Chapter 23
Rosalie answered, twisting her body shyly.
“I—I dug the ground.”
“…What?”
“M—my room is over a basement. S—since I was little, whenever I felt stifled or upset, I d—dug a little to vent my anger. A—and somehow, I ended up breaking through all the way to here.”
Raphaella was left speechless, her mouth falling open.
She recalled the towering white cliff she had seen before entering the cave. Even if Rosalie’s house stood right atop that cliff, it was not something human strength alone could accomplish.
It had to be an overwhelming blessing from the gods. Raphaella even wondered if the mirror earlier had been dangerous after all, and felt immensely relieved that she was unharmed.
“That’s incredible.”
“W—what is…?”
“Rosalie, that’s amazing! You’re awesome!”
Rosalie, still blushing with embarrassment, waved her hands in denial. Perry kept praising her, calling her amazing over and over.
Raphaella’s eyes gleamed as she looked at Rosalie. She might be simple-minded, but she was kind—and above all, possessed monstrous strength. Raphaella found her appealing. With her divine authority sealed, this was exactly the kind of strength she needed.
“Rosalie, does your dad know about your strength?”
“N—no.”
“Why not?”
“……”
“Ah, if you don’t want to talk about it, you don’t have to.”
After hesitating for a moment, Rosalie spoke carefully.
“U—um, maybe… d—did your dad stop you when you went off to look for treasure?”
Raphaella immediately understood the intent behind the question. But the answer didn’t come easily.
She had no memories of her human life, so she had nothing she could say about a ‘dad.’ And speaking of the emperor—the father of this body—didn’t feel right either.
After some thought, Raphaella answered.
“Honestly, I don’t have any memories of my dad. If we’re being technical, there is a ‘biological father’ now. But that guy feels like a parent and not a parent at the same time.”
“W—what do you mean?”
“Just because someone gives birth to you doesn’t mean they’re a parent. Anyway, I don’t think I can give you the answer you want.”
“I see…”
“But there is one thing I can tell you.”
Rosalie tilted her head, staring at Raphaella. Raphaella continued.
“There’s no parent who opposes their child’s growth.”
“……”
“They’ll worry terribly, but in the end, they’ll come to support the path you choose—so long as it’s the right one.”
“……”
“And explaining your chosen path to your parents, helping them understand—it’s a courtesy you owe to those who gave birth to and raised you. Of course, that’s assuming they’re normal parents.”
Rosalie sank into deep thought. Seeing how complicated she looked, Raphaella let out a small chuckle.
“Well, anyway—choose a path that brings you joy, little lady. Life is short, and joy is even more fleeting.”
“I—I’m not little….”
“When you truly feel like an adult someday, I’ll call you by your name then. So, with that in mind—want to come with your big sister?”
“Huh? T—where to?”
Raphaella slung the spirit-tree club Rosalie had returned to her over her shoulder and grinned playfully.
“Treasure hunting.”
At those words, Rosalie’s heart began to pound uncontrollably.
When morning came, the relief expedition bustled with preparations to depart. Most of the people were already aboard the carriages, waiting for the signal to leave.
There was only one exception—Raphaella, sprawled on her bed with the blanket rolled into a ball.
“Your Highneeeess! Please wake up!”
Annie stamped her feet beside the bed, urging her on. But Raphaella, who had returned at dawn, felt her eyelids weigh a thousand pounds from lack of sleep. She had forgotten what happened to a human body when it didn’t rest.
“Tell them to go on ahead. I’ll sleep one more hour and catch up.”
“On any other day maybe, but not today. We’re arriving at Sester Castle—how can the princess miss the welcoming ceremony?”
“Ughhh! Why do humans have to sleep? I’m exhausted.”
“Her Majesty said she’d send you straight back to the imperial palace if you caused trouble. Please, wake up.”
With no other choice, Raphaella sat up.
Then, with her eyes half-closed, she let Annie take over completely. Annie efficiently washed her face, brushed her hair, and helped her change into a dress. Throughout the journey Raphaella had worn comfortable skirts and blouses, but today she donned a formal navy dress, wobbling as she dressed under the onslaught of drowsiness.
“Oh? Your Highness, you’ve lost more weight again?”
