Chapter 189
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 189
Chapter Title: When You Should Apologize
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Rose was feeling exhausted.
The meeting with Carl yesterday had drained her mentally to that extent.
'The Magic Lord... he's one tenacious bastard.'
Carl, who had come requesting cooperation to eliminate the "Twilight Hour" with that affable chuckling smile.
His actions—dragging in the crown prince and Duke Robert under the pretext of protecting London's citizens, even offering tangible benefits—were no longer a mere request.
It was closer to coercion, blocking off any escape and pushing relentlessly.
Thank goodness the mild-mannered Crown Prince Edward had hesitated to the end and maintained neutrality.
If the royal family had sided with Carl, it would have been even harder for Rose to hold her ground.
Of course, enduring six full hours of debate with him had already left her utterly spent.
'I'm so tired... really.'
Rose let out a sigh.
She hadn't slept a wink for over two days, and after going through that torturous discussion on top of it, her fatigue had reached its limit in just a few short days.
That was why.
Her glance had unconsciously drifted toward the window.
But it was merely an unconscious habit. She soon shook her head and tore her eyes away from the window.
'No matter how tired I am, work has to get done.'
Steeling her wavering resolve, Rose forcibly dispelled the fatigue accumulated in her body using psychokinesis and tackled the stack of reports on her desk one by one.
In truth, it was just a bit more intense than usual, but all of this was familiar territory for her anyway.
Making do with minimal sleep to squeeze out time, suppressing fatigue with psychokinesis to keep working.
Whether as Countess Sea Serpent,
as the Azure Dragon Princess of the Seven Dragon Society,
or as the chairwoman of Yormungand.
The work always piled up for Rose.
And to make efficient use of the mere 24 hours in a day, she had no choice but to grow accustomed to sleepless days.
From the moment she hatched from her egg, recalling the minimal knowledge and refinement, right up to now—her entire life.
...Though lately, she had grown oddly accustomed to deep sleep as well.
'Oh, damn.'
Rose made a troubled face.
She had been trying so hard to focus on work, but in that brief moment of distraction, her gaze had wandered back to the window.
There was no reason for any more sounds to come from the garden, so why couldn't she bring herself to close that window?
After sighing over the phenomenon she couldn't even understand herself,
Rose finally stood from her seat and picked up her sword.
'Might as well patrol for a bit to shake off the fatigue.'
She ignored the fact that she still had a mountain of documents left, and going on patrol would essentially be fleeing the office.
In any case, patrolling was also her duty.
And since she hadn't gone out much in the past few days, it would surely serve as a nice change of pace.
Pajing.
Rose channeled her psychokinesis and leaped through space.
From her office to the rooftop of the building.
From a secluded alley to the square.
From a factory smokestack to atop a bridge.
Crossing spaces as naturally as breathing, she checked and inspected dozens of locations in mere minutes.
It was a marvel no one else could replicate—not even the world's top spatial player, the Teleportation Archduke—possible only for her.
Thanks to that, Rose accomplished a great deal.
Rescuing a child from a burning building, transporting the injured from a car accident site, subduing an escaped pet monster, and more.
Over a dozen incidents resolved in under an hour.
Heroics that would impress even movie superheroes.
"Thank you so much!"
"We survived thanks to you."
"It's the countess! Countess Rose is here!"
Wherever she appeared, she was met with cheers and gratitude from the people, and each time, she responded with a polite smile before moving on.
One might think that was enough for a break, but Rose never slacked off.
Protecting London's citizens was her duty.
Besides, receiving such warm welcomes and thanks always gave her a burst of energy from nowhere.
'...Why is that?'
That was why.
The longer the patrol went on, the more complicated Rose's expression became.
'Why does it feel so lacking?'
Of course, receiving thanks from people was still joyful, and performing good deeds energized her more.
Yet the absence of the same satisfaction as before wore her down.
So Rose thought to herself.
This wasn't what she wanted.
She craved something soothing and cozy—not energizing, but rather calming her spirit gently.
Yes, if she had to give an example...
"Countess, what are you doing here?"
"Huh?"
Rose turned around.
Her eyes widened upon seeing the person staring at her with an odd expression.
"Why are you here...?"
"I stepped out for a quick errand."
"Oh, are you sightseeing?"
"Something like that."
Rose nodded as she watched the black-haired musician shrug.
Come to think of it, it made sense for a foreigner like him to stroll around London in his free time.
Especially at a place like Big Ben.
"More importantly, I don't think I've gotten an answer to my question yet."
"I was on a brief patrol."
"Patrol?"
"As I mentioned before, the Sea Serpent countess's family is responsible for London's public safety."
"Hmm..."
'Just a coincidence?'
Rimon eyed Rose suspiciously for a moment as she politely explained it as a natural duty for the head of the countess family.
He subtly checked the positions of the clock face and the mirrors, then nodded.
At least it didn't seem like she was tailing him or had come looking for the magic hall.
