HMC 12

~Chapter 12~

“Time?”

“Yes. I’ll train Lady Rosedale personally, so no one will ever doubt her identity.”

Cain’s eyes burned with determination as he looked at Rosedale. He was clearly planning to overwhelm her with lessons. But Rosedale just smiled sweetly.

He probably thought she was an uneducated commoner—but he was completely wrong. She had spent 20 years under the strict education of Elphis and was top of her class. Studying was second nature to her.

Not knowing any of that, Cain was full of fiery enthusiasm.

“Alright. I’ll learn from Cain.”

“Are you sure?”

“I need to study anyway if I want to adapt here.”

Even when Lukas said it wasn’t necessary, Rosedale reassured him with a smile.

“Just give me three days. I’ll become your perfect magician.”

“You already are perfect, Rosie.”

“You’re flattering me just because I turned out to be a magician.”

“Of course not. I’m just treating my friend well.”

Rosedale glared at Lukas playfully but then let out a soft laugh.

While the two joked, people who had run away earlier began to return, holding candles and approaching cautiously.

Soon, guards from the city’s patrol arrived. Lukas’s face turned serious again.

“Your Majesty! Are you alright?”

They had all mobilized due to reports of a monster. Lukas nodded and gave a small sigh.

“It’s time to return.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Guards, make sure the citizens return home safely and wrap up the scene.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Burnett, I’ll send the Royal Knights. Help recover the monster’s body and return with them.”

“As you command, Your Majesty.”

“Cain, go back to the palace and tell the steward to prepare Rosedale’s room. Assign maids too. Give her the Sapphire Room.”

“…Yes.”

The Sapphire Room was reserved for only the most important guests. It was located in the southern palace—close to where the Emperor lived—which made Cain uneasy.

Still, for the only magician in 100 years, it was appropriate.

“Shall we go?”

Lukas’s voice rang like music again, just as it had when they left the restaurant together.

Rosedale answered with a lighthearted step, like a musical note dancing on his tune.

“Yes.”

Among all humans, he had become her one special person. The one who wore a mask and hid sorrow behind it, yet became fully human only when looking at her.

“My first friend, Lukas. Just wait—I’ll make you truly happy.”

That night, Rosedale’s heart was completely filled with Lukas.

* * *

“Wow…”

Rosedale was stunned as she stepped into her new room.

“What is all this?”

The room had white marble floors, a sky-high ceiling like a temple, its own bath, a study, elegant tables, and even a balcony with a garden view. The luxurious scent of fine candles filled the air.

“So this is human culture!”

She picked up a porcelain figurine and gasped. She was overwhelmed by how different this was from the books she’d read.

“Do you like it?”

Lukas smiled as he watched her.

They were alone now, the door closed behind them.

“Lukas, what’s this for?”

“It’s just decoration.”

“You mean they made something this pretty just to look at? Humans really are…”

She was amazed by humans’ obsession with beauty—even trash was made to look good.

“There are no ceramics where you’re from, Rosie?”

Lukas patted the seat beside him. She sat down, hugging the ceramic piece.

“So it’s called ‘ceramic’? Well, no, not really.”

Lukas watched her closely.

“So she really must be from a poor family that couldn’t even afford things like this…”

But what about the elegant manners she had shown during dinner? That was something only noble ladies were trained in.

Rosedale noticed the questions in his eyes. She pouted and sighed.

“Still don’t trust me? Even after the magical oath?”

“I guess not.”

When Lukas admitted it, Rosedale glared at him.

“Aren’t you being a bit too honest?”

“You’re leaving anyway, right? Might as well be open.”

His casual shrug made her sigh again, though she couldn’t deny he had a point.

Then he added:

“It’s not that I don’t trust you. I’m just curious.”

“Curious?”

“I wonder where you come from that you have to hide it so badly.”

“Fair enough.”

Rosedale nodded.

“But cut me some slack. You hid being an Emperor too, right? I’m doing the same—for similar reasons.”

“…Alright.”

Lukas relaxed, unfolding his arms. A soft sigh escaped his lips as he smiled.

He wasn’t someone who laughed often. But around her, he couldn’t help it.

“Why are you smiling?”

“Just… seeing you hugging that ceramic like it’s a teddy bear.”

“It’s cute, isn’t it?”

She rubbed her cheek against it like a child.

She looked like a little bear hugging a honey jar, and Lukas couldn’t hold back his laughter.

“Who could ever call her dangerous?”

Lukas had met all kinds of people during the war—traitors, spies, even trusted soldiers who betrayed him.

He had survived by never fully trusting anyone. But with her, something felt different. She made him want to trust.

“It’s true. I feel comfortable around you.”

He looked at her kindly.

“Let’s spend more time together. I’m curious if we can stay friends even here.”

“Great! I’ll prove how deep our bond is.”

She gave a thumbs-up and winked.

“You’re copying that scammer we saw earlier, aren’t you?”

“Of course. That guy winked too—to build trust.”

“Hahaha!”

He burst out laughing.

Rosedale blinked, not expecting that strong reaction. But she smiled anyway—because he was happy.

Her smile was like sunlight melting winter snow.

“I want to see you often too. I’ve got some things I want to ask… once we’re closer.”

“You’re full of secrets yourself, but still want to question me?”

“Yup. Is that not okay?”

“You’re so shameless.”

“That’s my charm.”

She tucked her hair behind her ear and blinked cutely. Lukas couldn’t stop laughing.

She was copying a couple they had seen on the street—a woman tucking her hair as her husband looked at her lovingly.

“She’s asking me to open my heart to her too…”

Lukas laughed for a long time before calming down.

“You really do remind me of everything we saw today. Being with you brings it all back.”

“You miss it already, don’t you?”

“Yeah, I do.”

They both felt it—the day hadn’t even ended, but they were already nostalgic for it.

They didn’t say it aloud. They just smiled, like old friends reminiscing.

Rosedale looked at Lukas, who finally seemed relaxed.

“At first, I didn’t like you.”

She had thought he was disrespectful to gods and cynical about love.

Until she saw the sadness hidden behind his calm mask.

It seemed that pain had trapped him—made him unable to believe in love or gods.

“Maybe that’s why the golden arrow had no effect…”

Rosedale decided then—she would stay with him until she figured out what that pain was.

Just like this.

“Lukas, give me your hand.”

She put down the ceramic and held out her hands.

Lukas looked at her small, pale hands, then slowly placed his own in hers.

Their hands met—warm, gentle, comforting.

“It feels like we held hands yesterday too.”

“Wow, I thought the same thing!”

They looked at each other and smiled.

It was a strange feeling. He had only ever touched hands that held swords—or were cold in death.

But her hands were warm, soft, alive.

He held her tighter.

“Feels nice, right?”

“Yeah…” he nodded softly.

She remembered what she read in books:

“Humans comfort each other by touching—stroking heads, hugging, patting backs, warming away tears.”

Now she understood.

She played with his rough, calloused hands and whispered:

“Let’s see each other often. Let’s hold hands like this. Let’s fill our short time together with warmth.”

Lukas didn’t answer with words.

But he held her hand tighter—with a strength that was both strong and gentle.