“At first I thought about giving you jewelry, but… you seemed to dislike flashy things, so I prepared a bouquet.”

Jade’s ears turned bright red. Then he pressed the bouquet into Rosana’s arms when she showed no intention of receiving it.

Words alone would have been enough… Rosana lowered her head to look at the bouquet. Though he said he’d prepared a bouquet instead of something flashy, the bouquet he’d prepared was quite splendid in its own right. 

The flowers were lush, and more than anything, the wrapping paper was wrapped with beads and lace fabric, making it very luxurious overall.

Jade glanced at Rosana, who showed no reaction, and became dejected. It was a gift he’d pondered over and prepared, but it didn’t seem successful.

The book Malek had recommended clearly said that giving flowers could capture a woman’s heart along with a romantic atmosphere. 

Jade, who thought flowers were pretty garbage, couldn’t understand it at all, but he’d prepared them remembering his childhood friend had also liked flowers. It was all nonsense.

“Do you dislike flowers too?”

Rosana blinked, then quickly shook her head. Hearing Rosana’s answer as she muttered a small thank you, he seemed relieved and smiled refreshingly like usual.

“I’m glad you like it.”

‘A bouquet…’

She’d always only watched others receive bouquets, never thinking she’d be the one. She’d seen many young nobles confessing their love to Amy while presenting bouquets. The meaning of giving a bouquet…

“Really… I only receive things.”

Though it probably didn’t have any particular meaning, she couldn’t suppress her cheeks reddening. Rosana quietly smelled the flowers’ fragrance. Rosana’s face melted smoothly as she expressed her gratitude to him.

“This is the first time I’ve received a bouquet. I’ll treasure it.”

Jade looked at Rosana’s face smiling like a single flower. He naturally thought it beautiful. Hiding such inner thoughts, he spoke to Rosana with a serious expression.

“May I answer your question from before again?”

“My question… from before?”

Rosana was puzzled.

“Yes. Back then I told you that you were someone who wasn’t honest. But I’d like to add one more thing.”

Jade’s elegant fingers reached toward Rosana. He carefully swept down her cheek.

“This is who you are. Rosana Arcadi, who smiles brightly at even small things. Ah, or not. You’ll soon cast off that surname… so it’ll be Rosana Diovaha.”

Jade straightforwardly revealed his desire. He bound himself and Rosana together. But Rosana’s breath caught at his earlier words.

“My smile… isn’t it awkward?”

“Not at all.”

Jade answered briefly. Rosana felt her chest ache. Though she thought she’d cried plenty earlier, her tear ducts must have been stimulated again because her vision was blurring hazily. 

Though it was a small single drop, it flowed down Rosana’s cheek. Jade carefully wiped away the tear.

“The person who’ll be my wife cries a lot.”

“I… wish I could smile well like Your Majesty.”

“Then we’ll have to see each other often.”

“Yes, we should.”

Jade was peeved at Rosana’s attitude of not taking it seriously. He lamented why he’d given her a residence so far away. Jade was the Emperor, and many matters awaited him. It was already difficult to make time to see Rosana, and he didn’t like that she was located so far away.

They’d move to the palace where empresses had traditionally stayed once they married anyway. The Empress’s Palace was quite close to his own palace. 

Since Rosana was the only one he’d marry, there’d be no problem moving her before the wedding. Now that he thought about it, the palace where Rosana stayed had many shortcomings.

“Come to think of it, isn’t the palace insufficient for you? How about moving to the Empress’s Palace in advance? Isn’t the distance too far?”

“Pardon? Not at all. It’s more than I deserve. I’ll move when I officially become Empress.”

“…That’s disappointing.”

Rosana didn’t grasp Jade’s disappointed intention. She glimpsed what looked like a dejected puppy’s ears above his head. Though Jade was disappointed at not achieving his aim, he decided to be satisfied seeing Rosana’s smiling expression anyway.

“You worked hard coming all this way. Next time I’ll come visit you.”

With a mountain of documents waiting, he promised a future meeting while regretting he couldn’t escort Rosana out.

* * *

Rosana was slowly returning to the castle. The palace was in an uproar, perhaps because Malek had already conveyed Jade’s order. A shrill voice seemed to pierce the sky. Even without seeing, she could tell the voice’s owner was Emma.

When Rosana entered the palace, she saw Emma causing a commotion.

“Let go of me! To treat me, the young lady’s personal maid, so rudely. You’ve all finally gone mad!”

“It’s His Majesty’s command. You can no longer stay here. We’ll provide funds for you to return to the ducal family. Please pack your things and leave.”

The knight who’d received the order was resolute. But Emma was insisting she absolutely couldn’t leave. When Emma saw Rosana, she ran over in one stride.

Emma clung to her back like Rosana was her savior. Emma’s hand grabbed her collar.

“Miss! Look at that knight’s rude attitude! Even though he clearly knows I’m your personal maid, he tried to drag me out like a criminal!”

“I see.”

Rosana, who muttered calmly, coldly brushed off Emma’s hand. At the gesture like brushing off dust, Emma’s eyes widened as she looked at her.

“Lady Rosana?”

Rosana took a deep breath. She had no desire for a pointless quarrel.

“Emma, I must bid you farewell. You worked hard all this time.”

