Chapter 46 : I didn’t know it would be this painful not being able to meet her

With the Endrago obtained, the expedition was considered finished. 

Princess Rosiria tried to make excuses and continue the expedition, but her reasons weren’t convincing enough. 

There were even complaints from others about why they should continue when the original goal had already been achieved.

How satisfying it was to see her grinding her teeth and looking frustrated. 

I had found the Endrago she wanted, so what more was there to complain about?

‘It must be because of her rotten personality.’

There’s a saying: if you’re not smart, at least be humble. 

It was a virtue that Princess Rosiria needed to learn, but it seemed like she was too incapable to realize that herself.

Anyway, the expedition that was supposed to last three days ended in just one. 

Everyone who had climbed the mountain was happy. 

It was understandable; they wouldn’t have to climb that dreadful mountain again tomorrow. 

I, too, didn’t want to ever come back after this.

“Really impressive. How did you manage to find something so hard to locate?”

“Did you create a special magic for this? If so, please make sure that wisdom is used for the development of the Magic Tower…”

On the way back, the magicians kept asking me how I found the Endrago, and if I had used some unique magic, but I just made vague responses.

And then.

“Did you really bring it?”

As we returned to the castle with the results of the expedition, the King of Levath Kingdom seemed so surprised that his previously indifferent eyes widened.

“Ha, excellent. I knew I could trust you, Count.”

For a moment, the King said he would hold a banquet that night to celebrate my success in finding the Endrago. 

I just wanted to get home as soon as possible. 

I wasn’t interested in noisy events like that. 

But I couldn’t refuse, so I had to thank him even though it wasn’t what I wanted.

‘Damn it, I’m reaching my limit…!’

I had barely managed until now, but it had been nearly a week since I last saw Serena, and my patience was wearing thin. 

I hadn’t realized how agonizing it would be, nor how long I could endure it. 

To be so restricted just because of a banquet.

“…I think I’ll head to bed. I’m really tired and need some rest.”

That night, my mind wasn’t at ease, so I couldn’t enjoy the banquet much. 

All I wanted was to return to Rezel Kingdom the next day. 

After subtly slipping away from the banquet, I quickly changed my clothes and was about to go to bed when.

Knock knock knock.

If it weren’t for the guest arriving so late, I would have probably fallen asleep right away. 

Who’s visiting at this hour? 

I grumbled to myself as I opened the door.

It was none other than Princess Rosiria, standing there with a wine bottle and glass in hand, wearing a crooked smile.

If she had reeked of alcohol, I would have thought it was just a drunk causing trouble and would have sent her away.

“…Yes, sure. Please come in.”

But since she wasn’t drunk, I had no choice but to let her into the room.

‘Looks like she’s been drinking a little. It’s not very fitting.’

Her outfit, which seemed too extravagant, caught my eye. 

The dress adorned with small jewels and the rings on all her fingers. 

She must have dressed up like that to show off in front of everyone. 

If that were the case, she could have stayed there, so why had she come to find me?

“Has the banquet ended?”

“No, it’s still going on. It wasn’t much fun, so I left early. Anyway, can I have a drink?”

As soon as she sat down, Princess Rosiria poured herself some wine without waiting for an answer.

This woman, did she only bring her own drink?

Sigh… Maybe it’s because it’s nighttime, but it tastes even sweeter now. 

Heh.

She emptied her glass in one go and suddenly burst into laughter. 

Then she poured more wine and repeated the process.

I couldn’t understand why she came all the way here just to show me how she drinks. 

What is she trying to accomplish with this?

“So, why did you come here? If you don’t have anything important to say, would you mind leaving? I’m tired.”

I decided to be blunt since I couldn’t be bothered to deal with her. 

Only then did Princess Rosiria stop pouring wine and placed the bottle down on the table with a loud thud. 

Her gaze was blurry, and I could tell she was a bit drunk.

“…My father and my siblings were saying that you’re better than me, that you’re a hundred times, a thousand times better than me… even though they’re all useless themselves.”

She referred to herself as “that woman,” so it was probably her she was talking about. 

After all, she wouldn’t look at me with such resentment otherwise.

“Why is that?”

She slumped her shoulders, lowered her head, but her eyes remained fixed on me. 

