CWITB c101

As Rosalie caught sight of their faces, the tension that had been keeping her on her feet finally gave way. Her body which had already been pushed to its limits seemed to scream in surrender, and her trembling legs threatened to collapse beneath her.

“It’s okay. When you wake up, you’ll be safe at the mansion.”

With those reassuring words, Rosalie leaned into the strong arms wrapped around her shoulders and allowed her consciousness to slip away. Derivis caught her before she fell, holding her securely in his arms.

“Nathan.”

Derivis called out to him, and Nathan responded with a knowing smile. His curved blade gleamed, poised to strike at Rondun at any moment.

“Well, well, I didn’t expect visitors. Not that I’m thrilled to see you.”

“Spare me your talking.”

Derivis snapped.

The sharpness in his tone silenced Rondun immediately. One look at Derivis’ fierce auror was enough to convince him that another word might cost him his head.

Despite his attempts to mend his injured arm with recovery magic, the cut inflicted by Derivis’ auror-infused blade refused to stop bleeding.

“Your Grace!”

Emerging from the thicket, Erudit stumbled toward Derivis and the unconscious Rosalie, his face pale with worry. Behind him, the Duchy’s knights lined up in formation.

“Erudit, take Rosalie for a moment.”

Still catching his breath after stubbornly following against orders, Erudit accepted Rosalie’s limp body. He cradled her carefully as Derivis handed her over.

The knights glared at Rondun, drawing their swords and ready to pounce on him for harming Rosalie.

“I’ll handle him.”

“Ah, Devi, let me join in!”

Nathan chimed in eagerly. After telling the knights to stand down, Derivis unsheathed his sword and charged at Rondun, and Nathan followed suit as if on cue.

Erudit turned his gaze away from the one-sided fight unfolding before him and focused entirely on Rosalie. Seeing her peacefully asleep with no visible injuries, he let out a sigh of relief.

Rondun countered with a powerful barrage of magic. Blazing orbs of light hurtled toward Derivis and Nathan with terrifying speed.

Boom!

But Nathan deftly evaded the attacks, while Derivis intercepted the orbs with his sword to prevent any harm to those behind him. The deflected magic slammed into a nearby tree, shattering it into splinters.

As Rondun clicked his tongue and tried to disappear into the dust cloud, Derivis anticipated his move and closed in.

“You won’t get away this time.”

“Ugh, two against one is too much! Agh!”

Rondun crumpled to his knees, blood pouring from a fresh slash dealt by Derivis’ blade. Staring at the feet of his opponent, he slowly lifted his head, meeting Derivis’ icy gaze.

The sheer gap in their abilities made him realize that further resistance was utterly pointless.

“…Begging for mercy won’t work, will it?”

Rondun’s eyes searched desperately for a hint of hesitation in Derivis, but all he found was the piercing blue of unyielding resolve.

Accepting his fate, Rondun lowered his head. He wasn’t afraid to die. What tormented him was leaving his experiments incomplete—on the brink of a discovery his master never reached.

‘So close… Just a little more…’

His gaze drifted toward the unconscious Rosalie. But before he could fully form another thought, Derivis’ blade pierced his heart without mercy.

“She’s not someone you should even think about. Disappear quietly.”

“Ugh… this… can’t… ugh…”

Derivis withdrew his sword with a violent pull, and Rondun collapsed to the ground in a pool of his own blood. Without sparing him another glance, Derivis flicked the blade clean and turned back to Rosalie.

None of the onlookers gave Rondun so much as a second thought. His end came without an audience as he lay dying, his final breaths unnoticed by anyone.

It was a bitter, lonely end.

“Rosalie.”

Derivis gently ran his fingers over her pale skin, then paused to check for her breathing beneath her nose. The soft rhythm of her breath seemed to echo in his chest, bringing a wave of relief.

“Let’s go.”

He lifted Rosalie into his arms. Finally, she was on her way back to the Duchy’s mansion.

⊱⊱⊱────── {.⋅ ✧✧✧ ⋅.} ──────⊰⊰⊰

Rosalie had a long dream. It felt strangely pleasant, though also mixed with vague irritation towards someone. She stirred awake as the dream faded away, her eyelids fluttering open.

She was greeted by a familiar ceiling and the soft embrace of the bed beneath her. Letting out a deep sigh, Rosalie felt at peace, as if the dream had been nothing but a whisper in the wind.

“Rosalie.”

“Derivis.”

As Rosalie began to sit up, Derivis was quick to support her. Feeling her body light and unharmed, Rosalie gently pushed away his hands.

“How long was I asleep?”

“Two and a half days.”

“And why do you look so haggard?”

Her pale hand brushed against his cheek. Derivis leaned into her touch, feeling the calluses on her palm which were earned from gripping a dagger.

“How do you feel?”

Looking into his calm, steady blue eyes, Rosalie truly felt that she had escaped from that nightmare.

