Chapter 30
“Lightly… you mean, meet anyone?”
Rosie repeated, as if to confirm she had heard correctly.
Einar, feeling a little embarrassed, averted his gaze.
“It’s not exactly that. Look over there. In a place with music like this, with this sea, and this cluster of stars, a fiery love can start without anyone realizing it.”
When Rosie turned her head toward the place Einar had indicated, she saw couples exchanging glances and smiling as they moved together.
Rosie snorted quietly.
“…That’s just people looking for someone to play with for a single night.”
Even though she had never truly experienced love herself, she could still distinguish between love and desire.
That, she could assert with certainty, was not love.
‘But…’
Rosie quietly watched them walk away, their hands tightly clasped.
‘A fiery love, huh.’
It was one of the things she had seen since coming here.
“That’s a good idea.”
Rosie spoke impulsively, and Einar’s gaze met hers directly. She continued, locking eyes with him.
“Whether it’s a fleeting fling or a fiery love… I want to try it.”
After all, we only live once. Isn’t it worth trying at least once?
For some reason, Einar’s face seemed to flush slightly.
“…Mistress?”
At Rosie’s words, Einar cleared his throat and said,
“Then maybe you should call me Einar instead of ‘Mistress’?”
“My name…? …All of a sudden?”
Rosie tilted her head, puzzled by his sudden suggestion.
“Yes. Well… it’s not something I’m particularly eager about, but if you want, I might seriously consider it.”
She still didn’t fully understand what he meant, but she answered for the moment.
“…No, I’m just more comfortable calling you ‘Mistress.’ Don’t force yourself if you’re not inclined either.”
“…Hmm?”
“Yes?”
Seeing Rosie’s confused expression, Einar realized that their thoughts had diverged. He had been trying to say that, if she wanted, he would seriously consider meeting her—but she…
“Anyway, coming to this party could also be an opportunity in some way. As you said, I won’t overthink it. Whether it’s a casual meeting or… whatever.”
“Are you saying, perhaps…”
“Yes, that way I won’t feel resentful.”
Rosie said that and slowly walked into the center of the deck, crowded with people searching for partners.
As she entered alone, the men who had been eyeing her began to approach bit by bit.
“Beautiful lady, have you parted ways with your partner?”
“May I know your name?”
“I’d like to toast to your beautiful green eyes.”
Rosie ignored all the men trying to hit on her and walked to the edge of the deck. Just then, the fireworks Daisy had mentioned earlier lit up the night sky.
Fwoosh! Bang! Bang!
As she watched the colorful fireworks painting the sky—so beautiful it hardly seemed real—Rosie noticed a man sitting there.
From his attire, he seemed to be a crew member, resting in the darkness. Unlike the others who had approached her earlier, he lowered his head without any ulterior motive, trying to avoid attention. Rosie, feeling an unexpected sense of familiarity, spoke with newfound courage.
“The sea is beautiful, isn’t it?”
He looked at her, slightly surprised, and after a moment, replied,
“Do you need something?”
“Just… someone to talk to?”
Smiling warmly as she approached, she cautiously added,
“…Of course, if talking with me isn’t uncomfortable for you.”
The crew member pursed his lips, slightly flustered, which only made Rosie feel more at ease.
Meanwhile, Einar’s face twisted into something like a demon’s.
What kind of ridiculous turn of events was this? He had suggested she meet anyone, but he hadn’t expected her to approach someone else first.
Grinding his teeth like a wild beast, he started moving toward Rosie.
Rosie, in the meantime, subtly tightened her grip on the edge of her dress. She had mustered courage, but the man before her looked genuinely bewildered.
He slowly took in her appearance: the pink elegant dress, the poised posture, the intricately braided hair done by the maids—a noblewoman asking him for conversation was almost unbelievable.
To break the silence, Rosie smiled lightly and spoke.
“This is my first time at a party like this, so I feel a bit awkward.”
“Are you from the capital?”
“Yes. Actually, it’s also my first time on a ship today.”
The crew member nodded as if he understood. He assumed the noblewoman was simply trying to ease her loneliness in an unfamiliar party. That seemed plausible enough.
“Would you like something to drink? Champagne or wine?”
He stood naturally and offered her a drink. Some noblewomen often flirted with staff like this, and he had learned to manage such situations. He briefly hesitated when a woman as beautiful as Rosie approached first, but noticing the man’s jacket draped over her shoulder, he dismissed any concerns.
He picked a wine bottle from a wooden box with a gentle expression.
“Fortunately, we have a fine wine today.”
Rosie silently observed him pouring it. She felt oddly relaxed; after all, she had often used this approach herself.
‘Rosie, why not step outside and talk with me for a bit…’
‘Yes, Sir. But first, would you like to try this wine? We’ve received a fine batch from Santos.’
It was a perfect topic to escape an awkward suggestion, and Rosie’s face reflected his slight dismay. She had only wanted to tick an item off her bucket list, choosing someone approachable and somewhat similar to herself. She hadn’t considered how her actions might appear to him.
The man, noticing Rosie’s pause, offered the wine again, slightly nervously.
“Please, try it. It’s moderately sweet with some acidity—ladies tend to like it.”
“….”
“…Sir?”
Seeing his cautious reaction, Rosie smiled brightly to reassure him and took the wine.
“Thank you. I’ll enjoy it.”
Relief passed over his face. It seemed he hadn’t had much experience with this. Rosie deliberately drank every drop. His eyes widened in astonishment.
“Sir…?”
Even though the wine was light, finishing it all at once was a lot to handle. But Rosie, encouraged by the fruity aroma, spoke boldly.
“Sorry. I didn’t think about how my actions might be interpreted.”
“Pardon? What do you mean…”
“But I swear, I did not approach you to harm or insult you.”
The crew member looked bewildered, unsure of how to react. He couldn’t understand why she felt the need to explain this to him or what she actually wanted.
“Then… how can I help you?” he asked cautiously.
“I just…”
She tried to answer, but then—
“Rosie!”
If the man who had been beside her a moment ago, Einar, hadn’t intervened…
“…Mistress? Why… all of a sudden?”
Rosie blinked a few times, startled by his sudden intrusion. The very person who had encouraged her courage was now looking displeased.
