CWITB c104

Derivis hugged the large teddy bear silently, ignoring Nathan’s teasing laughter.

“Hahaha! What is that? It looks so out of place, like the bear’s crying for help!”

“…It really doesn’t suit you.”

Erudit added with a wry grin. At their relentless remarks, Derivis placed the teddy bear back on the bench and drew his sword.

“Say goodbye to your macarons.”

“Ah! No! Don’t do it!”

Nathan yelped, darting behind Rosalie for cover.

Rosalie, struggling to keep her expression neutral, quickly intervened to calm him.

At her soothing words, Derivis sheathed his sword and picked up the teddy bear again, this time awkwardly tucking it under one arm rather than hugging it.

Rosalie reached out and gently took his free hand while walking slightly behind him. When he glanced down at her, puzzled, she gave his hand a small tug and whispered softly, her voice barely audible.

“I want you to stay by my side, too.”

Her quiet confession reached only his ears. In response, Derivis tightened his grip on her hand, as if promising he would.

⊱⊱⊱────── {.⋅ ✧✧✧ ⋅.} ──────⊰⊰⊰

Over a month had passed since that day. Rosalie stretched under the warm afternoon sunlight, feeling refreshed. In stark contrast, the knights of the Judeheart Duchy, along with Toronto, Whitney, and Joey, stood nearby looking thoroughly exhausted. Their legs were trembling.

“Your Grace, I think I’m dying.”

Toronto groaned, and Rosalie chided him. Training had felt like physical therapy a month ago, but somehow it had become even harder than their usual regimen.

“Toronto, why are you so whiny? Have you been slacking off during training?”

She muttered under her breath.

“No way!”

Toronto denied it quickly, his eyes darting around as if looking for an escape route. Joey and Whitney clicked their tongues in disapproval.

“You wouldn’t say that if you knew how much Joey and Whitney pushed me! It’s been torture.”

“Maybe it’s because you’re always slacking off.”

Whitney replied, giving him a swift kick to the leg. Joey nodded his head in agreement.

“Joey, you brat! Just because you’ve started to manifest auror doesn’t mean you can disrespect your senior!”

Joey, unimpressed, shrugged and replied nonchalantly that a senior should act like one while stretching, as if he hadn’t heard a word.

Rosalie, watching Toronto grumble while sitting on the ground, pinned him with a sharp gaze.

“If you have the energy to talk, how about some extra training with me?”

Toronto paled instantly. Whitney and Joey exchanged knowing looks and walked away, leaving Toronto to his fate. Just as he was about to protest further, Emma called out.

“Your Grace! Lady Bright is here!”

Rosalie excused herself and left the training grounds. Toronto breathed a sigh of relief as he watched her retreating figure, knowing his legs had been spared for now.

⊱⊱⊱────── {.⋅ ✧✧✧ ⋅.} ──────⊰⊰⊰

In the reception room, Bianca, her skin slightly sun-kissed from her trip, spread her arms wide and rushed into Rosalie’s embrace.

“Sister~!”

Rosalie patted Bianca’s head affectionately and guided her to a seat.

“How was your trip?”

“It was great, of course! Here, I brought all these gifts!”

Bianca beamed, gesturing to a mountain of boxes.

“…This is too much.”

Rosalie muttered, eyeing the pile that had to be at least ten boxes tall.

“But more importantly, I heard you’ve officially acknowledged it while I was away!”

“…The noblewomen and young ladies kept pestering me. I gave them vague answers, but it seems that was enough to confirm things.”

Relentless inquiries from high society had pressured Rosalie into inadvertently giving the impression that she was confirming her relationship with Derivis. Naturally, the rumors had spread like wildfire.

‘Though Derivis seems strangely pleased about it.’

Unlike his usual attitude toward rumors, Derivis appeared to be enjoying this particular one.

“So you’re officially a couple now?”

Bianca asked excitedly, her eyes shining.

Rosalie chuckled at her enthusiasm. Like Derivis, Bianca seemed to welcome the rumors.

“It’ll be even more livelier when I reopen the salon. Will you visit?”

“I’ll think about it. For now, tell me about your trip.”

Rosalie deftly redirected the conversation, and Bianca, thrilled to have Rosalie’s attention, launched into a detailed recollection of her travels.

“It was so much fun! Next time, you should come with me.”

“A trip, huh? That sounds nice. I wouldn’t mind at all.”

Bianca linked her pinky finger with Rosalie’s and declared, “You have to go with me! Promise!”

⊱⊱⊱────── {.⋅ ✧✧✧ ⋅.} ──────⊰⊰⊰

Rosalie, now familiar with the imperial palace due to her frequent visits, wandered into the tranquil rose garden. She sat idly in the gazebo. Prince Radinis had requested a meeting, suggesting they enjoy tea outdoors, so she was patiently waiting for him.

“Duchess.”

