Chapter – 11
When their companion was taken down in an instant, the adult men standing beside him shouted angrily.
“Y-you… what are you?!”
“When you ask someone’s identity, you should introduce yourself first. Who are you supposed to be?”
“Hah. So you stepped in with your pathetic sense of justice without even knowing who we are?”
Roshane glanced at the man’s large hand.
My body right now is weaker than wet paper. If I get hit even once, I’ll probably pass out.
She rubbed her chin.
Then the answer is simple. I just have to solve this without getting hit even once.
“We are—!”
“That’s enough.”
Just as the man was about to declare his identity with authority, Roshane cut him off.
“I don’t care who you are, so first…”
She turned her gaze toward the child. The child was kneeling, holding his unconscious father. Children still had delicate skin, and blood was already running down his face.
“First… let’s get you beaten a little.”
***
It didn’t take long to finish things.
The child who had been crying moments ago now stared wide-eyed at the men lying face-down on the ground and Roshane standing calmly among them.
“Let’s all keep things reasonable. Reasonable.”
Roshane pressed her foot firmly into the back of a large man. He hurriedly nodded. As a brawler, he had tasted plenty of fists before, but never had he felt such an overwhelming difference.
“I only beat you lightly because I don’t want to get deeply involved. If you try to take revenge and come looking for me, I’ll hit you for real next time.”
…With this much difference and she called it lightly?
The men exchanged glances and silently vowed never to look for this woman again.
“We should all help each other in life.”
“Yes! Yes! Very wise words! From now on we’ll live helping others!”
After looking over the obedient men, Roshane removed her foot from his back. The moment she did, the men jumped up and ran away without even looking back.
Scaredy-cats.
Looking up at the sky, she realized too much time had passed since she left the mansion.
It was time to return.
My hands ache.
Her punching strength remained the same, but her body didn’t seem able to withstand it.
Roshane quietly looked down at her trembling fists. Her hands were swollen too.
Next time I hit someone, I should use a weapon.
Satisfied with this new realization, she nodded to herself.
“Um…”
Just as she was about to turn away as usual, the child who had laid his father down carefully ran up to her.
“You don’t need to worry about them coming to collect protection fees anymore. I scared them enough that they won’t even think about it. But you still have to pay your rent. Everyone living in the Empire has to pay that, so don’t fall behind.”
“Yes! We already prepared this month’s rent! Um… thank you for helping us!”
Roshane stared at the child, who smiled brightly while thanking her. Even after seeing her easily defeat grown men, he didn’t seem afraid.
“You’re much braver than the adults hiding and watching from over there.”
She reached out and lightly patted the child’s head while glancing around the buildings in the alley.
When her gaze swept around, someone quietly shut their window, another pulled their curtains, and someone else suddenly pretended to be drunk and closed their eyes.
“If I ever get the chance, I want to repay your kindness! At least tell me your name—”
“No need. Even if it wasn’t you, I would have helped anyone in that situation. So you don’t need to repay me.”
“But…”
“Later, when you grow as big as I am, if you see a child crying like you were, don’t ignore them. Have the courage to ask why they’re crying. That’s how you can repay me.”
After giving the child’s shoulder a final pat, Roshane turned away.
Then she quickly disappeared.
Soon after, she safely lay in her bed inside the mansion and closed her eyes as if nothing had happened.
On the outside, she looked nothing more than a beautiful young lady.
***
The young lady who had spectacularly ruined a wedding was now climbing trees, apparently.
Rumors spread quickly throughout the Leilaten household.
Nobles never missed good gossip, and the Leilaten family was especially delicious prey for such talk.
“…I heard you were hurt.”
As soon as the rumors spread, Cheyton rushed to the Leilaten mansion.
“I wasn’t hurt. Just ruined a dress.”
This was their first meeting since that sudden kiss. The strange unfamiliar sensation she had barely buried resurfaced the moment she saw him.
“Why were you climbing a tree…?”
“A bird fell down, so I just climbed up to put it back. I didn’t expect everyone to make such a fuss.”
“A bird? Tree climbing?”
