Chapter 7
The innkeeper stormed up to her, raising his voice as if he were about to strike her at any moment. Roze forced herself to stay standing, even though fear made her knees want to buckle, and shook her head.
“It’s not an illness. I just got caught in the rain… That’s why I caught a cold, but I’m all better now. I really am.”
“You’re coughing up blood just from getting caught in the rain? That’s nonsense! Don’t lie to me! I saw you with my own eyes, Miss, coughing up blood!”
The innkeeper shouted with wide, furious eyes. Roze had no response and closed her mouth. He must’ve seen her coughing up blood while peeking into her room repeatedly over the past three days.
She did have a terminal illness, but it wasn’t as though she was going to die right now.
It wasn’t something contagious, either.
Words to explain herself swirled in her mouth but scattered into nothing. Trying to stay any longer would just be a nuisance. As much as she wanted to stay here because it was cheap, it made sense that the innkeeper found her presence unpleasant.
“Alright… I’m sorry for causing trouble. I’ll leave right away.”
Roze finally spoke, her voice small and quiet after a long silence.
Bang!
The inn door slammed shut behind her with force. Clearly, the innkeeper had done it on purpose. Ever since she’d refused the barmaid job he offered three days ago, he had constantly picked fights and looked at her with displeasure.
Even when she was lying sick in bed, he would frequently barge in and yell, making it impossible for her to rest in peace.
“…Sigh.”
Roze, still unwell, paused and wanted nothing more than to just collapse on the spot.
“Don’t be weak.”
She told herself firmly.
“This isn’t why you came to the capital. …You came to see them before you die. You don’t have time to waste.”
With that firm reminder, she straightened her back again.
All she had with her was a small bag filled with a few thin pieces of clothing and some miscellaneous, useless items. That bag was all she had left to show for her life.
It was pitiful.
The fact that the only traces of her meager life were such things.
No memories of love, no person she had loved—nothing remained.
Roze gave a bitter smile and shook her head. To clear her heavy heart, she muttered a change of subject.
“But now I hardly have any money left… Which inn should I go to?”
She hadn’t meant to say it out loud, but hearing her own words made the situation feel even more hopeless. She needed somewhere to stay until she died. Only then could she hover close to Haven and her child, Plita.
“…Should I look for a job?”
Maybe something short-term, just for a little while. Since her days were numbered, she couldn’t work long anyway, and she didn’t want to cause trouble for anyone who hired her. The thought tangled in her mind, and she let out a long sigh before stepping forward again.
She had nowhere to stay tonight, but she didn’t want to think about that now.
Because it had been three days.
She returned to the Grand Duke’s estate for the first time in three days and widened her eyes in surprise. An unfamiliar carriage was parked in front of the main gate.
A black, elegant carriage engraved with the royal emblem.
“…Someone important must be visiting.”
Clutching her bag tightly, Roze craned her neck for a better view.
Just then, the gate opened, and knights of the Grand Duke’s estate came out. They formed a protective line around the carriage and the gate. Roze’s green eyes grew even wider at the sight.
At that moment, a man stepped out from the gate. With blond hair and cool blue eyes, lean but far from weak—Haven. He wore a long black coat as he walked toward the carriage.
‘Where is he going?’
She wondered, then glanced beyond him—to the people following behind.
“……!”
Among them was a small child. A little girl in a black dress, holding the hand of what looked like a nanny.
‘…Plita.’
No one had ever told her who the child was, but somehow, she knew.
Her child.
The baby she had been forced to part with.
The child she had longed for but never got to hold even once.
Haven’s and her child.
The trace of her life. The result of her love.
Tears streamed uncontrollably from Roze’s eyes. The bag in her hand dropped to the ground.
Had they heard it?
The child, walking toward the carriage with the nanny, suddenly stopped and turned her head toward Roze. Startled, Roze took a step back.
‘No… She couldn’t have seen me. It’s too far. Even if she did, Plita doesn’t know who I am.’
Roze steadied herself, reminding herself over and over. She felt the child’s gaze lingering. Though she couldn’t see her face clearly from the distance, she could make out the curious green eyes and chubby cheeks.
‘Plita…’
“…My baby.”
Roze instinctively reached out and whispered. But just then, perhaps urged by the nanny, Plita turned away and walked toward Haven, who was waiting by the carriage. Roze’s gaze followed her daughter and landed on him.
“……”
She was sure their eyes met, just like last time. But Haven quickly looked away and helped Plita into the carriage. All the staff from the estate bowed toward the carriage in deep respect.
“Neighhh.”
With the horse’s cry, the carriage began to move. The knights surrounding it followed.
Roze covered her mouth with her hand as she watched the carriage disappear into the distance. Her eyes were filled with tears. She lowered her hand and staggered toward the gate.
By then, the nanny and several staff had also left in another carriage. Only a few guards remained at the entrance to the estate.
“Um, excuse me… Where did the carriage go? Where did His Grace go?”
Roze’s desperate inquiry made her seem like a madwoman. The guards, already suspicious of her for lurking around for days, gave her a hard glare.
But they couldn’t just ignore her completely. As the estate’s gatekeepers, they held pride in being the face of the Grand Duke.
“It hasn’t even been six years since His Majesty passed, has it? Naturally, His Grace is attending the six-year memorial at the royal tomb. Don’t you even know such basic things as a citizen of the kingdom?”
Though his tone was harsh, Roze asked again, undeterred.
“A memorial…? Then, will they be back by this evening?”
“This evening? The memorial lasts for a week! Even if you’re ignorant, how can you not know that?”
The guard clicked his tongue in disgust and turned his head away. Roze stood dazed for a moment, then thanked him quietly and turned back.
Far off, her fallen bag still lay on the ground. She was about to retrieve it, but then hesitated and turned again toward the guard.
“Um… Excuse me, where exactly is the royal tomb?”
The guard looked at her with exasperation again. Roze flushed in embarrassment but waited for his answer.
Seeing her child again had completely thrown her off. Plita had grown even more beautifully than she had imagined. She wanted to see her up close—just once.
Even if she couldn’t see her, even just breathing the same air nearby would be enough.
Then… the three of them would be together again.
Just like those vanished days.
“That’s common knowledge. Don’t go asking around like this again. Memorize it.”
Though he clicked his tongue again, the guard did explain where the royal tomb was located in decent detail.
“Thank you.”
Roze bowed her head in gratitude and turned away. Then, she began walking—without hesitation—in the direction he had pointed.
The royal tomb’s official residence was unusually bustling. Many royals and nobles had arrived to stay for the week-long memorial.
Among them, the annex where Haven was staying was particularly crowded—thanks to the nobles urging him to marry the former queen and claim the throne. At the center of it all was Marquess Warren Poerkin.
“It’s already been six years, Your Grace.”
The old noble addressed Haven in a firm voice.
“Never in our history has the throne remained vacant this long. It’s unacceptable. Please, marry the former queen and ascend—”
“I’ve already said no many times. Perhaps the Marquess is hard of hearing.”
Haven cut in coldly, his voice firm with rejection. But the Marquess ignored the rudeness and pressed on.
“This isn’t a matter of personal preference. The very future of the Gwenthers Kingdom is at stake. How can you let emotion dictate your decision?”
“Emotion, you say…”
Haven trailed off, then gave a short laugh. His gaze grew icy as he stared down the Marquess.
“That’s the second time you’ve said that to me. Do you remember? You said something very similar back then, too.”
