Chapter 14 Part 5

“…….”

When I hesitated, unable to fully grasp the implication of his words, his hand caught a lock of my hair blowing in the breeze. The way he pressed his lips to the captured strands was so reverent that I momentarily forgot we were in a thoroughfare frequented by nobility.

Though the passersby were fewer than before, it wasn’t as if there were none at all. Their hurried steps didn’t prevent their curious glances from focusing on us.

“…Next time, I will bring a proposal. Please wait for me.”

That statement alone was enough to command the attention of all around us, but understanding what he intended left me even more astonished.

I glanced around to see if anyone had overheard. Fortunately, it seemed that his words had not carried far enough to be heard clearly. Though the bystanders did look our way with curiosity, their reactions weren’t as intense as I had feared. It was a relief.

“You said you’d give me a choice.”

“…….”

“I have never considered any other options.”

Ten’s face tilted, filled with a smile.

“For me, you have never been just an option. Does any person choose their means of survival?”

He spoke as if it were a matter of life or death, without a trace of jest, making me feel the weight of his sincerity. Ten grasped my hand and rubbed it gently as he whispered,

“I love you, as I always have.”

“…Me too.”

After a moment of hesitation, I whispered the words, and Ten’s eyes widened dramatically. His expression shifted from surprise to joy and delight, as if he had received an unexpected gift. His face, transformed by happiness, was utterly endearing.

“…Would I get in trouble if I kissed you now?”

“Not now.”

A smile broke through as I saw his visibly disappointed expression. It was one of the happiest moments I could recall in recent times. As I disengaged his reluctantly parting hand to climb into the carriage, Ten, unwilling to give up, called out from beyond the window.

“Will you wait for me until I come?”

“…Hurry back, I’ll be waiting.”

The smile he wore in response was unforgettable.

***

“Oh, I didn’t expect to use the ring so soon.”

“I have a request. It seems like a job only the Tower Master can handle.”

I invited him to take a seat. Sensing that the conversation would be a lengthy one, Calib did not decline and accepted the teacup I offered.

“Seeing your expression, it doesn’t look like a trivial matter.”

“I can’t summon the Tower Master for something trivial.”

“Talking like that makes me even more curious. What is it? If there’s anything I can help with, I’m all in.”

His readily enthusiastic response was comforting. I hadn’t expected our acquaintance to become so reliable, but here he was, standing firmly by my side.

“I’ve heard that the supreme ruler of Endeavor is under a spell.”

“A spell?”

“I don’t know the details, but he spends most of his time in bed, and it seems he moves only at certain times… it doesn’t appear to be of his own volition.”

“Like a puppet, then?”

Calib nodded as if he had a clue, his terminology not far off from reality. I agreed, and he suddenly stood up, alert.

“…?”

“I think I know what it might be. And it’s on Endeavor’s emperor? Even now?”

“Yes, that’s what I heard. It’s been there for two years.”

“That means it’s an old spell. That might make it easier.”

“How long will it take to break the spell?”

After a moment of contemplation, Calib responded promptly, his voice filled with certainty.

“At least it will be over within two days. Considering the time it’ll take to get back, it’ll take three days in total.”

“…That’s quicker than I thought.”

I had anticipated about a week when he mentioned it would be an easy job, so three days seemed surprisingly fast. I felt a mix of astonishment and a bit of emptiness.

“Any spell that has lasted for two years will inevitably show its cracks. Of course, that doesn’t mean just anyone can break it.”

As he seized the opportunity to boast about his skills, I couldn’t help but smile at him slightly. After finishing his tea, he stood up from his seat.

“Well then, since I’ve accepted the request, I might as well get moving.”

“So soon?”

“When you know an emperor of a nation is incapacitated by magic, once you’re aware, you must act quickly. It’s only human to do so.”

His comment was ironic considering there are those who fail to uphold even basic human decency. Yet, the boundless compassion in his voice was astounding. When he gave me the ring before, and now, he showed a surprisingly kind and humane side.

“Let’s meet again in three days then. I’ll have it neatly wrapped up by then.”

“…Thank you, I appreciate it.”

As he had appeared, he vanished just as suddenly. Only an empty teacup remained where he had been, the solitary reminder of his presence. A sense of relief washed over me, as if a great burden had been lifted. I leaned back into the sofa, lost in thought.

Daisy Queenie, who had incessantly troubled me, was facing her own retribution now, and with Carib’s intervention, the Emperor would receive the necessary treatment, likely restoring Ten to his rightful place. It seemed everything was finally falling into place. The peace I had longed for was within reach.

“…I wonder what Ten is doing now.”

