Chapter 3.3

But she always managed to surprise him, just a little.

“I thought she was grounded for a week…”

Elian muttered quietly at the scene he saw upon opening the drawing room door. After his bath following training, he’d come to the drawing room because a guest had arrived. There sat his parents, the Earl and Countess Rotern, and Rosalyn, who was supposed to be grounded for a week.

“Elian, that was too much.”

“Yes, Elian, how could you treat Rosalyn that way?”

The looks from the Earl and Countess Rotern were icy cold. Elian immediately realized the situation was turning against him. Apparently, Rosalyn had swayed them with her story. Just as Elian had a good image at the Aimond house, Rosalyn had a good image at Rotern. They’d both played innocent in each other’s homes.

“What are you talking about?”

Unable to guess what she’d told them, he played dumb and asked. The Countess and Earl took turns speaking.

“We heard everything. Rosalyn was grounded after fighting with you.”

“You went to visit a sick person and ended up fighting… How could you treat her that way, Elian?”

Rosalyn had conveniently left out the parts that made her look bad.

“……”

Elian shot Rosalyn a sharp look, but she just pouted and smiled as if to say, ‘What are you going to do about it?’ The Rotern Earl and Countess, not seeing her expression, continued to scold him.

“And while she was grounded and lonely, she sent you a letter, but you didn’t reply?”

“Elian, how could you be so heartless?”

“……”

Elian had plenty he wanted to say, but held back. What was he supposed to reply to ‘You bastard!’ anyway? He couldn’t just curse back. Not replying was actually the gentlemanly thing to do, but the Rotern Earl and Countess had no way of knowing and only pitied Rosalyn.

“Please don’t scold Elian. I’m fine. It’s all my fault.”

At that moment, Rosalyn cut in to defend Elian. She was playing both sides, stirring the pot and beating the drum all by herself.

“……”

Elian stood there dumbfounded, watching Rosalyn’s performance from the front row. She seemed to have practiced, as her acting was a bit more convincing than before.

“Elian probably did it because he was worried about me. I was wrong to send a letter when I should have been reflecting.”

“Rosalyn… You’re too kind for your own good.”

The Earl and Countess, so trusting of Rosalyn, believed her still slightly awkward acting.

“…What am I supposed to say to this…”

Elian muttered to himself in disbelief. Meanwhile, Rosalyn, swept up in her own acting, started walking toward him.

‘What’s she up to now…’

“But I missed you so much, Elian. Sob sob…”

Rosalyn walked up to Elian and hugged him. As he accepted her, she whispered in his ear.

“What’s your scheme now, Rosalyn?”

“If you don’t want this to get any bigger, you’d better take me to your room right now.”

Rosalyn whispered back, as if she’d been waiting for this moment.

“You really don’t quit.”

Elian sighed quietly and looked at his parents. Naturally, they were watching him.

“…Now that I think about it, maybe I was too harsh too. I’ll take her to my room and comfort her.”

“Good, you’ve made the right choice. Go ahead.”

Satisfied with his answer, his parents nodded in approval. With their permission, Elian led Rosalyn out of the drawing room.

“What are you doing? Are you here to complain about my teasing letter?”

“Shh! What if the Earl and Countess hear you?”

As soon as they left the drawing room, Elian started to scold Rosalyn, but she put her finger to her lips, signaling him to be quiet.

“……”

Elian closed his mouth immediately. Rosalyn, pleased, walked ahead, then turned to urge Elian, who had stopped.

“What are you waiting for? Hurry up.”

“Fine, since you want it so much. Let’s talk in my room.”

Thinking he’d have a word with her once they got to his room, Elian walked with Rosalyn to his chambers. After Elian entered, Rosalyn followed and locked the door.

“…Why are you locking the door?”

“Eheh, just because?”

Rosalyn tilted her head innocently at his question. Elian rubbed his face with his hand, too tired to point out every little thing.

“You said you were grounded for a week. How’d you get here? It’s only been five days.”

“Oh, that. My father shortened it because I behaved myself.”

“Shortened it? What, were you in prison?”

“For me, that place was prison and hell.”

Rosalyn exaggerated her suffering with a dramatic face.

“You’re unbelievable. Really. The Earl Aimond is way too soft…”

Regardless, Rosalyn walked closer to Elian.

“Hehe, more importantly, Elian. I’ve been waiting for us to be alone again.”

Rosalyn smiled brightly, looking as lovely as ever. But that wasn’t the problem for Elian.

“…I’m losing my mind.”

Now that he really looked at her, Rosalyn seemed even prettier than usual, as if she’d put extra effort into her appearance today.

Her white dress was as pale as her skin, with a blue ribbon contrasting her pink hair. Her loosely braided hair shone and, perhaps from scented oil, she smelled faintly of roses.

Rosalyn didn’t miss her chance. While Elian was distracted, she boldly stepped closer, reached out, and gently stroked his cheek. Then, standing on tiptoe, she pressed her lips to his.

“!”

With a soft sound, her lips met his and then parted. Rosalyn looked up at him with mischievous eyes. Elian, slow to realize what had happened, stared at her. She closed her eyes again and kissed him once more.

“Elian… I want you.”

Rosalyn whispered in a voice so small it tickled his ear. Even though it was quiet, Elian heard it clearly. His patience finally reached its limit. Moved by her lovely voice, he bent down and pressed his lips to hers. But his kiss was different from hers.

“Mmm… mmph…”

Wrapping his arms around her back so she couldn’t escape, he pulled her close and kissed her deeply. His tongue slipped between her parted lips and gently tangled with hers. For Rosalyn, who’d never experienced such a kiss, it was overwhelming.

The sticky, persistent kiss made her feel dizzy, and her face grew hot. She tried to pull away, but his strong arms kept her from moving.

After sharing each other’s breath and ending the wet exchange, Elian finally pulled away. Rosalyn, her face flushed, could barely catch her breath.

“Haa… You started this.”

His voice, slightly languid, reached her ears. Rosalyn, catching her breath, realized her plan had worked. Now she had to keep up the momentum and move on to the next step. She reached down and gently stroked his thigh.

“Eek?! What are you touching?!”

Elian jumped back in surprise at Rosalyn’s touch.

“Haa… The mood was perfect, and now you’ve ruined it. Elian, come on, just relax!”

As he retreated, Rosalyn scolded him and stepped closer again, her hand reaching for the same thigh. Elian quickly covered the spot with his own hand. His face was completely red.

“You… how did you know it was… that side?”

Startled, he even stammered. Rosalyn gave him a sly smile.

“How could I not know when it’s so obvious?”

“…Is it that obvious?!”

Elian’s eyes darted around in panic.

“Don’t worry. It’s not that obvious.”

Rosalyn smiled sweetly, reassuring him, then reached out again. Elian quickly grabbed her hand to stop her.

“Where did you learn this stuff?!”

“I spent five days reading romance novels to practice for this. I’m an expert now!”

“Great, just great…”

Elian recalled Rosalyn whispering, ‘I want you.’ Realizing he’d been moved by her sincerity, he felt a bit foolish. He let out a hollow laugh and dropped onto the sofa.

“What? Aren’t you going to finish? Elian!”

“I’m done.”

“Why? You’re so fickle, boiling and cooling in an instant.”

“It’s not my fickleness, it’s your approach that’s the problem.”

Elian, deflated, sprawled on the bed and waved his arm.