Chapter 34 - Chapter 34

Chapter 34

undefinedWhat is all this.undefined

Ruwellin had been taken away by his aide, seemingly having a lot of backlogged work, and I was left in the hands of the ducal castleundefineds maids.

"Oh my goodness, your skin texture is so fine."

"Itundefineds truly like silk."

"Iundefinedve never seen hair this color before. Itundefineds just like a rose flower."

"Come to think of it, itundefineds similar to the color of the roses His Grace ordered to be planted in the garden……."

"Oh? Thatundefineds right."

By now, rumors must have spread throughout the ducal castle, so they must know Iundefinedm Rosnia Hyll, but the maids treated me very kindly.

I had expected sharp glances and unpleasant whispers, so what was this……? I was completely flustered.

"Milady, have you seen the roses blooming in the castleundefineds garden? Theyundefinedre the exact same color as your hair."

"……?"

"Oh my, come to think of it, your eye color is also a deep pink like a rose flower. Itundefineds truly mysterious and beautiful."

In the midst of being very distracted by the maidsundefined constant compliments, my head became even more confused because of what I had just heard.

Ruwellin ordered roses to be planted in the Rashiane Ducal castle? And the color of those roses is the same as my hair?

undefinedCome to think of it, I thought I smelled a familiar rose scent in the garden earlier…….undefined

I laughed helplessly and leaned back against the bathtub. Looking up, a misty ceiling came into view.

undefinedThis never happened in the original work.undefined

The summer flower of the Rashiane Ducal castle was the lilac. In the original work, it was definitely described that way. And the heroine Sierraundefineds favorite flower was also the lilac.

undefinedSo Ruwellin planted even more lilac trees in the garden, even though there were already many.undefined

He even renovated the gardenundefineds greenhouse to be very large so that lilacs could be seen even when it wasnundefinedt summer. Truly the epitome of spending money. A very desirable male lead who would do anything for the woman he loved!

Yes, the Ruwellin I knew was a devoted man who lived only for Sierra…….

undefined……What on earth is happening?undefined

Suddenly, it all felt like a dream. Ruwellin confessing he had a crush on me for a long time, the fact that he risked his life to see me, and even this situation where I, having fallen for him in the end, ended up doing something like a love elopement with him, all of it…….

undefinedIt doesnundefinedt feel real. Even though itundefineds clearly real.undefined

I mean, if I were dreaming, my senses wouldnundefinedt be this vivid. Stirring the hot bathwater with my hand, I sighed deeply. The subtle scent of lilac bath salts filled the bathroom.

undefinedAnyway…… I should probably contact Adrian Hyll soon.undefined

He might be back at the Magic Tower right now, planning to attack the Rashiane Duchy. So I need to contact him quickly before he does something…….

I rose from the tub and asked the maids.

"I think Iundefinedm done bathing, could you please prepare some clothes for me to change into? As quickly as possible."

"Oh my, of course."

The maids smiled kindly and prepared everything, from underwear onwards, swiftly and efficiently. Truly befitting the well-trained maids of the ducal castle.

After drying my body, applying oil, drying my hair well, and changing my clothes, for some reason the maidsundefined faces were flushed. I was puzzled at first, but later realized the reason. Because of the marks Ruwellin had left on my body.

undefinedHonestly…….undefined

I should tell him not to leave marks next time, but that probably wonundefinedt work. I doubt that man will listen to me.

I carefully gathered the hem of my blue dress and sat on the dressing table chair. The maids quickly approached and began brushing my hair with a silver brush.

"Milady, your hair is so soft."

"Itundefineds like cotton candy."

Letting the maidsundefined words, as they giggled and poured out compliments, go in one ear, I lightly tapped the surface of the mirror reflecting my image with my fingertip.

Then the surface of the mirror rippled, spreading gentle waves. Concentrating and infusing the mirror with magic, soon the image of someone other than me was reflected on it. That person was none other than Adrian Hyll.

"Huk……!"

"W, what is this?"

At the surprised maidsundefined exclamations, Adrian Hyll whirled around to face this direction. The moment our eyes met, I reflexively pasted a smile on my lips. It was the result of training over the past ten-plus years. A kind of habit.

I first looked around at the maids and calmed them down in a composed voice.

"Itundefineds not dangerous, so donundefinedt worry."

My calm attitude seemed to reassure the maids somewhat, as they became quiet, but they still hesitated, glancing at the mirror.

Well, that was understandable.

Because Adrian Hyllundefineds expression and demeanor reflected in the mirror were too menacing.

I smiled awkwardly and greeted Adrian Hyll.

"Hello, brother."

―……You…….

