~ Chapter : 25 ~
The carriage came to a stop in front of the capital’s observation deck. From there, you could look out over the territories surrounding the capital. Stretching, I spoke to the coachman.
“When we’re heading back, I’ll contact you in advance. Just come to pick me up then.”
“Yes, miss. I’ll be on my way!”
The coachman turned back, leaving me behind, and I climbed up to the observation deck.
The range of teleportation magic was limited to what I could see. If I used up all my mana, I figured I could at least reach the outer edge of the ducal territory.
Gripping my staff, I drew lines and shapes on the ground. When I finished chanting the spell, the magic circle glowed a pale sky-blue.
After possessing this body, I wanted to see various places, and with the amount of mana I had, I could travel quite far—so teleportation magic was the one thing I’d studied diligently.
Moreover, perhaps because I came from another world and had learned geography and how to read maps through formal education, it seemed to affect my magical affinity. When it came to movement magic, I was more proficient than any other mage.
A warm light wrapped around my body, and an entirely different landscape unfolded. I had arrived at the outskirts of the ducal territory. Carriages loaded with fine-looking leather and silk were slowly entering the duchy.
‘Where is Rosio?’
I had sent a carrier pigeon to the count’s castle saying I’d arrive around this time. Yet all I could see nearby were soldiers clad in well-maintained armor.
“Are you visiting the ducal territory? Please show your travel permit or proof of identity.”
When I lingered near the walls, the soldiers guarding the outskirts approached me.
“Pardon? Just a moment.”
I hurriedly looked around. Perhaps thinking I was suspicious, the soldiers seemed ready to question me. Just as I wondered if I’d been stood up, someone suddenly came up beside me.
“Lady Esmeralda. You really came.”
Rosio was dressed neatly in a shirt and cravat, black suit trousers, and a light outer coat. At his appearance, the soldiers bowed respectfully and stepped back.
Seeing Rosio’s face, I felt a wave of relief.
“Haa… I told you I was coming. You didn’t even reply, so I was worried about what I’d do if you didn’t show up.”
“……”
Even if this was Rosio’s territory, it was unfamiliar to me. If he hadn’t come, I would’ve been stuck here until my mana recovered.
Rosio gently brushed my hair aside, his gaze briefly lingering on the necklace he’d given me.
“As if I would do that to you, Lady Esmeralda. I arrived early and waited.”
Though his words were tender, something about Rosio felt subdued. His mood clearly seemed off.
***
His face looked tired, yet rebellious—almost as if he were pushing me away like he had yesterday. It gave him a sensual air, but the subtle distance he kept made me feel oddly hurt.
“Rosio, did you not sleep?”
“What do you think?”
I wasn’t sure if he was angry, since I’d never seen him truly angry before.
Of all the expressions I’d seen, this one felt the coldest. If I had to put a color to his chilliness, it would be blue flames.
“Did something happen last night?”
“…What about you, Lady Esmeralda?”
“It’s still a secret.”
I couldn’t tell him about the mana stone in Venice yet—unless he’d already heard the situation from the imperial mages.
“Then I have no obligation to tell you either.”
“What?”
At his cold reply, it felt like I’d just heard the sound effect of a ceiling collapsing.
I couldn’t understand his attitude at all. No matter how I thought about it, the only thing I’d done wrong was canceling our plans yesterday.
But knowing Rosio, he wouldn’t get upset over something like that.
“Let’s go to the ducal castle first. We can’t have a long conversation here.”
Unlike my confusion, Rosio calmly activated a gate.
When we arrived at the grand entrance of the ducal castle, an elderly butler bowed deeply to us.
“Lady Esmeralda Saint. You’ve come a long way. Welcome to the Duchy of Agnes. I am Noah, the butler of House Agnes.”
“Hello, Noah…”
I was glad to meet one of Rosio’s retainers, but my voice lacked energy. Rosio’s distant attitude weighed on me.
He guided me to the reception room. The ducal castle was as magnificent as the imperial palace—large enough that you could easily get lost. With so many staff, the trees, lawns, and fountains all looked meticulously maintained.
The interior was just as grand. Glancing at the statues and framed paintings on display, I followed Rosio.
‘Is he kidding? He acted like he’d die without me, and now he’s already tired of me? After I’m even willing to take responsibility for both the heroine and the villainess?’
When we reached the lavish reception room, we sat facing each other. Still cold, Rosio made me frown at him in displeasure.
“Lady Esmeralda, you like chamomile tea, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Noah, please prepare chamomile tea from the Kingdom of Senien.”
Even after Noah brought the tea, set the table, and left, Rosio still wouldn’t open his mouth.
