Chapter 6: Catching Lizards (1)
"It's a problem. I don't know where it came from."
On the desk, a bead glowed in a square velvet box.
Lucien, who had been staring intently at the symbols engraved within the catalyst, shook his head. Hostang scratched his head, his face absurd.
"Is this the catalyst you're talking about?"
"It was Roan's prediction, but likely, it will actually happen. The alchemist agreed."
"...That's amazing. This sorcery."
Hostang took the bead from Lucien and held it up to the sunlight. The light refracted through the bead, creating a symbolic pattern on the shiny floor.
Hostang looked at Rosentine with a surprised expression, but she remained deep in thought.
She was just looking at the drawn floor.
The whitish shapes scattered beautifully. She felt a strange sense of foreboding, as if she had definitely seen them somewhere before.
"Even where there are no clues, you find something."
"Have you seen it yourself?"
At Lucien's words, Chartus remembered Rosentine continuing to do something in the alley.
Was witchcraft really that tiring?
A fleeting emotion flashed through her eyes, and she soon nodded.
"I was in a situation where I could have missed everything. I wouldn't even mind receiving a reward."
"Are you talking about a reward other than the contract?"
Hostang opened his mouth slightly.
A reward other than an employment contract, such as a knight who has distinguished himself on the battlefield, participated in a martial arts competition, or participated in a hunting competition.
It was something that could only be received when one achieved success.
It was the same as a great honor, and at the same time, it was like showing the lord's trust.
Hostang looked at Rosentine with a newfound gaze. She still tilted her head. Her unkempt black hair was disheveled, and the expression on her face was impudent.
But even he had no choice but to acknowledge Rosentine. After all, she was the one who saved his beloved lord. When she first threatened to put her life in danger, he thought she was a fraud.
"Your gaze is so hot, it's annoying. Hostang, why don't you just say you like me?"
"Let's cancel it." Hostang's face crumpled as he thought that.
It was Rosentine's words, her eyes wide. She continued to ponder, then noticed Hostang's gaze.
It was clear.
What a shameless, rude, and absurd woman! And to think that such a woman saved his lord's life!
Hostang, who had been blushing and grumbling, turned his head. No matter how capable she was, or what, that person...
He couldn't accept the provocative tone of voice.
Rosentine's lips formed a satisfying curve.
No matter how he looked at it, it was clear that she was playing with Hostang to relieve stress after racking her brain.
Lucien, who had been watching them, shook his head with a smile.
“Is it good?”
"Yes? Your Highness! What are you saying!"
With Shartus nodding along with a cool expression, Lucen now buried his head in the wall.
He wasn't exactly unconcerned about his lord, but this kind of joke emerging in the midst of such seriousness was just... It wasn't exactly unwelcome. A troubled smile crept onto Lucien's delicate face.
Shartus leaned back in the ornate wooden chair, his face looking quite pleased.
The pose of one leg crossed over the other seemed arrogant, yet even that look suited him perfectly.
"Is there anything you wish for, Roan?"
He looked at her and curled one lip upward. The slightly formal tone indicated that Shartus was sincere.
Rosentine looked up at him.
She couldn't help but be surprised by those words. Just as Hostang had pointed out, she also knew that it was rare for a hired vassal to receive a separate reward like this.
Of course, her contributions were not small. Primarily, she made a brilliant contribution to saving lives and uncovering the perpetrators.
If she had been his knight, she would certainly have deserved this reward.
If she were his knight.
“Are you serious?”
"If you put it that way, are you going to tell me what you truly desire?"
It was Shartus's counterquestion.
"I sincerely hope so." Rosentine's mouth fell silent at the meaningful tone. "Female knights don't exist."
The world she lived in was one without even a single woman. It was fortunate that Rosentine had received an education and was raised in it, but perhaps when the time came, she would marry and live the life of a noblewoman.
There she was, a sorcerer, not a knight. Originally, she was in the slums just a moment ago.
Even in the Empire of Kartazen, her status as a noble or a Princess is meaningless in front of this alcohol.
Rosentine was taken aback. Shartus stared at her, waiting for Rosentine to speak.
"...I only wish for life, that's all I want."
"What a strange saying. Can it be true that you have no expectations of people?"
“Of course not.”
Rosentine sat silently in thought. Indeed, everything she had ever desired had been granted: the status of a Princess and a loving family.
What Rosentine wanted was to be protected regardless of her abilities and Corte's constitution, so this would happen automatically once the contract was over.
