CWITB c106

As Rosalie studied the paintings again, she broke the silence.

“You can feel how deeply he loved her just through these paintings.”

Though she’d never been particularly moved by art, the emotions captured in these works were unmistakable to her.

“To love someone so much and yet be unable to marry them… to love in secret…”

“But they seem so happy together.”

Rosalie lingered on the paintings for a while longer, then tapped the bottle of wine in Derivis’ hand.

“Let’s head up.”

They returned upstairs and asked for some light snacks to go with the wine. Bendell brought a platter of cheese and fresh fruit, and Derivis uncorked the bottle without hesitation.

As they emptied a few glasses, Rosalie set her cup down and turned to him.

“Derivis, have you ever had a secret rendezvous?”

“…Kugh!”

Caught off guard, Derivis choked on his drink and cleared his throat hastily. Rosalie narrowed her eyes at his reaction.

“You looked like you were used to having secret meetings.”

“I haven’t. Don’t get the wrong idea.”

“Should I believe that?”

“You should. I swear I haven’t.”

Rosalie chuckled at his flustered response, the corners of her lips curling into a smile. She had already known he hadn’t, but teasing him was far too entertaining. His reactions were unexpectedly amusing.

“I know. I was just joking.”

Now it was Derivis’ turn to narrow his eyes after realizing he’d been played.

“You seem bold yourself.”

“I’m bold in everything I do.”

Derivis paused, his hand halfway to his glass, before lowering it with a smile.

“Bold, you say…”

He murmured just loud enough for himself to hear.

“What was that?”

“Nothing.”

Seemingly feeling warm from the alcohol, Derivis unbuttoned the top of his shirt. Rosalie’s gaze instinctively followed his fingers.

“The button’s stuck. It won’t come undone.”

He said, sounding irritated from the heat.

Rosalie set down her glass.

“Let me help.”

She moved closer, her fingers reaching for his shirt. It was a simple act, but for some reason, it felt oddly intimate.

“…It seems fine.”

She said after a moment, realizing the button wasn’t stuck at all. When she looked up, she caught sight of his playful grin and immediately understood she’d been fooled.

“How strange. It didn’t work for me earlier.”

Derivis said smoothly, and Rosalie shot him a disbelieving glare.

“I just wanted to be closer to you.”

He admitted with a soft laugh.

Then, Rosalie leaned back against the sofa, shaking her head in exasperation. Their gazes met, and she couldn’t help but close her eyes. She felt the gentle pressure of his lips on hers, and her arms instinctively wrapped around his solid frame.

“Mmm…”

Rosalie let out a soft gasp as Derivis gently nipped at her lower lip. His relentless kisses overwhelmed her, leaving her flustered and breathless.

“If it’s too much, tell me. I might not be able to stop.”

Rosalie’s flushed eyes glistened with small tears as Derivis’s tender yet unyielding kisses grew deeper.

The two were wrapped in their own world for what felt like an eternity until, finally, the long night gave way to the descent of the moon.

⊱⊱⊱────── {.⋅ ✧✧✧ ⋅.} ──────⊰⊰⊰

Exhausted, Rosalie fell into a deep sleep, her body surrendering to weariness. Sometime later, she stirred, her hand instinctively reaching out for warmth—only to find the space beside her empty. Her eyes fluttered open.

“Derivis?”

She called softly, sitting up.

She spotted him leaning against the window frame, his shirt loosely draped over his shoulders, exposing his chest. The dim light of the moon painted his figure in soft shadows.

“Did I wake you?”

He asked, his voice rich and deep.

Rosalie shook her head, glancing at the floor where her discarded clothing lay. She considered picking them up but instead grabbed the thin blanket from the bed, wrapping it around herself as she stood.

“Why are you up?”

“…For a foolish reason.”

He replied with a small laugh, shaking his head. His answer piqued her curiosity, and she tilted her head slightly.

“Now you’ve made me even more curious.”

“I was too happy. I was afraid I’d wake up to find this was all a dream, so I made a wish under the stars.”

“You wished for it not to be a dream?”

He nodded slowly. It was such a simple, silly thought that Rosalie couldn’t help but laugh.

“Then I should make a wish, too. If I’m part of your dream, then I’ll wish you never wake up.”

Her playful tone drew his gaze from the window to her.

Slowly, his expression shifted as he straightened from the windowsill and walked back toward the bed. He opened the drawer of the nightstand, pulling out a small box.

“Derivis?”

She called, watching as he turned the box over in his hands. He stepped toward her, reaching out to take her hand.

“I wanted to prepare flowers and make this moment perfect, but I can’t wait anymore.”

Derivis kissed the fourth finger of her hand before opening a small box and taking out a delicate silver ring set with a shimmering gemstone. Gently, he slid it onto her finger.

“Will you marry me?”

Rosalie stared at the sparkling ring for a moment before standing on her toes to plant a light kiss on his lips.

“Yes.”

For a moment, Derivis was speechless. Then, regaining his voice, he kissed her once more.

“I love you. More than anything in this world.”

They looked at each other and burst into laughter, their joy filling the room as a shooting star streaked across the sky outside the window.

⊱⊱⊱────── {.⋅ ✧✧✧ ⋅.} ──────⊰⊰⊰

Inside the solemn atmosphere of the temple, a man and woman clad in deep black robes stood in the prayer hall, gazing at the statue of the deity before them. The atmosphere was reverent, and their stillness exuded a sense of devotion.

