~ Chapter : 11 ~
Beatrice wanted to argue that Rosio’s reaction was wrong. But reasoning in front of power was meaningless.
“Yes, you’re right,” he had said, laughing lightly.
“Then may I take the time to visit the Duke’s estate? Now that you’ve graduated from the academy, I can’t see you otherwise.”
“If you have something to say, it would be more efficient to communicate it in writing.”
Rosio politely but firmly rejected the villainess’s persistent advances.
“You will still come to my birthday party, won’t you?”
“I can’t give a definite answer. I will let you know via messenger.”
It felt like a battle of spear and shield.
“I hope the Duke will grace the occasion~”
“The protagonist shines the brightest on their birthday.”
Beatrice tried to extend her words, but Rosio kept his distance.
After failing to get close to Rosio, Beatrice linked her arm with mine, pretending to be friendly. The sudden physical contact startled me, and the momentary scent made me pause.
If Rosio’s scent was fresh with just the right weight, Beatrice’s was a bit stronger…
‘Strong, but still nice. I wonder what shampoo or perfume she uses?’
Of course, asking would only make things awkward. She might think I was a pervert—or suspect I was trying to imitate her.
“…Saint Lady, is there something on my face?”
Though she didn’t ask directly, Beatrice noticed I had been staring at her too intently and let go of my arm.
I shook my head vigorously, but I had probably annoyed her further.
“Oh, of course, I’ll send you an invitation as well, Saint Lady. After all, you’re a senior from the academy.”
“Y-you’re inviting me to your birthday party?”
The invitation was clearly more for Rosio’s sake than mine. But as a young lady who could not bring disgrace to her family, I politely expressed my gratitude and said I would attend if possible.
“Yes, I hope you enjoy yourself.”
Through her narrowed eyes, sparks seemed to fly. For a moment, I thought she might summon a fire spirit.
Beatrice showed off her dual personality one last time and left with the poised air of a villainess.
“Rosio, I don’t mind if Beatrice joins us…”
“I thought you might be uncomfortable.”
“Me?”
I recalled the glance he had cast earlier. Had I made it obvious I was uneasy, or was Rosio just perceptive?
“If I was mistaken, I apologize. But if you rejected my invitation because Beatrice interfered, how could I not resent her?”
The slowly setting sun dyed his face a vivid vermilion, and his purple eyes seemed even more mysterious, as if foreshadowing twilight.
When I stared at him, his expression softened, and a small smile curved his lips. How many hearts had that smile captured? Suddenly, the hero’s charm seemed scarier than the villainess’s schemes.
“Please spare a little of your time, Esmeralda.”
“I…”
My sister and brother were also coming for dinner tonight.
But Rosio’s earnest request swayed me. Well, I could have two dinners. With those pitiful eyes, who could resist wanting to protect him over the original plot?
‘Just this once. I’ll have dinner and then go off the radar until I meet Camilla. Friends eat dinner together, right?’
“All right.”
I accepted, captivated by his irresistible charm.
“It’s an honor to escort you. Shall we take the same carriage?”
“Th-that’s fine.”
Being in the same carriage would be too close. We might even brush lips accidentally. So I said I would follow in my carriage behind his.
The Weave Restaurant, visited even by royalty, wasn’t far from the clothing studio.
Rosio, who had arrived earlier by carriage, approached mine and took my hand to help me down. His practiced manners made my heart flutter.
“Welcome to Weave Restaurant. We will provide the finest service!”
It was an upscale restaurant that required reservations, but as soon as the manager saw Rosio, he guided us formally. We were seated by a window with a view of the streets.
‘Camilla would love this place. Rosio will probably bring her to places like this often.’
I slowly scanned the menu. It was hard to choose.
“Order whatever you like.”
“Everything looks delicious.”
“Then let’s order everything.”
Rosio said with a confident laugh. Words like that made my heart melt.
I remembered trembling while ordering cheap meals back home, but here in this world, I had tasted such luxurious and delicious food.
“Have you been here before, Esmeralda?”
“No! Next time…”
Unconsciously, I almost promised to take him somewhere I knew.
‘Focus. This is the last meeting.’
Soon, the dishes arrived, and the chef explained a few of them.
Freshly grilled seafood, seasonal vegetables, steak with perfect sauces, visually impressive pasta—these were dishes fit for a feast.
Rosio cut his steak and offered me a piece first.
