Chapter 80
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80.
Inside the carriage on the way back, Cassian Artez whined at me openly.
Not because he was genuinely hurt, but to tease me.
"I was really just trying to repay a debt, and you treat me like this—calling me a con artist."
"...."
I had no choice but to gaze out the window again, avoiding his eyes.
"It's wise not to trust someone of unclear origins, I suppose."
The moment Cassian said that, I quietly countered.
"You knew I'd refuse, and you did it on purpose anyway, didn't you?"
"I didn't. You really don't understand people's hearts."
"A cunning Your Highness would certainly be capable of such a thing."
"To bring Roselita Salice to my side?"
Hearing him speak like that made me feel as though I were being overly self-conscious.
"I'm actually making a sincere effort to act purely toward you."
But I couldn't help grimacing at what Cassian said next.
Pure—truly, it was an adjective that suited him as little as it suited me.
It's a word that could only apply to us back when you were eating scrambled eggs I'd completely ruined.
As I grumbled inwardly with that thought, Cassian, sitting beside me, suddenly pulled me into a tight embrace.
"More importantly, your form of address."
"...Men who are too possessive aren't popular."
"Is that not to Roselita Salice's taste?"
That didn't seem quite right either.
When I remained silent, Cassian pressed himself against me again and began asking strange questions.
"Then what does Roselita Salice like? I tried my best to cater to nine-year-old Roselita Salice's preferences."
"...Is this also a scheme to keep me employed as your aide, Your Highness?"
"If it were only that, it would be nice."
"...What?"
Cassian smiled broadly.
"I received some good advice while visiting the Salice Barony."
Who on earth had carelessly let slip unnecessary words to Cassian again?
I counted off the suspicious individuals on my fingers while trying to distance myself from Cassian.
"No matter what I do, you'll pretend not to notice anyway."
"Pretend not to notice what?"
"I'll just do as I please then. That works out better anyway."
Since I don't have to hold back.
At those words whispered by Cassian, I felt a chill of fear wash over me.
You're already restraining yourself in so many ways—what more could there possibly be?
But as always, Cassian Artez read my every thought, yet chose to brush it aside with a faint smile.
Admittedly, this shrewd superior was far preferable to the Cassian of the original story, but the fact that it created difficulties for me felt somewhat melancholy.
It seemed I would need to write a letter after all.
*
Though I felt as though I'd lost something, my heart felt lighter nonetheless.
Because from some point onward, Cassian had stopped testing me and had tried to show consideration instead.
In truth, it was my choice that led us to this situation, and he was merely drawn into it.
Yet if he alone bore the responsibility and memory, and then apologized for having tested me, I found that far more unbearable.
I didn't want to be so irresponsible.
Future matters could wait—I'd endured well enough until now, so with proper preparation, I could manage.
Seven trials were far less suffering than what Roselita endured in the original story.
I was never imprisoned, never mounted the pyre.
Moreover, now it wasn't only Cassian helping me—many from the Winter Palace Administration were lending their aid.
The camaraderie forged through arduous work existed beside us.
And as for myself at this moment—
"How fortunate indeed. Your Majesty has such excellent judgment. I was worried when Rosy said she'd go to the Capital City to work, since she's rather indifferent to such matters."
I was preparing for the ball while listening to my mother's frank criticism.
"It's not that you lack sense—you're just lazy and always choose carelessly. You should be grateful that your mother gave birth to you so beautifully. So trust your face and wear whatever clothes you pick."
My mother's sharp factual assault stung a little, and I found myself newly appreciating how kind the Winter Palace Administration attendants had been when helping with my appearance in the Capital City.
"Still, it seems fortunate that you chose your fiancé properly, madam!"
"As if she chose him? She was tricked into it, surely. She's not industrious enough for that. It's not even work."
"That's true enough."
Jane, who had come to help with today's ball preparations, tormented my ears with even more blunt remarks than before.
"His Majesty understands Rosy so well—how he grasps that she dislikes choosing while loving beautiful things is remarkable."
"Indeed, I greeted him on the way in today, and even before he'd changed clothes, he looked impeccable."
"That's right—the servants say His Majesty has never seen him disheveled. He truly understands Rosy well."
I've seen him disheveled, though.
Our first meeting was an absolute mess, after all.
They're making me out to be trash who only judges by appearance.
