Chapter 58
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: Tea Party (2)
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Mana Reversal.
That term suddenly flashed through Rose's mind.
‘…No way.’
A new hypothesis quickly took shape in Rose's head.
This unique mana waveform kept nagging at her. Her instincts warned that something was hidden here, that she couldn't just gloss over these readings.
“Your Excellency.”
Rose tore her eyes from the instrument panel and turned around.
Click.
Dane was rubbing his wrists, now freed from the restraints.
“Done?”
“Yes. To sum up the results first, there are no poisonous herbs showing a clear reaction, as far as I know.”
“Hmm.”
Dane frowned and leaned back against the headrest.
“Then these tests are over for today?”
“Um… yes. I don’t think we need to do any more.”
“Good.”
Dane let out a long breath of relief.
Sweat beaded on his forehead. His complexion had worsened since entering the room.
“You’ve been through so much. It must have been tough.”
Rose quickly grabbed the pre-boiled water pitcher. She mixed water into the honey in a cup and offered it to Dane.
“Here, have this.”
“What is it?”
“Honey water. Good for hangovers.”
“Do you think I’m a drunkard?”
Dane said that, but he reached out readily anyway. The moment his hand grasped the cup, his firm fingertips brushed the back of Rose’s hand.
“…….”
In the past, she would have flinched or tensed up. But now Rose had grown(?) to the point where this much contact didn’t faze her.
‘Did I ever hit my wife or something? Why is she so scared of me?’
Dane’s face furrowed in grievance.
She had vowed to show him her changed self. She planned to keep that promise faithfully.
‘Well, I’ve done far worse than this.’
Compared to clinging tightly to him in bed, this was nothing. She was definitely getting used to being around Dane.
Gulp, gulp.
For all his grumbling, Dane downed the honey water at a rapid pace.
“Give me another glass.”
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
Rose refilled the empty cup Dane held out. He asked for another right away, so she figured he must be thirsty and poured generously this time.
That was the mistake.
“Tastes pretty good, right? Here.”
The moment she excitedly handed over the cup, the water sloshed.
Splash.
The golden liquid spilled out, soaking the front of Dane’s pants.
“Oh no!”
Rose hurriedly snatched a cloth from the table.
Swipe, swipe.
She quickly crouched in front of him and wiped the water from his pants. If she acted fast, maybe it wouldn’t seep into the fabric.
The moment Rose’s hand pressed firmly against the front of Dane’s pants.
“Wait.”
Dane suddenly seized Rose’s wrist. Not harshly, but firmly.
“Yes?”
Rose reflexively looked up—and found herself nose-to-nose with Dane’s face.
His expression was slightly furrowed in distress. His gaze seemed oddly fixed somewhere behind her.
‘…Wow.’
She’d always thought he was handsome, but facing him like this always felt fresh. How could even a frown look so striking?
Rose had unconsciously become absorbed in Dane’s face when
“My wife certainly doesn’t stand on ceremony.”
Dane’s disgruntled voice snapped her back to reality.
One of her hands rested on Dane’s thigh, while the other clutched the cloth, wiping his crotch.
“S-Sorry!”
She yanked her hand away in a panic.
Of all places, there…
‘I must be losing my mind!’
While Rose frantically stared at her naughty(?) hand, Dane gazed at her steadily.
With the look of a starving lion licking its chops.
“Hand me the towel.”
“Ah, yes.”
He took the towel from her and wiped his pants thoroughly. Then he casually crossed his legs.
Rose, oblivious to the implication, just blinked.
“So, I can assume there’s nothing wrong with my health?”
Rose pulled herself together at Dane’s question. She gathered her earlier thoughts and replied.
“For now, yes. But it’s not time to let your guard down. I found abnormal readings.”
“Hmm.”
“So I came up with a hypothesis… I’d like to discuss it with Mr. Andersen.”
A faint smile ghosted across Dane’s lips. A satisfied one, like she’d guessed right.
“Your Excellency?”
“Do it. So we can’t relax until that hypothesis is verified?”
“Yes. Please stay cautious until then.”
“Understood.”
Rose took the towel Dane offered and finished her thought.
“And I’m curious about the request we sent to Arsil Orphanage. I need more clues.”
“Ah, that.”
Dane nodded and jerked his chin toward something behind Rose. Following his gaze, she jolted in shock.
“Hello, Master. And Madam.”
Because Helena stood leaning against the door, arms crossed. An enigmatic smile played on her lips.
“Did I interrupt?”
Even in her surprise, Rose patted her pocket to confirm the lab key was there.