There had been no word from Ten, who had promised to visit. Where had his confidence gone, the one that had boasted of bringing a proposal? Perhaps he had gone to make the paper for his proposal letter.

I laughed softly at my own silly thoughts. With a bit of leisure now, my mind wandered into trivial musings. I made my way to the bedroom, hoping a good sleep would clear my head.

***

“Oh, our little Rose… our little Rose…!”

“Enough crying, dear. We’re not even at a wedding yet, let alone an engagement.”

“Our adorable youngest seems like she’ll be the first to marry among us.”

“Hmm, just a thought, but what happens if we oppose it? I still want to keep our youngest by my side.”

Father, Mother, Cedric, and Ramiel carried on like this after Ten had presented the proposal. They had been in this state since unfolding it. While Ten smiled agreeably, and they seemed oblivious to my irritation, discussing opposition right in front of the concerned parties! In annoyance, I stepped on Ramiel’s foot, but he just gave me a look as if a mere ant had passed by, which only infuriated me further.

“Don’t be upset, my lady.”

While I furrowed my brow and glared at Ramiel, Ten continued to gaze at me and then reached out to smooth the frown lines on my forehead. The tension in my face eased instantly. Cedric watched us with an amused expression.

“Hmm, I like it. It’d be better if she handled a sword, though.”

“I’ve taught her a bit, and she’s not bad at it.”

“Oh, is that so? Then I’m in favor.”

The reason was absurdly trivial. Was swords all that occupied their minds? It made me wonder if this was why my brothers couldn’t manage to keep girlfriends. …Well, better not say that aloud, they might cry.

“Ten, let’s step outside.”

“What? But…”

“It’s okay. As soon as father agrees, it’s settled. You look tired; let’s go rest.”

A few days ago, Carib had appeared and handed Ten some documents. These were from the Emperor, who, upon recovering from the magic spell and learning the whole story, insisted they be delivered to him.

The documents acknowledged his deeds, appointing him as the Crown Prince and granting him the title of Archduke. However, this accolade brought additional responsibilities that required Ten to return to Endeavor to resolve.

With the new turn of events laying heavy on us, I felt it was crucial for us to find a moment of peace, away from the fervor of familial discussions and the weight of new responsibilities. As we stepped out, the cool air seemed like a gentle reprieve from the charged atmosphere of the living room.

Hearing his declaration to finish his duties in Rohan rather than travel to Endeavor, despite having worked through several nights, I couldn’t help but worry. It only added to my concern when he showed up with the proposal, driven by my urging. Without hesitation, I grasped his hesitating hand firmly.

“I’ll go check on things. Call me when everything is sorted out.”

As expected, my brothers didn’t pay much attention to my departure. It was peculiar that I seemed the least concerned with my own proposal. The more I thought about it, the more unjust it felt, so I muttered a complaint under my breath, only for Ten to squeeze my hand gently and smile softly.

“It’s still nice because I get to be alone with you.”

“…Me too.”

Unlike Ten, who freely expressed his affection, I still battled with shyness. He caught my whispered reply and smiled broadly enough to make passersby pretend not to glance at us.

I know all too well that Ten’s looks draw eyes inevitably. With his honey-dripping hair and statuesque features, even his cold expressions seemed like art. I understood that the maids’ gazes were involuntary; their looking at Ten wasn’t about judging but merely admiring his undeniable charm.

Despite understanding why others were drawn to Ten’s unparalleled beauty—a beauty that set him apart even among many I knew—it was inevitable that feelings of jealousy stirred within me. Even knowing it was natural for others to admire him, my emotions didn’t follow suit with such logic. The gazes that touched him, igniting a subtle discomfort within me, led me to walk down the hallway with a slight sullenness.

Sensitive to my mood as always, Ten quickly noticed my displeasure. He shook the hand he was holding to capture my gaze and gently rearranged my hair in a tender gesture. Even such a simple act was comforting due to the warmth of his touch, making me instinctively lean my head against him.

Then, I inadvertently threw a glance at the maids around us. I tried to act nonchalant, but in that moment, I couldn’t help but feel annoyed by their stares. It seemed their attention was more irksome than I realized.

Catching on to my irritation, Ten lifted the corners of his mouth in a satisfied smile, though I didn’t notice it at first. The maids, having fixed their gazes on us, started to disappear down the hallway, murmuring to themselves, “Oh, what to do…”

“……?”

“I’ve always felt it, but the servants here are quite polite,” he commented.

Is that really something to praise? As we were left alone in the corridor, I blinked in surprise while he confidently led the way forward. It struck me anew that he once belonged to this household and knew the layout well, something I thought he might have forgotten, so I followed where he led, surprised yet compliant.

“There’s no one else in the corridor now, so you needn’t worry.”