A nearby priest, observing the scene, couldn’t help but smile with satisfaction.

‘It seems more young couples are visiting the temple and making generous offerings these days. Truly, the blessings of the divine are abundant.’

It had all begun when Grand Duke Vlodik and Duchess Judeheart, figures at the center of the empire’s latest gossip, had secretly registered their marriage at the temple. Since then, visits from couples had surged, bringing joy—and funds—to the temple.

“I’d love to get a proper look at this deity’s face.”

“Are you planning to grab them by the collar?”

“Maybe I will. If they brought me here as a joke, I’ll be the fool, and that’s infuriating the more I think about it.”

However, the lovers who filled the priest’s heart with joy were actually having a secret, bloody conversation. Rosalie said, rolling her wrist as if preparing for a fight.

“I’m actually grateful.”

Derivis replied, chuckling.

Rosalie turned to look at him, curious. Before she could respond, he leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to her lips beneath the shadow of his hood.

Startled, she glanced around, her eyes wide.

“We’re outside, in a temple.”

“No one saw.”

He replied with a casual shrug, his mischievous grin growing.

“What are you grateful for?”

She asked, changing the subject.

“For meeting you, no matter the circumstances.”

Rosalie stiffened slightly, her lips pressing together in thought. After a moment, she exhaled and spoke.

“…Fine. I take back the collar threat.”

Derivis’ soft laughter echoed in the quiet prayer hall, joined by Rosalie’s as she shook her head at her own words.

“Are you sure you’re okay not having a wedding?”

He asked, his tone turning serious, and Rosalie nodded. The grand ceremonies others expected didn’t suit her. Just the thought of the preparation was exhausting, and the idea of inviting countless nobles she barely knew was unappealing.

“I’d rather just celebrate with a few close friends.”

“If that’s what you want.”

Fortunately, his preferences aligned with hers, and he respected her choice.

“What about the honeymoon?”

He asked, revealing the true reason for bringing up the wedding.

Rosalie gave him a sidelong glance and sighed.

“Should we just buy an island and disappear for a few days?”

Derivis had secretly amassed an enormous fortune during his time as crown prince, and as Grand Duke, he had combined it with the wealth provided by the imperial family. When Rosalie had discovered that he was the anonymous buyer of the Goredic Mines, sold years ago to fund military campaigns, she could only sigh at his audacity.

“At least on an island, I wouldn’t have to schedule around your obligations.”

“…How much do you plan to torment me?”

Derivis’s nightly attentions often left her too exhausted for training the next day, and there were times when she’d used her schedule as an excuse to fend him off.

In truth, her greatest weakness wasn’t the lack of sleep—it was her inability to resist him. She always found herself swept up in the atmosphere he created. Standing abruptly, she decided to put an end to the conversation.

“Let’s go. Nathan and Erudit are waiting.”

“Or maybe I’ll buy an island to send them away instead.”

Derivis muttered, clearly displeased at how little time they got to spend alone.

“I won’t forgive you if you waste money like that.”

Rosalie warned with a glare as they exited the prayer hall.

In the temple’s garden, Rosalie’s gaze fell on the grand statue at its center.

“What if God decides to send me somewhere else as a joke?”

She asked, her voice tinged with an odd curiosity.

Derivis cast a glance at the statue, his tone casual yet laced with sincerity.

“Then every statue in this world will lose its head.”

Despite his calm demeanor, Rosalie knew he meant every word. She said nothing and walked on, leaving the temple behind. At its entrance, they spotted Nathan and Erudit approaching.

Nathan carried boxes from a newly opened bakery in both hands.

“All finished?”

“Yes, let’s go.”

Erudit cast a glance back at the temple, then at Rosalie and Derivis.

One had renounced the throne, and the other was a high-ranking noble. Together, they had chosen to forgo a grand wedding, defying all expectations.

“Are you sure you’re fine without a proper ceremony?”

“Rosalie didn’t want one.”

Derivis said, shrugging as if to say he had no choice. Meanwhile, Rosalie patted Erudit’s shoulder lightly.

“We’re holding a small celebration at the mansion with close friends instead. Even Tehard’s invited, so you can brag about your new baronial title.”

Though the party was meant to be intimate, the news had caused a stir among the nobility, with hundreds of letters arriving from those eager to attend. Some even tried to pressure her through Bianca and Sarnon, forcing her to personally step in to put an end to it.

“I didn’t expect to receive my baronial title so soon. Tehard doesn’t know yet—he’ll be surprised.”

Erudit said, recalling how Derivis had casually handed him the certificate.

‘It suits you well, Junior.’

Derivis said that before walking away. Erudit had spent a good while staring at the document in stunned silence before finally laughing at his own luck.

“Let’s go already! The crowds are growing~!”

Nathan urged them, eyeing the increasing number of people flocking to the temple as lunchtime approached.

Rosalie quickened her pace, deciding to enjoy the pleasant weather with a leisurely walk. Sensing her mood, no one suggested taking the carriage.

Then, Derivis reached for her hand as they walked.

“The weather’s nice.”

“It is.”

“This kind of weather calls for parfaits~.”

“Cut back on the sweets.”

“…You should eat less.”

“Agreed.”

“You all ate with me!”

<The End>