Chapter 25
“The Way We Love”
“Whether or not Philippe accepts your apology is up to her. But Todd, you need to change first.”
Rosedale’s words were met with enthusiastic nods from the others.
“Exactly. Even if you apologize now, she probably won’t believe you mean it—and might just feel worse.”
“What did I do that was so wrong? I just… I…”
Todd trailed off, lips trembling as he lowered his head.
He had brought rare desserts, only for Philippe to scoff and accuse him of showing off. When he offered help, she pushed him away and told him not to hover. She wouldn’t even look at him.
But when she got angry… at least she looked at him. That’s why he’d only meant to brush her shoulder—but he hadn’t expected her to stumble like that.
Worried she was hurt, he froze up. He meant to apologize, but stupid words had spilled out instead.
And Philippe’s rage? It became more than he could handle.
“Todd.”
Rosedale awkwardly patted his head.
“His Majesty once told me: every human has a different personality, so every way of loving is different, too. Maybe this is just… your way. And I understand why you’re hurting.”
She didn’t fully understand, but she tried—remembering Lukas’s advice to comfort him.
“But if your love hurts or saddens the person you care about, then it’s not just a ‘quirk’ anymore, is it?”
“…”
“If you want to love well, you have to be a good person first. So try to change. For Philippe’s sake.”
At her name, Todd slowly lifted his head.
In his eyes—once filled only with sorrow and frustration—something like resolve began to shine.
For Philippe’s sake.
That phrase seemed to reach the part of Todd that had been frustrated with himself all along.
Seeing that spark of change, the others smiled and patted his back.
The real operation had officially begun.
🧹 Todd Rehabilitation Project – Step 1: Fix the Attitude
The next day, they launched the first stage of the Todd Recovery Project:
Fix his attitude.
“Philippe won’t listen to you yet—so just focus on your behavior.”
Now, Todd was quietly observing from nearby as Philippe worked in the garden, pulling weeds.
She clearly noticed him lurking.
“Ugh, why won’t these come out?!”
“Todd.”
Rosedale whispered.
“Now! Go help her. No talking!”
Other members gestured frantically to coach him. Even Liamson was watching nervously.
“Ahem, ahem…”
Todd awkwardly cleared his throat and knelt beside her.
The moment he got close, Philippe’s weed-pulling grew violently aggressive, like she was trying to rip out his hair instead.
But the weeds were stubborn, full of mana from the rich soil—too thick to yank out easily.
“Ugh, this is so annoying.”
“Uh…”
Todd started to speak—but remembered Rosedale’s warning and shut his mouth.
Instead, he reached toward a weed, gently. Barely brushing it, just in case Philippe got mad.
She noticed—and froze.
“Hands off.”
“Oh, uh…”
“Did you not hear me? I said hands OFF.”
“Philippe…”
“OFF! Get your hands off! Why won’t you listen?!”
Suddenly—rip!
Fueled by sheer fury, Philippe yanked the weed out with a supernatural burst of strength.
THWACK!
In the same motion, her elbow smashed straight into Todd’s nose.
“…!”
Rosedale and the others jumped up in shock.
Todd fell backward, stunned and wide-eyed.
Philippe stood there, trembling with fury and flustered rage. Maybe the stress of the weeds—and Todd—had finally boiled over.
Then… drip.
From Todd’s right nostril, a bright red nosebleed streamed down.
“…!”
Everyone gasped. Philippe’s pupils shrank in horror.
Her rage vanished, replaced by a tidal wave of guilt and shock.
Even as blood ran down his face, Todd jumped to his feet.
“It’s nothing! Just a little scratch!”
But his nose bled like a faucet.
“Huh…? Why won’t it stop…”
Philippe looked like she was about to cry.
Biting her lip hard, she turned and ran.
“If you don’t want to get hurt again, stay away from me!”
“Philippe!”
She ran off before Todd could move.
As he stood there in shock, Rosedale, Liamson, and the others hurried to him.
“Hey! Are you okay?! Tilt your head!”
“Anyone got a cloth? Handkerchief?!”
“Move, everyone.”
