Episode 114. Illusion is Freedom
Her gleaming eyes gleamed with murder. They say that when you love someone, you become like them, and in Rose's appearance, he strangely saw the Grand Duke's features.
"Wait, you just hit me—"
Before Neruan could finish speaking, Rose's fist was aimed at him. Neruan reflexively dodged Rose's punch.
A strange atmosphere flowed between Neruan and Rose, who quickly pulled away.
"You dodged it just now?"
Neruan dodged his own punch with uncanny ease.
Rose didn't give up and swung her fist at him again.
"Ouch."
This time, Neruan dodged swiftly.
"Again?"
Rose's eyebrows quirked involuntarily as she watched Neruan continue to dodge her punches.
Rose opened her eyes narrowly and rushed toward him. Her hand, shorter than Neruan's, waved the air noisily.
He dodged all of Rose's hands with an embarrassed expression. She couldn't touch a single fingertip of Neruan.
Rose's breathing began to get heavier. The thought of simply venting her anger had inadvertently fueled her competitive spirit.
"What, what? Why didn't I hit you once!"
It was a moment where the already annoying guy felt even more annoying.
'Should I take this?'
Neruan, who had been reflexively dodging Rose's attacks, froze in place. Then, Rose's fist cut through the air and struck Neruan's face.
Neruan's face turned with a dull thud. It was a direct hit.
Neruan groaned involuntarily.
"Ugh."
"Ouch."
She hadn't intended to hit his face.
Rose froze involuntarily at the unexpected situation.
'I think I got hit properly...'
She had simply planned to lightly strike his shoulder. However, Neruan kept dodging, so she ended up waving her hand haphazardly, contrary to her plan.
“…Are you okay?”
Rose slowly approached and looked at Neruan. Neruan, who had been bowing his head diagonally, slowly raised his head.
“I’m okay.”
Contrary to Rose’s expectations, Neruan was fine. Rose’s punch wasn’t even close to threatening Neruan in the first place. He was just a little surprised, but it didn’t hurt.
Rose examined Neruan’s face. Her face turned pale.
“Uh, your face.”
The spot she had hit was red and swollen. It was just friction, but Rose couldn’t help but feel quite uneasy.
“I don’t think it’s okay.”
Rose chewed her lower lip, muttering. Her face grew increasingly sullen.
“I’m really okay.”
Compared to the Grand Duke's punch, it was nothing special.
Rose looked at Neruan with anxious eyes and mumbled.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hit you so brutally.”
Neruan flinched at Rose’s words. He’d come to apologize, but instead, he was receiving one.
Moreover, Rose’s attitude, so different from his own, which had finally managed to apologize, was enough to surprise him.
‘You don’t have to apologize.’
He knew she’d accidentally hit him in the face. No, in a way, it was intentional.
Rose looked like she desperately wanted to hit him. If she even hit him in the face, she’d feel better, he thought.
‘I thought you’d make a face like that...’
She was looking at him with such concern. It was truly uncomfortable.
Rose worried that Neruan’s face might get bruised. She hurriedly walked away.
“Follow me. I’ll put some ointment on you.”
Neruan’s voice came from behind Rose, who was hurriedly walking.
“No.”
It was a sharp rejection.
Rose turned around with a mysterious expression at Neruan’s refusal. Then, without saying a word, she walked towards Neruan.
Rose, who had approached Neruan, grabbed his wrist without a second thought. She then strode away, dragging him along.
Without even realizing it, Neruan was led by Rose's hand. He could have easily shaken her off, but he didn't.
Rose was headed to her office. Rose forced Neruan to sit on the sofa and rummaged through the drawers.
The unorganized drawers were filled with various items. After a few rummages, she found the ointment.
Rose approached Neruan with the ointment in her hand. She then sat down next to him. She squeezed a little ointment onto her ring finger and brought her hand to Neruan's face. At Rose's touch, Neruan flinched and stepped back.
Rose sighed and muttered, as if she had expected this.
“Look at this. It hurts.”
She mistook Neruan’s flinch for pain.
“It’s not because it hurts.”
