Chapter 69
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: Ambush 3 (7)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Admitting one's own weaknesses required more courage than expected.
Just crush it flat and forget. Bury it deep in the heart and never look back.
But...
If he let it slide like this, he had a feeling he'd regret it forever.
No, it was a certainty.
"...I was worried."
An uncalculated, raw sentence that ignored all consequences spilled out anyway.
"I was afraid you might get hurt."
Rose jerked her head up. Shock and surprise flickered in her reddened eyes.
"-What did you just... say...?"
The words were already out; there was no taking them back now.
"It's all my failing. I have no face left to show you."
He cast aside face and pride to offer a sincere apology.
"Even in this situation, asking you to stay would be my selfishness."
And only then did he realize the words he truly wanted to say.
"And yet... I want to say it. Don't leave."
"......"
"Stay here with me."
The lump blocking his throat quietly dissolved.
He had always lived hiding his emotions, never showing them.
But baring his true feelings like this... wasn't so bad. This sense of relief felt pretty good.
"Ah..."
Rose couldn't close her slightly parted lips. She stared at him blankly, as if she couldn't believe it.
Blink.
As Rose closed and opened her eyes, a teardrop slid down from the corner.
"...Stop crying."
When Rose cried like that, he truly didn't know what to do.
Her sniffling and whimpering were so cute he wanted to tease her more, but seeing her weep so bitterly because of his mistake only made his heart ache.
An urgent itch prickled the back of his neck, urging him to do something right away.
Swipe.
He wiped her damp eye corner with his thumb.
Even this slight touch made him hyper-aware of himself.
Drip.
This time, a tear trailed from the other eye.
His face moved unconsciously for a moment.
Lick.
He licked the tear rolling down from Rose's eye corner.
"......!"
Rose flinched in shock and tried to pull back, but he held her steady with his other hand.
Lick.
He went ahead and sucked up the tear from the other side as well, leaving none behind.
He knew tears were supposed to be salty, but for some reason, Rose's tasted different.
Y-Your Excellency. Why, why...?"
She was so startled she'd even forgotten to cry. Seeing her eyes shake wildly, he grinned.
"It's sweet."
"-!"
Rose's face turned the color of a ripe... no, bursting tomato.
It was unbearably cute.
Thud.
He gently pressed his forehead to hers. At this breath-mingling distance, he whispered low.
"You kept crying, so I had no choice."
If he didn't do this—if he didn't keep talking and moving his mouth—he felt like he'd steal Rose's lips right then and there.
He knew himself well enough to know he wouldn't stop once he started. He'd barrel straight into the next step without hesitation.
'She's a patient... a patient...'
Now wasn't the time. At least not until Rose recovered...
No, wait.
'Is this okay?'
He'd planned to let Rose go cleanly once the contract ended. Back to where she belonged, to this world's male lead.
That had been the plan at first. But now, he didn't want that anymore.
He wanted Rose to stay by his side even after the contract ended. He'd use any means to keep her there.
'...Hold on.'
Wasn't this obsession?
He recalled how the original Dane had changed through that process.
'Where do you think you're going?'
A jealous husband who confined Rose, not letting her leave the estate. Forcing his feelings on her even when she didn't want them.
That was the image of Dane obsessed with Rose.
But...
'If Rose wants it.'
If Rose chose to stay here herself. If he didn't force her to remain.
That would be fine, wouldn't it? No, it seemed like a pretty good idea.
'Yes, that's it.'
That was the way.
Now he knew what he had to do going forward. His goal was clear.
"Your Excellency..."
Rose gazed only at him, her ears flushed red.
Perfect. He liked that look on her face.
"All cried out now?"
At his gentle tone, Rose narrowed her eyes.
"Just now... Hic."
A sudden hiccup burst out.
"No, why... Hic. Did you lick my... Hk."
Rose tried to speak, but the hiccups made it impossible. In the end, she clamped her mouth shut, desperately trying to stifle them.
'She's so cute.'
He chuckled softly and leaned closer to her face.
"Want me to help?"
"Pardon? Hic. Help with wha— Hic."
Smooch.
He lightly pressed his lips to her cheek and pulled away.
"They say a surprise stops them."
"---!"
Rose startled like a flapping fish, nearly jumping in place. She flinched and clapped a hand to her mouth.
"...It really stopped."
"Works well, doesn't it?"
"But..."
He shrugged theatrically at her suspicious gaze.
Hiding his playful intent behind a perfect gentleman's facade.
"I was just helping you."
"No, somehow..."