To think the words would come out this easily. Once she shook off her true feelings, her heart felt light. In contrast to Rosana’s comfortable expression, Emma was confused.

“M-Miss?”

“I don’t need you anymore.”

“Wh-what are you saying? I received orders from Madam to serve you…!”

Emma threw a tantrum at Rosana, who was spouting incomprehensible words. Huffing, Emma reached out toward Rosana. At her behavior that looked like she’d lunge at Rosana, the knight restrained Emma.

When that woman’s story came up, Rosana’s eyes wavered. The Duchess, the origin of it all.

“Lady Rosana.”

Then Jane quietly called her from behind. At Jane’s words, Rosana snapped to attention and took a deep breath. You resolved to change, didn’t you?

Though her hands trembled badly, she clenched her fists tight. So they wouldn’t tremble anymore. Then Rosana crossed her arms. She repeated Jade’s words in her head. Then her heart became surprisingly calm. She faced Emma head-on and spoke resolutely.

Emma, let’s sever this persistent bad connection.

“Madam’s orders… then isn’t that even better?”

“What?”

“Emma. You worked hard all this time. It was difficult serving me while receiving Mother’s orders, wasn’t it? So return to Mother’s side, whom you like so much.”

At Rosana’s statement, Emma shook her head. She recalled the Duchess’s face asking her to take care of Rosana, saying she was the only one. Emma had a duty to uphold her words.

“You’re dismissing me so easily when I was devoted to you?!! What happened after you met the Emperor of Diovaha? Miss! Come to your senses!! What did he say to you with honeyed words…!”

Emma shrieked. She’d always been the one by Rosana’s side. She’d thought it strange when Rosana went to meet the Emperor without bringing her along.

“Emma. Stop. Don’t insult him. He’s not someone you can speak of carelessly.”

“…”

Rosana glared coldly at Emma. Emma looked at Rosana in dismay. Then she sneered at the following words.

“He’s a kind person.”

“Ha, that murderer you mean?”

The other maids’ glares also became fierce. The knight’s grip tightened further. Emma let out a pained groan, but no one sympathized.

Jane smacked her lips, then quietly bowed her head. She gave the surrounding maids a look. The knight also carefully observed Rosana’s actions while roughly restraining Emma. Because he’d received orders to prioritize Rosana’s will.

Emma’s mouth trembled while clamped shut. The flesh caught on her chin quivered. She spoke with a voice mixed with spite.

“You hated him! Didn’t you find him detestable!”

Rosana looked at Emma and calmly conveyed the truth.

“That was you. No, to be precise, it was everyone around me…”

At Rosana’s attitude, Emma’s eyes widened. She shook her head, unable to accept it. Rosana calmly pointed out the error.

“You said you were devoted to me. I wonder if you truly cared for me. Weren’t you moving for Mother, not me? It’s good for you to return to Mother too. To the side of the kind mother you praised so much. I won’t be swayed by your words anymore.”

“…”

Rosana didn’t think she could persuade Emma. Rosana reminded Emma of facts she’d forgotten completely.

“You haven’t forgotten that you searched Jane’s room, have you? And the time you injured me? And what you just said? It can’t be easily overlooked, can it? You insulted the Emperor.”

You’re fired. That this ends at just this much is my consideration for you.

Emma’s legs gave out and she collapsed with a thud. Rosana didn’t care at all even as Emma made a despairing expression. She’d already shaken it all off. They’d become unrelated. The knight tried to forcibly lift Emma and take her away. But Rosana stopped the knight.

“Could you wait a moment? I have a gift for Emma. Will you help?”

When Rosana turned her head and spoke, the maids moved urgently.

Rosana headed straight to her room. Then she put gifts into a large box one by one. Everything made in red. And the items Emma had bought.

She put in most of what would fit in the box. Though they were dresses and jewels too valuable to give to a mere maid, to Rosana they were no different from garbage. 

In the most visible spot when opening the box, she placed down the cloth-wrapped dagger. Rosana closed the box without looking at the dagger anymore.

A servant struggled to carry the large box. Then they set it down with a thud in front of Emma, who was still collapsed in dismay.

“Take it. It’s a gift. Ah, to be precise, it’s what you bought. Because I don’t need it. I also put in items Mother gifted me. Give her my regards.”

Emma flinched, trying to shake off the knight’s hands. Rosana gave a look to the knight restraining her from behind. When the fierce grip that had held her immobile disappeared, Emma became free. Then she hurriedly opened the box.

Inside, just as Rosana said, it was full of items she’d bought for Rosana. Flashy jewels and luxurious fabrics were neatly stacked. Emma froze solid with the box lid open.

“Aren’t these items Lady Rosana treasures?”

“No, I never treasured such items. They’re objects with no value to me. So take them. Still… you did work hard for me for a time, so I’m giving them. Since you bought them, it’s right that you take them. I’m going to live here finding ‘myself’ anew.”

Words she couldn’t say until now came out smoothly. It was Rosana’s true feelings. Emma’s hands flinched. Her head creaked as it tilted to the side. Emma’s pupils flickered wildly. An eerie heat circled ominously in her pupils.

“Why? Why? You’ll live well? That can’t be.”

Though Emma’s voice muttering like she’d lost her mind was utterly ominous, Rosana was composed. At her crazed appearance, chills ran down the spine of the knight beside Emma.

“Please take good care of Emma.”