Neruan felt awkward under Rose’s touch. It was incredibly uncomfortable having those small, delicate hands touch his skin.
“Stop joking and put your face on it. If I don’t apply the ointment, you might bruise.”
Rose pulled Neruan’s face closer and carefully applied the ointment.
“It tickles.”
Neruan flinched and frowned. Then he glanced at Rose.
“Why are your eyelashes so long?”
Rose’s eyes were downcast.
“It would hurt so much if you got pricked in the eye.”
Every time he blinked, his long eyelashes stood out even more.
“Why do you always insist on braiding your hair?”
The roughly braided hair could easily look out of place if not done properly. Judging by the loose, loose hair, it didn't look like it had been styled by a maid.
'You've been in the office for the past few days; your skin looks pale.'
Pure white, translucent skin, flawless. No matter how much she'd suffered, a noble was still a noble. The difference was evident even in her skin. Neruan was observing Rose. Did she sense his gaze? Rose looked at Neruan.
Neruan unconsciously averted his gaze when their eyes met.
'What a surprise.'
He hadn't expected their eyes to meet so suddenly. Neruan rolled his eyes awkwardly. Suddenly, Rose's hand shot out in front of him.
'Are you suggesting we shake hands?'
"Neruan."
Rose paused in mid-air, calling Neruan's name.
'I guess it means... let's get along well from now on.'
They had been growling like sworn enemies, but the past was the past. Neruan immediately grabbed her hand so that Rose wouldn't feel embarrassed.
When Neruan took her hand, Rose's face twisted strangely. Her eyes flickered between her hand and Neruan's face. She looked utterly bewildered, as if she hadn't realized Neruan would take her hand.
"Ah... Can I have the napkin behind me?"
As soon as Rose finished speaking, silence fell.
Neruan met Rose's eyes, who was looking at him with a trembling expression.
It took less than three seconds for his face to turn bright red.
'Damn it!'
He had mistaken himself for an idiot.
Neruan hastily let go of Rose's hand. Shame washed over him like a wave.
He jumped up, his face flushed. He quickly handed her the napkin and fled from the office.
The door closed with a bang.
Left alone, Rose muttered with a puzzled expression.
“...Why are you acting like that?”
“The mansion is so noisy because of you.”
Doana’s secret friend. He was leaning against the wall, his arms crossed.
“It’s not because of me, but because of Beliana.”
Doana shrugged, looking at the red-haired knight.
“Hmm. Really?”
The knight smirked and leaned his face toward Doana. Doana flinched back.
“You look even uglier in daylight.”
It was a face that was not good for prenatal education. She replied with a trembling expression,
“How can someone be like that? Seriously, Beliana is a twisted person. To kill an innocent cat like that.”
Beliana’s lips twitched as Doana criticized her. Even though it had only been a day since the incident, rumors had spread quickly.
Beliana killed his cat.
"How ridiculous."
Some of those who had always criticized her had already changed their gazes. Their eyes, usually filled with contempt, were now filled with pity.
The knight, who had been staring blankly at Doana, chuckled and opened his mouth.
"You're doing quite well for someone whose beloved cat died."
"!"
In an instant, Doana's mouth twitched. She wiggled an eyebrow and looked at the knight.
"Why are you suddenly picking a fight?"
She muttered, looking at the knight with a cold expression.
"Didn't you see me collapse earlier?"
"I saw it."
The knight’s eyes widened at Doana’s words. It wasn’t enough to cover the cost with just a small amount.
“You seem to be interested in real estate. You know that Count Wence’s family has ample finances. Instead of taking out a loan, I think it would be better to ask the Count to gift you a building.”
“What I need isn’t an existing building. I’m going to start a business. A groundbreaking business, the likes of which have never existed before.”
“Business?”
...You?
Doana didn’t seem particularly bright in the knight’s eyes.
“Yes. I need money to start my own business.”
“...Then why don’t you ask the Count for support?”
“The Count doesn’t want me to suffer. He’s against me starting a business.”
Doana lied as if nothing had happened.
