Chapter 28
“Did you have a good day, young master?”
After finishing his classes at the Magic Tower, the one who welcomed Noah back to the ducal estate most warmly was his personal maid, Helen.
Taking his coat naturally, Helen continued,
“Would you like dinner right away?”
“No, I’m not hungry right now.”
“Then shall I bring you some lemonade?”
“Umm…”
Noah paused, placing his hand over his stomach.
In truth, he had just received a medical examination from Kenneth and wasn’t feeling well.
He felt that if he ate something, he might throw it up immediately.
But he did want lemonade… just not alone.
Noah was hesitating slightly at Helen’s offer when—
“Our Noah is home?”
A gentle voice approached both Noah and Helen.
Even before looking up, Noah recognized who it was.
“Sis!”
He immediately ran and threw himself into Rosente’s arms.
“Oh my.”
It would’ve been understandable for her to be startled by the sudden hug, but Rosente, as if used to it, bent down and embraced his shoulders.
And so, Noah leaned into her and smiled.
The nausea from earlier had vanished without a trace.
‘It’s strange.’
Just being by Rosente’s side makes me feel better.
“Did you need something from my room? Did you come to see me?”
Was he lucky today?
To think that she would come looking for him just like this.
Before he realized it, Noah let out a small purr and rubbed his cheek against Rosente’s shoulder.
Feeling the soft touch of his cheek on her shoulder, Rosente chuckled and asked,
“Of course. Did your class go well? What did you learn today?”
“About elemental properties. And we drew a simple magic circle too.”
Noah rolled his eyes upward as he recalled Kenneth’s lesson.
But then he suddenly paused at the sight of something beautiful.
Somehow, today Rosente’s dress was…
“What were you doing today, sis?”
“Ah.”
At his question, Rosente sighed softly.
It brought back memories of the nightmare that had happened earlier in the day.
Instead of answering, she gently pulled away from Noah and stood up.
“This is my debutante dress. What do you think?”
She lightly lifted the edge of her dress and twirled in a circle.
The silk fluttered, gleaming beautifully.
A red ribbon tied around her neck added to her charm.
Her soft hair swayed with her movements, cascading down her waist.
It looked just like a rosebud blooming before summer arrived.
A beautiful pink rose—just like the meaning of the name Rosente.
So this is what they meant in books when they said something was dazzling to the eyes.
Noah’s eyes widened at the sight, and he closed his mouth, unsure of what to say.
How was he supposed to respond?
Maybe he should use a childlike comparison to make it sound natural.
“You look pretty—like a fairy from a storybook!”
Noah cupped his cheeks with both hands, putting on his cutest expression.
But soon after, he felt it might have been too childish and shrank back in embarrassment…
“Really? A fairy? That makes me happy.”
Rosente’s radiant smile chased away all his worries.
Then, Annie, who had been standing nearby, added,
“You’re not done yet. We still need to fix your hair.”
“I just tried the dress on for fun. Isn’t it fine like this?”
Rosente casually ran her fingers through her slightly messy hair, but Annie scolded her lightly.
“What are you talking about? You have to coordinate everything in advance to avoid any last-minute mishaps!”
“Really…?”
Rosente took a step back with an awkward smile.
She must have been exhausted from the day’s events.
But only for a moment—soon, her eyes sparkled as she turned to Noah.
She often made that face when she had something she wanted.
Noah noticed it right away and asked,
“Huh? What is it?”
Just as expected.
Rosente took the ribbon from Annie’s hand and said,
“Noah, would you help me?”
She bent down to meet his eye level.
“It’s not hard. Just tie it however you like.”
“All I have to do is tie it?”
Noah tilted his head and accepted the ribbon.
What’s so difficult about this…
He reached out and gently gathered her loose hair in one hand.
Then, carefully, he began braiding it into a single plait.
Honestly, he wanted to twist it up and pin it nicely, but…
Wouldn’t it be weird if a little kid who probably hadn’t even tied his own hair could do that?
Besides—
‘I can’t reach.’
There was too much of a height difference between him and Rosente.
Why did his body have to regress into a child’s too?
He already missed his eighteen-year-old body.
This was the downside of magic working too well on his body.
Noah pouted like a duck and frowned, irritated by the thought.
Just as he let out a quiet sigh—
“…!”
Noah’s vision suddenly tilted forward.
More precisely, he was pulled by someone.