Adrian Hyllundefineds voice as he said that one word was tightly suppressed. His red eyes were deeply sunken yet seemed to be blazing at the same time.

Moreover, the corners of his eyes were slightly red, so I wondered if he had been crying. Thereundefineds no way the great Adrian Hyll would do that, though.

―Are you in the Rashiane Ducal castle?

"Yes."

―Are you in your right mind?

"You seem to be the one not in his right mind, brother, so how about calming down and talking?"

I thought I spoke kindly, but Adrian Hyll gritted his teeth. He seemed to be very angry. Maybe I should have been more conciliatory.

Adrian Hyll strode toward the mirror as if he would cross over at any moment. As his figure approached, the maids gasped.

But Adrian Hyll wouldnundefinedt be able to come over here. Not unless I allowed it. That was the nature of this magic.

―Rosnia Hyll.

"Yes, brother."

―Explain what your relationship is with Ruwellin Rashiane.

Adrian Hyll spoke in a voice that seemed to be suppressing his anger. His tone was closer to a command than a request.

Nevertheless, Adrian Hyllundefineds attitude was more rational than I expected. I thought he would explode with anger. He must have done a lot of thinking after being left alone.

undefinedWell, my words must have been quite a shock.undefined

I swallowed a sigh and closed my eyes tightly before opening them. After organizing my thoughts during that brief moment, I calmly opened my mouth.

"He says heundefineds going to marry me."

―What?

"So, um, weundefinedre close enough to get married."

Adrian Hyll stood frozen, his mouth agape as if speechless. I was inwardly surprised because I had never seen him look so astonished.

Only after about a minute passed did Adrian Hyll slowly move his lips and mutter.

―……That crazy bastard…….

"……."

―……Iundefinedll kill him.

Adrian Hyllundefineds eyes blazed with clear murderous intent. His gaze was so ferocious that if Ruwellin were in front of him, he would burn him to a crisp. I spoke as calmly as possible to calm Adrian Hyll down.

"Brother, attacking the Rashiane Duchy is not a good choice."

―I donundefinedt care.

"If thereundefineds a war, the damage our family will suffer will not be insignificant. You know that."

―No matter how much damage we take, Iundefinedll repay it tenfold, no, a hundredfold.

"……."

It seemed gentle persuasion wouldnundefinedt work. I didnundefinedt want to use shock therapy if possible, but…… I had no choice. I decided to take a hard line.

"Brother, if Hyll attacks Rashiane."

I spoke emphatically, one word at a time.

"I will not return to the Magic Tower, ever."

―……What?

Adrian Hyllundefineds eyes narrowed as he heard my declaration.

I took a deep breath to deliver my final bomb. I needed to make my feelings clear to Adrian Hyll.

undefinedThat way heundefinedll know Iundefinedm serious.undefined

I slowly exhaled, looked straight at Adrian Hyll in the mirror, and opened my mouth.

"I like him."

―What did you just say…….

"I want to stay by his side longer, get to know him better. I donundefinedt want to be separated because of your forcing, brother. Truly……."

"……."

"I genuinely like him, Ruwellin Rashiane."

It was my first confession, made in the absence of the person himself.

Behind me, I could hear the maids letting out sounds that could be cheers or sighs. Embarrassed, I couldnundefinedt bear to turn around and just clenched my fists.

Adrian Hyll in the mirror seemed greatly shocked, his expression frozen stiff. After gazing at me with an uncharacteristically blank expression for a while, Adrian Hyll finally opened his mouth.

―……In the villa.

"……."

―Something happened with that bastard, didnundefinedt it.

I lowered my gaze, choosing an appropriate answer to that question. After a moment, when a suitable response came to mind, I raised my head, and at that moment, the door opened with a click and someone entered.

"……!"

"Rosnia?"

A voice calling my name wafted in like a spring breeze. Spotting me standing in front of the mirror, Ruwellin smiled brightly and quickly approached.

And the maids looked at Ruwellin with bewildered expressions, as if they had seen a ghost.

Wondering why the maids were so surprised, I tilted my head, and Ruwellin, who had by then reached me, stood still and looked down at me.

He was very tall, so I had to crane my neck to see his face. When our eyes met, his emerald eyes curved like crescent moons.

"You took a bath."

"Ah, yes……. The commotion earlier left my body covered in dirt and grime."

"You smell like lilac."

"Speaking of which, Your Grace also……."

I looked at Ruwellin in embarrassment as he took a lock of my hair and smelled it. Adrian Hyll was probably watching all of this right now.

Glancing nervously at the mirror, sure enough, there was Adrian Hyll emitting the energy of a demon king risen from hell.

undefinedEek…….undefined

Th, this was no time to be like this! I took two steps back to create distance from Ruwellin.