“I want to show my abilities, but I don’t even have the opportunity. How frustrating would that be?”
She continued with a faint smile.
“I want to surprise the Count. I also want to show those who have ignored me what kind of person I am.”
The knight, who had been staring at Doana, nodded with a mysterious expression.
“I see.”
Was there a good solution? Somehow, she felt like he would come up with a good idea.
“You can get a credit loan and a secured loan. You’re the government of Count Wence.”
“Really?”
Just being a government alone would get you a loan?
Doana’s face brightened pleasantly. She believed the knight without a doubt.
Everything was going smoothly. However, that was Doana’s delusion.
Doana's high spirits, once soaring, finally plummeted the next day when she went to the bank.
"I'm sorry, but I can't give you a loan."
"What?!"
The bank teller, with a stern expression, spoke with a firm, determined voice.
Her gleaming eyes gleamed with murder. They say that when you love someone, you become like them, and in Rose's appearance, he strangely saw the Grand Duke's features.
"Wait, you just hit me—"
Before Neruan could finish speaking, Rose's fist was aimed at him. Neruan reflexively dodged Rose's punch.
A strange atmosphere flowed between Neruan and Rose, who quickly pulled away.
"You dodged it just now?"
Neruan dodged his own punch with uncanny ease.
Rose didn't give up and swung her fist at him again.
"Ouch."
This time, Neruan dodged swiftly.
"Again?"
Rose's eyebrows quirked involuntarily as she watched Neruan continue to dodge her punches.
Rose opened her eyes narrowly and rushed toward him. Her hand, shorter than Neruan's, waved the air noisily.
He dodged all of Rose's hands with an embarrassed expression. She couldn't touch a single fingertip of Neruan.
Rose's breathing began to get heavier. The thought of simply venting her anger had inadvertently fueled her competitive spirit.
"What, what? Why didn't I hit you once!"
It was a moment where the already annoying guy felt even more annoying.
'Should I take this?'
Neruan, who had been reflexively dodging Rose's attacks, froze in place. Then, Rose's fist cut through the air and struck Neruan's face.
Neruan's face turned with a dull thud. It was a direct hit.
Neruan groaned involuntarily.
"Ugh."
"Ouch."
She hadn't intended to hit his face.
Rose froze involuntarily at the unexpected situation.
'I think I got hit properly...'
She had simply planned to lightly strike his shoulder. However, Neruan kept dodging, so she ended up waving her hand haphazardly, contrary to her plan.
“…Are you okay?”
Rose slowly approached and looked at Neruan. Neruan, who had been bowing his head diagonally, slowly raised his head.
“I’m okay.”
Contrary to Rose’s expectations, Neruan was fine. Rose’s punch wasn’t even close to threatening Neruan in the first place. He was just a little surprised, but it didn’t hurt.
Rose examined Neruan’s face. Her face turned pale.
“Uh, your face.”
The spot she had hit was red and swollen. It was just friction, but Rose couldn’t help but feel quite uneasy.
“I don’t think it’s okay.”
Rose chewed her lower lip, muttering. Her face grew increasingly sullen.
“I’m really okay.”
Compared to the Grand Duke's punch, it was nothing special.
Rose looked at Neruan with anxious eyes and mumbled.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hit you so brutally.”
Neruan flinched at Rose’s words. He’d come to apologize, but instead, he was receiving one.
Moreover, Rose’s attitude, so different from his own, which had finally managed to apologize, was enough to surprise him.
‘You don’t have to apologize.’
He knew she’d accidentally hit him in the face. No, in a way, it was intentional.
Rose looked like she desperately wanted to hit him. If she even hit him in the face, she’d feel better, he thought.
‘I thought you’d make a face like that...’
She was looking at him with such concern. It was truly uncomfortable.
Rose worried that Neruan’s face might get bruised. She hurriedly walked away.
“Follow me. I’ll put some ointment on you.”
Neruan’s voice came from behind Rose, who was hurriedly walking.
“No.”
It was a sharp rejection.
Rose turned around with a mysterious expression at Neruan’s refusal. Then, without saying a word, she walked towards Neruan.
