CH 39

“In the end, I ended up receiving a reward from the Imperial family.”

A month later, Rosalie had to present herself to the Emperor and receive compensation for the territory war. She sighed and put down the newspaper in her hand, rubbing her temples as a headache started to creep in.

Thanks to Marquis Windell, who brought in external forces, the diplomatic relations between the Misha Empire and the Lentil Kingdom deteriorated. While Derivis received praise for intervening in the territorial war and stopping Marquis Windell, it seemed like he was busy negotiating with the Lentil Kingdom.

“The Empress seems to have cut her tail. But then again, that’s how she is.”

Rosalie muttered as she looked down at the newspaper. Soon, she had to go to the capital and receive another pair of hairpins from Bianca. If the Empress found out about Marquis Windell’s remarks recorded on the hairpins, Bianca could be in danger.

“Rosalie~.”

Nathan burst through the door of her office without permission. Rosalie glared at him, but Nathan didn’t seem to mind at all.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m working.”

Rosalie said as she sat at her office desk, strewn with blank letters. The number of casualties in this territory war had been unusually low. Nathan flipped through the letters and gave her a puzzled look.

“Are you writing letters?”

Rosalie nodded as she picked up a feather pen. Since they fought for the duchy, Rosalie believed it was her duty to personally write condolence letters to the families of the fallen knights. Naturally, in addition to the letters, sufficient compensation would be provided, and a monument would be erected within the estate.

Seeing Rosalie’s heavy expression, Nathan pouted and lay down on the sofa. If he disturbed her here, he felt like he would be kicked out of the study. Rosalie’s hand, which had been writing a letter in neat handwriting, paused briefly at the sound of someone knocking on the door.

“Your Grace.”

“Come in.”

At Rosalie’s words, the study door opened, revealing Dolan’s face. Aaron followed closely behind him. Dolan briefly glanced at Nathan, who was lying on the sofa.

When Dolan first heard the explanation about Nathan, he was astonished, but now he was treating him as a guest.

“What’s the matter?”

Rosalie asked, and Aaron answered.

“Aren’t you going to the capital soon?”

“Yes, so?”

“Before that, how about having a small victory celebration in honor of your victory over the territory war?”

After hesitating for a moment at Aaron’s suggestion, Rosalie nodded her head. Thanks to the top-notch healers called by Derivis, the condition of the injured soldiers was improving rapidly. Since they had won the territorial war, it was only natural to hold a celebration for the knights who had suffered.

“I haven’t thought that far ahead. Dolan, it might be a bit tight, but could you please arrange it?”

“Yes, of course. How about in three days?”

“Alright.”

Aaron glanced at Rosalie’s desk and swallowed his admiration. To the nobles, knights were nothing more than pawns to be used and discarded. No other noble would have cared so much about a fallen warrior as Rosalie did.

However, Aaron was worried because the lights in the office never turned off after the territorial war, and it seemed like she was overworking herself. It seemed like Dolan shared the same concern.

“You haven’t rested since the territorial war. You should take a break, even if it’s just for a moment…”

“That’s all. If the matter is done, go and do your work.”

Despite Dolan’s urging, Rosalie was adamant. Aaron and Dolan couldn’t do anything but leave the office with worried faces.

As Rosalie started writing with the feather pen again, Nathan quietly watched her. Then, he got up and approached her.

“Rosalie, have you been going to your room at dawn and coming out early? You’re not sleeping well, are you?”

“…Did you eavesdrop on my room?”

Rosalie frowned and looked at Nathan, who smirked. Rosalie let go of the feather pen to make a comment, and Nathan used the opportunity to scoop her up.

In an instant, she was on his shoulder, and she thumped him on the back in panic.

“You!”

“Yes, yes~ you could hit me with your cotton ball-like fist and it wouldn’t hurt.”

When Rosalie got angry and hit his back with all the force she could muster, Nathan coughed softly, unlike his earlier words.

Despite the pain he felt, he didn’t put Rosalie down and moved her to the sofa, vowing not to use the word ‘cotton ball-like fist’ again.

“Get some sleep. Rosalie, your heart might burst soon, you know? You look tired.”

Rosalie, who was forcefully laid down on the sofa, glared at Nathan and tried to get up. But Nathan grabbed the side of the sofa next to her face, preventing her from getting up.

“If you try to get up, we’ll lie down together like this.”

“What bullsh…”

Rosalie barely swallowed the rough words that almost came out of her mouth due to his absurd stubbornness. However, upon seeing the sincerity clearly visible in Nathan’s smile as he looked down at her, her body lost its strength.

Then, Nathan flopped down on the floor next to the sofa. Rosalie sighed and closed her eyes as he looked like he wasn’t going to move until she was actually asleep.

“Wake me up in an hour. I’m really busy.”

“Okay, I got it.”

Rosalie closed her eyes. Nathan stared at her, his smile still on his face. Feeling as if his burdening gaze was poking her in the face, Rosalie grumbled irritably.

“If you keep staring at me like that, I’ll get up.”

