Shadowless Night

Rosaline, who was strolling among the people, spotted Starz and took a slow look around. The glint in her dazed eyes, as if intoxicated by the food scents, sharpened. Rosaline scanned the spacious hall with hundreds of people and made eye contact with Ricardis, nodding in acknowledgement. Nothing seemed amiss so far.

Aside from the families under Ricardis such as Duke Brulite, Marquis Cimmaron, Count Sihorge, and Viscount Golgarten, others queued up to greet him. Each time, Rosaline took a step forward and scanned the approaching person up and down. It was to determine whether they had any intentions through their heartbeat, eye movements, and facial muscles.

“Excuse me.”

From head to toe, her sharp gaze, without blinking once, made most people freeze like trapped mice. When Rosaline breathed lightly and blinked, stepping back, it meant they were allowed to pass.

Ricardis looked at his partner as if in disbelief. It was impossible to tell whether he had come with an escort or a partner. Although her appearance had changed a lot, Rosaline was still Rosaline.

Rosaline was reprimanded by Deputy Commander Nathan again, asking how she could scan Ricardis’ guests up and down as if treating potential criminals. Rosaline ignored his rant with a vacant expression; she seemed to have mastered the art of not listening.

While Rosaline was scolded, Ricardis directed his gaze towards Elpidio, who was surrounded by people in the distance. When their eyes met, Elpidio frowned slightly. Perhaps conscious of people’s gazes, the wrinkles on his forehead were less pronounced than usual.

Ricardis approached him with the returning Rosaline. He wanted to scratch at least the surface, but unfortunately, due to Elpidio’s apparent discomfort and departure, he had to postpone it for the next opportunity. Lewon shrugged behind Ricardis. “Well, it seems His Highness Elpidio has grown in his own way. In the past, he would have argued with you without restraint. But doing that would have only raised his blood pressure, wouldn’t it?”

“Seeing my elder brother weakened makes my heart ache. I have a taste for teasing people, you see.”

Even as the banquet continued, Elpidio would shift his position elsewhere whenever he saw Ricardis. He feigned urgency, but even others noticed that Elpidio was avoiding Ricardis. However, given the relationship between the two brothers, it was understandable that being in the same space was difficult.

If it were the usual Ricardis, he would have carefully observed Elpidio, but at the moment, his focus was on something more important.

It was natural for attention to be focused on Ricardis, another prominent successor of Illavenia. Thus, from the moment he stepped into the reception hall, Ricardis was continuously surrounded by people.

Rosaline, who guarded him, treating each and every person as a potential assassin or enemy, began to struggle as time passed. Sometimes she would chew her lips or glance at the food table as if it were her enemy, occasionally shedding tears. In her pitiful sorrow that made the onlookers ache, Ricardis eventually had to send her away.

With Raymond on Rosaline’s left, Pardict on her right, and Shuten behind her, forming a towering wall with an average height of 192 cm, Ricardis pushed her away, encouraging her to eat to her heart’s content.

The uneasy Rosaline only quickened her steps after seeing Ricardis being protected by escorts including Starz, Nathan, and Kairo. Although she seemed haughty, her quick strides expressed her determination to quickly eat and return.

Fifteen minutes passed.

‘Just fifteen minutes.’

The 192 cm walls surrounding Rosaline had turned into mere presence. This was because gorgeously dressed ladies, who were happily exclaiming, ‘This tastes good,’ and ‘That tastes good,’ had entered, surrounding the four knights who were playfully enjoying themselves at the food table.

The sight of strong knights, capable of breaking stones, being surrounded by petite women and sweating profusely, was a rare and precious spectacle. And the person who had brought this group of ladies, after pretending to engage in conversation, smoothly spirited Rosaline away to somewhere else.

Raymond, Shuten, and Pardict were deeply engrossed in the women, oblivious to the absence of one of their fellow knights. Ricardis, observing the scene from a distance, had to press his temples and briefly close his eyes as his blood pressure surged.

He desired to approach Rosaline immediately, but the surrounding guests restrained him, leaving him to clench his lips in vexation. He entertained the cruel thought that perhaps he should have allowed her to go hungry.

The man who had spirited Rosaline away finally halted at one of the many balconies in the banquet hall. It was a space partly concealed by red curtains, their position leaving it unclear if they were fully closed or slightly ajar. The man gently pulled back the curtain and was about to step inside when he hesitated, seeing the couple within. The curtains were not completely closed, and the man and woman inside were deeply engrossed in each other’s lips.

