Shadowless Night

“What do you mean there’s nothing you can do?”

“Oh, look who’s here. Greetings, Lieutenant Raymond.”

Raymond was on his way back after filling the papers registering that Hessa had come under Rosaline on her behalf. Hearing it from afar was already quite a sight. ‘So you’re saying you picked him because he looks cute and that’s it?’

“Rosaline, this punk! From whom did you learn to judge people by face alone!” 

“From Count Drythorne.”

‘A man’s face is everything.’ These were the words of Cecil while they were looking at the training ground inside Drythorne Castle together. Even before she said that, Rosaline already thought that those half-naked men were very good-looking, with angular jaws and high noses. They were nice to see.

“There are people who pick others just because of their faces.”

“Count…”

Raymond closed his eyes and patted his forehead. If it was indeed something Count Drythorne would say.

As the three of them were having a conversation in the hallway, the senior knights passing by stopped one by one. After exchanging frivolous things about Rosaline having a new apprentice, the subject flowed and flowed and changed to ‘Who is the prettiest and most handsome person?’

“Speaking of which…”

“If we can only choose one…”

“His Highness Diech?”

“Even His Highness Elpidio’s face is fine.”

“But yet…”

It was unanimous without any disagreement. Ricardis, the owner of the Moonstone Castle, took first place. Most of the opinions were that he was the prettiest and at the same time, most handsome person they had ever seen in his life. And the rest was of the opinion that until the day of their death, they would not see anyone as beautiful as His Highness.

“When I see him, my heart flutters.”

“That’s right, his face is so hot that one can’t even make eye contact.”

“He’s really beautiful.”

Rosaline agreed with the senior knights. Seeing their own prince would make the heart pound and flush would appear in one’s face! Everyone was the same. It was because he was so beautiful. “Me too,” said Rosaline, “My heart just pound.” Raymond nodded his head to say the least. ‘So do I.’ Then he clapped hands with Rosaline.

Only the Shuten, nicknamed Shushu, looked at all these scenes in vain. He saw the strange atmosphere between Rose and his master during the festival. It was the kind of atmosphere that tickled one’s chest, but Rosaline had gone completely off the beaten path. ‘Rosaline, you shouldn’t be stuck in there… What are these idiots doing now…’

“He has very nice skin, doesn’t he?”

At someone’s words, Rosaline boasted that she had touched His Highness’ skin. The big guys slapped Rosaline on the shoulder and went, “Woooow!”

“It was very smooth.”

Said Rosaline. ‘Ah, seriously, Rosaline… Woahhh… Rosaline…”

***

“What is it?”

“…”

Ricardis threw the stolen cookies at Rosaline. Although she was looking at the other side of the carriage, she still snatched the flying sweets. Rosaline, who opened her hand to confirm the identity of the raisin oatmeal cookie, widened her eyes and was delighted. Her eyes moved softly and wandered somewhere in the back of the head of Knight Commander Starz, who was escorting Ricardis in front of the carriage.

“She’s on duty. Can she eat?”

“Yes. She just got well from a serious injury. She must eat well.”

In response to Ricardis’ answer, Rosaline raised an eyebrow and smiled. The decision maker and superior was on her side, so she seemed reassured. Biiiik! (whistle sound) A sharp sound escaped from her mouth as she curled her thumb and index finger and placed them on her mouth. As if in response, a similar sound echoed from the sky. Macaron then descended and sat on Rosaline’s arm.

“Let’s eat, Macaron.”

Because of the name, it seemed to be saying that they were going to eat macarons instead of oatmeal cookies. Rosaline gave Macaron a cookie and put one in her own mouth with a happy expression on her face.

“Sir Rosaline.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“They said you brought in one more apprentice knight.”

The eyes of the other senior knights escorting around the wagon became thin. Ricardis is famous for caring for his people, but he doesn’t care enough to know about the little things like someone taking in one more apprentice knight. It was plain to see that Ricardis’ unusual interests were directed only towards Rosaline.

