SN CH. 75

As Ricardis said, the Emperor was a person who wanted to fulfill his desires even by executing his son. If Fertan had not told the Emperor to find a child, Elpidio would have died.

Ricardis let out a shrill laugh.

[This is so… great. Just awesome…]

He gripped the arm of the sofa and clenched his teeth. Tendons twitched on the back of his hand, and his hands trembled.

[You give as you like…]

He relaxed his head and leaned forward. His hair covered his face, and Fertan could only see his twitching lips.

[And then take as you will.]

Fertan didn’t answer.

[Do you remember the day you first met me, Count Radwiell? You said holy power is the exclusive property of the Imperial family. That I have the power means that Idelavhim arranged my destiny to come to the Imperial family.]

The room was getting darker. The sky was full of bright sunlight outside, but perhaps dark clouds gathered overhead. The shadow of the man trembled in the deeper darkness.

[Then… Is this… my destiny?]

The voice gradually lowered.

[Such a destiny…]

Count Radwiell never looks back as the past is beyond human control, so all that happens must be destiny. The Radwiell family, called the wheel of fortune, always maintained a family-like attitude, but it was at this time that Fertan first regretted it. 

To make a few sacrifices for the cause was a measure that could happen anytime, anywhere, and was an absolute necessity at times. Sacrifices were the cornerstone for peace in Illavenia. Sacrifices were the work of the Radwiells, who protect Illavenia…

[What the hell remains in hand? I wouldn’t have wanted this. Where did it go wrong? But we have already walked too far from that path, and we cannot return even if we look back.]

Preparing for the future is the role of the Radwiells, who protect Illavenia. But Fertan, who saw the young boy acknowledging his shattered future without any tears, hoped that another destiny would come to him at that moment.

***

At the news of Rosaline’s return, the dormitory became noisy. Thanks to this, Rosaline couldn’t even escape her room. She wanted to see Ricardis, but she was also fond of her comrades, who celebrated her return with sparkling eyes and some tears.

Even some of the usually cold senior knights smiled softly. 

“We’re glad you look healthy, Sir Rosaline,” they said in a voice as tickling as the fluffy fur of a newborn puppy. 

Excited and happy with the change, Rosaline savored the congratulations they poured out. Everyone she met was joyful.

Eberhard whispered something to Rosaline, giving her ideas to surprise their fellow knights with her return.

Rosaline squatted behind a door and then suddenly rolled out, crouching on top of a large wooden box and then leaping into the air when Leticia and Eberhard opened the lid to launch her off. Everyone was surprised by her display.

As part of the plan to surprise more people, Rosaline hid in a tree by the auditorium, startling Pardict as he passed by. Pardict was horrified to see Rosaline suddenly appear hanging upside down with her legs hooked onto a branch. She then dropped to the ground behind him. After that, Pardict took the time to nag at her conduct rather than rejoice at her return.

As a result, time passed. Rosaline’s focus returned as she remembered her original plan; she had been distracted by her happiness for too long. She had to see Ricardis. As Rosaline walked down the hallway, she ran into Nestor. Nestor, whose face was blushing, said he had been promoted to a senior knight. He secretly boasted and hoped that she would praise him. Of course, Rosaline, unable to understand his subtle signals, answered him dryly. 

“Oh. Okay.”

In the distance, she saw the gardener trimming trees. Rosaline stopped her conversation with Nestor and left without any regrets. Nestor wept behind her back.

Whenever the gardener pruned the branches or planted new flowers, Rosaline was always near him. If she’s lucky, she can get a bunch of flowers that have only lost one or two petals for free.

Among the fallen flowers and grass stalks at the gardener’s feet, Rosaline collected only the pretty ones according to her standards and tied them up with a string. The result was a clumsy bouquet. She smelled it and found they were fragrant, so Rosaline walked with pride.

On the way, Rosaline ran into Leticia again, who said she’d stopped by the deputy commander’s office. Knowing it was snack time for Rosaline, Leticia put sandwiches, cakes, fruits, jams, and various things in a basket. Rosaline wanted to savor the bread, more fragrant than the flowers in her hand, right away, but this was a rare moment in which she put her purpose ahead of her appetite and hastened her steps instead.