Her gaze, visible through her disheveled bangs, was enough to send a shiver down my spine for a brief moment.

“Why is it that you, someone my age, always get praised, while I’m stuck being nothing? What’s the difference between you and me? Why do you have what I don’t?”

“I don’t quite understand what you’re saying.”

I figured Princess Rosiria must have her own reasons, but that didn’t mean I had to entertain them. 

Especially since she was drunk, I didn’t want to deal with her venting her frustrations.

“You seem to be pretty drunk. Let’s end this and leave, shall we? I’d like to remember you for your better qualities.”

I didn’t want to risk her blowing up at any moment, so I stood up and reached out to help her. 

But she immediately pushed my arm away.

“You think you’re better than me, don’t you?”

“No, that’s not it. How could I think that?”

“I’m just a mere count, yet you look down on me because of your talent?”

Maybe she thought I was looking down at her because I was standing, but she stood up too. 

With her bleary eyes staring at me, she sneered at me in a way that was almost too painful to witness.

“If it weren’t for you… I’d rather have died in that mountain.”

With those muttered words, Princess Rosiria staggered out of the room. 

Her words, even though she was drunk, felt heavy with meaning. 

She probably meant it.

And she likely wished for it too.

So, she’s the one who sent that guy after me in Snowite.

The fact that she could have been the one to send the assassin to kill me only made it more likely. 

But without proof, I couldn’t do anything about it. 

I wanted to confront her and get her to confess, but if I did that to a foreign princess, it would cause a political uproar.

“She’s truly the most unpleasant person, from start to finish.”

The wine bottle she left behind was nearly empty. 

However, what she left me with wasn’t just that; it was an unpleasant feeling similar to when I met Faigle.

*

The next morning, as soon as the sun rose, I headed back to the Rezel Kingdom.

“Finally, I’m leaving…!”

“You seem quite happy. Is it that great?”

I expressed my joy without holding back, and Lady Linz, who was riding in the carriage with me, chuckled.

“Of course I’m happy, I’m going home. I also want to see my younger sister again.”

Just a little more, Serena, wait for me. 

It’ll be late, but once I get back, I’ll spoil you as much as I can, making up for all the times I couldn’t!

“You must really like your younger sister. I can see you’re drooling just thinking about her.”

“Huh? Ah…”

I found myself drooling as I imagined rubbing my face against Serena’s soft cheeks and her little belly. 

How embarrassing, showing such an unrefined side of myself. 

I quickly wiped it off, but it was already too late.

Despite my embarrassment, Lady Linz’s gentle smile made me even more flustered.

“Lady Linz, don’t you miss your daughter as well? You’ve been apart for several days.”

“Of course I miss her. Though it might not seem like it, as soon as I return, I’ll be eager to hug her tightly.”

“Ah… I see.”

As she spoke, she twisted her body slightly and blushed, which made her look a bit… suggestive. 

The expression on her face was so entrancing, I couldn’t imagine it being about her daughter. 

It made me a little uncomfortable. 

She’s a good person, but in some ways, she seems a bit dangerous.

“Oh, by the way, when should we set a date to meet? If we’re going to meet anyway, we might as well schedule it now.”

“Hmm… After I return, I’ll contact you in about a week. Does that sound good?”

“I’m fine with anytime. Just let me know when it’s convenient for you, Count.”

After some casual chatter and a long, boring ride, we finally returned to the Rezel Kingdom. 

Of course, I couldn’t go directly to my estate; I had to report to the King first, as I had successfully completed my mission.

The King had mentioned something about granting a large reward as a token of appreciation, but honestly, I was too eager for it to end, so I didn’t really catch all the details.

It had been more than a week since I last saw Serena. 

My patience was running low.

So, after the King’s audience, I immediately made my way to the mansion with all the speed I could muster. 

I couldn’t help but wonder if everything had been fine while I was away. 

But as I arrived, there didn’t seem to be any problems, and I felt relieved. 

A clear sign of that was the golem in the corner of the garden, where grass had even started growing.

At least everything seemed alright. 

With that, I rushed through the door, eager to see her.

“Where’s Serena?!”

I didn’t care about anything else. 

I just wanted to find Serena first.