“Ah!”
Noah, caught off guard, tumbled forward with wide eyes.
He was so shocked that he couldn’t even scream, frozen in place.
And of course—the culprit was…
“Hehe.”
Rosente had suddenly pulled him into a hug.
She chuckled and held him tightly.
Well, who could blame her?
Noah’s behavior had been far too adorable.
‘This is Noah’s fault.’
Seriously. Who told him to be so cute?
His tiny hands brushed her cheeks, his lips pouted like a duckling.
Moreover, Rosente had read the original novel thoroughly and remembered every character trait.
Noah definitely used to frown slightly with pursed lips.
That was Locus’s trademark habit in the original.
“Noah, you’re too cute.”
“…!”
Noah flinched at her spontaneous outburst.
He looked up at her in horror, too stunned to say anything.
Rosente’s coral-colored eyes sparkled back at him.
Noah felt as if that coral hue had transferred to his cheeks—they were burning.
Meeting Rosente’s eyes from this close…
“D-Don’t tease me, sis!”
“Are you mad right now?”
My baby brother is too adorable!
Even his anger is cute.
Rosente poked his cheek playfully, and Noah quickly ran away.
Left holding empty air, Rosente looked a little disappointed.
But only for a moment—she accepted a hand mirror from Annie, who came closer.
“My, how pretty. You’ve got good hands, young master.”
The only problem was that Noah’s hands were so small, he only braided one side.
Rosente laughed and stood up.
That’s when—
Knock knock.
A light knock came between Noah and Rosente.
“Young lady, a letter has arrived for you.”
Then a young maid appeared with a voice that got straight to the point.
“Hm? Thank… you. Hehe.”
Unable to suppress her lingering laughter, Rosente giggled as she took the letter.
On the white envelope was a red wax seal.
And tucked into the seal—a sprig of baby’s breath.
Baby’s breath? That meant…
“A letter from House Rosotherban.”
A wolf with baby’s breath in its mouth was the house’s symbol.
And there was only one possible recipient in this household.
Rosente used a letter opener and gently opened it.
To Lady Agrinda,
The letter was neat and full of clean handwriting.
It was from Eastern.
He began with a polite greeting, followed by a brief update on his well-being.
He mentioned the recent weather, the knight order, and Kali’s activities.
He even included some tidbits that might be useful for her business.
Rosente smiled as she read the unexpectedly pleasant contents.
Still, the fact that he sent a letter meant he had a purpose.
And at this time of year, it could only be one thing…
Rosente turned to the most important final line.
If you’ll allow me, I would like to escort you to the banquet.
In other words—
“Oh my! An escort request!”
Annie, who had been sneakily peeking over her shoulder, said aloud what Rosente was thinking.
“To request this already—seems like Lord Rosotherban’s son has real feelings.”
“Sounds like you’re more excited than I am, Annie.”
Rosente smiled awkwardly and carefully folded the letter.
Somehow, a warm fuzziness formed in her heart along with pride.
It felt like being invited by someone unexpectedly wonderful.
“Now that I think about it, it is best to be escorted by someone you know.”
Annie supported her thoughts from the side.
“Lord Rosotherban’s son has a connection with the young master, and he’s definitely a suitable escort.”
“Are you siding with him?”
Rosente burst into laughter at Annie’s remark.
It felt like Annie was trying to recruit Easton.
“My job is to suggest things that benefit you, my lady.”
“And you don’t think he’s doing this to boost his own image?”
“That too would still benefit you.”
As expected, Annie smoothly dodged the question.
Indeed, someone like Easton—with that dreamy, handsome aura—was more than suitable.
Actually, he was perfect.
He would attract attention at her debut, and even if weird rumors spread, Easton’s personality wouldn’t let them go unanswered.
Among her peers, he was the best choice.
“……”
Rosente narrowed her eyes at Annie.
Sometimes Annie seemed a bit too clever.
“Fine. Thanks for thinking of me, Annie.”
In the end, Rosente willingly agreed.
‘He’s definitely better than those other young men I only know by name.’
And Easton was kind, too.
A debutante ball with him would surely be enjoyable.
“Could you bring me some stationery?”
Without hesitation, Rosente picked up a pen.
It was the clearest signal of her acceptance.
However, there was one thing Rosente completely failed to notice.
“……”
A small gaze filled with fierce resentment, quietly glaring at the letter.