“How did you get in?”
“The first thing I did entering the castle was secure the key.”
Helena grinned and waved her hand dismissively. A keyring jingled—god knows when she’d gotten it.
“When did you slip in here?”
“Not long ago.”
Helena’s short reply came with a sly eye smile.
“Precisely, from when Madam was groping Master’s junk?”
“T-That’s……”
Rose’s face burned hot. Like a fireball pressed to her cheek.
“Ahaha!”
Helena clutched her stomach laughing, then approached with bouncy steps.
“Why freak out over something like that? You’ve done way worse.”
Helena’s eyes narrowed at Rose’s beet-red face.
“Our Madam is just too innocent.”
“Helena!”
Rose inwardly flinched—it felt like Helena knew something and was teasing her on purpose.
Indeed, to seem natural to others, she needed to get casual about touching Dane.
“Business first.”
Dane raised a hand. His face remained unflappable despite Helena’s abrupt entrance.
‘He knew she was here.’
Of course—he’d permitted it, so she entered. He must have spotted Helena silently picking the lock in his line of sight.
“Well, first off, we tracked Chief Physician Joel’s routine. Out every Monday?”
Helena pulled out a sheet of paper and handed it to Dane.
“Every shop he visits on outings. Mostly longtime regulars, years now.”
“Suspicious moves?”
“None on the surface. Just buying herbs, supplies, that sort of thing.”
As Rose drew near, Dane passed her the paper. She scanned the list quickly.
Guild, general store, apiary, post office…
“We’re questioning the shop owners now.”
“Any he started hitting up more recently?”
“Yep.”
Helena smirked and jabbed a finger at one spot on the paper. Rose’s eyes followed.
“…Apiary.”
Rose cupped her chin, lost in thought.
Why would Joel visit an apiary? Some unique ingredient only found there?
“And that separate request from Master.”
Helena’s eyes sharpened. Rose instinctively knew ‘that’ tied to assassination.
“Heading out today?”
“No. With Casto.”
“Heh, then me? Keep on with the usual?”
Helena shook her hands wistfully.
“Hands itching here. Give me something—preferably fun.”
Rose eyed Helena steadily.
‘Why does she keep chasing danger?’
When Helena had shown up, proclaiming herself Dane’s shadow.
Rose had been thrilled to see her unscathed. And disappointed by why she’d come.
In her past life, Helena had been her sole (prison) friend. Watching her charge into peril again hurt.
‘She could start a new life now.’
Even as she thought that, Rose keenly felt Helena’s necessity, as Dane had said.
Just as she resolved to propose to Dane afterward—let Helena live freely once this ended.
“How about taking Helena on as your personal maid?”
Dane asked Rose. Before she could respond,
“Whoa! Master’s the best!”
Helena barreled into Rose, hugging her tight.
“Amazing idea! Laundry duty was killing me anyway!”
She nuzzled against Rose like a cat demanding playtime.
“Madam! Quick! Say yes! I’ll be good!”
Rather than answer right away, Rose glanced at Dane.
“Is that alright?”
Exactly what she’d hoped.
She could keep Helena close, look after her. And gain someone reliable amid her loneliness.
“Servant promotions and reassignments are entirely the Madam’s purview. Do as you like, and tell Selma.”
Dane replied easily, as if reading her mind.
“…Then I will.”
“Yay!”
Helena squealed, burying her face in Rose’s hair.
“Hehe, Madam smells so good.”
“Helena.”
Rose gave in with a sigh, indulging her.
“Stop squirming.”
Dane, who’d watched them fondly, rose from his seat. He’d seemed stuck earlier, but now moved freely.
“Countess Holland’s tea party, right?”
“Yes.”
“See you there, then. I’ll stop by after my schedule.”
Rose gazed at Dane for a beat. She could guess his ‘schedule.’
“…Please be careful.”
Dane met her eyes and smirked.
“You too, Madam. Watch out for those vulture noblewomen—don’t let them tear into you.”
A few hours later.
“…What?”
Sonya, assisting with Rose’s dress, scowled suddenly.
“Out of nowhere? Weren’t we going to the tea party together?”
“I’m going with Rune now, so don’t sulk.”
Rose waved her off, and Sonya retreated halfheartedly. Then she glared at Helena behind Rose.
“Where’d this one crawl out fro—”
Sonya couldn’t finish.
“Why.”
Helena—far taller and slimmer—tilted her head.
“Got a problem?”
Her blue eyes gleamed coldly.
“-!”
Chills prickled down her spine.