Ch.96Rose (8)

“I think you’re misunderstanding something… Whether you can truly cure this disease or not, that’s none of my business.”

Empty eyes.

The girl, who had briefly closed her mouth, proceeds to pour out her bitter feelings.

It was a statement that must have been terribly painful.

“I told you from the beginning. I have no intention of being treated.”

In other words.

“I have no desire to live.”

Was it because of a life filled with despair?

She suffered from a terrible curse.

The imperial family, once her home, abandoned the girl without mercy.

Trapped in a palace no different from a cage, completely cut off from the outside world, she had to spend each lonely day in isolation.

Only endless suffering remained by her side.

In pain that felt like her insides were being torn apart, the girl spent 10 years neither living nor dying.

It was enough time to break someone.

‘Because she’s lived like that her whole life.’

The girl knows nothing of comfort.

Because she has never experienced it.

I had somewhat anticipated it, but the rose’s inner wounds were festering even more than I expected.

My heart sank at her pitiful words.

But at the same time.

I knew those words were a lie.

-Ah, aah…?

-How… ah, it doesn’t, hurt, why, suddenly, I…?

I remembered.

Our first meeting.

The moment when her seizure miraculously stopped.

Though it passed like a mirage, I remembered those eyes that shone transparently in that instant.

The green pupils were sparkling.

Those were clearly the eyes of someone who wanted to live.

“You’re afraid.”

Saying she didn’t want to live was merely a lie.

Elise was simply afraid of hope.

After suffering through countless nightmares at dawn and being betrayed by shallow expectations, even the slightest hope had worn away and disappeared.

I silently faced the girl’s despair.

“Shut up.”

“Is that truly enough for you?”

“Don’t talk like you know me. Just leave me alone to die quietly.”

“Her Highness Sharlotte would be sad.”

“……”

The rose fell silent for a moment.

She seemed caught off guard.

She probably didn’t expect me to bring up her sister’s name here.

I continued without giving her a chance to respond.

“Her Highness cares deeply for you.”

Though she had been trapped in a lonely cage her entire life, Elise wasn’t completely alone.

The young princess had never once given up on the rose.

Despite the imperial decree forbidding entry to the annex, she disregarded it completely, showing her exceptional love for her sister.

She even went so far as to search for a cure for the disease herself.

Knowing about such devoted actions, Elise couldn’t help but be affected by her sister.

Even if she maintained a cold attitude on the surface.

‘At least she’s her only ally.’

She didn’t genuinely dislike her.

Before her personality became this twisted, there were mentions that she used to follow her sister quite well, so it was difficult to believe that the rose truly hated her.

Perhaps she was refusing to accept it for some reason.

“…Why are you suddenly bringing her up?”

Elise asked with furrowed brows.

Though she muttered as if indifferent, there was an unintentional edge to her tone.

“I was merely expressing concern.”

The rose with all her thorns raised.

To break down such a solid wall, it was necessary to provoke her like this.

I carefully slipped into the small opening that had appeared.

“What will you do if she really leaves?”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about Her Highness Sharlotte. She has already sacrificed so much for you. Yet you say you’ve abandoned even the will to live despite all her efforts. I worry that she might grow weary and leave.”

“That’s what I want. I don’t need such an annoying person.”

“Do you truly mean that?”

I smiled lightly.

It was a kind of explicit mockery, tinged with bitterness.

“If that happens, there will truly be no one left by your side.”

Just as I said.

If even the young princess leaves, nothing will remain on this star.

Only a single pitiful rose will be left.

Even Tanya, who currently attends to Elise, was assigned by Sharlotte, so if she were to leave, Tanya would likely go with her.

In that case, no one would ever set foot here again.

“Is that truly the ending you desire?”

“…Yes.”

Her answer came noticeably late.

In the end, she wouldn’t yield her position, but those green eyes were wavering.

I continued, as if pouring oil on those flickering emotions.

“I understand. I will personally report this to Her Highness Sharlotte. I will try my best to persuade her, respecting your wishes.”

“Persuade…?”

“To stop visiting you. If I mention it’s for your treatment, she will likely comply.”

I wasn’t joking.

Since she had agreed to follow my opinion completely, if I brought up treatment, she would grant the request without hesitation.

Thus, I had the means to isolate the rose.

“Think about it.”

Of course, I had no intention of tormenting her like that, but I deliberately spoke as if I were pushing her hard.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t even blink.

I smiled and raised my head.

The bandage was already wrapped back around her delicate wrist.

“I’ve applied all the ointment. You should refrain from touching it carelessly for at least one night, or the wound might worsen.”

“……”

“I’ll take my leave now.”

The red-haired girl lay motionless.

I left the room filled with tangled thoughts, leaving behind a heavy silence.

Even until that moment.

Elise didn’t open her mouth.

***

When I finished the examination and left the room, the outside had already been dyed with complete darkness.

I walked for a while down the corridor immersed in darkness.

The unusually cool air brushed past like a gentle breeze.

As I stepped forward lost in various thoughts, before long, a scene caught my eye.

It was the annex garden extending from the end of the corridor.

Step, step-

I moved forward with familiar steps.

For the past few days, I had enjoyed such light walks after completing my scheduled duties.

It was perfect for clearing my complicated mind.

‘Another day has passed.’

I slowly crossed over the undergrowth.

It felt somewhat modest for a princess to stay in, but there was a beauty visible precisely because it wasn’t ostentatious.

Gentle sounds echoed each time the grass blades brushed against my legs.

This sanctuary of life, where various plants intertwined freely, seemed alive in the quiet moonlight.

Rustle, rustle-

“Haah… I hope it works out.”

I sighed with mixed feelings.

Naturally, my thoughts were about the rose I had left alone in the room.

I took steps while recalling the plans I would proceed with.

As I was deeply immersed in thoughts about work, a sudden breeze tousled my hair.

I unconsciously looked up at the sky.

“……”

A background painted in pitch black.

Across that vast canvas, twinkling dots were densely embedded.

As I gazed at the stars that seemed particularly bright today, a voice I had hidden in the recesses of my memory colored my ears.

A memory now rusted over.

-Brother! I want to make a wish to the stars too!

I suppose I’m quite sentimental.

To still cherish a memory that must be at least five years old.

Old thoughts burned like a cigarette.

As I was exhaling sighs instead of smoke between my lips.

Step-

“…?”

I sensed an unfamiliar presence.

Turning around in response, I saw a man walking into the garden.

After looking around briefly, he soon approached me.

Our gazes, which had already crossed, were examining each other.

‘Entry to the annex should be strictly controlled.’

A confidential matter directly covered by the Emperor.

As it was the space where the Rose Princess resided, it would be difficult for anyone of ordinary status to even set foot there.

Nevertheless, the man was walking confidently.

As I observed his moderately wrinkled face, notable features became apparent.

It was a face estimated to be middle-aged or older.

‘That person… could it be.’

Blue eyes that rippled with light.

Platinum blonde hair that reminded me of someone.

The dignity evident in every step, and an aura that didn’t waver even in darkness.

Finally, clothes engraved with the imperial emblem.

After piecing together these clues in order, I had no choice but to kneel in place.

It was the most respectful movement.

Thud-

The man’s footsteps stopped in front of me.

I bowed my head and paid my respects with a proper posture.

My moving lips carried solemnity.

“I greet the supreme sun of the Empire.”

The supreme sun.

The man thus addressed nodded.

“Mm.”

Balkaros Lantana von Staufen.

The biological father of the princesses.

The master of this empire was standing before me.

‘What the.’

Why is this man popping up here.