Chapter 68
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: Ambush 3 (6)
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My fingertips trembled uncontrollably. As if chased by a wild beast, gripped by a terror I couldn't control.
Swish.
I pulled my trembling hand away from Rose's forehead. Clenching my fist made the veins on the back of my hand bulge blue.
Me? Afraid?
Impossible.
I, the legitimate heir to House Schmichael, who had never lost in one-on-one duels or chaotic melees against multiple foes.
What could I possibly fear?
Swish.
I pressed the back of my hand to Rose's pale cheek.
The soft touch brought relief, forcing me to finally admit it.
...I was afraid.
Afraid of losing Rose, even if just a possibility.
Her green eyes crinkling in a bright smile, her hair softly cascading down, that warm, endearing body heat.
Afraid I might never feel them again.
'Let's get married by contract.'
I'd bound us with the word "contract," forcing Rose to act for me. Because only she could save me from the death awaiting me.
But now, the death looming before her eyes mattered more than the one coming for me.
'Rose!'
In that moment of shouting her name, my heart realized it before my head did.
Stab!
In that split second of stabbing the enemy in the back and dragging him from the carriage.
Countless images flashed through my mind.
A body rigid as stone, a bloodless face drained of color, blood trickling from her mouth, cold skin.
Just imagining Rose like that nearly broke me.
Helplessness and despair.
Emotions I'd never thought I'd feel, never had felt, were creeping in silently.
All because of that one tiny squirrel.
'Father!'
Three years ago, before my parents' corpses, I'd sworn.
To protect House Schmichael at all costs, to never lose anything precious again.
From then on, I kept nothing precious by my side. If you don't possess it, you can't lose it.
But.
At some point, that squirrel had burrowed into a corner of my heart, embedding itself so deeply it couldn't be pulled out. I realized it too late.
'Since when.'
If a horse dies, replace it with a new one; if a sword breaks, forge another.
But the Rose before my eyes couldn't be replaced.
Lose her, and it's over. No turning back.
"Haha..."
A bitter laugh escaped my lips.
I could understand why Joel betrayed me, why the collateral kin who'd received gifts banded together.
Threatening a precious one's life is far more effective than one's own.
To realize it like this—how ironic.
Swish.
I quietly rose from the bed and sat back in the chair beside it.
I gently lifted Rose's hand and clasped it in mine. Just feeling her warmth eased the anxious emotions surging within.
I gazed endlessly at her profile, waiting.
How much time passed?
"Mm..."
With a faint groan, Rose's eyelids began to flutter.
"...Rose."
I called softly, and she slowly opened her eyes. She immediately turned to me, seeing our clasped hands.
"Your Excellency...? Where..."
"This is your bedroom, Madam. You've been unconscious for several hours."
"Ah, I..."
Rose reflexively tried to sit up,
"Eut."
letting out a short groan.
"Are you alright?"
"Ah, my lower back is throbbing a bit..."
"I'll call the chief physician."
I started to stand abruptly, but
"I'm fine."
Rose gripped my hand tighter, stopping me.
"It's not that bad. Please, let it be."
She grunted, propping herself up with her other arm. Seeing her force herself was heartbreaking.
"Just lie back down. You're the patient."
"But my throat is so dry..."
That left me no choice. She couldn't drink lying down.
"Stay still."
I held her shoulders and helped her sit up slowly.
"......"
Until yesterday, this level of contact wouldn't have fazed me.
But now that I knew how I felt about this little squirrel, I was suddenly cautious. Every touch felt deliberate.
"Hoo..."
Rose leaned against the pillow and exhaled deeply.
I glanced at her pale face, then
Clink.
picked up the glass of water Joel had left. To be safe, I took a sip first.
'Willow bark powder mixed in.'
I recognized the familiar medicinal taste—thick and bitter on my tongue.
"Drink. No poison."
"...Yes."
Rose reached for the glass but hesitated, noticing the ointment on her palm,
Clink.
carefully taking it without touching her palm.
Gulp, gulp.
She was thirsty; the sound was quite loud. I silently watched her trembling hand.
"...Eung."
"What."
"It's bitter..."
"It's the medicine. Of course it's bitter. Bear it and finish."
Rose made a sulky face for a moment before downing the rest.
"......"
Silence fell between us. I felt impatient, needing to say something.
