"...I haven't said anything yet."
"Nothing is allowed outside of this bed."
Roselyn was speechless at Cherty's kindness as he explained things clearly.
The incident in the city of Landarin had come to an end, and she had returned to the Duke's mansion, confined to jer bed as a patient... no. She was recuperating.
Several rumors spreading from the incident in Landarin caused a stir in the public.
First, on that day, the culprit was injured even in the northern part of the battle and escaped, and has not yet been caught.
Second. It was none other than the 3rd Prince who saved those who were dying of respiratory distress due to the oxygen from the combustion, even though the fire had been extinguished.
They said that he instantly destroyed the earthen dome that was so tightly sealed that not even an ant could pass through the Abyss.
Fortunately, there were no fatalities, even though there were people who suffered severe burns.
In Kalutain, there were only a few minor injuries.
Sanja, whose body had been engulfed in flames, also suffered only minor burns, perhaps thanks to Kalutain's unique regenerative abilities.
Anyway, the world was in an uproar.
The story that the fire engulfing the village suddenly vanished as if sucked into something was a miracle of God, and it was spread around, packaged as the care of God who took pity on Marquis Willbreed, who often performed good deeds.
'It's not even funny.'
Roselyn scoffed at the tinnitus, which was absurd even upon rethinking it.
Does it make any sense for a guy who made a pact with the devil to receive God's care just because he makes a small donation?
Anyway, there were also rumors that a Kalutain was at the scene of the incident.
While there were rumors that it was a self-inflicted act by Kalutain, rumors also spread that Kalutain had desperately protected the citizens of the Empire by smashing a massive wall with his fist.
Of course, the latter was a rumor that Roselyn had asked Marquis Garen to spread.
Anyway, for that reason, Landarin, who was reduced to ashes in Roselyn's world, retained some form in this world.
And Roselyn didn't do it much, belatedly.
With a frail body, a long journey, and living away from home, it was only natural that she fell ill on the way back.
Since she pushed herself too hard while weaving through the flames in that state, when Cherty got Rosalyn back, her heart was indescribable.
Even though she was surrounded by a protective shield of blue stones, having entered the center of the fire, it was inevitable that she would suffer minor burns here and there, and she was also damaged in her eyes, so she could not open them for several days.
'It was a relief that I could summon a healing priest.'
Cherty returned to the mansion and summoned a healing priestess to treat her, and she was much better now.
It was now the fifth day since she returned to the mansion.
"...But the bed is stuffy."
"...Absolutely not. Not even if dirt gets in my eyes."
"The soil happens to be ready, though."
Roselyn reached out her hand to a small potted plant she had received as a get-well gift from someone and said.
Cherty looked at Roselyn with a look that seemed to say, "What kind of bastard is this?" and then spoke again.
It seemed a bit disappointing.
"I didn't say it wouldn't work until the soil got in; I said it wouldn't work even if the soil got in."
Roselyn kept her mouth shut at Cherty's words, which clearly pointed out the mistakes.
It felt like relics were going to come out of her body.
She twisted her whole body, expressing that she felt as though relics were about to come out of her.
"What's wrong? If you need to go to the bathroom, I'll take you. If the bedding is uncomfortable, shall I change it for you? Bedsores can develop, so please turn your body over properly."
What came back was somewhat embarrassing advice.
Roselyn looked at Cherty with a look that seemed to say, "What kind of father is this?", then sighed and closed her eyes.
The ordered period of recuperation is one month.
Duke Bellion, seeing Roselyn's condition, could not refuse, as the script had also taken effect.
“I want to get some sleep.”
"Okay, get a good night's sleep."
As Roselyn obediently closed her eyes, Cherty slowly and gently stroked her forehead.
"My dear, I love you."
"..."
At those embarrassing words, Roselyn couldn't bring herself to answer and pretended to be asleep.
She never imagined she wouldn't be able to get out of bed like that for a whole month.
***
The person she had to meet after her month of recuperation was neither the Emperor nor the Kalutain she had brought with her. Nor was it the Third Prince Arma.
“Roselyn.”
“Yes, grandfather.”
It was Devon Bellion.
Devon Bellion's lips twitched once at Roselyn's extremely cunning nickname.
