Chapter 20 - Chapter 20

Chapter 20

It was about three or four hours later that Ruwellin safely returned to the Rashiane Dukeundefineds castle.

His vassals, who had been in a panic over the dukeundefineds disappearance, finally felt relieved when he returned safely.

Feeling a bit guilty, Ruwellin went back to his place. He was glad to have returned safely, but he couldnundefinedt shake the thought that he had made a mistake.

As expected, his ominous premonition became reality.

After that incident, Ruwellin Rashiane could not see so much as the tip of a strand of pinkish-red hair.

No matter what he did, he couldnundefinedt reach her. He could not reach the memory forever etched into him, that rose garden, Roznia Hyll, not even a little.

Time passed, seasons changed, and when summer came again, he went to that villa, but Roznia was not there. She didnundefinedt come. It was not hard to guess that her brother had forbidden it.

undefinedDamn Adrian Hyll.undefined

Muttering that like a curse, Ruwellinundefineds blood dried up day by day.

Outwardly he seemed fine, but inside he was rotting and decaying. It had already been over two years since he had seen Roznia.

Anxiety that he might never see her again swept over him. No. Ruwellin desperately tried to find a way.

But Adrian Hyllundefineds iron-clad security was not something to be breached. Really, truly, he should have just kidnapped her. Half-mad, Ruwellin thought. When he met her transformed into a dog, he should have immediately turned back into a human and kidnapped her.

undefined...Roznia.undefined

Roz, Roznia. Thatundefineds what Adrian Hyll called her, didnundefinedt he? undefinedRozundefined, her nickname.

"Roz..."

He called that name out into the empty air many times. As if doing so would make her appear like magic.

Ruwellin Rashiane was steadily going mad, but only a few noticed the change.

Only those who had known him since childhood, his butler, his aide, his nanny, his teacher, the knight commander – only those close to him noticed.

Time flowed endlessly amidst the anxiety only they shared.

Winter of the second year passed, and spring of the third year came.

Spring passed, summer came, summer passed, autumn came.

The fallen leaves returned to the earth, the ground froze, and snow fell.

The frozen rivers and lakes slowly began to melt, and light green leaves sprouted.

And so, summer of the fourth year.

Finally, an opportunity came.

Ruwellinundefineds emerald eyes sparkled eerily, like a man risen from the dead.

"Adrian Hyll is going to the southern sea to investigate magical beasts, it seems. His younger sister is going with him. That young lady will probably stay at the Hill familyundefineds villa."

It was information given as if as a favor by the knight commander, who could no longer bear to watch the duke going mad.

* * *

Ruwellin thought.

If he couldnundefinedt meet Roznia like this forever, he might die.

As the years passed, his feelings towards Roznia grew closer to obsession.

In fact, Ruwellin himself couldnundefinedt define exactly what that feeling was.

It seemed like affection, seemed like longing, seemed like obsession.

What was clear was that he couldnundefinedt live without seeing Roznia.

Not being able to see Roznia again, only having her flicker before his eyes, was driving him mad. Life was not enjoyable. He was originally a person who found life somewhat tedious, but after meeting Roznia, it had become much worse.

undefinedDamn Adrian Hyll.undefined

It was all that bastardundefineds fault. How many letters had he sent with the utmost courtesy, forgetting the dignity of the Duke of Rashiane, only to have them ignored?

Once, so angry he reached his boiling point, he sent a marriage proposal directly to Roznia. Without consulting his vassals at all.

He knew. It was insane. But Ruwellin was now used to his own madness.

[If you want to go down in history as a groom turned corpse at your wedding, go ahead and keep saying you want to marry my sister.]

That was all of Adrian Hyllundefineds reply. Not a single line about what Rozniaundefineds own feelings might be. As expected, but still.

undefinedRoznia.undefined

Ruwellin was sure she probably didnundefinedt even know of his existence. No, she would know of his existence. At least who the Duke of Rashiane was.

