Episode 6 — A Chosen One
The sound of teacups being lifted and set down filled the room. Between them bloomed endless chatter that showed no sign of wilting.
Even amid the lively conversation, Rosen merely inhaled the tea’s fragrance or took quiet sips.
“Don’t you like the pastries?”
Valentina, who had been observing Rosen, spoke first.
Rosen blinked and shook her head.
“Ah, I was just savoring the scent. …It seems like lemon.”
“Yes. I mixed homemade lemon syrup with tea leaves grown here.”
“Do you grow the lemons yourself as well?”
“No, they’re from the western region. I store syrup made during the harvest season.”
Rosen gazed at her quietly before smiling faintly.
She smiled…
Valentina, watching her expression, couldn’t hide her surprise. The young ladies seated nearby, engaged in conversation, kept glancing at the two of them.
Clearing her throat, Valentina continued,
“I learned that lemons, though famous as a specialty of the western region, can become poisonous depending on how they’re cultivated.”
“That’s true. Properly cultivated, they grow into fine fruit, but mishandled—they can be toxic.
So, the westerners discard even perfectly colored lemons after a certain period. …You must be quite the scholar, Lady Valentina.”
“…Oh, not at all. I’ve only read about it in books.”
“Still, it’s pleasant to see someone from the western region take an interest.”
She’s from the west…
Valentina repeated it to herself several times so she wouldn’t forget.
She caught herself doing so, startled by her own behavior, and sipped her tea—though her eyes drifted again and again toward Rosen beyond the rim of her cup.
“Such a delightful afternoon, Lady Valentina.”
“I’ll invite you all to my home next time.”
“Thank you, everyone.”
As their gathering ended and one by one the carriages were called, Valentina exchanged the polite smiles befitting her station—but her gaze kept searching.
As though she were looking for someone.
Surely… she didn’t leave without saying goodbye?
“Then, I’ll be going.”
“Take care on your way home.”
As each carriage departed, Valentina’s eyes darted everywhere.
But Rosen was nowhere to be found.
Her shoulders slumped slightly.
Then came the sound of hooves approaching.
“Ah, have the others already left?”
“Oh…”
A shadow stretched over Valentina. She turned toward the voice.
There was Rosen, astride a black horse, looking somewhat embarrassed.
“I should have said farewell, but I was tending to my horse. I beg your pardon.”
“N-no, I just thought you’d gone.”
“I wouldn’t do that.”
Rosen smiled softly and dismounted.
“Thank you for inviting me today.”
“No, thank you for coming.”
As Rosen bowed, Valentina held her skirt and curtsied politely.
Then—warmth brushed the crown of her head.
Startled, she looked up to find the black stallion sniffing her curiously.
“Ah!”
“Vanilla, step back.”
At Rosen’s calm command, the horse obediently withdrew, though it continued to wag its tail and stare at Valentina.
Rosen stroked the animal’s nose, then slipped on her gloves.
“He’s a stallion—whenever he meets a clever and beautiful lady, he can’t help but get close.”
“Excuse me…?”
Clever and beautiful… lady?
Valentina stared, unable to hide her confusion.
Rosen tilted her head, as though unsure what she’d said wrong, and smiled again.
“Then, I’ll take my leave.”
Placing a hand on her chest, Rosen bowed deeply.
Valentina hesitated, fingers entwined.
“Um, Your Grace!”
“Yes?”
“…Next time, perhaps we could… share a meal?”
Rosen looked down at her—Valentina’s gaze earnest, hopeful.
The Grand Duke’s lips curved gently.
“Gladly. Until next time.”
With that, the reins flicked lightly—
Clop, clop.
Rosen rode off.
Valentina stood there for a long while, watching the distant figure fade into a dot beyond the gates.
“Shall we head inside, my lady?”
“…Say, the Castan Empire allows same-sex marriage, doesn’t it?”
“Pardon? Oh, yes, it does! I think the Duke once mentioned they’re even debating polygamy.”
“I see.”
Valentina smiled—quietly, knowingly—as the gates slowly closed before her.
“What? A bouquet? Pfft—ha ha ha!”
“You’re laughing too much, Aiden.”
“But—ha ha! Who brings a bouquet to a tea party?”
“Why not?”
The office was filled with noise.
Except for Lante, seated at his desk, Aiden and Rosen were sprawled about lazily.
“You planning to confess to someone? Was there a girl you liked there?”
“No… it just felt odd to go empty-handed.”
Rosen removed her gloves and tucked them into her uniform pocket.
Lante, flipping through documents, asked dryly,
“Why? You might meet someone to marry at one of those things.”
“I already have someone in mind.”
“Huh?”
“What?”
Both Lante and Aiden turned to her at once.
Rosen shot them a vague look as if to say, What are you staring at?
“Who? What’s their name? How old? Where do they live? Man or woman?”
“Not telling.”
“Why not!”
Aiden squealed, and Rosen stuck a finger in her ear.