Rosedale pushed through the chaos and placed her hand on Todd’s nose.
A soft golden light shimmered from her fingertips, surrounding his injury.
Within seconds, the bleeding stopped and he was healed.
“Wow… Lady Rosedale is amazing.”
The members murmured in awe. Todd, meanwhile, couldn’t lift his head.
Rosedale gently patted his hunched back.
“You did great. Even with a nosebleed, you didn’t lash out. That’s a fantastic start.”
“Y-yeah! Todd, you really changed, huh?”
“And you saw how guilty Philippe looked, didn’t you?”
Their kind words made Todd’s shoulders tremble. Liamson rested a warm hand on his shoulder.
Todd’s eyes turned red.
“…Thank you.”
He mumbled the words with his head bowed, but everyone heard them.
They smiled, knowing this was a step forward—even if today’s attempt had technically failed.
“Alright! Let’s ride this momentum into the next phase!”
“Yes, ma’am!”
They raised their fists in unison.
Even Liamson, swept up by the energy, raised his awkwardly.
“Y-yeah, let’s go.”
Todd pumped his fist in weak agreement.
But despite his resolve… there was no next phase.
Philippe, shocked from elbowing him, started avoiding Todd even more.
No matter how they trained him or coached his speech, there was no opportunity to show it.
Rosedale couldn’t help but sigh again.
“Humans are so complicated.”
That night, she sneaked into Lukas’s office to give her progress report.
She slumped and sighed deeply.
“Todd’s changing—I see it—but I can’t get Philippe to see it. It’s frustrating.”
She didn’t want to pressure Philippe. But giving up meant leaving both of them miserable—and she still had a mission from Eros.
“It’s too much. I learned about humans from books, but their emotions are beyond me.”
“You’re talking like you’re not human.”
“Huh?”
Rosedale jolted, lifting her head off his desk. A bead of sweat slid down her temple.
Lukas let out a small amused laugh, seeing her reaction.
“Relax. I’m joking.”
“Haha… Right, of course!”
She quickly launched into a fake story about growing up in the mountains, far from people.
Lukas just listened quietly, smiling.
Whether he believed her or not, he didn’t challenge it.
“A-anyway! What do you think I should do about Philippe and Todd?”
“Hmm. Actually, my head’s full of something else right now.”
“Like what?”
Rosedale smiled nervously. Was this about her true identity again?
But Lukas surprised her.
“I’m jealous of your Magic Division people.”
“…What?”
Her eyes went wide.
Lukas leaned toward her—so close it felt like even a finger couldn’t fit between them.
“I’m jealous.”
“Of… what?”
Rosedale couldn’t look away from his eyes. They held her like a spell.
“Of the people you call ‘my crew.’ The ones who cheer you up without me. Who can help you in ways I can’t. I’m jealous of them all.”
I’m afraid I’ll lose your affection. That you’ll slip away from me like everyone else.
As you grow brighter… I feel smaller next to you. That scares me.
Seeing his sadness, Rosedale gently cupped his cheek.
“You’re the Emperor. Of course you’re busy.”
That day, Cain had dragged him back to work and buried him in endless paperwork.
So she came often—through the window—to keep him company.
She told him stories: how the team teased each other, how the new potion worked, anything that made him smile.
Whenever she came, he laughed like a child, and she loved that.
She worked through nights just to bring him those smiles.
So he could, even briefly, remove the heavy crown on his head.
“No matter how sweet they are, Lukas… you’re the most special to me.”
“…”
Lukas leaned into her touch, eyes intense.
Was she serious? His gaze searched hers, desperate for reassurance.
Rosedale smiled like spring sunlight.
“If I hadn’t met you, I would’ve never known the joy of being part of a team. I’d still be wandering like an outsider.”
If Lukas hadn’t been her first human, maybe she would never have come to understand humans at all.
“I can’t explain it fully, but… sometimes it feels like I came here just to meet you. Like fate.”
So don’t be afraid.
I’m not going to disappear like your family.
Rosedale gently stroked his cheek.
Lukas’s eyes bloomed with red heat—like a flame lit within.
And then—
His hand moved toward her lips.
Without even realizing it.