Rose pouted.
He nearly burst out laughing at the sight but held back with supreme self-control.
"I haven't heard your answer yet."
He drew her body lightly into an embrace again. Resting his chin on her shoulder, he closed his eyes.
Savoring her pleasant warmth and sweet scent to his heart's content, he pressed her.
"About what I asked earlier. Won't you answer?"
"Sigh..."
Rose let out a resigned sigh at his high-handed attitude.
"I've... been prepared since I signed the contract."
At last, she began to speak in a calm voice.
"Your Excellency asked me then, too. If I'd thought it through enough."
"I did."
"So... it's fine."
Her small but firm voice trickled down his shoulder and back.
"Really, it's fine. I won't break the contract over something like this."
"Aren't you scared?"
"I was really startled and scared earlier, but..."
His chin on her shoulder bobbed lightly. It meant Rose was smiling faintly.
"You came to save me. That's enough."
Her voice carried a hint of laughter.
"You won't leave me in danger from now on either, right?"
"You really..."
She only said the cutest things.
The impulse to devour those bravely speaking lips surged up. Good thing he wasn't looking at her face.
Instead of voicing his honest thoughts,
"-You're truly brave."
He praised her with different words.
"Braver than me, it seems."
She wasn't acting cowardly, speaking her mind uprightly.
"Shall I swear a knight's oath then?"
Rose quipped back, recalling his old words.
"Don't even think about it."
He chuckled and pulled away from her.
Then he voiced the question that had occupied a corner of his mind all along.
"What was that you said earlier?"
"Pardon? What did I say?"
It seemed Rose's memory of the carriage was a bit hazy.
"You said you called my name."
"Ah."
Her face flushed pink again. Much better this way.
"That... it was the first time Your Excellency called my name."
"......"
"It felt so new..."
The "first time" she meant was across her past and present lives combined.
'That's right.'
Dane Schmichael had never had occasion—or desire—to call Rose's name.
Eighth wife. Contractual spouse.
That was all their relationship had been. But not anymore.
"Get used to it. I'll call your name from now on, too."
"Ah..."
Rose stared at him with wide, surprised eyes. Her lips parted as if words hovered on her tongue, then
"......Yes."
She lowered her gaze and answered obediently.
"Hoo..."
Sleepiness shadowed Rose's eyes. After her crying fit, all tension had drained away.
"The medicine must be kicking in. Go to sleep."
"And Your Excellency...?"
"I'll be right here."
He helped lay her body back down and clasped her hand firmly again.
"Sleep deeply."
"Won't Your Excellency... sleep?"
"Rose, once you fall asleep."
Rose beamed at his reply. Her eyes began to droop slowly.
"Sounds nice... My name, called by Your Excellency."
Soon, even, steady breathing filled the air.
"Hoo."
He pressed his forehead to their clasped hands and closed his eyes.
His heart stirred strangely, yet something had settled, leaving him light as well.
It would be a long night.
**
As if tossed in a wildly shaking barrel, her whole body jerked side to side violently.
Her vision spun, nausea surging up.
"Ugh!"
Ah, this was inside the carriage.
Those horrific memories crashed over her like a tsunami.
She knew it was a dream, yet couldn't steady her body. No—because it was a dream, she couldn't move at all.
'You crazy bitch!'
A savagely twisted man seized her ankle. His iron grip felt like it would rip it clean off.
"No!"
Rose flailed her arms wildly. Desperate not to be dragged by that man, she grabbed for anything.
But her hands clutched at nothing.
"No... Let me go!"
Despair burst into sobs.
At this rate, that man would kill her.
She recalled Joel stabbing a dagger into her chest—now it was an axe flying toward her.
"Aaah!"
"Rose."
Suddenly, strong arms enveloped her.
A broad, warm embrace—even unseen, she knew who it was.
"Shh..."
Dane's soothing voice comforted her as his large hand gently stroked her back.
"It's okay, it's okay..."
"Hic..."
"What are you afraid of? I'm right here."
Rose fumbled her hands onto Dane's solid back, which cradled her. Only then could she finally relax.
"Wa... water, my throat... is dry..."
"Yes."
Something cool and smooth touched her lips. Cool water poured from it.
She tried to drink, but little made it into her mouth compared to what spilled. Her chin and neck grew wet instead.
"...No helping it."
Something firm invaded her mouth. Two long, thick fingers.
"Yes, that's it."
Her lips parted slowly around his fingers.
Something soft then claimed her lips, and cool water began flowing in at the same time.