Chapter 55
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: Foundation (4)
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Rose had arrived at this castle by carriage on her very first day.
Even back then, when she wore a far shabbier and more worn-out dress than the one now, with her hair all mussed up and her face shadowed in gloom.
Really? It's not because I'm ugly?
Even as she rolled her teary eyes while asking that.
I had never once thought Rose was ugly.
"I..., um."
Just as Rose gripped her dress so tightly I worried it might crumple.
"I've... never heard anyone say that before."
Rose's chest swelled and fell dramatically. Her voice followed, now much steadier, the tremor faded.
"...Thank you, Your Excellency."
"Just stating the facts, and I get thanks for it? Now that's a bargain."
I brushed it off casually, and Rose stared at me for a moment before letting out a soft chuckle.
"You really... haven't changed at all, Your Excellency."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"Yes. You've always been the kind of person who has no need to lie."
Seeing her say that, it seemed Rose was finally starting to accept my words.
"Hoo..."
But her face was still flushed red. Along with it, her neck and the hollow of her collarbone glowed warmly.
She still doesn't like it, does she?
No matter how I looked at it, that dress was far too revealing.
For someone with as much self-control as me, it might be fine—but for a vigorous young man in his prime, it would be impossible to look away.
The flushed skin of her neck and chest sparked the imagination of what lay beneath.
I absolutely can't let her take off that shawl.
I resolved to myself, but then a sudden doubt crept in: did such measures even matter?
The male lead of this world would uncover Rose's hidden jewel-like brilliance, no matter how much dust and sand piled atop her.
In other words, someone recognizing Rose's charm and true worth was inevitable.
"......"
Still, my personal desire to delay that moment warred fiercely with my wish to restore Rose's confidence.
In the end, the latter won out.
Watching her twirl in front of the mirror, gazing at her reflection,
"Hee hee."
giggling to herself—I had no choice but to side with it.
As long as Rose smiled happily like that, I'd buy and fill her wardrobe with dresses or jewels myself.
Rose was like a knight marching into the battlefield of high society. Supporting her was the natural duty of her lord and contractor.
Yes. That's how it was.
"...You like it that much?"
"Ah, yes."
Rose shyly covered her mouth.
"It's the first dress made just for me. The length, the fit—everything's perfect. Wearing something custom-tailored feels so good."
"I see."
"Thank you, Your Excellency. I'll treasure it."
Rose bowed her head toward me through the mirror, then paused.
"...Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Can't I look?"
"Ah, no. It's not that you can't."
Rose mumbled, averting her eyes from mine.
"It just feels like you're laughing... Though you probably aren't."
With that, she fanned her reddened face with her hand.
"Why is it so hot in here?"
Rose reached back to lift her hair, as if it were too warm,
"Ow."
and let out a small cry.
"What's wrong?"
"My hair..."
Rose turned to check her back in the mirror. Her abundant red locks had tangled in the buttons along her back.
"Oh, this."
She tried pulling at her hair with her hand, but it showed no sign of coming loose. After struggling with it for a while, it only tangled more tightly.
In defeat, Rose made a pouty face.
"Your Excellency, could you..."
"Sure."
I approached Rose and twirled my finger, signaling her to turn around.
"Thank you, Your Excellency."
The tangle was low on her back, so I had to bend at the waist.
A wave of her faint warmth and sweet scent enveloped me. I took a breath,
swish.
and gathered the remaining hair aside with one hand to keep it out of the way. With the other, I began carefully extracting the strands caught in the button.
Not easy...
I moved gently, afraid a sharp tug would hurt her. Just cut it off, I thought, but kept it to myself.
Then, glancing up,
"......"
I noticed Rose's shoulders trembling faintly. I shifted slightly to see the mirror,
squeeze.
and there she was, eyes squeezed shut, hands clasped tightly together.
...Ha.
Here we go again.
She trembles like this whenever I get close, yet she still asks me for help. Why?
tap.
Pretending it was an accident to test her, I lightly brushed her arm,
"Hic."
and she stifled a muffled gasp.
What the...
Had I ever threatened her?
Whenever unavoidable contact was needed, I'd always asked permission first, and I made every effort to avoid unnecessary touches.
Yet she acted as if I were some brute forcing myself on her against her will. My mood plummeted sharply.
swish.
I released her hair and stepped back.
"All done?"
Seeing Rose turn around with a suddenly brightened face only made my mood sink faster.