“Your Highness.”

Rosalie rose to greet Radinis as he approached, but he waved her off, gesturing for her to remain seated. His complexion looked much healthier than before.

“You look well.”

“Thanks to you, Duchess. You’re truly my savior.”

Warm tea was served on the table as they exchanged pleasantries. The weather was perfect for spring with roses in full bloom, their petals wide open to welcome the season.

“Aren’t the roses beautiful?”

Radinis commented, lightly touching one of the roses in the vase on the table. A bead of water rolled off the petal and fell onto the tabletop.

“Yes, they’re stunning.”

Radinis chuckled at her neutral tone, picked up his teacup, and hesitated for a moment before taking a sip. Rosalie followed suit, savoring the sweet, warm tea that seemed to ease the tension in her body.

“I never imagined such peace would be possible.”

“It’s a peace His Highness must work to maintain.”

The recent events had caused quite a stir: Nine’s execution, Derivis renouncing the title of crown prince and his imperial power, and his decision to leave the palace entirely.

“Thanks to you, I’ll likely ascend to the position of crown prince without issue.”

Both Derivis and Emperor Patrick had supported Radinis as the next crown prince. While some nobles loyal to Derivis initially opposed, Rosalie’s influence swiftly quelled their protests.

“The Duchy of Judeheart will continue to support you.”

The Judeheart Duchy was a powerhouse. With its alliances with influential noble houses like the Marquessate of Bright and the Countships of Seth and Heffdin, along with its unparalleled military and economic strength, it was no wonder Radinis’s path to the crown was unobstructed.

“I promise that I will become a true and just ruler. I’ll ensure no one suffers under corrupt power ever again.”

Nine’s tyranny had caused untold suffering, even to children. Using her crimes as a lesson, Radinis vowed to reform the imperial palace.

“I’m confident you’ll succeed, Your Highness.”

“Thank you. You’ve saved my brother, me, and this empire.”

It still felt surreal to him. Without Rosalie, none of this would have been possible.

“You sound just like His Majesty.”

“For once, I’ve seen my brother openly express frustration with the Emperor.”

It was true—Patrick was eager to reward Rosalie for her contributions and frequently summoned her to the palace. Derivis, noticing how little time Rosalie had left for herself, had stepped in to limit the Emperor’s persistent invitations.

“How is my brother these days?”

“…Your Highness, it’s only been less than a week since he left the palace.”

“Haha, it feels like it’s been over a month already. I miss him so much.”

Since their bond had deepened, Radinis admired and respected Derivis even more. Seeing their close relationship brought a warm smile to Rosalie’s face.

“He should be here soon.”

“I hear he never leaves your side now that he’s left the palace. Word is, he doesn’t even use the grand ducal estate he was given and instead lives at the Duchy of Judeheart.”

“…That’s true. Aside from the first day, he hasn’t returned there.”

In fact, Derivis even had a room of his own in the Judeheart mansion, and the household had seamlessly accepted him as one of their own—Rosalie included.

“You should visit it someday. They say the mansion is beautiful, as it’s been passed down through generations of grand dukes. There’s also talk of a hidden room created by one of the former grand dukes.”

The mention of a hidden room sparked curiosity and a sense of adventure in Rosalie, her eyes lighting up. Seeing her interest, Radinis smiled.

“Are you intrigued?”

“Yes, I am.”

“You look like you’re having fun.”

A voice came from behind them. Rosalie turned her head to find Derivis approaching, just as she had expected.

“Derivis.”

“Brother.”

“Radinis, it’s been a while. Sir Venick is teaching you well, isn’t he?”

Since Derivis left the palace, Venick had taken over Radinis’s swordsmanship training. Yet Radinis couldn’t hide his disappointment at not being taught directly by his brother.

“I still prefer it when you teach me.”

“I’ll drop by from time to time to check on your progress.”

Derivis promised, patting his younger brother’s head. Radinis smiled brightly at the affectionate gesture.

“Derivis. How about visiting the grand ducal estate today?”

“The grand ducal estate?”

“His Highness says there’s a secret room there.”

Hearing this for the first time, Derivis glanced at Radinis, who nodded in confirmation. Intrigued by Rosalie’s excitement, Derivis immediately instructed the waiting carriage to change its destination to the grand ducal estate.

⊱⊱⊱────── {.⋅ ✧✧✧ ⋅.} ──────⊰⊰⊰

For the past week, the grand ducal estate had been meticulously maintained by Head Steward Bendell, who was eager to impress his new master. However, as Derivis hadn’t visited since the first day, Bendell was beginning to worry.

‘Does His Grace dislike the estate…?’

Bendell was well aware of Derivis’ close ties to the Judeheart Duchy, but the lack of visits left him deeply concerned.

Today, however, Bendell was sweating nervously as Derivis arrived and posed an unexpected question.

“You mean… the secret room?”