[A kiss is another expression of ‘I love you.’]

Rosaline recalled Chloe’s words. The couple was engaging in this physical dialogue of love! Intrigued, Rosaline observed them, startling the couple engaged in their affectionate exchange. Only the man who had partially opened the curtains handled the situation calmly.

“My apologies.”

After a brief apology, he firmly closed the red curtains and led Rosaline to another balcony. The second one they arrived at was unoccupied.

The man didn’t untie the cords holding the red curtains. Typically, when the curtains were drawn, it was to conceal discreet and intimate conversations, so untying the cords would undoubtedly fuel countless rumors. Rosaline wasn’t aware of this, but she showed no sign of skepticism.

The arched boundary offered a clear view of the inside of the banquet hall. However, the balcony was quieter and darker than the interior. As the cool breeze gently brushed past, diverting Rosaline’s gaze from the banquet hall, she locked eyes with the man.

He brushed his bright blonde hair back, revealing a handsome forehead. His gaze was deep, and his nose was straight. Overall, he could be described as handsome, but there was a corner of arrogance in him.

The man suddenly grinned. His smile altered his impression, making him seem friendly enough to offer at least a cookie. Nevertheless, due to her upbringing, which always emphasized caution with strangers, Rosaline regarded the man with a suspicious, exploratory gaze.

“You mentioned desiring a private and confidential discussion about His Highness Ricardis. Now that we’re here, I’d appreciate it if you could promptly state your purpose so that I can return promptly.”

“You seem to be in a rush. Let’s take a moment to collect ourselves,” the man suggested, offering Rosaline a drink. “Do you recall me, Miss Rosaline?”

The form of address was unfamiliar. After accepting the glass, Rosaline tilted her head slightly. “No.”

“We used to meet quite frequently when you were younger. You used to call me brother and listen to me.”

The blend of formality and informality seemed impolite, yet it felt natural. The man gently held Rosaline’s hand with one hand, while the other held a glass. He spoke while placing his lips on the back of her hand.

“Since you don’t remember, this will be our first meeting. I’m Dwight of Lyonmane. Dwight Arpeker greets the beautiful lady.”

Lyonmane…

House Lyonmane was Trypa’s family, the mother of Elpidio and the Empress of Illavenia. No wonder Rosaline noticed a resemblance between Dwight and Elpidio’s faces. Elpidio and Dwight seemed more like brothers than Elpidio and Diech, despite having the same blonde hair.

Rosaline recalled the name ‘Dwight’ from the education she received about the noble families of Illavenia. The youngest son of Duke Lyonmane. However, he firmly secured the succession over the eldest son with outstanding abilities.

So, the man introducing himself as Dwight was the heir of Duke Lyonmane. The heir who empowered Elpidio.

The phrase “met when young” likely referred to a story from before ‘Rosaline’ joined the Knights of the White Night. Now, it was meaningless or could even turn into an unfavorable past connection.

Why had this man called her? From the moment the name ‘Lyonmane’ came out of Dwight’s mouth, Rosaline’s eyes held a glint of caution.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Count Arpeker.”

The man seemed surprised that Rosaline knew his title.

But how could Rosaline, who had received extensive education from Calyx, not know about the only four ducal families in the Empire, not to mention the heir of a family that wielded such significant influence within Elpidio’s faction? There were no portraits, so she couldn’t recognize his face, but still.

“They said you have memory loss, yet you seem to pick things up quickly. You have always been sharp. But Count Arpeker… hearing you call me that makes us feel a bit distant. You can just call me ‘Brother’ as comfortably as before.”

“Yes, Brother.”

“…”

“Is there a problem?”

“No. I think you can continue calling me that way.” Dwight frowned slightly and gave her a sidelong glance. He muttered to himself, “This feels strange.”

“By the way, you’re truly beautiful, Rosaline. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw you today. You’ve become such a lovely lady. You used to be a mischievous troublemaker who would secretly trip the boys bothering Sir Calyx when you were young.”

Rosaline thought that if someone were to bother Calyx now, it wouldn’t just end with secretly tripping their feet.

“Do you remember when you, as a child, used to chase after me and ask for marriage, Rosaline? If I had known you would turn out this beautiful, I might have just married you back then.”

“Excuse me?”

Rosaline was genuinely surprised. But Dwight just grinned mischievously, maintaining a playful expression.