Of course, it wouldn't hurt to plant a little more defense mechanism here...
Finally, a scene she'd just seen captivated her mind. She'd been granted what she'd hoped for. But what about others? What about Harun, for example?
"Do you remember the slums from earlier?"
Shartus's eyes fixed on Rosentain with a piercing intensity. To receive such a gaze in a debate would likely force one to scrutinize one's words repeatedly before uttering them.
Rosentine swallowed a laugh.
If, just maybe, he were to become Emperor, wouldn't it be quite an interesting situation?
Rosentine rose from her seat, spread out her skirt, and bowed slightly. It was a polite salute.
"Later, when the time comes, I hope you will take care of that area."
Hostang's eyes widened in surprise. Lucien, on the spot, had a face as if struck by a greater shock than anyone else, staring at her.
It was something no one here could have expected. To ask for such rare recognition, and then to look after a slum that no one cared about?
It might have been a task that wouldn't earn her any credit, nor bring about any change whatsoever.
Shartus gazed at her with a serene expression, while Rosentine bowed deeply with her skirt spread out. She raised her head. Her eyes were calm.
Shartus, facing the blue light, smiled slowly.
“I promise.”
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Rosentine laughed heartily. She really wondered what kind of heat it would generate if Shartus survived and became part of this empire.
Unlike the imperial motherland's formidable power, the disparity in living standards between the empire's heartland and its frontiers was so extreme it could be called grotesque.
Rosentine had only learned about it in class. It was her first time seeing it in person. Perhaps it was because she was in the slums of the capital that she didn't feel any discomfort.
Although it was not an education suitable for a noblewoman, it was Violetta and Heimt who took the lead in her education.
What if it was just self-satisfaction? She simply thought of Harun, who reminded her of herself and Corte.
She still doesn't know how the child died.
Shartus's promise might have been just lip service. Then she might have blown a great opportunity.
But during her time at the palace, whether short or long, Rosentine had to admit that she had inevitably come to accept him as something of a monarch. Chartus Katazen had deserved it.
She felt it was a good decision to save him. He didn't seem like the kind of person who would break a promise.
"...I am."
And then an unexpected voice was heard. It was Lucien.
Rosentine looked at him with a puzzled face.
Slightly raised eyes glanced back and forth between Rosentine and Shartus.
Rosentine was momentarily surprised by the indescribable emotion lurking within his eyes. His cloudy green eyes were now clearly showing their true color. It was a color that brought to mind the innermost part of the palace forest.
He swallowed several times, as if trying to control his emotions. Then, a calm voice flowed out.
It was a moment when a soft smile crossed his delicate face.
"I guess I can't help but express my gratitude."
"I guess you can just say it to Roan, since it's the shaman's merit."
"Thank you, Roan."
Shartus seemed to anticipate his thoughts. He rested his chin on his hand and glanced at Lucien. A memory of a specific time hung on Shartus's lips, which had turned up in satisfaction.
Hostang also looked as if he couldn't understand it, but he wisely remained silent, refusing to ask any further questions. It was a consideration for his friend and colleague.
Lucien bowed briefly to Shartus, then bowed briefly to Rosentine.
"There's a debt. I'll tell you later."
'There must be a story.'
Rosentine thought so. Whatever the case, she didn't know, but if the reward she mentioned had left him indebted to the Second Prince's aide, the price would have been considerable.
It was a well-known rumor that he was a cold-blooded person who never showed off his coolness even when dealing with people with a weak face.
'Furthermore.'
Rosentine turned her gaze to the catalyst. What had been elusive was becoming clearer.
The thought kept coming to mind. Rosentine thought that perhaps this was a gift the little boy had left behind as he walked the path of the soul.
With his shabby clothes and the life he had lived forty years ago, she remembered where she had seen the unique symbols that had been embroidered on the floor.
Once she remembered it, she couldn't figure out why it had taken her so long to remember it.
A ghost who died 40 years ago. A ghost who remains in Arzen. A portrait of the Duchess she knows, painted 180 years ago.
"Yws, now that we've cleared the debt, I think I should tell you one more thing."
"What is it?"
"It seems like the achievements I've made have been reset, so I guess I'll have to make one more."
Shartus let out a short laugh. He couldn't figure out how thoughts kept popping up in that little head.
Lucien's slightly reddened eyes widened. Rosentine smiled, thinking how clean his face was.
"I will give that bead to Arolne Mulde as a gift of grace."
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