Rose, who had approached Neruan, grabbed his wrist without a second thought. She then strode away, dragging him along.
Without even realizing it, Neruan was led by Rose's hand. He could have easily shaken her off, but he didn't.
Rose was headed to her office. Rose forced Neruan to sit on the sofa and rummaged through the drawers.
The unorganized drawers were filled with various items. After a few rummages, she found the ointment.
Rose approached Neruan with the ointment in her hand. She then sat down next to him. She squeezed a little ointment onto her ring finger and brought her hand to Neruan's face. At Rose's touch, Neruan flinched and stepped back.
Rose sighed and muttered, as if she had expected this.
“Look at this. It hurts.”
She mistook Neruan’s flinch for pain.
“It’s not because it hurts.”
Neruan felt awkward under Rose’s touch. It was incredibly uncomfortable having those small, delicate hands touch his skin.
“Stop joking and put your face on it. If I don’t apply the ointment, you might bruise.”
Rose pulled Neruan’s face closer and carefully applied the ointment.
“It tickles.”
Neruan flinched and frowned. Then he glanced at Rose.
“Why are your eyelashes so long?”
Rose’s eyes were downcast.
“It would hurt so much if you got pricked in the eye.”
Every time he blinked, his long eyelashes stood out even more.
“Why do you always insist on braiding your hair?”
The roughly braided hair could easily look out of place if not done properly. Judging by the loose, loose hair, it didn't look like it had been styled by a maid.
'You've been in the office for the past few days; your skin looks pale.'
Pure white, translucent skin, flawless. No matter how much she'd suffered, a noble was still a noble. The difference was evident even in her skin. Neruan was observing Rose. Did she sense his gaze? Rose looked at Neruan.
Neruan unconsciously averted his gaze when their eyes met.
'What a surprise.'
He hadn't expected their eyes to meet so suddenly. Neruan rolled his eyes awkwardly. Suddenly, Rose's hand shot out in front of him.
'Are you suggesting we shake hands?'
"Neruan."
Rose paused in mid-air, calling Neruan's name.
'I guess it means... let's get along well from now on.'
They had been growling like sworn enemies, but the past was the past. Neruan immediately grabbed her hand so that Rose wouldn't feel embarrassed.
When Neruan took her hand, Rose's face twisted strangely. Her eyes flickered between her hand and Neruan's face. She looked utterly bewildered, as if she hadn't realized Neruan would take her hand.
"Ah... Can I have the napkin behind me?"
As soon as Rose finished speaking, silence fell.
Neruan met Rose's eyes, who was looking at him with a trembling expression.
It took less than three seconds for his face to turn bright red.
'Damn it!'
He had mistaken himself for an idiot.
Neruan hastily let go of Rose's hand. Shame washed over him like a wave.
He jumped up, his face flushed. He quickly handed her the napkin and fled from the office.
The door closed with a bang.
Left alone, Rose muttered with a puzzled expression.
“...Why are you acting like that?”
***
“The mansion is so noisy because of you.”
Doana’s secret friend. He was leaning against the wall, his arms crossed.
“It’s not because of me, but because of Beliana.”
Doana shrugged, looking at the red-haired knight.
“Hmm. Really?”
The knight smirked and leaned his face toward Doana. Doana flinched back.
“You look even uglier in daylight.”
It was a face that was not good for prenatal education. She replied with a trembling expression,
“How can someone be like that? Seriously, Beliana is a twisted person. To kill an innocent cat like that.”
Beliana’s lips twitched as Doana criticized her. Even though it had only been a day since the incident, rumors had spread quickly.
Beliana killed his cat.
"How ridiculous."
Some of those who had always criticized her had already changed their gazes. Their eyes, usually filled with contempt, were now filled with pity.
The knight, who had been staring blankly at Doana, chuckled and opened his mouth.
"You're doing quite well for someone whose beloved cat died."
"!"
In an instant, Doana's mouth twitched. She wiggled an eyebrow and looked at the knight.
"Why are you suddenly picking a fight?"
She muttered, looking at the knight with a cold expression.
