Chapter 44
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Eternal Dream Grass
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As soon as the office door clicked shut, Seria exhaled the breath she'd been holding in one explosive burst.
"Haa, haa…."
Her heart pounded in her ears like a drum.
She cupped her burning cheeks with both palms and hurried down the corridor.
No one saw that, right?
Ugh, how could I say something like that in front of the Duke? I'm insane! Totally insane, Seria!!
She was fanning her face to cool off when she rounded the corner—and nearly collided with someone.
"Oh? Seria?"
It was Lady Leonier Baldinmar, returning from her stroll.
Seria startled, bowing her head hastily and covering her face.
"L-Lady Leonier! Out for a walk?"
She tried to sound casual, mimicking her usual poised head maid persona, but her trembling voice betrayed her.
Leonier tilted her head at the uncharacteristic sight, peering closely at Seria's face.
Flushed cheeks peeking through her fingers, eyes darting uncertainly, and an oddly exhilarated air.
...Ah.
A subtle smile curved Leonier's lips.
Having spent a long time in the Kaltstein estate in her previous regression, she knew Seria well.
She knew exactly what expression this ever-impeccable, cool-headed maid wore when she felt true happiness—better than anyone.
And she knew the source of that happiness, too.
Instead of pretending not to notice, Leonier approached lightly and slipped her arm through Seria's.
"Seria."
"Y-Yes?!"
"Coming from the office? What'd you talk about with the Duke?"
Leonier asked with playful yet affectionate eyes.
"N-Nothing... Just a routine report."
"Oh, come on, liar. Your face wouldn't be this pretty shade of pink from just work."
Leonier leaned in a little, tightening her grip on Seria's arm.
"Can't you tell me just a teensy bit? Pretty please? What'd he say? Did he tease you mischievously? Or maybe…."
It wasn't an interrogation.
Just the cozy intimacy of sisters gossiping about romance.
Caught off guard by the gentle prodding, Seria hesitated, lips parting and closing. Then she met Leonier's clear gaze.
Seeing pure, genuine congratulations there—no jealousy or envy—she let out a small sigh and nodded faintly.
An affirmation.
Leonier beamed, patting Seria's back warmly.
"Come on! I love romance consultations like this."
"Ugh... It's not like that."
Meanwhile, in a guest room annex of the Kaltstein estate.
Consciousness surfaced amid a throbbing headache.
"Ugh…."
Kairak groaned, forcing open his heavy eyelids.
As his blurry vision sharpened, an unfamiliar ceiling pattern came into view.
He instinctively tried to sit up, but his limbs were bound tight—immobile.
Not ropes.
Transparent restraints woven from mana.
Where am I? Last I remember….
Before he could piece together his memories, a soft voice spoke from above.
"Awake?"
Kairak flinched, looking up.
Someone stood by the bed.
Golden hair gleaming in the backlight, eyes brimming with curiosity.
Second Princess Roselia de Loen.
She stared down at him like a scholar examining a lab frog—or a child with a fascinating new toy.
"Took you longer than expected. I figured an assassin guild master would have better stamina."
Roselia smiled sweetly.
Something in that smile sent a chill down his spine, and Kairak swallowed dryly despite himself.
"Roselia de Loen... Did you restrain me?"
"Me? No way~ How could I, not knowing when you'd wake? The lord of Kaltstein personally saved and bound you with utmost care, of course!"
"...I see. And why save me?"
Fragments of memory returned: in his final moments, Black Wing Squadron Captain Garneon had plunged a dagger into his throat.
A strike that missed the artery, designed for maximum agony.
Yes, he'd accepted death after that and closed his eyes.
So why was he alive?
As Kairak eyed her suspiciously, Roselia shrugged nonchalantly.
"To squeeze every last drop of info out of you, obviously?"
"...You think I'll spill everything? Dream on. For Elina... death holds no fear for me."
"For Elina... death holds no fear for me... Right, I know."
"!? How do you—"
Kairak's eyes widened as she parroted his words verbatim. He stared at her in shock.
Roselia met his cute assassin bewilderment with the most innocent smile.
"I know way more about you than you think. But... I was curious."
After all, she'd already dealt with the variable named Noxion.
Even survived the absurdity of a living dragon in its lair.
She'd sworn no more variables could surprise her.
But... an assault on Kaltstein? An event no one on the continent had ever dared imagine.
And one of the attackers being a novel protagonist like Kairak? Unthinkable.
She burned with curiosity: Why accept this commission? What happened in the palace with Elina during her two-month absence?
Roselia perched on the bed's edge, leaning forward.
"Tell me honestly why you attacked Kaltstein—or why you had to. I'll help you. I swear it—I'll use every bit of info I have to save Elina."
Her eyes were earnest.
But Kairak remained guarded, lips pressed shut.
The world he'd lived in was too ruthless to take a princess at her word.
Too cruel to trust anyone.
Growing frustrated at his silence, Roselia lowered her voice.
"Think about it, Kairak. What happens if you clam up here? Noxion—no, Duke Kaltstein—isn't merciful. Especially not to those who touch his people."
She tapped his chest lightly with her index finger.
"If you hold out, you'll die like a dog. Then what about Elina? Who's protecting her if you die? Ever pictured her trembling alone in the Crown Prince's clutches?"
"...Ugh."
Kairak's eyes wavered.
She'd struck his sorest spot.
Yet he turned away, refusing to answer.
It could be a trap.
He couldn't trust imperial blood like the Crown Prince's.
Unable to bear his stubborn silence, Roselia shot to her feet.
"Argh, seriously! You sweet potato of a guy! Frustrating enough from text, but seeing you in person feels like a truckload shoved down my throat!!"
She pounded her chest with her fists.
"Hey! Don't you know who I am? I'm Roselia! Believe it or not, I want you happy! I cheered for you so much watching your story! Please, no more clogged tragic ends—give me a happy ending!"
"Wh-What are you—"
Kairak flinched at the sudden outburst.
Roselia glared, panting.
"Can't trust me? Sounds like a lie? Fine, proof: your past."
"……?"
"Slum orphanage kid. Amid the director's daily abuse, Elina was the only one who shielded you—the light in your dying days."
Kairak's eyes widened.
Words from her mouth no one else knew— a memory shared only with Elina.
But Roselia pressed on.
"Then Elina caught Marquis Venzetino's eye and got sold to the palace. You were powerless to stop it. So you vowed: gain strength, rescue her no matter what."
She locked eyes with him, emphasizing every syllable.
"Five years later, you swung your blade like a madman, cutting down foes to reach the assassin guild's pinnacle. All to save Elina from Crown Prince Damian's sights! Right?"
"Y-Yes. But before that... Who the hell are you?"
Kairak's voice shook.
This wasn't mere intel prowess—it was his intimate history spilling from her lips.
For a fleeting moment, he wondered if the imperial intelligence network was far sharper than he'd thought, digging up his past.
But info always came from someone's mouth or pen, right?
Roselia regarded his pensive face calmly, eyes still alight with passion.
"I told you. Someone who wants to help you."
"……."
Did her sincerity finally reach him?
Or did he realize he couldn't hide anymore?
Kairak stared at her long and hard, then dropped his gaze with a deep sigh.
"...As I said, I needed the Elixir."
Resigned, he slowly opened his sealed lips.
"Elina's dying from the Empress's poison. The Eternal Dream Grass—one dose puts her to sleep longer each day until she dreams forever. Only the Elixir is the antidote. They promised it if I helped raid Kaltstein…."
"...Wait, hold on—what? Who's poisoned by what?"