Chapter 77
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77.
"...Where on earth did you hear that?"
The Butler? Or perhaps the Marquis?
It could even be the Marchioness....
I questioned Cassian Artez back, pondering how I might exact some small revenge on these suspicious people.
"Does it matter who told me?"
"Of course it does."
Otherwise, how could I manage something petty like not replying to their letters?
At my words, Cassian Artez laughed softly.
"I'm relieved."
"Your Highness?"
"I heard that Roselita even cried, so I wondered if perhaps it suited your tastes after all."
It was truly an impertinent remark.
As I grimaced, he took my hand and pressed a kiss to the back of it, whispering softly.
"If you hadn't reacted that way..."
"If I hadn't?"
"I would have had to contemplate what small punishment I could inflict upon Count Theodima Youngshik."
That was an excessive thing to say about a young nobleman who, after suffering greatly at my hands, had devoted himself solely to his work.
"That won't do. He's the most capable person working in this region."
Even when our household nearly collapsed, we endured because his family helped us—and I harbored no small desire to retain such a diligent noble house—so I couldn't repay their kindness with enmity.
One cannot repay a debt of gratitude with resentment.
I had spoken with the intention of improving our image of the Theodima Family.
"...Your Highness, why did you suddenly emanate such murderous intent?"
"Perhaps I should investigate the Theodima Family after all. Ouch."
I struck the back of his hand sharply, administering a light punishment as I spoke firmly.
"That's an abuse of power."
"You say such things and then tell me not to act petty—you're too harsh on me alone, Roselita."
"I'm relieved to know you recognize it as petty behavior, Your Highness. That gives me confidence in your judgment as an advisor."
Besides, there wouldn't be anything significant to uncover there anyway....
'Because I helped with several matters to clean up after making Count Theodima Youngshik cry, and I taught him the entire ledger-writing format from scratch.'
And I still vividly remembered the Count's appearance afterward, saying that he would do things properly "even if it meant being petty," after being pointed out by me several times.
At my words, Cassian Artez pulled me into a tight embrace, rubbing his forehead against my shoulder like a puppy nuzzling.
"You're heavy, Your Highness."
"How cold."
Seeing him laugh softly despite his words, the discomfort that had momentarily arisen seemed to dissipate.
"So, Roselita."
His soft voice burrowed into my ear.
"Between Count Theodima Youngshik and myself, who do you think performs their duties more to your liking?"
At that question, I couldn't help but burst into laughter at the sheer absurdity.
"Are you really asking me that out of genuine curiosity?"
"Why not?"
"That's such a ridiculous comparison."
I lifted my head and met Cassian Artez's gaze directly—he had taken on a strangely dejected expression—and stated a fact that hardly needed explaining.
"Obviously, Your Highness the Second Prince, cunning and ruthless as you are."
Though admittedly, you're far more troublesome as well.
Yet at my throwaway remark, his face bloomed like spring flowers, and I felt my ears grow inexplicably warm.
*
The next morning, after sleeping well and rising as usual, I made my way to the Study.
I intended to review matters requiring attention before breakfast and check on various concerns that had been weighing on me.
'I'm so worried whether Father properly used the money I sent for repayment.'
Every letter had included remarks like, "I appreciate it, but the money you earned should be spent on you."
I couldn't shake the nagging worry that perhaps he'd simply been saving diligently instead.
Father was a meticulous and orderly man, so the documents were positioned exactly as they had been two years ago, making the review straightforward.
'Tsk, I distinctly told Mr. Baker that he had no talent for farming and should open a bakery instead.'
Why on earth did he stubbornly insist on continuing farming as the family trade when his very name was Baker!
Last year and the year before, there were deficits again, and seeing that this year they were leveling the land as a family effort made it clear there would be another loss.
And while Mr. Baker was problematic, Father was equally troublesome.
'Knowing all this, why wouldn't he discourage it and then lend out small sums again?'
I'd repeatedly told him not to lend any additional funds unless Mr. Baker opened that bakery.
The family's ruin in the first place had come from Father's soft heart, assuming the debts of the Territory's residents instead of letting them bear their own burdens.
'In the original story, the Baron and Baroness must have headed to the Capital City before that point!'
Though I sighed, I still found it admirable that my parents, as lords, didn't turn a blind eye to their people's struggles.
