with Kyle nearby, deliberately putting some distance between herself and Nina.

“What was your name again?”

“I never told you. It’s Nina. Hehe.”

Rosanna had nothing more to say. She had no interest in the girl. But if she stayed silent, Kyle would try to smooth things over by making conversation with Nina. That was unacceptable.

“…I see. Nina. You’ve put on a bit of weight since last time.”

At the unexpected comment, Nina’s eyes widened.

“You noticed? You must be interested in me…! I think it’s because I’ve been taste-testing new desserts lately. I didn’t realize it, but I actually have a talent for baking!”

There was something off about the way she beamed at them.

Wait—she opened a dessert shop and only just now discovered she had a talent for it? Then what exactly had she been relying on to start this business? Rosanna was at a loss for words in the face of such naive optimism.

She was about to press further when she sensed someone approaching.

Raymond entered, greeting Kyle first before turning to Rosanna with his usual blunt tone.

“What brings you two here?”

“Pack up all the desserts. Every last one.”

“…All of them?”

“We’re on our way to the orphanage. Consider it a donation.”

“You’ve got plenty of money yourself. Am I running a charity?”

“You were the one who said you were willing to donate last time. You don’t have to come with us, but you can at least spare some desserts. The fact that kids will be eating them doesn’t change.”

“…Wait here. We’re still making more in the back.”

“Wrap them up nicely. They’re gifts for the children.”

Raymond, looking exhausted, glanced at Nina. Catching his silent signal to leave, she grumbled but went inside to help the patissier, who was hard at work.

The patissier had been sent by the Order of the Holy Cross. While not an official member, he had lost his family to vampires and had become an external collaborator. He had been repaying his debt to Raymond, who had saved him, by working for free.

Even after Nina left, Rosanna and Raymond continued their usual back-and-forth bickering. Their dynamic was oddly reminiscent of siblings—or perhaps an old couple.

Between them, there was no room for an outsider to interject.

Kyle could only sit there and watch.

 

⋆｡ ﾟ☁︎｡ ⋆｡ ﾟ ✩ ﾟ｡ ⋆

☕ Hi, friends! Your support means the world to me. If you’d like, you can buy me a star here: Click the link on the image! 💖

Thank you for keeping me inspired! 🌸

⋆｡ ﾟ☁︎｡ ⋆｡ ﾟ ✩ ﾟ｡ ⋆