"Madam,"
I suppressed the boiling frustration inside and countered.
"If you hate being touched by me so much, why ask for favors like this?"
"...Pardon?"
"It's not so serious that you have to endure something you hate."
I spat curtly and turned away sharply.
"The maids will be back soon anyway. Have them handle it."
And with that, I strode toward the door.
"Y-Your Excellency!"
Rose's trembling voice called from behind.
Just before turning, I'd caught her wide-eyed stare—shocked, utterly baffled.
Recalling it made my anger surge.
"To begin with,"
I couldn't hold back and spun around again.
"You're the one who asked first, aren't you? So why are you shaking like that?"
"Pardon?"
"Don't forget our contract. Isn't this the kind of contact a husband and wife can have?"
An inexplicable rage overtook me, words spilling out before I could think. Something I'd bottled up for so long had burst free.
"We'll have to get close plenty more times ahead. Are you planning to flinch in fear every single one?"
"Your Excellency, what—"
"If you're like this when it's just us, you'll probably burst into tears in front of others."
Yes, that's why I was angry now.
We had to act like a loving couple in public, but it felt impossible. She wasn't fulfilling her contractual duties properly.
That's why I was mad. No other reason.
"Remember, no matter how much you hate it, these are things we have to do. That's the contract."
It was the most I'd ever said in my life. But if I didn't vent this boiling frustration somehow, I wouldn't be able to bear it.
"Your Excellency..."
I met Rose's eyes, etched with shock, then
whoosh!
whirled around, my clothes whipping in the motion. I walked briskly away from her.
"Your Excellency! Wait, please!"
I ignored her desperate voice and kept going.
Unfamiliar emotions—anger, hurt—tangled chaotically, making it hard to control myself. My breathing, unshaken even by an assassin's attack, now wavered unsteadily.
I wanted to be alone. Truly.
Step, step.
I'd nearly reached the door in an instant.
"Please wait... Ack!"
Rose's scream rang out, followed by a thud. She'd probably tripped over her dress rushing after me.
...Ha!
Don't turn back, don't look, I told myself.
"Ow..."
Her pitiful groans tugged at my ears.
Damn it.
I was angry. Even angrier at myself for not being able to leave her like that.
In the end,
You idiot.
I cursed myself as my body instinctively turned back toward Rose.
"Ugh..."
Rose lay sprawled on the floor, groaning.
The voluminous skirt had cushioned her, so her knees weren't badly bruised, but she seemed unable to stand alone.
"......"
I moved to help her up unconsciously, then froze. Touching her would mean contact again.
"I'd like to help, but"
I crossed my arms and spoke sharply.
"if I grab you, you'll just get scared again, so I can't."
"Pardon?"
Rose slowly lifted her head.
"So this isn't rudeness—it's consideration..."
I trailed off mid-sentence.
Her eyes glistened with tears; her knee must have hit hard. Seeing that softened my resolve again.
"Hoo."
Instead of cursing myself, I sighed into the air,
"Just bear it a moment."
Grab.
I seized her waist. Despite all the feeding, it remained slender.
Whoosh.
I pulled her up, her blank gaze fixed on my face. The dress's layered fabric made it heavy.
"There. That should do it."
As soon as she stood steady, I let go.
"When the maids arrive, have them help you out of that cumbersome thing immediately."
"I—"
"And check your knee."
I cut her off and said my piece, even worrying about her knee in the process.
Who knew how many times today I'd done this? I thought wearily,
whoosh.
and turned my back to her.
"Then I'll be going."
As I stepped forward,
"Wait!"
Something warm touched my fingertips. Realizing it was Rose's hand, my foot halted abruptly.
"Your Excellency, please wait."
Rose reached out with her other hand too, as if determined not to let the chance slip. Her warm fingers intertwined like ropes, binding my hand.
"Please wait just a moment."
"......"
I stared at my hand in Rose's grasp.
It was the first time. The first time she'd reached out and grabbed me herself.
The sudden closeness of her body heat felt foreign. Her soft palm, the tickle on the back of my hand—everything.
Normally, a mere glance from me would make her startle with an Ah! and pull away.
"Talk with me."
Right now, Rose only gripped tighter, as if she'd never let go.
For a moment, my heart softened at the sight,
"You say I'm scared? What do you mean by that?"
but her innocent question reignited my frustration.
"Are you really asking because you don't know?"
I fully turned toward her and shot back.