“I’m fine. There’s no issues at all.”

“A healer came to check on you. They said you’ll be fine as long as you rest for a while.”

Derivis held her hand, which was still cupping his face, and slowly lowered it. Rosalie felt a pang of regret as his familiar warmth left her hand.

“Were you worried about me?”

“I thought we were going to die together.”

Derivis’ voice trembled faintly despite his calm demeanor, and Rosalie’s heart wavered along with it.

“…I missed you too.”

“I’m sorry I was late. I should’ve come for you sooner. I never should have left your side in the first place.”

Hearing him blame himself despite saving her when she had thought all was lost filled Rosalie with sadness.

“Derivis, hug me. Everything still feels like a dream.”

At her quiet request, Derivis wrapped her in his arms. He held her tightly at first but then eased his grip, afraid he might hurt her. Sensing his hesitation, Rosalie whispered softly.

“I’m stronger than I look. You can hold me as tightly as you want.”

Encouraged by her words, Derivis tightened his embrace, as if to ensure not even a sliver of space could exist between them. Rosalie also hugged him just as fiercely, basking in the warmth she had longed for.

“I love you.”

At the sweet words whispered in her ear, Rosalie smiled. Her lips moved in response, and Derivis, catching her words, smiled back as though he was the happiest man alive. What she said was just as sweet.

For a long while, they held each other until the door suddenly burst open, forcing them apart.

“Rosalie! You’re awake!”

Nathan’s voice rang out.

Nathan rushed to Rosalie while ignoring Derivis’ glare, his energy as chaotic as ever. Erudit, who had followed him in, scolded him sharply.

“Calm down! She just woke up.”

“It’s such a relief to see you up…”

Erudit said, his face still shadowed with worry as he approached. Rosalie could tell from their weary expressions that neither had slept much.

“You must’ve both been so worried about me.”

“Worried doesn’t even cover it.”

“Derivis hasn’t slept, either.”

“And neither have you.”

“I’m fine now.”

Derivis didn’t seem to like the sudden, lively atmosphere. Raising his arm, he stepped between them.

“The patient needs to rest.”

“What? I just saw her!”

Nathan protested, and both Erudit and Rosalie shared his incredulity. But Derivis simply smiled and pushed the two men toward the door.

“She just woke up, and you’re both too noisy.”

“I’m noisy?! He’s the one being—”

“So Derivis is quiet? It’s not like you aren’t speaking yourself—”

Despite their protests, Derivis firmly pushed them out and shut the door. A sharp click followed as he locked it.

“Nathan. If you try breaking down that door, I’ll destroy every piece of chocolate you own.”

His final warning silenced even Nathan. Rosalie, watching the scene unfold, was left speechless by Derivis’ swift eviction of their visitors.

When he turned back to her, who was now sitting on the bed, she noticed the exhaustion etched on his face.

“Derivis, you should get some sleep. You look tired.”

Derivis reached out to gently brush a strand of her hair from her forehead.

“You’re right. I am tired. But I can’t sleep unless you’re right here in front of me.”

He seemed unable to fully let go of his worry even after seeing her lively state.

“Perfect. I see just the spot.”

Then, he spoke with a smile, nodding toward the empty space beside her on the bed.

Rosalie blinked in surprise, looking at the spot and then back at him. When he nodded again, she hesitantly nodded back.

Without wasting a moment, Derivis climbed onto the bed, pulled her into his arms, and lay down beside her.

“But I just woke up.”

“You’re still recovering.”

As Rosalie shifted slightly in his embrace, Derivis gently patted her back, calming her. Surrounded by his warmth and a soothing scent, Rosalie found herself closing her eyes.

‘So warm… so comfortable…’

Sleep began to creep over her again even though she’d just woken up. It felt like she’d fall asleep easily and peacefully.

“Rest well.”

Somewhere between waking and sleep, she felt something soft press against her forehead. She thought she responded with a quiet ‘Mm-hm…’

⊱⊱⊱────── {.⋅ ✧✧✧ ⋅.} ──────⊰⊰⊰

Word of Rosalie waking up spread quickly, and the room became a revolving door for visitors. From the knights of the Duchy to Aaron, everyone wanted to see her.

Though Derivis tried to keep visitors at bay for the sake of her rest, Rosalie’s position as head of the family meant he could only ensure they didn’t overstay their welcome.

Soon, Venick arrived, having rushed to the manor upon hearing the news.

“My apologies, Your Grace.”

“Why are you apologizing, Sir Venick? None of this is your fault.”

“It is. If I hadn’t been careless back then…”

Venick bowed deeply, refusing to straighten despite Rosalie’s repeated reassurances. Only after hearing her insist she was fine for the tenth time did he finally raise his head.

“As an apology—or rather, a token of my gratitude—I’ve brought you a gift. Please, accept it.”

“You didn’t need to, but I’ll gladly accept it if it puts your mind at ease.”