"Didn't you see me collapse earlier?"
"I saw it."
"And yet you're saying this now? I... barely managed to pull myself together."
"You were just laughing while talking about the cat, weren't you?"
"I'm naturally a laughing person... so I often get misunderstood."
Doana responded flexibly to the knight's irritating remark.
"My cat just passed away so suddenly, and you can't even console me. How could anyone laugh in a situation like this? Not even a psychopath."
"Why are you taking it so seriously? It's just a joke, a joke."
"It's not exactly a pleasant joke... You know that, right?"
"Hahaha. So, why did you call me in broad daylight?"
He reached out to Doana like a serpent. He took her hand and gently kissed the back of it.
Doana gently pulled her hand away and wiped it dry.
"I have a question."
"What are you curious about? Is that how amazing I am?"
He made a crude joke and licked her lips. Doana ignored him with a familiar expression and continued speaking.
"Can I get a loan?"
"Loan?"
"Yes."
“Do you need money? I understand the government provides a separate fee for maintaining dignity.”
Doana’s eyebrows quirked uncomfortably at the mention of dignity maintenance.
“I wish there were at least a dignity maintenance fee.”
Doana sighed softly and continued.
“I’m asking because this isn’t something that can be solved with a small amount of money.”
“How much do you need?”
“Enough to buy land and build a building on top.”
"You were just laughing while talking about the cat, weren't you?"
"I'm naturally a laughing person... so I often get misunderstood."
Doana responded flexibly to the knight's irritating remark.
"My cat just passed away so suddenly, and you can't even console me. How could anyone laugh in a situation like this? Not even a psychopath."
"Why are you taking it so seriously? It's just a joke, a joke."
"It's not exactly a pleasant joke... You know that, right?"
"Hahaha. So, why did you call me in broad daylight?"
He reached out to Doana like a serpent. He took her hand and gently kissed the back of it.
Doana gently pulled her hand away and wiped it dry.
"I have a question."
"What are you curious about? Is that how amazing I am?"
He made a crude joke and licked her lips. Doana ignored him with a familiar expression and continued speaking.
"Can I get a loan?"
"Loan?"
"Yes."
“Do you need money? I understand the government provides a separate fee for maintaining dignity.”
Doana’s eyebrows quirked uncomfortably at the mention of dignity maintenance.
“I wish there were at least a dignity maintenance fee.”
Doana sighed softly and continued.
“I’m asking because this isn’t something that can be solved with a small amount of money.”
“How much do you need?”
“Enough to buy land and build a building on top.”
The knight’s eyes widened at Doana’s words. It wasn’t enough to cover the cost with just a small amount.
“You seem to be interested in real estate. You know that Count Wence’s family has ample finances. Instead of taking out a loan, I think it would be better to ask the Count to gift you a building.”
“What I need isn’t an existing building. I’m going to start a business. A groundbreaking business, the likes of which have never existed before.”
“Business?”
...You?
Doana didn’t seem particularly bright in the knight’s eyes.
“Yes. I need money to start my own business.”
“...Then why don’t you ask the Count for support?”
“The Count doesn’t want me to suffer. He’s against me starting a business.”
Doana lied as if nothing had happened.
“I want to show my abilities, but I don’t even have the opportunity. How frustrating would that be?”
She continued with a faint smile.
“I want to surprise the Count. I also want to show those who have ignored me what kind of person I am.”
The knight, who had been staring at Doana, nodded with a mysterious expression.
“I see.”
Was there a good solution? Somehow, she felt like he would come up with a good idea.
“You can get a credit loan and a secured loan. You’re the government of Count Wence.”
“Really?”
Just being a government alone would get you a loan?
Doana’s face brightened pleasantly. She believed the knight without a doubt.
Everything was going smoothly. However, that was Doana’s delusion.
Doana's high spirits, once soaring, finally plummeted the next day when she went to the bank.
"I'm sorry, but I can't give you a loan."
"What?!"
The bank teller, with a stern expression, spoke with a firm, determined voice.
Previous Next
Comments
Post a Comment