Next to him were Aegis Bellion and Ian Bellion, who looked visibly sullen.
Roselyn has been extremely wary of Cherty for the past month.
She had committed a sin, and when she first opened her eyes after being sick for a long time, she saw a pale complexion and eyes filled with despair, so she could not act as she pleased.
"Roselyn, if you disappear from my sight again without permission, I will die."
With eyes bloodshot like that, what on earth could she have done as a dutiful daughter?
She was well aware that she was the one who had driven her father, who had always been relaxed, calm, and indifferent to the world, to that point.
So Roselyn quietly buried herself in the blankets, eating and sleeping, eating and sleeping, and was raised like a pig.
"I heard that you secretly slipped away from the fleeing procession and acted alone with Marquis Garen. Why did you take such a dangerous action?"
Roselyn was sitting in a soft dining chair, surrounded by a feast, being interrogated.
"..."
Roselyn remained silent and briefly recalled what had happened to explain the situation.
She made a friend a long time ago.
When she went to Kaluta, she heard that her friend was actually a god.
One night, a friend appeared in her dream.
She extorted a sacred object called the Seven Stones from her friend.
Among them, there happened to be a bead effective against such a large-scale fire, so it was used.
She sorted it out in her head, and she felt like she would be lucky if she wasn't treated like a crazy bastard.
"Let me tell you in advance, the Willbreed family is not a family with a very good reputation."
Devon cautiously opened his mouth, wondering what Roselyn's long silence was all about.
"Even though it looks like they are wealthy, their total assets are less than our Duke's family's, and they don't have a grandfather like me or any other uncles."
"Yes..."
"And that guy has always had a devious side to him; you couldn't tell what he was thinking, Niece. He's a nasty bastard who always snatches other people's things like a snake."
This time, Aegis Bellion added.
"Gasp. If a timid girl like you, with only a pretty face and a frustrating personality, went there, you’d look like you’d be devoured on the spot. He may look like it, but huh? Rumors are going around that his house is full of all sorts of dangerous things. Do you know that?"
Seeing Roselyn's rather indifferent reaction, Ian Bellion added one more thing.
Seeing that the bruises on his face had faded considerably since she last saw him, it seemed that his mental training was complete to some extent.
'A good beating is the only cure for troublemakers.'
Roselyn nodded as she recalled the last appearance of Ian Bellion, who had a black eye.
"Ah. Yes..."
Of course she knew that. That all there is is a snake-like man with nothing but insidiousness inside his belly.
She also meant that there is a room where all sorts of dangerous and bizarre collections are gathered.
“I know.”
“You know?”
Roselyn nodded.
"How do you know that!?"
Ian Bellion let out a loud scream.
Roselyn frowned as if she were annoyed.
"Wasn't it the second uncle who asked if I knew?"
"Uncle, who said I were you uncle...! Ahem. Ah. Anyway."
You told me to call you Uncle one moment.
"Understood, Young Master Ian."
"...Damn it. Stop messing around and call me properly! Am I your friend? I'm asking if I'm your friend!"
It was annoying.
Roselyn frowned and opened her mouth with a somewhat regretful expression.
"I don't make stupid friends, so even though I know you want to be my friend, I'm declining."
"... What?"
"Anyway, I only know because I've been to that house."
Watching Ian Bellion gape, Roselyn added calmly.
'Come to think of it, I should probably mention the suggestion as a daughter as well.'
Rather than having someone else hear it later and cause a misunderstanding.
"And I received a proposal from Marquis Garen asking if I would become his daughter..."
Taang-!
Roselyn looked up at the sound of metal hitting the marble floor.
"What...?"
"Ah..."
Cherty, with a shocked look on his face, opened his eyes wide in astonishment.
“No. Father..."
"...I guess I was very lacking."
Cherty muttered, interrupting Roselyn, then turned and walked away, like some tragic heroine.
"This is driving me crazy..."
Roselyn muttered softly while pressing her hand to her forehead.
"I agree, my granddaughter."
Devon, who had seen Cherty like that since childhood, chimed in.
Silence filled the room.
Previous Next
Support Novellate!
Comments
Post a Comment