At this time, Ricardis would be making paper snowballs in his office. Rosaline’s steps toward the front door stopped. If she goes through the front door, she won’t be able to scare him, as the attendant always announces the visitor in advance. 

‘I have to go through the window!’

Raymond, Isserion, Nathan, and Starz had told her not to go through the window, but now their nagging was not consequential.

‘No, Sir Rosaline! By Idelavhim! When did you come? Right, what is this bouquet? It is perfect. Also, my knight, I missed you!’ Just imagining how happy and reassured the startled Ricardis would be made her feel satisfied.

‘So, let’s go through the window.’

Rosaline snuck up the wall out of sight of the escorts but senior knight Kairo caught her. He was furious. Rosaline desperately described her plans for the first time. Kairo felt Rosaline was absurd but still took a cookie from her as a bribe…

“Give me two more; this is not a negotiation.”

So Rosaline had to give him two more because he was too strong-willed. She squirmed in anger, while Kairo was secretly delighted at her reaction. His teasing skills were excellent due to having two younger sisters.

Rosaline arrived on the terrace. The half-drawn curtains gently swayed in the wind as Rosaline closed her eyes and listened. She could hear the sound of the flapping cloth, the wind, the grasshoppers, and the birds chirping loudly. And intertwined with those was the sound of an even breath. It was a relaxing sound that made Rosaline, who concentrated with her eyes closed, feel tired at once.

Rosaline cautiously entered Ricardis’ office with the bouquet of flowers and the basket of snacks. Ricardis’ head was on the desk. She couldn’t see his closed eyes, but his breathing made her aware that he had fallen into a light sleep.

Rosaline placed the bouquet and the basket on his table and looked closely at him. Ricardis had his eyes closed with a heavy expression on his face. She wanted to smooth his brow with her fingers. Rosaline pulled a chair over from a side table and sat down. She put her arms on the table and leaned her chin towards him, staring intently at Ricardis.

The wind blew, making the curtain dance, and the sunlight poured down on Ricardis. Who could know why he was frowning? 

With her chin propped up, Rosaline raised her other hand to create a shade over his face. The shadow cast was as large as the distance between Ricardis’ face and Rosaline’s hand. Ricardis’ expression softened. Rosaline, feeling happy, grinned to herself.

After a while, about forty minutes later, her arm didn’t hurt, but it was boring. Rosaline played by creating shapes with the shadows of her hands that covered his face. The shadow shapes were as bold as the sunlight was strong. Dog, fox, bird, swan, butterfly: Calyx said that the past ‘Rosaline’ had taught him, so he taught her now.

A shadow butterfly flapped its wings and moved as if to caress Ricardis’ face. Then, Ricardis’ eyelashes twitched. He rubbed his cheek with the hand he slept on, feeling it was itchy somewhere.

Soon, soft, blue eyes opened. Ricardis blinked a couple of times and then caught Rosaline in his eyes. She slightly smiled as she looked out the bright window. Her round forehead and the line of her nose were shining white in the light.

‘Is it a dream?’

Ricardis was lying on his stomach. He moved his gaze and looked around slowly. Even though the sun was shining all over the place, it was not dazzling. A few feet away from his face, Rosaline crossed her hands together, making them look like wings.

Her hands cast shadows, blocking his eyes from the blinding sunlight. The light flickered through the gaps of her fingers. The smell of the cold black tea on the table remained, and the dry air with no humidity was refreshing. The sunlight shone brightly, illuminating the wood patterns on the table and the dust shimmering in the air. And on the desk, there was a giant bouquet and a snack basket presumed to be hers.

The smell of flowers and sweet food— he took a nap surrounded by various rich and beautiful things.

‘Isn’t that a great luxury?’ Ricardis seemed to understand why he thought this moment was more like a dream than a reality. Even though he woke up, he was still sleepy. It was a strange feeling as if something had ended or started.