Following proper etiquette, we shared light conversation about the upcoming festival and the weather.
Our conversation flowed surprisingly well. When the meal ended, tea, cake, and pie were served.
‘Camilla will soon enjoy this luxury too.’
I worried slightly about whether she was adjusting well to her new home. Noticing my expression, Rosio cautiously asked:
“Esmeralda, was there anything you didn’t like?”
Had the restaurant manager heard, it would have been unnerving. I poked at the strawberry on the cake casually.
“No, I was just thinking about something else for a moment.”
“If you were thinking of someone else with me here, I might feel a bit jealous.”
I froze with the strawberry halfway to my mouth. My cotton-soft hair covered my ears—thankfully, or I’d have turned bright red.
Rosio seemed embarrassed too, quietly cutting his pie. I closed my gaping mouth and reached for my teacup.
Then, like a malfunctioning robot, I accidentally spilled the tea.
“Esmeralda! Are you all right?”
“Yes, yes! It’s not too hot!”
Rosio handed me a handkerchief with silver trim, which I used to dab my wet hand.
After calming down a bit, we resumed dessert.
As we finished our plates, I carefully brought up a topic.
“Rosio.”
“Yes, Esmeralda?”
Before parting, there was something I had to ask him. I took a deep breath. Even though I knew he wasn’t the type to gossip, it felt better to say it.
“Please keep it a secret that we spent the night together.”
“Of course. I will follow your wishes, Esmeralda.”
Rosio wasn’t the type to demand favors in exchange for keeping secrets.
He accepted immediately, then lowered his voice to match mine:
“Also, you don’t need to worry about contraception—I took care of it.”
“Gah?”
I let out a strange sound at his sudden remark. Well, of course it was necessary…
Feeling odd, I clenched and unclenched my hands, fanning myself to calm down. There was no chance of being composed.
“…Earlier, I realized I hadn’t told you, so I wanted to. Since it’s my responsibility, I thought it better to mention it now.”
Rosio licked his lips nervously but finished his explanation.
A brief silence fell between us, my heart pounding. It was fortunate I spoke after dessert.
“Sh-should we… wrap things up?”
I suggested cautiously, and Rosio, cheeks reddened, agreed.
After he paid, we left the restaurant. On the way to my carriage, we didn’t speak.
“Esmeralda.”
Calling my name, his voice seemed to restrain so much.
“Yes.”
Even my reply carried a mix of wanting to spend more time together and curious feelings about diverging from the original plot.
“Please be careful on your way back. I’ll eagerly await our next meeting.”
Rosio gently held the back of my hand and lightly kissed it.
Looking up at me while bowing slightly, his gaze was like a hero looking at his heroine. Eyes full of love.
Perhaps that’s why, even after boarding my carriage, I couldn’t cool down.
I felt something in my pocket. It was the handkerchief Rosio had given me earlier.
‘I almost forgot to take it.’
It carried a blend of rose and herbs. I would have to return it next time, but I secretly wanted to keep it.
‘What are you thinking? You can’t like him.’
He was meant for Camilla. My goal was to survive safely until my natural death.
For the first time, I regretted not being the overpowered heroine.
Arriving at Saint Manor, my brother Lipt came out to greet me.
“Brother Lipt!”
Lipt had brown hair and teal eyes—a cool, aloof beauty.
We had visited the royal court once. Despite his taciturn and somewhat prickly personality, he had received plenty of attention from colleagues.
Since childhood, he had been interested in magic and became a royal mage.
Though he lacked innate magical power, he focused on research rather than guarding, which suited him perfectly.
“You’re late, Emmel.”
“Emmel” was his nickname for me. Lipt took off his scarf and wrapped it around my neck.
I had bought it for him as a birthday gift two years ago. He cherished it and wore it whenever it got cold. Seeing this made me smile.
He only showed such affection to family—especially to me.
Since I had been unwell as a child, he had studied all kinds of herbalism and magic. Thanks to him, aside from occasional headaches, I was in good health.
“I was late meeting a friend for a meal. Sorry. Did everyone have dinner?”
“Yes. Our sister had dinner too. She’s in the inner courtyard with the knights—let’s go see her.”
We started walking toward the courtyard where Iris was.
“Oh, by the way…”
“Why?”
“Never mind. She might have left already.”
Lipt muttered casually. He often spoke to himself, but this time, it caught my attention.