I myself had spoken harshly, but I understood Mr. Baker's reluctance to sell land passed down through generations of ancestors.
'So why won't he listen to hiring professional workers? It would be far better for the wheat and other crops being cultivated.'
As I continued poring over the ledgers intently, I sensed a presence at the doorway.
It was too early for Father to be awake, I thought, lifting my head to see Cassian standing there with a wooden practice sword in hand, his neck damp with sweat from morning training.
"Need help?"
"It's not that much work—the Baron's Territory isn't very large."
"Hmm."
"Besides, Father will scold me soon enough, and it would be too pitiful for him to do so in Your Highness's presence."
At my words, Cassian understood immediately and left the Manor, saying he'd take a walk around the Village before breakfast.
About twenty minutes after Cassian departed, I heard hesitant footsteps approaching.
Of course, I didn't miss that sound and called out at once.
"Father, if you come now, I can keep this brief."
"...Roselita, now that you're home, couldn't you simply rest and relax?"
"I'll finish this quickly and get some proper rest, so please sit down."
Father then settled onto the sofa with his brows drooping, hesitantly opening his mouth.
"You see, Rozi. Mr. Baker said he'd only try this through the end of the year—"
"Father, this isn't really a good arrangement for Mr. Baker or our household."
Thus began a warm and peaceful family discussion.
*
Father wasn't the authoritarian type who dismissed his young daughter's words, so he readily accepted rational persuasion.
"...Usually people are happy when their children save the money they earn, or so Count Theodima said!"
Of course, a friend of similar temperament had planted some odd notions in his mind, but those too could be resolved through logical discussion.
"Father, do you trust Count Theodima's words more than mine? Then I suppose I needn't reply to Father's letters anymore?"
"That can't be! Your words are always the most sensible!"
After the amicable family discussion concluded, I was able to attend breakfast without delay.
Mother gently soothed Father, whose shoulders had sagged.
"I've been telling you all along—listening to Rozi is what spares her from hardship."
"You're right, I should have listened to you sooner...."
The perceptive butler gracefully let the moment pass and complimented the soup served this morning.
"How fortunate! I simmered it with vegetables I planted and helped harvest myself."
Thanks to this, Father quickly recovered his spirits and returned to his usual dignified demeanor.
After breakfast, Father, true to his role as Baron Salice, retired to his study to attend to business.
Cassian Artez and I decided to tour the village together.
"Oh, that's right, Rozi. Count Theodima sent word that he'd like to invite you to a ball tomorrow evening."
"Tomorrow evening?"
As we were about to leave, Mother waved an arriving letter and spoke to us.
"Many people saw you two arrive at Theodima Station yesterday, so he sent an urgent letter in the evening to confirm. I replied that it would be fine."
"You chose the date well."
"Of course—I can't interfere with my daughter's plans."
Then Mother smiled softly and pressed another letter into my hand.
"This is about wanting to go with the Second Prince tomorrow, isn't it?"
"...How did you know?"
"You were innocent around nine years old."
Are you saying I'm not innocent now?
As I stared at her with complicated feelings, Mother simply laughed and walked toward the study with a light step.
Leaving Cassian Artez standing there, regarding me with a puzzled expression.
*
"Shouldn't you tell me now?"
Thanks to Marchioness Salice's meddling, I had been pestered by Cassian Artez all day yesterday.
He acted like someone who truly couldn't bear not knowing something.
'Though he might have just wanted to tease me.'
If he'd really wanted to, it would have been nothing for him to simply reach into my pocket and take the letter I'd hidden there, yet he merely clung to me in an annoying manner throughout our walk through the village.
Because of that, the villagers also—
'As expected of Miss Roselita! Even His Highness the Second Prince looks so smitten.'
'That's right, those strange magazines claimed Miss Roselita had bewitched or seduced His Highness, but none of us believed them.'
'It's such a relief to see you two getting along so well!'
'Your Highness, as long as you listen well to Miss Roselita, you'll have no troubles making a living.'
I was thoroughly teased in the most peculiar ways.
Given all this, I suppose I wanted to keep it a secret until we arrived—especially after everything I'd endured.
"Your Highness does the same thing often enough, never telling me where you're going."
"Then should I be delighted and look forward to it?"
"...Pardon?"
After helping me into the carriage first, Cassian Artez sat across from me and spoke with a soft smile.
"When I do that, it's because I want to spend a good time with Roselita."
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