And it wasn't even a real engagement—it was for money!
Thinking such things made me feel like trash myself, so I simply resigned myself to suffering the factual assault from these two people who knew me so well, staying quiet.
"Truly, if you just keep your mouth shut, you're a perfect lady wherever you go!"
Jane spoke in admiration as she fastened the hair ornaments and hung the earrings.
"Yes, I'm quite proud. It's almost a shame not to have seen your debutante appearance."
My mother spoke thus and carefully embraced me, ensuring that the hairstyle and the carefully arranged dress remained undisturbed.
"So, Rosy."
"Yes."
I answered gently, deciding to indulge in my mother's sentimental mood, at least for today.
It occurred to me that she must have missed countless milestones watching me grow up all these years.
My mother gazed at me warmly with her pale green eyes and spoke in a calm, measured tone.
"Today, you mustn't make Count Theodima Youngshik cry, understood?"
I laughed at her words.
Sentiment, indeed—I'd nearly forgotten I was her daughter.
*
I had no idea when Cassian Artez had prepared it, but the dress he'd chosen was a muted rose pink.
It was adorned tastefully with silver and colorless diamonds, while delicate lace draped around the neckline provided modest warmth.
Of course, he'd also prepared a proper white cloak of considerable length, demonstrating his characteristic thoroughness.
Just as he had in the Capital City, he waited outside my door with everything prepared, and when he draped the cloak around my shoulders himself, he drew an exclamation of delight from Jane.
"With you dressed like that, my lady, you look just like a princess from a fairy tale."
My mother agreed and chimed in as well.
"I wish to live as a citizen in the kingdom where Roselita is princess."
That was meant as praise, wasn't it?
Watching Cassian Artez barely maintain his business smile through this warm, utterly genuine conversation, my feelings grew only more complicated.
Had I really lived so wrongly here?
My only memories were of everyone trying to live happily and peacefully, content with simple joys.
Though admittedly, the household did face temporary ruin because I couldn't stop my father's generosity.
In any case, I knew that opening my mouth would only produce words disadvantageous to me, so I silently accepted Cassian Artez's escort and boarded the carriage.
The interior of the four-horse carriage sent by the Theodima Family was quite spacious, and I could feel how much care they'd taken.
"Now I understand how you managed to live so well in the Capital City."
"I'm certain she wasn't like this when she was younger, but at some point, everyone became this way."
"They've all been tamed by Roselita, just as I have."
Cassian Artez said this while forming a beautiful smile across his face.
"Your Majesty—"
"Call me Ian."
It was truly persistent obsession.
"Don't think I'll simply overlook things just because you smile prettily, Ian."
"Then should I offer you a bonus for listening every time I speak?"
Is it a holiday or something?
Are we doing pocket money per complaint now?
"Please don't make people so strange."
"That's unfair—I'm simply trying to give Roselita what she likes."
Could it be that doing things his way was actually turning me into someone without a conscience?
"Still, now I understand why Roselita wanted to live peacefully in the Salice Barony."
"Because my heart finds ease there."
A hint of bitterness crossed Cassian Artez's face.
I could read an odd resignation—that no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't give me what I truly wanted.
Though perhaps he was letting me read it intentionally.
I leaned carefully against Cassian Artez's shoulder—mindful not to disturb my hair, lest I invite scolding from the Marchioness Salice and Jane—and spoke softly.
"But even in the Capital City when I'm beside His Majesty, I'm just as at ease as I am here, so please don't make that face."
"...Truly?"
"Yes, and I can see right through your schemes to weaken my resolve."
Not that I needed his schemes—my heart was already far too vulnerable whenever I stood before Cassian Artez.
At my firm words, Cassian Artez clicked his tongue and whispered.
"Oh dear, I've revealed my secret. That what the Emperor does to the Late Empress is nothing but scheming."
Truly, I was grateful that my superior possessed such excellent self-awareness.
*
Thanks to the four-horse carriage, we arrived at Count Terodima's Residence earlier than usual.
Seeing the brilliantly illuminated decorative lights, I realized just how much effort the Theodima Family had invested in preparing for Cassian Artez's visit.
At least, that was true until Count Theodima Youngshik opened his mouth.
"It's been ages, Roselita! Listen, here's the ledger for today's party decorations—I absolutely didn't waste a single coin, so spare me your usual sharp tongue and show me some warmth!"
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