"Well, then patrol diligently. I'm heading out."
"Pardon?"
Rimon asked flatly as Rose looked flustered, as if she'd heard something outrageous.
"Why the face? Do you have business with me?"
"Well... If you're sightseeing, you might need a guide. If it's alright, I'd like to show you around."
"...You're offering to be my tour guide? You, the countess?"
"It would be a disaster if a guest of the family wandered London alone and got into an accident."
"London's security doesn't seem that bad."
"There are still plenty of dangerous spots in London."
Rimon grew even more dubious at Rose's earnest declaration.
She'd just said she was responsible for London's security, and now this contradictory admission that it was a mess. He had no idea how to take it.
'Is she suspicious of me and trying to dig into my background?'
'No, the Azure Dragon Princess approaching directly would be too obvious for that.'
'The Blue Dragon Clan might just be extending courtesy...'
"Alright, then I'll take you up on that."
After racking his brains with all his experience and still drawing a blank,
Rimon finally nodded.
There was no need to arouse suspicion by rejecting her goodwill, and he saw it as an opportunity.
'The Azure Dragon Princess would make a fine informant.'
Yuna Kyung would have scolded him for what insane idea that was, but Rimon was serious.
If Rose was approaching him, there were plenty of ways to turn it to his advantage.
And there were things he wanted to confirm anyway.
But after starting the tour with Rose as his guide, Rimon couldn't help but question if his judgment was right.
Receiving stares like "Who the hell is that guy hanging around with our countess?" everywhere they went?
That was a trivial issue.
The real problem was that Rose had a fatal flaw as a tour guide.
"Someone fell in the water!"
"Excuse me for a moment."
"Go ahead."
Five minutes to rescue the drowning person.
Screeech!
"Sorry for vanishing suddenly. It was an emergency..."
"Don't worry about it. Accidents need to be prevented."
Ten minutes to appear before a vehicle about to cause a crash, avert it, and handle the aftermath.
"Waaah!"
"Um..."
"Let's go together."
Twenty minutes of fidgeting upon spotting a lost, crying child, then getting Rimon's permission and finding the parents.
At this point, it was impossible to tell if she was guiding a tour or just patrolling with him.
Whether she realized it herself or not,
after the same thing happened five times in a row, Rose bowed her head deeply before Rimon.
"...I'm truly sorry. If you wish, I can call someone more suitable to guide you."
Rimon stared at the princess who had honestly admitted her lack of talent as a guide.
Then he asked bluntly,
"Why?"
"Pardon?"
"Why apologize?"
"I volunteered myself, but I couldn't guide you properly."
"It was all because you were helping people. And I agreed or permitted every time. If I complained about that, I'd be the asshole."
"But..."
Rose couldn't hide her distress.
Rimon cut straight to the point.
"Let me ask directly. If something like that happens again, you wouldn't do it?"
"...No, I'd probably do it again."
"Then don't apologize. You apologize when you think you did wrong, not when you believe you did right."
"..."
Rose was at a loss for words.
She hadn't expected such words from Rimon, whom she'd assumed would be annoyed.
If he were like the average London citizen, holding back irritation out of deference to her status and saying nice things, she could understand.
But Rose could tell.
Rimon truly had no complaints.
If he had even a sliver of dissatisfaction with her, he wouldn't be lecturing her like this.
'Lecture... right. This is what a lecture feels like.'
Realizing she'd been lectured, she made an odd expression.
Rose had been adored by all since birth and mastered everything she learned perfectly.
Even from close aides like Lucas or the elders, she'd received advice but never a lecture.
So being lectured by Rimon—who seemed about her age, maybe a bit older—felt strange.
Not unpleasant, though.
If anything...
"Hey, Countess. Just to confirm, are the servants serving time in your household free to go out?"
"Not entirely free. But we do permit outings for those with light offenses, depending on circumstances."
After answering earnestly, Rose belatedly asked in confusion,
"Why do you ask?"
"Why? Because of that bastard."
"...?"
Rose followed Rimon's gaze.
And saw him.
In a corner of the street they were passing, a man scowling fiercely at someone.
A face she'd seen only once or twice.
But Rose's perfect mind recalled the memory instantly.
"Max Powell?"
Her face hardened as she spotted the thief who'd fled after robbing a stall—the very one that led to her first meeting with Rimon.
It wasn't just because of Lucas's report that he'd tried to assault Rimon.
It was the subtly menacing yet familiar vibe between Max and the person he was talking to.
Even a thief could have friends, but this guy was an exception.
Because...
"Hey! What are you gonna do about it? You said it'd be a quick release, but because of you, I'm the only one locked up suffering!"
"That's 'cause you resisted when you got caught. How many times did I tell you? Surrender right away and show remorse."
"If you knew so well, why didn't you steal it yourself, you punk!"
"Be serious. How could I steal my own stuff?"
...the person Max was arguing with was the stall owner he'd robbed.