Their eyes had met briefly at the palace banquet four years ago, so she might know his face. But that was all. Ruwellin Rashiane was nothing to Roznia Hyll.

At that fact, at the fact that this would never change forever, Ruwellin felt like he was going even madder.

Sometimes, he suddenly felt afraid of desiring someone so strongly for so long. There were moments when he felt unfamiliar with himself like this.

But he couldnundefinedt stop.

"Roznia will be staying at that villa?"

"...Yes, that is correct."

And so, summer of the fourth year.

Ruwellin headed south again, holding onto a hope so fragile it seemed it might break.

As he arrived, rain began to pour from the darkening sky.

* * *

Ruwellin was lost in thought, standing in the pouring rain.

The four years he had been unable to see Roznia felt like time that had passed without really passing. undefinedSpent like a walking corpseundefined would be an apt description.

During those four years, how much had she grown?

How much taller had she gotten? Had her hair grown longer? Had the childish traces on her face disappeared and she become more mature?

How much more beautiful had she become, my rose garden?

Ruwellin was very pleased with his own situation, standing soaking wet in the rain.

He intended to gain Rozniaundefineds sympathy by looking this pitiful.

The girl he had met when transformed into a dog was clearly a kind person. So she wouldnundefinedt just pass by someone pitifully getting rained on.

Just as Ruwellin was about to smirk...

"......?"

Suddenly, his heart throbbed. It didnundefinedt seem to be just because it was pounding with anticipation of meeting Roznia.

At the stabbing pain, Ruwellin gritted his teeth and clutched his left chest. He gasped for breath, his breath suddenly blocked then released. Ruwellin collapsed onto the ground.

Something was wrong.

This condition, this was, no doubt...

undefinedRemember this, Your Grace.undefined

undefinedYes, Master.undefined

undefinedUntil you turn twenty-five, I can suppress the rampage with my magic, but after that, a different method is needed.undefined

undefinedA different method?undefined

undefinedSomeone needs to absorb the rampaging mana that clashes with your divine power. The method of absorption is...undefined

"......"

He was dumbfounded.

Ruwellin curled his upper body at the painfully burning sensation and let out a hollow laugh.

Of all times, right now, at this moment.

The heat began to rise, the mana surged as if to burn his blood vessels, all his nerves and muscles screamed.

Ruwellin gasped and lay completely flat on the ground. Even this level was extremely painful, and the fact that it was just the beginning was terrifying.

He couldnundefinedt understand why the Mana Rampage had started when he wasnundefinedt even twenty-five yet.

Had his master made a mistake? No, he wasnundefinedt one to make mistakes. Then... this, ah, surely.

undefined...Is this Adrian Hyllundefineds doing?undefined

The iron gate of the villa was open. It was strange that the gate, always firmly shut, was open, but he thought Roznia might have just forgotten to close it.

But to think that it was a trap.

Although he had behaved relatively quietly for the past year, Adrian Hyll had clearly not let down his guard. He was still watching me. Ruwellin sneered.

The moment he crossed the villaundefineds iron gate, he noticed that the flow of mana had changed strangely. But it was a very minor change, so he didnundefinedt think much of it. The flow of mana was always capricious.

undefinedBut, that...undefined

To think it would trigger a Mana Rampage.

Adrian Hyll must have done something around here. To make my mana go wild when I come.

Ruwellin knew that if he received no oneundefineds help like this, he would eventually die.

Before that happened, he could contact his master and his knights. But...

Then, he couldnundefinedt meet Roznia.

Plop, plop!

Light footsteps running on the rain-soaked ground came from afar.

His painfully throbbing heart began to flutter. Ruwellin could tell who the owner of those footsteps was without even looking. A feeling like fate.

Roznia.

You came.

With his face buried in the damp ground, he secretly raised the corners of his lips in a smile. Damn Adrian Hyll. If you tell me to either die or give up, choose one.

undefinedIundefinedd rather die.undefined

Half-mad, he thought that. If he could never see Roznia for life, if he remained as nothing to her forever, what difference was there from dying?