I wasn’t good at pushing and pulling. Even as I nervously watched him, he remained unmoved.
“Rosio. I asked what happened last night.”
I took a sip of tea and repeated my earlier question. The chamomile tea was among the best I’d ever tasted—but now wasn’t the time to praise it.
“Please tell me first, Lady Esmeralda.”
“Hey, Rosio. I asked first, didn’t I? If you don’t tell me, I’ll punish you.”
Desperate for him to say something, I blurted out an embarrassingly cheesy line I’d seen somewhere before—and boldly stood up, moving closer to him.
“Esmeralda. Today, it seems I’m the one who should be punishing you.”
Rosio slowly rose from his chair as if refusing to lose.
“P-Punish… me?”
His sweet voice stirred dangerous imaginings. Why did the same words sound so different when he said them? He should never be a private tutor—how could he lead students straight into temptation like this?
I’d started it, but I was the one who ended up embarrassed. Still, it seemed to have worked; his expression softened a little.
“I couldn’t sleep last night because I kept thinking about you. That’s all.”
“You’re lying.”
Then why did you treat me like that?
“It’s true. This side of you… only show it to me. I’ll satisfy you in any way.”
Rosio carefully took both my hands, as if urging me to respond.
His words puzzled me. Who else would there even be?
“I already am. You should do the same, Rosio. Make sure to cover yourself properly from here to here. You’re provocative from head to toe, but this area is especially dangerous.”
I pulled one hand free and traced a line with my finger—from the second button of his shirt down past his belt buckle—marking out the territory.
Remembering how Rosio had been with other noble ladies last night, jealousy flared again.
“…Lady Esmeralda, please say more.”
What—does he like the obsessive type?
Seeing the strange anticipation in his eyes, I tilted my head but leaned further into the role. Fine. I’d show him. In this area, the obsessive one was me.
“I want to dismantle the Rosio fan club at the academy.”
“A little more.”
When I turned my head, I saw stacks of letters piled on a side table. Surely they weren’t all marriage proposals… right?
“Let’s burn all of those and have a campfire at night.”
Rosio bit his lip, holding back laughter. Hey—you’re the one who asked for this, and I’m getting serious here! I’m not done yet!
“Every time I see you, I go crazy wanting to use clairvoyance magic!”
Honestly, that part was at least half true.
I did have a strange way of expressing affection. To Camilla, I said she smelled wonderful just by breathing. To Rosio, I said I wanted to use x-ray vision on him.
At this rate, I might end up in prison before reaching the ending.
“Very well. Then you may do what we couldn’t last night.”
Rosio gently stroked my cheek as he spoke.
Yes. That was exactly what I’d been waiting to hear.
***
And just like that, we ended up crossing another line together.
Rosio’s bedroom was both luxurious and cozy—comfortable, like my own room.
A breeze carrying the scent of trees slipped in through the window, pleasantly tickling my hair. We lay languidly on the bed, gazing at each other.
“Esmeralda, I like you.”
If I hadn’t been watching his face closely, I might’ve missed it—his voice was as soft as the wind.
“…I like you too.”
I murmured just as quietly.
“It seems you only like my appearance.”
“I actually know more about you than you think.”
That he likes warm weather.
That he was raised in a stable, loving household with strict etiquette training.
That he was born with exceptional talent in every field.
That though a genius, he worked as hard as an ordinary person.
That he was deeply versed in the arts—able to recite reply poems no matter what verse was presented.
And more.
“I mean it, Rosio.”
I brushed aside his slightly tousled black hair and kissed his cheek.
“Esmeralda.”
“Yes.”
“Even if your feelings for me are nothing more than curiosity, I hope we can have something special—just the two of us.”
Each time he showed his affection, my expectations grew a little more. Could we truly become not just people who brushed past each other, but fairy-tale lovers who lived happily together for a long time?
“Esmeralda. I really like you.”
Rosio pressed a light kiss against my wrist.
I want to cherish him, like the Saint family does.
I want him to be happy, like Camilla.
I want to know the sides of him the original story never showed.
Even if the original story has changed, it’s fine.
‘Because I’ve come to like you too.’
Instead of answering his confession aloud, I intertwined my fingers with his. It felt unfamiliar—words I’d never said to anyone outside the Saint family, having never even had a lover before. I wondered if I’d regret holding them back someday.
“Esmeralda. Will you stay with me like this until morning?”
Rosio whispered, kissing my wrist again.
‘Wait… from now until tomorrow morning?’
At his words, all my tender, romantic thoughts flew right out the window.
It wasn’t even evening yet. No matter how mysterious the human body was, wasn’t that a bit much?
“…Rosio. Is that even possible?”