Annie exclaimed as she tightened the laces at the back of the dress.
“Look—there’s a whole palm’s width left at the waist. You’d already lost some before we left, so we barely managed alterations. At this rate, you’ll need a new dress altogether.”
“What a hassle. Why make a new one? I can just wear it like this.”
“Oh my! Your Highness, do you know how important the fit is? And you’ve grown a little taller too. As soon as we arrive at the castle, I’ll have to summon a designer.”
“Do whatever you want. I’m going back to sleep.”
“What do you mean? You need to be measured and choose the fabric and design!”
Raphaella leaned her exhausted, hollow-eyed face toward Annie and said,
“Annie. With me looking like this, do you really think any dress will look good?”
“…Sigh. Then I’ll place the order myself.”
Seeing Raphaella’s dull complexion, Annie couldn’t bring herself to argue.
Just as preparations were finishing, there was a knock.
Knock, knock—
“Your Highness, it’s William Klimt.”
“Oh—come in.”
William, too, was no longer in his comfortable travel clothes, but in a dark gray formal uniform. Already tall and handsome, he looked even more striking with his hair neatly slicked back and his attire immaculate.
As proof, everyone passing through the corridor stared at him in a daze, unable to look away.
“Your Highness. Preparations are complete, and everyone has been waiting for some time. They await your order to depart.”
“Duke. Your tone sounds a bit sharp. Is it just me?”
“…It must be your imagination.”
After nearly a week of riding together and spending time together, William had grown more relaxed around Raphaella—enough to subtly express dissatisfaction at the tardy princess who’d kept everyone waiting.
Raphaella noticed the nuance, but she didn’t care.
“What about the refugees?”
“They’re all well-behaved. In fact, they helped with the preparations.”
“I see.”
Raphaella lifted the corner of her lips just enough for Annie—who was putting on her earrings—to notice.
“Then let’s depart.”
When the three finally exited the lodgings, eyes poured toward them.
Those who had waited impatiently sighed in relief at last being able to leave. Some cast pointed looks at Princess Raphaella—dissatisfaction had built up. Sensing the atmosphere, William fell into serious thought.
The real relief operations were about to begin, and it was a bad sign for the princess—nominally the overall leader—to be in such a precarious position. A solution was needed.
As usual, Raphaella paid it no mind and climbed calmly into the carriage. Annie followed, carrying the picnic basket where Perry slept soundly.
With Annie’s nagging about wrinkling the dress as her lullaby, Raphaella passed out into sleep.
She didn’t wake again until the carriage reached the outer gate of Sester territory.
“Ahh, that was a good sleep. I finally feel alive.”
“Perry slept well too!”
Perry, already awake, fluttered over the moment Raphaella stirred.
William and Mark rode ahead on horseback today to guard the front of the expedition, leaving plenty of space in the carriage.
Making sure Annie couldn’t hear, Perry whispered into Raphaella’s ear.
“Master, do you think Rosalie will come with us?”
“Who knows.”
“Perry likes Rosalie. I want to travel together.”
“She’ll have her own thoughts.”
“Why didn’t you tell Rosalie that you’re a princess? If you had, she might’ve followed right away.”
“I don’t need someone who follows for that reason. What I’m about to do isn’t something I need to do as a princess—it’s something I need to do as Raphaella.”
Perry tilted her small head, thinking hard, then asked again.
“But it might be a good enough reason for Rosalie. What if her family’s poor and she needs money?”
“Perry. How was Rosalie’s skin?”
“It was super fair and soft! Like a baby—really cute!”
“And her hair?”
“It was pretty like strawberry milk! It smelled nice—I still remember it.”
“Do you really think a girl like that lives in a family desperate for money?”
“Oh!”
Only then did Perry nod in understanding.
By then, the carriage had arrived at the gates of Sester Castle. The massive gates stood wide open, and the long line of the relief expedition entered under the salutes of the castle guards.
Count Sester, a round-built man, stood at the front gate wiping sweat from his thick chin, with his servants and subordinates lined up behind him.
William dismounted first. Then, the moment the carriage door opened for Raphaella, he extended his arm with textbook-perfect etiquette, attempting to escort her.