Then, heundefinedd rather leave everything to her here.

From now on, itundefineds her who saves me and her who kills me.

Even if he died, Ruwellin had no intention of resenting her. That was his resolve. He staked his life. On Roznia Hyll.

Perhaps it might be a decent death. No, it might be a blissful one. To be able to die by Rozniaundefineds side.

Thud.

The running footsteps stopped in front of him. He felt a cautious gaze examining him.

Finally, he was receiving her gaze.

Right at this moment, Ruwellin Rashiane was so happy.

* * *

Roznia was fast asleep, well past 9 AM.

Ruwellin stood silently by her side, watching her. Looking at her with infinitely kind eyes.

"Uuum..."

As Roznia stirred as if about to wake soon, Ruwellin approached the window, drew the curtains, and opened it.

But the sunlight streaming into the room was so bright that he worried Roznia might be dazzled.

So Ruwellin left the window open but drew only the thin curtains again.

Thanks to that, he blocked the blinding sunlight from pouring in, but he couldnundefinedt block the scent of roses flowing in on the wind.

As if the scent tickled her nose, Roznia took a deep breath. Soon, her eyelids fluttered and slowly lifted.

"......?"

Staring blankly at the ceiling, blinking, she seemed to wander in a dream for a moment.

But soon coming to her senses, she threw off the blanket, jumped up, and looked around. Then, her eyes met Ruwellinundefineds, who was standing by the window.

"...Duke?"

Roznia called him in a voice still heavy with sleep. Ruwellin answered with a quiet smile.

"Uh, when did you wake up? What time is it?"

Having unhesitatingly kicked off the blanket, Roznia now pulled it up to her chest and asked, looking embarrassed. Ruwellin answered politely.

"9:45 AM."

Then Roznia exclaimed in admiration.

"Wow! You woke up in the morning!"

She seemed very pleased with that fact. Instead of approaching Roznia, Ruwellin held out his hand towards her. A signal for her to come to him.

But when Roznia only hesitated and didnundefinedt come near, Ruwellin smiled as if painted and walked towards her with firm steps.

"Oh, donundefinedt come."

"Why?"

"W-well, I... Iundefinedm not wearing anything right now..."

At those words, Ruwellin wore a blank expression for a moment. Roznia seemed to have belatedly realized the flaw in her statement. They had already seen each other naked.

Ruwellin suggested very solemnly.

"How about spending the entire day today wearing nothing at all? Think of this as the primordial paradise. Then we might get used to each otherundefineds naked bodies."

At his absurd suggestion, Rozniaundefineds mouth fell open.

"Are you trying to kill me with shame?"

"Are you ashamed?"

"Of course I am!"

"I see. That makes me think itundefineds an even better idea."

"......?"

Wondering what he meant, Roznia tilted her head. Ruwellin, who had approached at some point, scooped her up.

"Kyaak!"

Roznia, suddenly lifted up, let out a high-pitched scream. The soft skin of her naked body gleamed white.

Ruwellin handled her body very preciously, slowly dressing her in a robe, and took her to the window.

"Why the window..."

Brushing her side hair behind her ear as she asked in a flustered voice, Ruwellin then drew the yellow curtains wide.

The next moment, at the sight that entered her vision, Rozniaundefineds eyes slowly opened wide.

The roses, which until yesterday had been shyly closed buds, were now blooming brightly.

"Wow, roses... They finally bloomed!"

Rozniaundefineds eyes sparkled with admiration. The roses, in full bloom, swayed in the wind, scattering their scent into the air.

The cool morning breeze entered through the open window, carrying the fresh scent of roses. A smile appeared on Rozniaundefineds lips as she closed her eyes and smelled the fragrance.

"Itundefineds a scent that always makes me feel good, no matter how many times I smell it."

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

Roznia smiled brightly and turned to look at Ruwellin. But then, as if surprised, she froze, blushed, and lowered her head deeply. Because Ruwellin had been staring at her too intently.