Then Ruwellin raised an eyebrow and strode forward. I stepped back again, shaking my head with a resolute expression.

Glancing at the mirror out of the corner of my eye, Ruwellin finally seemed to notice, let out an "Ah," and smoothly turned his body.

He faced the mirror with a perfectly upright posture, not a single misalignment. But the smile on his lips was crooked, as if provoking his opponent.

undefinedPlease, donundefinedt provoke Adrian Hyll!undefined

I pinched Ruwellinundefineds side hard to signal him. He flinched, glanced at me, and then looked embarrassed. I blinked blankly. What was that……?

undefinedWhy is he embarrassed.undefined

Surely he didnundefinedt misunderstand my pinching his side as a form of skinship……. Hoping that Ruwellin would understand my intention, I nervously looked back and forth between him and Adrian Hyll.

Ruwellin and Adrian Hyll simply looked at each other in silence for a while. Then, after a long silence, it was Ruwellin who spoke first.

"Adrian Hyll."

―…….

"I invite you and Claud Hyll to the Rashiane Ducal castle."

undefinedWhat……?!undefined

I was shocked, my mouth agape as I stared at Ruwellin. When our eyes met, Ruwellin smiled. His expression was calm.

undefinedHeundefineds going to invite Adrian Hyll and Father?undefined

It was unprecedented for the Duke of Rashiane to invite the Head of Hyll and his family to the castle. Until now, the two families had been in a relationship where it would be fortunate if one didnundefinedt declare war on the other first.

undefinedWhat on earth is he thinking…….undefined

I blinked in bewilderment and turned my gaze to the mirror. As expected, Adrian Hyll looked utterly dumbfounded.

―Have you gone mad? Duke of Rashiane?

"Of course…… Iundefinedve gone mad. Why else would I do this unless I were mad?"

Ruwellin retorted shamelessly to Adrian Hyllundefineds thrown remark, pulling up one corner of his mouth in a smile. Even I, who liked him, thought he looked quite insufferable. I wished he wouldnundefinedt make that face in front of an already furious Adrian Hyll……!

Adrian Hyll let out a scoff as if dumbfounded, then laughed coldly. His red eyes gazing at Ruwellin were chilling, devoid of any goodwill.

―If youundefinedre inviting Father and me just to spout nonsense, I have no intention of going.

"Ah, is that so? But……."

Ruwellin retorted as if greatly regretful to Adrian Hyllundefineds criticism.

"Rosnia probably wants her family to come."

undefined……?undefined

What, why drag me into this all of a sudden?

I looked at Ruwellin, dumbfounded, and he winked one eye at me. He meant for me to play along. It was exasperating, but I decided to go along with Ruwellinundefineds scheme. I didnundefinedt know what he was thinking, but it was better than Hyll and Rashiane going to war.

Watching Adrian Hyllundefineds reaction, I fabricated my words as plausibly as I could.

"The Duke is right. I want you and Father to come to the Rashiane Ducal castle."

―Heh……?

"Itundefineds better to resolve things through conversation than fighting. I think this could be an opportunity for the two families to reconcile. Donundefinedt you agree, Your Grace?"

The lies flowed smoothly like a fountain, as if I were becoming more like Ruwellin. At my added question, Ruwellin smiled and nodded. His gaze, which had been coldly fixed on Adrian Hyll, became extremely gentle when it moved to me.

"As Rosnia said, what I desire is not conflict between the families, but reconciliation. I hope you will understand my sincerity. Adrian Hyll."

Adrian Hyll, hearing Ruwellinundefineds words, clicked his tongue as if it was ridiculous but didnundefinedt argue further. However, it was still unnerving not knowing what he might say. I nervously awaited Adrian Hyllundefineds answer.

After a moment, Adrian Hyll opened his mouth.

―Fine.

"……."

―I accept the invitation.

"Youundefinedve made a wise choice."

"I, is that true? Brother?"

Ruwellin and I spoke at the same time at Adrian Hyllundefineds answer. Adrian Hyll looked at me with an annoyed expression, then made a complicated face and sighed. Then, in a still-unresolved voice, he said.

―Iundefinedll see you later, Rosnia Hyll.

"Hic……."

As I reflexively let out a frightened sound, Adrian Hyll glared at me for a moment, then abruptly cut off the magic without warning.

Adrian Hyllundefineds image reflected in the mirror vanished like a mirage, and Ruwellin and I were reflected side by side.

I met my own eyes in the mirror and blinked blankly, then turned my head to face Ruwellin. He smiled at me and said.

"Donundefinedt worry, Rosnia."

"……."

"Everything will be fine."