Episode 4:
Growing Up Fast
“I’m sorry.”
Listening to the report about the baby felt strangely impersonal and awkward, like he was hearing information about a client.
“Still, thank you for raising her well.”
According to Lira, the child was so gentle and well-behaved that it was almost unbelievable. And yet, she was developing very quickly—healthy, clever, and bright.
Whenever he passed these updates on to his wife, she would smile gently, as if to say there was nothing to worry about.
Even as his hands darkened with despair, he still found himself wanting to follow her… but he couldn’t.
With trembling hands, he reached out and gently covered the baby’s small foot that had slipped out from under the blanket. So small and soft—just touching her made his heart ache.
“Why are you so precious…”
Both children, though yet to meet, were already too precious for words.
As Lira quietly left the room to give him some space, only he and the baby were left behind.
“Sweetheart…”
The whisper of that word was strangely intoxicating, and Sirius closed his aching eyes.
“I guess I’ve become a father.”
Tears began to fall—quiet but heavy, dampening his hands and sometimes even the baby’s blanket.
He stayed by her side for a long time.
“Uung…”
As soon as I opened my eyes, I started sucking on the pacifier automatically.
Ah, I’m used to this now. I really need to give this thing up, but I keep reaching for it when I’m anxious.
But that dream… what even was that?
A handsome but oversized man crying like a little boy beside me—that’s what it felt like.
I couldn’t even move my arms or legs to comfort him. Couldn’t wipe his face or whisper, “Can you quiet down, please?”
‘That had to be just a weird dream. Still, I should be careful today.’
Can’t hurt to be cautious.
Just as I gripped the bedpost and shakily stood up, Lira walked into the room, followed by two other maids I didn’t recognize.
I blinked at them as a greeting.
Hi, Lira.
“You’re up early, Young Miss.”
I wanted to smile sweetly like a baby, but I was never good at smiling in my past life. My lips just wouldn’t curve.
Sorry, unnis. But you’re not smiling either…
“The weather’s lovely today. Are you feeling cheerful too?”
She briskly drew back the curtains with swift, precise movements.
Ugh.
Couldn’t you give me a second to adjust? The sunlight poured in too fast and made me frown.
But Lira wasn’t finished.
“So let’s move around a bit today.”
Huh?
Before I knew it, she had tidied up the room and even lifted me out of bed.
“You’re growing up so fast. Let’s do some indoor exercise today—gotta build those legs!”
Build what?
“Let’s try walking to here, Young Miss.”
She looked so serious I couldn’t help but comply. I started taking steps, following her voice.
“Now this way—just one more try, Young Miss.”
My head was so heavy I almost toppled over, but I managed to stay upright by grabbing the wall.
This reminded me a bit too much of the core exercises I used to do in my past life. And that made me suddenly feel ridiculous.
“You did great today, Young Miss.”
Why does her praise make me feel like I’m training a puppy…?
I sighed and shuffled over to a mirror, placing my hand against it.
Tiny fingers, like maple leaves. A faint handprint on the glass. And then—I saw my reflection.
So this is my face now.
I frowned.
In my past life, I had a habit of avoiding mirrors. But now I saw silver hair starting to grow in thick strands.
Wait, wasn’t Rosé’s hair supposed to be pink? Why is mine silver? Does it change later…?
That’s when I heard the new maids talking behind me.
“Did you hear about the Duke of Belkius?”
Belkius?
That’s the male lead’s family.
“Please, everyone in the capital knows about that. If you don’t, you’re probably a spy.”
“They say they’re all dead.”
What?!
“The Belkius family was wiped out.”
I gasped, my lips forming a round shape. My eyes met Lira’s suspicious gaze.
She pretended not to notice, but I could feel her watching.
No no, I don’t know anything…
Belkius Massacre.
That event was in the novel too. It’s the reason the male lead, Gabriel—Rosé’s future fiancé—became so cold and desperate.
He would inherit the dukedom at just 12 years old after losing his entire family in a massacre.
‘That’s the Belkius backstory…’
Because of that, Gabriel suffered and was manipulated by those seeking power, all while secretly vowing revenge.
It wasn’t until near the end of the novel that he revealed the truth and exposed the real culprit behind the massacre.
And the true culprit was—
Chills ran down my spine.
I’ll have to meet them someday, too…
Living inside a novel… it’s scarier than I thought.
had been a comfort in my past life, something that gave me joy when I was dying. But Gabriel’s backstory… it was horrifying.
He was just a boy. A child who lost everything. Who couldn’t even mourn because he had to survive and fight.
If I lost everyone I loved in a single night…
I couldn’t imagine how Gabriel survived.
At 12, he awakened his prophecy—the blessing of “Unpierceable by Anything”—and used it to take revenge.
That was the first thing he did as head of the family.
No one knows the exact details of his suffering. But just that one decision alone says enough.
And he’s somewhere in this world right now.
Alone. Afraid. Living in a nightmare.
I was falling asleep each night dreaming of happy family moments—of growing up as Rosé in a warm and loving home.
But for Gabriel… this very moment was probably hell.
“Young Miss.”
“Hyu?”
Lira?
“Don’t stand there like that. I’ll hold you.”
Suddenly, she scooped me up. If it hadn’t been for her, I might’ve kept falling deeper into those dark thoughts.
Dangling in the air, then snug in her warm arms.
She lifted me like I weighed nothing at all. Lira… you’re stronger than you look.
“Babies are heavy, you know.”
The other two maids quickly left the room when Lira scolded them.
There wasn’t an ounce of regret in their attitude. I couldn’t help feeling a bit discouraged, thinking maybe none of them really liked me.
“Hyu…”
Without realizing, I gripped Lira’s clothes. She looked down at me—and I think, maybe, she smiled.
But when I blinked again, her face was cold and emotionless.
“Young Miss.”
“Ahhh.”
“Even though the Duke doesn’t visit often, he thinks you’re very strong. He loves you deeply.”
Yeah right, that’s a lie…
“And I—I’m starting to enjoy the time I spend with you more and more.”
Well, that’s nice to hear.
I started getting curious about Lira before she became my maid.
Once this babbling phase ends, I want to ask her—where she came from, why she never shows emotion, whether she really dislikes me… and if not, why she speaks so kindly.
“Look around. Isn’t it peaceful and lovely? Such a beautiful moment.”
I guess so.
“Young Miss, this is your special privilege. Everyone in the household cares for and cherishes you.”
Really?
“Uwaaa!”
“Yes, let it all out. That’s good.”
Someday, I’ll ask if she’ll always stay by my side.
She might not like me, but… I really like her.
“Don’t worry about anything. Just eat, sleep, grow happy and strong. That’s all that matters.”
“So don’t make that face.”
“Awu awu!”
What face?
“You really sound like you’re answering me. You’re such an amazing baby.”
“Boo!”
Lira, you’re so silly.
I pouted.
“Let’s take a nap now, okay? Let’s gain strength today and exercise again tomorrow.”
Even though Lira’s voice was as cold as ever, her words somehow made me smile.
Yeah, Lira. I’m Rosé now. That means I’ll be happy… right?
Even if I can’t become the real Rosé, even if I can’t smile like her or make people fall in love like she did… maybe, just maybe, we can still smile at each other someday.
Me, my father, and even Gabriel.