"Why, why are you looking at me like that?"

"Because youundefinedre pretty."

"Ah, really..."

Roznia grumbled, saying he shouldnundefinedt say such things carelessly using his handsome looks as a weapon. She was so adorable, pouting and mumbling, that Ruwellin could no longer resist.

He lifted her a little higher, then tilted his head and kissed her lips.

Smack. A light peck, a slight lick, a gentle bite of her plump lower lip, not hard enough to hurt. Roznia let out a moan.

"Since morning...!"

"Iundefinedll just kiss you."

"......!"

"You need to eat, donundefinedt you? Roznia, who gets hungry often."

As if she thought he was teasing her, Roznia blushed deeply and made an angry face. Her trembling was cute. Ruwellin wanted to lay her on the bed, but he held back.

Instead, he sat her on the windowsill and kissed her gently for a very long time.

The kiss tasted of roses. Ruwellin felt like he might get drunk on that sweetness. No, perhaps he was already drunk.

"Roz."

"......"

"Roznia."

Calling her name languidly, he kissed her nape, as delicate as a deerundefineds. Another mark was left among the petal-like remnants on her white skin. Ruwellin looked at it with satisfaction.

Roznia mumbled in an embarrassed voice.

"...Stop looking."

"I donundefinedt want to."

"Why do you keep leaving marks like this?"

Why, indeed.

Ruwellin looked at Roznia and smiled softly.

As a sign that you are my Roznia.

Ruwellin had no intention of ever losing his rose garden, finally by his side. He would somehow take possession of her body, her heart, her soul, everything.

If he had to confront Adrian Hyll, so be it. Ruwellin was not at all afraid of that mad Magic Tower Lord.

What he feared was losing Roznia and being apart from her.

Having seen her again after four years, she was so excessively beautiful that he understood perfectly why Adrian Hyll had hidden her away so tightly.

Ironically, Ruwellin, while hating Adrian intensely, had the same thought as him. He wanted to hide Roznia somewhere, where no one would know.

Roznia, now an adult, was no longer the girl from before, and anywhere she went, anyone could easily be bewitched by her.

Ruwellin was anxious. If someone who wasnundefinedt him dared to approach her to win her heart, he would feel the impulse to kill that person.

So Ruwellin had to possess her completely. He had to make those pink eyes look only at him. He would stake his life to do so.

"Roznia."

"...Iundefinedm hungry."

"Then, shall we go eat?"

Smiling softly, he lifted her again from the windowsill.

Carrying her precious in his arms as she mumbled that she could go down by herself, he slowly descended the stairs.

Her small body fitting snugly in his arms, her warm body temperature, her soft skin. All those sensations were so blissful, and she, alive and breathing before him, was so moving that his heart swelled every time.

Even when he pretended to be relaxed and smiling, it was always the same.

From now on, forever, eternally, his heart would race when he saw her.

But the reason he dared not utter the confession undefinedI love youundefined might be because the sweet connotation of that word undefinedloveundefined was discordant with his own feelings.

His heart fluttered like a boyundefineds, but beneath that fluttering surface was something very dark and damp.

At the deep, distant bottom, desires built up over a long time were densely piled. If he released them to death, Roznia would suffer. So he was only letting them out very little by little.

undefinedAnd you.undefined

"......?"

Seeing Ruwellin suddenly smile, Roznia tilted her head.

Ruwellin, in the very gentlemanly and upright form of the Duke of Rashiane, calmly tidied her hair.

He also closed the slightly loosened front of her robe.

He put a fork in her hand, poured her water.

And smiled.

With a clear face that showed not a hint of desire.

"Please eat."

"Ah... yes, thank you."

Looking dazed, Roznia had a puzzled expression.

Her ignorance was adorable, and he kept wanting to laugh.

You, my Roznia. Continue to know nothing.

undefinedJust think of me as the upright and kind Duke of Rashiane.undefined

Because if you truly got to know me, you might run away.