“…Don’t tell me the Grand Duke can’t climb trees?”
She remembered him as a child climbing trees fairly well.
Roshane asked while recalling Cheyton’s childhood. Cheyton sighed deeply at her expression, which seemed to question how a grown man could not climb trees.
“Hah… After seeing what you did to the young marquis at the wedding, I expected this… but Lady, you’re too reckless. I don’t know if you’re fearless or just careless.”
“I’d prefer if you called me strong.”
Roshane pressed her slightly warming lips together and shook her head calmly.
After confirming no one was nearby, she lowered her voice.
“Is your body okay?”
She clearly meant the curse. Cheyton almost answered that he had been fine for several days thanks to that kiss, but he shut his mouth.
Because he suddenly remembered that kiss… right here.
“…Your Grace?”
As his face stiffened, Roshane examined his expression. It looked slightly flushed as if he had a fever, or maybe it was worsening.
It must be the madness.
Jumping to her own conclusion, Roshane looked at his hand.
Last time he said holding hands helped.
After deciding, she reached out and firmly grabbed his hand.
“…!”
His tense expression immediately relaxed. His eyes widened in surprise, confirming it worked against the madness.
He must have suffered for a long time.
“Let me say this in advance.”
Holding his hand, Roshane spoke firmly.
“Even if this helps your curse, I can’t cut off my hand and give it to you. Of course even if you took it, it probably wouldn’t suppress the curse anyway—”
“Hah. I never thought that.”
What on earth is she thinking?
Cheyton cut her off with a baffled expression. Roshane muttered:
“That’s good then.”
As if she had seriously considered that possibility.
I really can’t figure her out.
Cheyton rubbed his forehead with his free hand and looked down at the hand she held.
Her small soft hand rested inside his large palm as if seeking shelter.
It was an unfamiliar feeling.
Whenever I talk with this woman… it feels like I lose the initiative.
Just like last time.
Yet strangely… it also felt familiar.
“…Your Grace. What about you?”
“What?”
He looked up at her. Her large eyes, like a rabbit’s, blinked while staring straight at him.
At the same time, her small hand moved slightly inside his palm, sending a ticklish sensation through him.
“I…”
What did she mean?
How things were between them? How he felt about holding hands? About the kiss? About her?
“Then the Lady must have feelings for Your Grace! What about you?”
Pavel’s words from earlier echoed in his mind.
“I… like it.”
He answered as if spellbound.
Roshane nodded calmly.
What was that nod? Did that mean she liked it too?
As his thoughts spiraled, Roshane spoke again.
“Then it really is better to proceed like this.”
“…Huh?”
Cheyton asked blankly. She tilted her head at his confusion.
“Our relationship. You said you want treatment through my hands and I agreed… so we’ll need to meet often. Otherwise how would we hold hands for treatment?”
“…Treatment?”
“Yes. You said you want to cure your curse. Then we need a reason to meet often. If we appear close publicly, it’ll be easier. I was worried you might dislike being associated with my family because of the Emperor, but you said you like it.”
“…Ah.”
A short realization escaped him.
“Why? Is your body getting worse again? I’m still holding your hand.”
“Ah… so that’s why you held my hand…”
“What?”
“…Nothing. Continue.”
He covered his face with his other hand and gestured for her to go on.
“If we pretend to be lovers, wouldn’t that be convenient?”
“Pretend…”
At his murmur, Roshane smiled brightly.
“Neither of us will develop those kinds of feelings anyway, so there’s nothing to worry about.”
The moment she finished speaking, Cheyton abruptly stood up. He gently returned her hand and spoke while trying to remain calm.
“That sounds good. Perfect actually… Lady, something urgent just came up. May I take my leave today?”
“Huh? Oh… okay.”
“I’ll visit properly next time.”
Cheyton quickly left the reception room. Roshane followed him out and quietly watched his retreating figure.
Does he dislike the idea of being lovers?
Maybe he loves someone else. She hadn’t considered that.
Next time I’ll ask if he’s okay with being lovers in name only… or maybe even being my secret partner.
Roshane nodded to herself.
