Chapter 33
“……!”
Before Rosent could even process what had just happened, a sudden sensation of falling overtook her.
Startled, she sprang up and quickly looked around.
The scent of grass wafted through the air.
Leaves fluttered gently all around.
And then…
Gasp.
There he was—Locus—catching her from below.
“I-I’m sorry!”
Flustered, Rosent immediately stepped back.
Had he teleported just now?
More importantly, where was this place?
The grassy scent and the surrounding vegetation… Was it the forest near the imperial palace?
“……”
Locus let out a slight groan as he sat up.
Because he had rolled on the ground, the ends of his light brown hair were slightly tousled.
“No, it’s my fault. I cast magic in haste. I should be the one asking if you’re okay, Princess.”
“I’m fine…”
Rosent lowered her gaze, cheeks flushed.
Now that she thought about it, there had been a firm sensation in her palm.
Was that… his chest?
I’m going crazy.
Rosent mentally screamed, covering her burning cheeks with both hands.
But she quickly dropped her hands and clenched her fists.
Her palms still tingled from the sensation she couldn’t forget.
Three years of living as Rosent—and finally, an event like this happened!
This is the best…!
She clasped her hands together, trying her best to keep her expression neutral.
But her rapid breathing betrayed her excitement.
“Princess?”
Locus looked at her with concern.
“It’s nothing! I-I’m just feeling a bit hot…”
“Fever? The magic might have affected your mana flow. Let me check—”
“I said it’s nothing!”
Panicking at Locus’s approach, Rosent tightly shut her eyes.
He must never discover what I’m really thinking.
She quickly racked her brain.
How could she get out of this situation?
She needed a way to change the subject—something he couldn’t ignore…
“Um, more importantly, I still don’t know your name!”
Yes, this should work.
“Ah…”
At her question, Locus visibly froze.
And then…
“……I’m sorry.”
His ears—though not visible—seemed to droop like a scolded fox’s.
He lowered his head deeply and responded.
“I… I can’t reveal my identity to you just yet.”
“……”
“Once my situation is settled, I promise… I’ll tell you everything.”
He lifted his head and looked directly at Rosent.
Something about his sudden solemnity tugged at her heart.
He can’t tell me? And only when his situation is resolved?
Maybe he’s a fallen noble?
An illegitimate child? Someone from a foreign kingdom?
The kinds of plots she’d only read in romance novels danced in her head, sparking her curiosity.
But then guilt followed.
Regardless of who he was, pressing him to reveal what he clearly wanted to hide… she felt bad.
“……Alright then.”
And then, in a bright tone—
“I’ll just call you Roan.”
“…Pardon?”
Locus looked at her in confusion.
Rosent repeated herself, smiling sweetly.
“Didn’t you hear me? I said I’m calling you Roan.”
Her eyes curved warmly.
“You won’t tell me your real name or your background. So I figure I can call you whatever I want, right?”
His gloomy expression slowly brightened at her playful response.
He went completely quiet, like a mute who had swallowed honey.
My name…?
Being called something other than Noah by Rosent…
He awkwardly replied.
“I don’t mind… I’m just grateful for your understanding.”
“That’s a relief. So? Do you like the name?”
Trying to ease his tension, Rosent chatted away.
“I kind of just mixed up the names of people around me. No offense meant! Please don’t misunderstand.”
After all, it’s often the meaningless names that stick the longest.
She laughed softly.
“Oh, right! Do you know my name? I’m Rosent. Rosent Agrinda.”
Her bright, cheerful voice filled the air like that of a child.
Locus—no, Roan—was so caught off guard by her kindness that he didn’t know how to respond.
But Rosent seemed completely pleased with herself, watching him with pride.
The conversation quickly slipped into a casual rhythm.
“Now that I look at it, your clothes are covered in pearls, Roan!”
The topic had shifted to his clothing.
“Ah…”
Roan looked down awkwardly at his coat.
The sleeves of the crimson jacket were adorned with pearls, surrounded by gold-embroidered patterns.
“This coat is…”
He started to answer honestly, but quickly stopped himself.
He couldn’t exactly say he’d knocked someone out and stolen their clothes.
So he thought up a plausible excuse.
“Pearls from the Manon Empire are quite famous. I’m thinking of starting a pearl business, actually.”
Luckily, that sounded reasonable enough.
Though a bit vain, it distracted from the awkwardness.
But Rosent’s face turned skeptical.
“Seriously? I wouldn’t recommend that.”
“Why… not?”
Roan asked cautiously, and she looked at him with a tinge of pity.
One of the empire’s specialties was natural pearls—prized for their luster and purity.
But due to the monsoon season, trade had suffered.
“The value of pearls is going to drop.”
“You know why?”
He asked, and she answered matter-of-factly.
“Of course. They used to be expensive and used sparingly, but once prices drop, everyone’s going to start using them like crazy.”
She added with a sigh.
“The whole appeal of Manon’s pearls was their rarity. But if there’s suddenly a flood of supply… that appeal is gone.”
“What about buying in bulk and creating a monopoly?”
“That’s not a bad idea. But once they become common, it’s meaningless. Their value will only keep falling, and the Manon Empire will have to find a new specialty. Maybe fifty years from now they’ll bounce back…”
Rosent paused, lost in thought.
“If anyone benefits from this situation…”
“Yes?”
“It’s probably the processing artisans?”
Her vague reply made Roan nod instantly.
After all, in the future he had lived through, natural pearls had indeed become common.
Did she somehow foresee that?
He let out a breath of admiration.
She’s so sharp.
She truly belonged in the Agrinda Duchy.
Roan looked at Rosent, eyes shining with admiration.
And she couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
“You really remind me of someone I know, Roan.”
“Who do I remind you of?”
She kept laughing as she answered.
“My little brother.”
Thump.
Something struck deep within his heart.
It wasn’t affection—more like guilt and discomfort.
Roan gave a sheepish smile.
“You must really care for him, to think of him even in moments like this.”
“Of course! No one in the world loves him more than I do.”
She didn’t hesitate for even a second.
Instead, she looked proud of her own declaration.
Roan stared wide-eyed, having to endure her rapid-fire affection.
“He’s so young, yet already has clear dreams. And he’s talented too. He even tries to protect me when he can! Isn’t that adorable? I’m sure Noah will do well. Thanks to him…”
The more she spoke, the redder Roan’s face became.
His cheeks itched from her overwhelming praise.
He knew she adored him, but this was next level.
He perked up his ears to catch her last words.
“I’m really happy I got to meet our Noah.”
A whisper filled with love.
Rosent’s crimson eyes curved softly as she looked at Roan.
In that moment, he felt himself completely drawn into her gaze.
The rose-colored hue, the soft pinks of spring—
They filled his heart with warmth and comfort.
“……”
Unable to contain his emotions, Roan lifted his hand to his lips.
He squeezed his eyes shut as the feelings swelled inside him.
Ah…
His whole body buzzed with emotion.
Right then, he wanted to embrace her and say it out loud.
I’m happy too.
Just like that—
“The young master must be just as happy… to have met you.”