Lante, staring blankly for a moment, dropped his gaze back to his papers.
“Anyway, yeah. There’s someone I want to marry.”
“…When did that happen? You rejected my proposal for the Empress’s seat.”
“That was ages ago.”
Rosen chuckled, standing up.
Aiden clutched a cushion to his chest.
“So who is it? What kind of person?”
“Very…”
“Very what?”
“Stubborn.”
“Wait, aren’t you just describing yourself—ugh!”
The cushion flew straight into Aiden’s face.
“You’ll find out later. I’m leaving.”
“It’s late. Stay the night.”
“I’ve got someone waiting at the manor.”
“Ah, your knights?”
“Mm.”
And with that, she was gone.
Aiden threw the cushion across the sofa.
“Careful, that’s royal property.”
“Can’t help it. I’m annoyed.”
“Then go after her and confess.”
“Says the man who hasn’t done it himself.”
“Pick one—formal speech or casual.”
Aiden sighed, deflating.
Lante ruffled his hair and muttered,
“You can’t focus either, can you?”
“…Nope.”
“Drink?”
“…Sure.”
Lante leaned back, eyes closing against the ceiling.
Clop, clop.
By the time Rosen left the imperial palace, it was deep night.
Shops were shuttered, the streets silent.
She could have galloped, but chose not to—lest she startle anyone still out.
Yet the streets were empty, and she considered picking up speed.
Then—
Whinny!
“Ah!”
A sudden figure darted into the street. Rosen yanked the reins.
“Are you all right?”
As she steadied the horse, the person’s face became visible.
“Holden…”
“…Archduchess Titania?”
It was Holden Pay Take—the physician who’d treated Aiden’s wounds.
They stared at each other in surprise.
“W-well then, I’ll be going.”
Holden bowed slightly, trying to slip away—but Rozen steered her horse forward, blocking the path.
The man froze, clutching his bag tightly, eyes wide like a startled pup.
“Um…”
“Yes?”
“Have you eaten?”
“…What?”
“I asked—if you’ve eaten.”
Of all things to ask!
Holden blinked, bewildered.
“A-are you heading home now?”
“Yes. Just finished work.”
“On foot?”
“It’s late, so I was thinking of hiring a carriage.”
“Ah. Your home is in the capital, I assume?”
“A fair distance from here.”
“I see…”
Rozen trailed off.
She’d spoken so easily with Valentina—why was this suddenly so difficult?
Bartering with herself for courage, she tried again.
Each time Holden sidestepped, her horse—Vanilla—sidestepped too, blocking him.
Left, right, left, right…
“Um, Your Grace?”
“Yes?”
“I’d like to pass.”
“Ah, yes, well…”
“Yes?”
“…”
Rozen exhaled deeply and straightened.
“I’d like to escort you home. Would that be all right?”
“Me?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Pardon?”
Why indeed?
Holden’s suspicion was written all over his face.
Rosen hurried to explain.
“It’s a long walk to find a carriage. I can take you quickly.”
“Still…”
“I’m an excellent rider.”
“I can tell just by looking.”
“A-anyway… please, allow me.”
He’ll refuse, won’t he?
Rosen braced herself—
“All right.”
Her head snapped up. Holden simply blinked.
“Though, I’ve never ridden before…”
“No problem.”
In an instant, Rosen dismounted.
Holden couldn’t help but marvel—she moves faster than the wind.
She offered her hand, and after a moment’s hesitation, he took it.
With her help, he mounted the horse and clutched his bag tightly.
Rosen climbed up behind him, taking the reins.
“Um, Your Grace?”
“Are you uncomfortable?”
“No, but shouldn’t I sit in back?”
“It’s safer this way.”
A blatant lie—Rosen always rode behind others.
Fortunately, Holden didn’t know enough about horses to notice.
“I see. Thank you.”
As he nodded forward, Rosensmiled faintly behind him and nudged Vanilla ahead.
“If you go straight, my house will come into view.”
Through a forested path they rode, moonlight pouring down.
Rosentried to think of something to say but couldn’t.
“Ah, that’s it—right there.”
They slowed. Rosen dismounted first and reached a hand toward him—then hesitated.
“…Your Grace?”
Holden blinked. Was he supposed to get off by himself?
She extended her hand again and asked,
“Are you seeing anyone?”
“What? N-no.”
“Anyone you’re courting—with marriage in mind?”
“No.”
Why is she asking this…?
Still holding his hand, Rosensmiled—
the moonlight catching the soft lavender of her hair.
“Then… is there someone you hold in your heart?”
“…Why do you ask?”
“…Because I wanted to know.”
Holden should’ve asked why she wanted to know,
but instead he murmured—
“No. There’s no one.”
“That’s enough, then.”
Enough for what?
The more they spoke, the less he understood her.
Rosenfinally released his fingers and stepped back.
“Rest well.”
In one fluid motion, she mounted the horse and rode off.
Holden stood there, staring after her until she disappeared into the dark.
“What on earth… was that?”
