Rose (8)
“Don’t get me wrong… Whether you can really cure this disease or not, I couldn’t care less.”
Empty eyes.
The girl, who had briefly closed her lips, then poured out her bitter heart.
It was a sentence that must have been terribly painful.
“I told you from the beginning. I don’t want to be cured.”
In other words.
“I don’t want to live.”
Was it because of a life filled with despair?
She suffered a terrible curse.
The Imperial Family, which had been her family’s embrace, mercilessly abandoned her.
Confined to the palace, which was no different from a cage, she was completely cut off from the outside world and had to spend each day alone.
Only endless suffering stayed by her side.
In pain that felt like her insides were being ripped apart, the girl spent ten years neither living nor dying.
It was enough time to break her.
‘Because she lived like that her whole life.’
The girl doesn’t know comfort.
Because she has never experienced it.
I had some idea, but Rose’s inner self was festering even more than I imagined.
My heart ached at her pitiful words.
But at the same time.
I also knew that those words were a lie.
—Ah, Ahh…?
—How… Ah, it doesn’t, hurt, why, suddenly, I…?
I remembered.
Our first meeting.
The moment her seizure miraculously stopped.
Even though it passed by like a mirage, I remembered the eyes that shone transparently during that brief moment.
Her green pupils were sparkling.
They were clearly the eyes of someone who wanted to live.
“You’re afraid.”
Saying she didn’t want to live was just a lie.
Elise was simply afraid of hope.
After suffering from nightmares for countless dawns and having her meager expectations betrayed, even the slightest glimmer of hope had now worn away and disappeared.
I silently faced the girl’s despair.
“Shut up.”
“Are you sure that’s enough for you?”
“Stop talking like you know me. Just leave me to die in peace.”
“Lady Charlotte will be sad.”
“…”
Rose momentarily closed her lips.
It seemed as if she had been caught off guard.
She must not have expected me to bring up her sister’s name here.
I added without giving her a chance to respond.
“Because Her Highness cares for you.”
Although she had been confined to a lonely cage her entire life, it didn't mean that no one was by Elise’s side.
The Little Prince never gave up on Rose.
Despite the imperial order forbidding entry to the detached palace, she disregarded it completely, her affection for her younger sister being so exceptional.
Later, she even personally searched for a cure for the disease.
Knowing about such devoted actions, Elise couldn’t help but be bothered by her sister.
Even though she usually acted cold towards her.
‘She’s her only ally, after all.’
It wasn’t that she truly hated her.
Before her personality became so twisted, there were mentions of her readily following her older sister, so it was difficult to see Rose as genuinely hating her.
Perhaps she was refusing to accept it for some reason.
“…Why are you suddenly bringing her up?”
Elise spoke, furrowing her brow.
She muttered as if unconcerned, but her tone was unknowingly sharp.
“I’m merely voicing my concern.”
A rose covered in thorns.
To break down the solid wall, it was necessary to provoke her like this.
I subtly dug into the crack that had opened.
“What will you do if she really leaves?”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about Lady Charlotte. Isn’t she already sacrificing a lot for you? Yet, despite all her efforts, you say you’ve given up on the will to live. I’m simply worried that she might become tired and leave.”
“That’s what I want. I don’t need such a bothersome person.”
“Do you mean that sincerely?”
I smiled faintly.
It was a kind of blatant mockery, mixed with cynicism.
“If that happens, no one will be left by your side.”
Just as I said.
If even the Little Prince leaves, nothing will remain on this star.
Only a single, shabby rose will be left.
Even Tanya, who was currently incharge of Elise, was someone Charlotte had personally assigned. If she left, Tanya would likely leave as well.
In that case, no one would set foot here anymore.
“Are you truly saying you desire such an ending?”
“…Yes.”
Her reply came particularly late.
In the end, the girl wouldn’t bend her will, but her green eyes were wavering.
I added fuel to that wavering, saying,
“I understand. I will personally report this to Lady Charlotte. I will try my best to persuade her, respecting your wishes.”
“Persuade…?”
“To not visit you anymore. She’ll probably cooperate if I say it’s for your treatment.”
I wasn’t joking.
She had said she would completely follow my advice, so if I mentioned treatment, she would comply with my request without hesitation.
Thus, I had the means to isolate Rose.
“Think about it.”
Of course, I had no intention of tormenting her like that, but I spoke as if I was intentionally pushing her hard.
Because otherwise, she wouldn’t even bat an eye.
I grinned and lifted my head.
Her slender wrist was once again bandaged.
“I’ve applied the ointment. If you touch it carelessly, the wound could get infected, so you must refrain from doing so for at least one night.”
“…”
“I’ll take my leave now.”
The red-haired girl lay motionless.
I left the heavy silence behind and exited the room, my thoughts tangled.
Even until that moment.
Elise didn’t open her mouth.
***
When I left the room after the examination, the world outside the window was already completely dyed in the colors of night.
I walked down the darkened hallway for a while.
The unusually cool air brushed against me like a gentle breeze.
As I walked, lost in thought, a scene that caught my eye came into view.
It was the detached palace’s garden, stretching to the end of the hallway.
Step, step, step-.
I walked forward with familiar steps.
For the past few days, I had enjoyed a light stroll like this after finishing my scheduled tasks.
It was perfect for clearing my cluttered mind.
‘Another day has passed.’
I slowly traversed the foliage.
It felt somewhat modest for an Imperial Princess to reside in, but there was a beauty that could only be seen because it wasn’t extravagant.
Soft noises echoed each time the blades of grass brushed against my legs.
The haven of life, where various plants were intertwined at will, seemed alive under the serene moonlight.
Rustle, rustle-.
“Sigh… I hope things go well.”
I lamented with a sigh of frustration.
Naturally, the thoughts swirling in my head were about the rose I had left alone in the room.
I walked, recalling the plan I would proceed with.
Just like that, as I was immersed in my thoughts, a sudden breeze ruffled my hair.
I unconsciously looked up at the sky.
“…”
A backdrop painted in jet black.
Across that vast canvas, glittering specks were densely embedded.
As I gazed at the stars that seemed especially bright tonight, a voice I had hidden away in my memories tinged my ears.
It was a memory now rusted over.
—Brother! I want to make a wish on a star too!
I should call myself sentimental.
Considering I still held onto a memory from at least five years ago.
Old memories burned like a single cigarette.
As I exhaled a sigh instead of smoke between my lips.
Step-.
“…?”
I sensed an unfamiliar presence.
Turning around in response, I saw a man walking into the garden.
He looked around for a moment before approaching me.
Our gazes, which had already met, scanned each other.
‘Entry to the detached palace is strictly controlled…’
A secret the Emperor himself had covered up.
As it was the space where the Rose Princess resided, it was difficult for anyone of ordinary status to even set foot inside.
Yet, the man walked with confidence.
As I observed his moderately wrinkled face, features that could be considered distinctive came into view.
He appeared to be middle-aged or older.
‘Could that person be…’
Bright blue eyes that shimmered with light.
Platinum blonde hair that reminded me of someone.
The elegance that emanated from each step, and the unwavering aura even in the darkness.
And finally, the clothes embroidered with the Imperial crest.
Putting these clues together, I couldn’t help but kneel on the spot.
It was the most respectful gesture.
Stop-.
The man's steps stopped in front of me.
I kept my head bowed and greeted him with a formal bow.
My moving lips held sincerity.
“I greet the supreme sun of the Empire.”
The supreme sun.
The man so addressed nodded.
“Hmm.”
Valkaros Lantana von Staufen.
The father of the princesses.
And the ruler of this empire, stood before me.
‘What the…’
Why is this guy popping up here?
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