“Ah, I won’t look.”

Nathan turned his head away at Rosalie’s warning, and only then did she fall into a shallow sleep. 

After a while, Nathan turned his head slightly without lifting a single finger, afraid that he might wake her up from her light slumber.

‘Even her sleeping face looks expressionless.’

“Mm…”

Perhaps sensing Nathan’s gaze, Rosalie stirred slightly and frowned. Nathan let out a small chuckle at the sight.

As he was lost in thought, his gaze naturally went to her disheveled but beautiful platinum blonde hair, and then to her densely packed and delicate facial features on her white skin.

For some reason, Nathan didn’t want to wake her up while looking at that face. He just wanted to enjoy this moment of peace between the two of them. In the end, Nathan was loudly scolded by Rosalie, who woke up on her own after more than an hour had passed.

⊱⊱⊱────── {.⋅ ✧✧✧ ⋅.} ──────⊰⊰⊰

Three days later, the victory celebration was held in the banquet hall of the duchy’s mansion. Delicious food and expensive champagne, along with lively music, filled the spacious hall.

The lively music spilled over from the banquet hall to Rosalie’s room. Emma gave her a disapproving look as she tidied up her clothing.

“Emma, this isn’t a ball. It’s a victory celebration.”

Despite Rosalie’s soothing tone, Emma’s expression didn’t soften. Emma had been eager to dress Rosalie up for the victory celebration, but Rosalie’s opinion that she should wear the official knight attire wasn’t to Emma’s liking.

“Your formal knight attire is very impressive, so I’ll be satisfied with accessories and pretty makeup.”

Emma said as she tidied up Rosalie’s hair. The golden formal knight attire Rosalie was wearing was adorned with dazzling and intricate jewels.

The more noble the person, the more extravagant the formal knight attire was, as it showcased their wealth. Among them, the formal knight attire for the Duchess of Judeheart was exceptional. The splendid attire seemed to have been made specifically for Rosalie, and Emma was satisfied with it.

“All done.”

Rosalie got up and checked herself in the mirror. The simple accessories and the high ponytail hairstyle made the splendid knight attire stand out even more.

“Wow. You look really cool, Your Grace.”

“Enough with the flattery. Emma, let’s go down and have fun.”

Rosalie said, and Emma quickly followed. As Rosalie headed to the banquet hall, the knights who had gathered there in advance began cheering. Rosalie went to her designated seat and raised the champagne glass that had already been filled.

“Well done, everyone. You are the heroes who protected the Dukedom of Judeheart. Enjoy yourselves to your heart’s content tonight.”

Even with the short and concise toast, the knights cheered loudly.

“Wow!”

“Drink! Drink!”

Excited knights rushed to pour themselves drinks. Rosalie, who was quietly tilting her champagne glass in her seat, enjoyed the satisfying taste of the alcohol and quickly emptied her glass before pouring herself another.

Erudit approached Rosalie, who was alone. He carefully scanned her knight attire, which suited her well, and adjusted his glasses.

“You look great in your knight’s attire.”

“Really? I’m glad to hear that.”

As the excited knights began to dance, Erudit reached out a hand to Rosalie with a gentle smile.

“Would you like to dance with me?”

Rosalie looked down at Erudit’s hand with a slightly embarrassed expression.

“I’m not good at dancing.”

Upon hearing her words, Erudit withdrew his hand with a disappointed expression.

“Let’s make a toast instead.”

When Rosalie extended her champagne glass, Erudit smiled and clinked his champagne glass against hers. The clear sound of the glass clinking echoed, and Erudit and Rosalie engaged in casual conversation as they emptied their champagne glasses.

“Do you like this kind of party?” 

“I don’t particularly enjoy it, but the atmosphere is nice, so it’s alright.”

Erudit replied in response to Rosalie’s question while sipping his champagne.

On her fifth glass of champagne, Rosalie scanned the knights. The knights, already inebriated, were busy performing a strange dance amongst themselves, completely ignoring the beat of the music.

As they watched this scene and chuckled quietly, Aaron approached Rosalie and Erudit.

“Did the man named Nathan not come?”

“No, he prefers quiet places.” 

Rosalie held her glass of champagne out to Aaron and he clinked it. If Nathan was here, he was probably staying a good distance away from the banquet hall because it was too noisy. Aaron looked disappointed as he drank the champagne.

“That’s too bad.”

Rosalie quickly emptied her own glass and spoke.

“Sir Aaron, take Erudit with you. It’s a waste to spend boring time with me.”

Erudit tried to speak up in an attempt to deny Rosalie’s playful remark, but Aaron, who was intoxicated with excitement, did not notice and linked his arms with Erudit.

“Let’s go, Erudit!”

“Oh, wait, I…”

Erudit struggled, but due to the significant difference in strength, he was easily dragged away as if he was a child being pulled by an adult. 

Rosalie watched them with amusement and drank a few more glasses of champagne before quietly leaving the banquet hall and heading to the garden to sober up.