Rose (1)
Two days after my visit to the headquarters.
I headed straight to Charlotte.
It was to keep the promise we made a few days ago.
We met in a deserted slum to avoid any unwanted attention.
A clandestine rendezvous.
"You came."
"As promised."
"Yes, this way."
A carriage was waiting in the alley.
We boarded the compartment without a word and immediately set off for our destination.
The scenery outside the window flew by.
Feeling the swaying carriage, I gazed at the princess sitting opposite me.
The reason I was summoned was none other than this:
-I will gladly help you. If that is your request.
-Your Highness can trust me.
The words promised in the cathedral.
It was because of the girl's voice that pleaded so desperately.
Recalling her melancholic eyes, I quietly mulled over the original story's setting.
The Little Prince had only one wish.
-I need help.
-Please... Save Elise.
The Empire's second princess, suffering from an incurable disease.
Diagnosed as terminally ill with little time left, Charlotte was praying for a miracle.
It was the heart of an older sister who cared for her younger sibling.
Over the past few years,
Countless attempts had been made to cure the disease, but no herb could breathe life back into Rose.
Even renowned physicians shook their heads in unison.
Unable to give up hope despite repeated failures, the girl reached out in every direction, searching for a cure.
Chasing after dark mages was also for the same reason.
-There might be a way.
Although her primary objective was to eliminate the cult,
She also had a hope that they might find clues from the confiscated research materials.
A desperate situation that made her consider forbidden knowledge.
'Rose has roughly one year left to live.'
It wasn't a long time.
Despite the ever-shrinking deadline, there had been no tangible results, so her anxiety could only grow.
While spending each day in such a state of trepidation,
-I don't intend to reveal your identity. You don't seem like a bad person.
-I'm just... curious about you.
She discovered me.
The alien power I possessed was enough to attract attention, and with a glimmer of hope, it seeped into the girl's heart.
Until then, I had only been observing, as it was the stage of understanding.
However, after witnessing me retrieving the apparition a few days ago, it seemed she had become convinced of my abilities.
That scene was undoubtedly a miracle.
'There's no way she wouldn't be tempted.'
It was a part that went according to plan.
I displayed my power more flamboyantly than usual, considering the onlookers, and ultimately manifested an impossible miracle, leaving a strong impression.
It must have been an irresistible bait for Charlotte.
Blinded by the intoxicating scent, she stepped into the trap to take a bite.
Perhaps she considered it her last hope.
"Hehe."
It went smoothly.
As I smiled with that sentiment, a voice came from across the carriage.
Blue eyes, now looking at me.
"...Can you really cure her?"
A faint, hesitant question.
Charlotte wore a rare, complex expression.
It seemed that anxiety was visible through her usually stoic face, perhaps because it was related to her sick sister.
I responded with a calm smile.
"I'll have to examine her condition first to be sure. My abilities are not entirely omnipotent."
"I see."
"I would appreciate it if you could wait until the examination."
"Sorry. I was being hasty."
Charlotte nodded as if convinced.
Maintaining eye contact, I gently admonished her with a soothing voice.
"But I will do my best. Please don't worry."
"... "
"Your Highness can simply trust me."
"...Yes, I understand."
My lips curled into a sly smile.
Suppressing the ominous air, I whispered, almost biting her white earlobe.
After that, we sat in silence.
The carriage continued its journey without rest.
The rolling wheels reached their destination only after a few more hours.
***
Meanwhile,
Around the time the snake and the princess arrived at the palace, Rose, lying in her room, heard the news.
The girl looked at the maid with her pale eyes.
"The Princess is coming...?"
"Yes. She's coming straight to the detached palace without informing His Majesty."
"When will she arrive?"
"It seems she'll be here soon."
"Ha."
Rose let out a hollow laugh.
Her red hair flowed down as she slightly raised her body.
The girl slowly brushed it back.
Her deep green eyes reflected only the maid's face.
"What does she want?"
"She said she's bringing a new doctor."
"Another pointless endeavor, is it?"
"She said there's real hope this time..."
"I wonder how long she'll keep this up. She never seems to get tired."
"You shouldn't address Her Highness like that."
"What do you want me to do... Cough!"
She responded with a frown.
It was a look filled with thorns.
Suddenly, she coughed, covering her mouth, and red spots appeared on her white sleeves.
Her green eyes looked away, as if accustomed to the sight.
"You're coughing up blood again... Your condition seems to have worsened recently."
"I should just die quickly."
"...Please don't say that."
"What does it matter? If you're going to meddle in everything, you can leave too."
"H-hic..."
The maid became dejected by the harsh words.
Ignoring her, Rose wiped the blood from her lips with a towel.
She bit her lifeless lips.
Annoyance painted her face.
The girl then muttered softly,
"...Just give up already."
Her empty eyes held no light.
Rose sat still for a moment, then pulled the blanket over herself in frustration.
***
We were crossing the detached palace grounds.
Rose's dwelling place.
Perhaps because it was located some distance from the Imperial Palace, it lacked the splendor of other nearby palaces.
Especially the garden, devoid of a single flower, was utterly bleak.
"It's excessively modest for a place where a princess of the Empire resides."
"...Yes."
I moved on, pondering the simple observation.
We used a side path to avoid encountering other people.
Walking quietly, I felt like a thief, but knowing the circumstances of this place, I had no choice but to comply.
The detached palace did not welcome outsiders.
Step, step, step-.
We passed between the low buildings.
The faint sunlight illuminated the long corridor, allowing us to walk to its end.
When we reached the most secluded room,
Charlotte's steps gradually slowed down.
"... "
She bit her pink lips tightly.
Was she nervous?
The girl took a few calming breaths and then knocked on the door in front of her.
It was a dark room with little sunlight.
Knock, knock-.
The sound of knocking echoed clearly.
Silence followed.
Although there was no reply, Charlotte opened the closed door as if accustomed to it.
It seemed she knew it was intentional ignorance.
"I'm coming in."
Creak-.
Leaving behind the softly groaning hinges, the girl stepped inside.
A gloomy atmosphere welcomed us.
The interior was a simple sight.
Positive: tidy. Negative: lacking any eye-catching beauty.
It merely served its purpose as a room.
As I briefly glanced around, Charlotte stopped and greeted someone.
Towards the bed in the darkness.
"It's been a while, Elise."
A single rose bloomed on the bed.
Long, flowing red hair and green eyes with a decadent glint.
I recognized her at once.
'Elise Rose von Staufen.'
Exactly as she was in the original story.
Dark circles under her eyes.
Her pale complexion exuded a sickly aura, yet it held an undeniable beauty within.
It was like looking at a flower on the verge of being torn apart by a storm.
"I greet the Empire's second star."
I knelt on one knee.
It was a gesture of respect. Bowing first to show deference.
However,
"... "
Again, no answer came.
A cold silence flowed.
Rose simply sat on the bed and glared at us.
Her eyes, as they scanned the Little Prince and then the snake, were filled with an inexplicable hostility.
Even the maid standing behind me gulped.
"Elise."
"... "
"This is the person who will cure your illness."
Was she trying to break the awkward silence?
Charlotte stepped forward.
And added an introduction about me.
"Yes. I can vouch for his identity. I've been observing him for quite some time."
It seemed she thought her sister wouldn't welcome a stranger.
It wasn't entirely wrong.
I had felt her blatant hostility from the start.
However, what Charlotte missed was that the target of Elise's animosity included her as well.
Rose uttered a single word.
"Get out."
The first voice she spoke.
Yet, it was a chillingly cold tone, especially considering it was directed towards her family.
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