“Yes. His name is Hessa. He has the same hair color as the raspberry wine I drank with Your Highness that night. When he smiles, his eyes fold completely, and he’s very pretty and cute.”

Raymond was seriously upset. A loud squeak interrupted Ricardis and Rosaline’s conversation for a moment. Raymond wanted to ask something like, “You, Rosaline, when did you and His Highness…!”, but Shuten quickly shut his mouth. “Oh, right.”

Rosaline, who was watching the two men’s actions, drove the black warhorse, Chocolate, which was a gift from Ricardis, to the side of the carriage. Standing on the saddle, she naturally slid into the carriage through the window.

On the empty saddle, Macaron sat in her place and bit the reins. Chocolate looked behind dumbfoundedly, but still ran without a problem.

“… Is the saddle uncomfortable?”

“No. I have something to tell you. Excuse me.”

He wanted to say that she usually asks questions, not telling things, but Ricardis swallowed the back words as her expression looked quite serious. As Rosaline closed all the windows, her eyes met Raymond, whose pupils had dilated.

Tak.

Rosaline closed the door lightly, as if she couldn’t even see Raymond’s startled eyes. She turned to Ricardis.

“Your Highness.”

“Why do you keep doing this? Tell me quickly, perhaps it might still be manageable. I’m pretending not to, but I’m really nervous.” (He suspects she’s done crime)

“Your Highness. My new apprentice knight is a mage.”

Ricardis’ eyebrows rose. Then he wiped his forehead once and nodded.

“Well… It’s not like it’s a subtly big event… This is fine.”

‘Another mage.’ He must have been living somewhere. It was hard to see the time and place of his appearance as a mere coincidence. It must be some kind of action that comes with Rosaline’s fame that spreads across the continent. However, Ricardis was not sure if this person is a good or a bad one.

“He doesn’t seem like a Black Moon. He’s very cute.”

‘It’s as if she’s saying that he’s not a Black Moon because he’s cute.’ Ricardis seized a laugh.

“There must be others in Illavenia.”

“Your Highness, what I just said is a secret. You must not tell anyone.”

Hessa had never asked for it, but somehow she felt like he’d like it. It seemed he didn’t want it to be revealed. Ricardis leaned his body in front of her and stared at her. A secret.

“Promise. You won’t tell anyone.”

Ricardis was perplexed when he saw Rosaline’s little finger sticking out in front of his nose. Promise of the little finger. It was something that Setistia had done a few times while she was still alive. As Ricardis hesitated, Rosaline brought her hand closer to his face. Ricardis could feel her silent pressure. With an awkward motion, he threaded his little finger into hers.

Rosaline vigorously waved their intertwined little fingers a couple of times and pressed their thumb together to seal. As if this clumsy vow was to her liking, she exhaled heavily through her nose.

“I will make sure Hessa is not a nuisance to His Highness.”

Ricardis prayed for the apprentice’s well-being. Even if that pretty boy is a true Black Moon assassin, it seems that Rosaline will do everything she can to make him repent… Anyway, as they had put their little fingers together, this promise will surely be protected.

The two spent time chatting. They could feel the presence of Raymond, Rosaline’s protector, standing outside, but they both ignored it.

“I don’t think I’ve been to the Great Temple since that time after the hunting competition.”

“Yes.”

“It is a magnificent and beautiful place. I want to show you around slowly, but there are a lot of people who want to hold on to me. We won’t have time to look around.”

“So, without people…”

Rosaline’s eyes that were looking into the distance felt eerie. Ricardis spoke hastily.

“No, you can’t.”

He told her to not even think about touching the priest’s hair, who should be quietly praying. Rosaline gave him a sullen expression.

“I won’t.”

‘Why are you giving me that look?’ Ricardis smirked. At least it was a development, seeing that she now understands the meaning of the word ‘no.’