"We're interrogating the surviving enemies. We'll soon uncover who sent them."
"Ah, yes."
Snap.
I pulled back the covers slightly, revealing her bandaged ankle.
"No fracture, but take care of that ankle for a while."
I gently caressed it.
Thinking it could have twisted at an odd angle or vanished forever made my heart sink.
Flinch.
Her toes curled tightly for a moment.
"Does it hurt?"
"N-No, not hurt, but..."
"Hm."
I withdrew my hand and returned to the chair. Rose, looking a bit healthier now, stared at me.
"I regret killing that bastard who hurt you too cleanly. I should have cut off his wrists... no, his fingers one by one..."
I muttered absently, then froze. Color was draining from Rose's face again.
'...Damn it.'
Instead of reassuring words, I'd spouted something gruesome.
And these stiff phrases—what were they? This wasn't a battlefield report.
I wanted to smack my awful mouth.
Clink.
I placed a small magic tool beside Rose.
"What's this? You were clutching it."
"Mr. Andersen gave it to me."
Rose poked it awkwardly, as if it bothered her.
"He said to use it in emergencies... but its power was too much."
"Too good?"
Something boiled inside me. The moment I rushed into the carriage replayed.
Just recalling that bastard's back as he panted and raised his axe to Rose crushed my heart.
"This isn't 'good'—it's dangerous. What if provoking the enemy made things worse?"
"Ah..."
"If you can't decisively subdue them, better not to use it."
-Wait. Am I scolding the patient too harshly?
By the time I realized,
"I'm sorry..."
Rose had already bowed her head, looking dejected.
"I thought I needed to buy time until Your Excellency arrived..."
"I'm not asking for an apology."
"I'm sorry..."
Damn it.
I sighed, pinching my brow. Unaware it only made her shrink more.
'Why am I like this.'
My mouth wouldn't cooperate.
My head was a mess, my heart a swamp; I couldn't even track my own words.
"...I just."
I took a long breath and opened my mouth.
"Rose, you got hurt."
Struggling through the chaos in my mind,
"I said with my own mouth that nothing would hurt you."
In the original story, the regressed Rose never got hurt. She simply shone quietly in Dane's shadow.
This had escalated because of me entirely.
I'd paraded her before everyone, provoking the enemies without restraint.
"No, Your Excellency. This isn't—"
"I may not fully make up for it, but I'll do my utmost to compensate. I'll tend to you meticulously so no scars remain. I'll procure the finest herbs and ointments without sparing expense."
"......"
"Jewels, dresses—whatever you wish. I'll provide funds for your personal use if you desire."
Rose fell silent, as if at a loss. Her complexion worsened again.
Is this not it? Something... something's missing.
"I can't guarantee no more ambushes, but I'll ensure you're never hurt again with thorough defenses."
"......"
"Attacks will intensify until my birthday, so I'll increase your escorts and ensure you're never alone."
Rose's face remained dark.
Not this either? Then perhaps.
"Do you... want to break the contract?"
If she'd realized the danger here and wanted out.
"I breached the terms, so fault lies with me sufficiently."
Rose startled, lifting her head. She stared at me in disbelief.
"What did you just say?"
"You can leave. If that's what you want."
Is this really what I want to say? What if she agrees?
Just say stay, I'll protect you so you never get hurt again. One sentence.
Yet I hid my true desire to keep the contract, shoving the choice onto her.
Wavering between wanting to hold her and wanting her safe.
I never knew I had this cowardly side.
"...Your Excellency."
Her wide eyes began to well up.
"Is that... really all you have to say to me?"
Rose clenched her trembling jaw.
"I, I..."
"......"
"Your Excellency... even a little."
She couldn't finish. Tears finally spilled down her cheek.
"Hic..."
Only then did I realize what I'd done.
'Ha.'
Truly, I despised myself.
"Rose."
Without thinking, my body moved. I pulled her shoulders and hugged her tightly.
"-!"
Feeling her warm body stiffen in my arms,
"I'm sorry."
I said what I didn't want to, but had to.
"Hic..."
Rose sobbed pitifully. Her small frame trembled in my embrace.
I felt even more pathetic.
'Foolish bastard.'
Gnashing a quiet curse, I tightened my arms around her.
"What I meant to say was... well."
Words stuck in my throat like a stone.