Shadowless Night

Ricardis headed straight to his office. As soon as he returned, Isserion followed him, dabbing his tears with a handkerchief.

“Your Highness, it has been three days since you last entered your chambers.”

Ricardis intended to ignore him, but Isserion was crying too sorrowfully.

“You might collapse!” He wept.

It seemed like Isserion was the one about to collapse. Next to him, Lewon put his arm around Ricardis’ shoulders and admonished him with a scolding tone.

“I’ve been telling you since you were little. A healthy mind dwells in a healthy body! How can you expect to manage when your mind is exhausted but you still don’t get proper rest? Please understand the hearts of us who watch you.”

“Alright, alright.”

Under the assault of the two brothers, Ricardis surrendered by raising both hands. They were the ones who had nurtured him back to health when he was struggling in the Wingranate Mansion; he couldn’t help but acquiesce. Already battling a throbbing headache, he had contemplated sipping some wine and briefly closing his eyes on the sofa.

However, influenced by Isserion’s wails, claiming that the bed might forget its master’s face since they still had to change the sheets daily, Ricardis decided to go to his bedroom today. Well, wasn’t changing the sheets the maid’s responsibility? It sounded like a lie, but he shrugged and let it slide.

“I’ve prepared the water, so go wash up and head to your room.”

Ricardis accepted Isserion’s help, undressed, and entered the bathroom. An abundance of rose petals floated atop a giant bathtub filled with warm water. He’d told them not to do this… the intense rose fragrance the next day…

The warm temperature felt delightful. Ricardis poured water and washed his face. The warmth seeped into his body, and a contented sigh escaped him. He closed his eyes and leaned against the bathtub, tilting his head back. The pleasant moisture danced around the tip of his nose.

It had been a tiring day contending with the stubborn nobles like Diech and Katelyn. He closed his eyes, and Rosaline floated into his darkened field of vision. He was concerned about her, especially when remembering her tearful face. I hope she’s doing well.

“Ah! Oh, this is…!”

Opening his eyes, Ricardis met Rosaline’s gaze as she stretched out with her arms and legs spread on the high ceiling. He almost let out a curse in shock. Rosaline subtly avoided his astonished gaze. Blushing, Ricardis covered his chest… Even though the rose petals entirely concealed his lower region. But wait, she might have seen it when I came in. Ricardis asked with a slightly embarrassed tone,

“What did you see, from where to where?”

Hanging in the air, Rosaline desperately shook her head.

“Ah, nothing.”

Her voice was barely audible. How could she not have seen anything!? Ricardis was about to yell, but Lewon urgently called him from outside, lightly knocking on the door.

“Your Highness, is something the matter?”

Ricardis broke into a cold sweat. How should he handle this situation now? “

It’s nothing. I just slipped for a moment.”

“Alright. Also, may I inquire about your choice of wine, my lord?”

It was a code. If Ricardis mentioned the Perbell River, Lewon would pretend to leave, then use the secret passage to come in.

“Dugger.”

“…Wouldn’t you prefer something else?”

“Dugger. I want a 17-year-old Dugger! The taste and aroma are splendid! Bitterness suits my taste!”

It’s all okay! Everything is alright! There’s nothing unusual! Ricardis sighed in relief as Lewon retreated before gesturing toward Rosaline. Come down. Rosaline understood his intention and hesitantly moved down.

Even as moisture condensed on the smooth, glistening walls, it dripped down bit by bit. Just as Rosaline almost reached the floor, she stumbled and slipped. Ricardis half-raised his body in surprise, catching Rosaline as she fell into his arms. The water in the bathtub rippled, and the roses danced.

Their eyes met. Rosaline was speckled with soot here and there. She seemed to have no idea where it had come from. The oblivious Rosaline blinked. The concerned Ricardis held her momentarily before speaking in a slightly repulsed tone,

“… Are your clothes wet?”

Rosaline nodded. Her lower back and buttocks were wet. Ricardis sighed and gently placed her in the bathtub. If her clothes were wet, he should have her change immediately. What if she caught a cold, staying out in damp clothes for too long?

Rosaline enjoyed the warm sensation and pleasant aroma, lightly swirling the water with her hand. Rose petals trembled and scattered. Ricardis’ expression hardened in an instant. If this continues, she’ll see it! He hastily grabbed her hand. Rosaline widened her eyes, staring at him.

“Sir Rosaline. I must have told you not to step a foot out of your room.”

Rosaline suddenly remembered the events of that day because of that chilly tone. A businesslike voice devoid of any emotion or affection. The once beautiful blue eyes had been icy cold, just like now. Rosaline bowed her head deeply.

“Don’t lower your head.”

“Yes?”

Ricardis spoke urgently.

“… If you bow like that… anyway, there’s a significant reason. Just keep looking at me.”

No matter how dense the floating roses are, if you keep looking down below…!

But Rosaline, unaware of the situation, started to tear up. I can’t even lower my head as I wish! Rosaline looked up again at Ricardis.

Met with her downcast eyes, Ricardis became more flustered. When he saw her eyes shining like glass beads submerged in water, his heart sank in his chest.

“No, over there. Slightly to the left, do you see that pattern, Sir? Look at that.”

He had to keep rephrasing and emphasizing his instructions, akin to training an unruly dog.

Depressed, Rosaline followed his instructions and turned her gaze to the elaborate pattern carved slightly to his left. They entered a tense state with their stares slightly out of line. Rosaline began counting the number of patterns as she opened her mouth.

“I’m just…worried about whether Your Highness… is safe…”

Ricardis’ heart wavered at her voice, which seemed like it could break and scatter like a snapped twig. A person who had once been physically and mentally strong now seemed weakened in both body and mind. Had he gotten too angry? Perhaps he had been a bit too furious.

Even though she had disobeyed his orders, Ricardis felt that he might have been too harsh on the person who came to converse, and gradually, his stern resolve softened.

“I planned to hide until you go to bed, just observing for a while and then leaving…”

“… Do you know what society would call such behavior, Sir?”

“Loyalty…?”

“They would call it a crime; don’t do it again. Since today’s attempt remained incomplete, I’ll let it slide.”

By the way, Rosaline wasn’t the only one who wanted to observe Ricardis’ sleeping face. A few years ago, an esteemed young lady from a prominent household, who had sent dozens of letters daily to Ricardis, had shared this passion. They both similarly failed, and the difference between them was whether or not they got caught.

Upon hearing, “They would call it a crime,” Rosaline glanced at Ricardis from the corner of her eye. It felt like she had unfinished words, behaving like a cautious dog after causing a commotion! An ominous feeling crept in.

“… You’ll let it slide… only for today…?”

Is this person for real… Ricardis looked at her with a chilling gaze. It was too apparent that she was considering her accumulated actions in the past. How often had she snuck in to see his sleeping face, for goodness sake?

“You seriously…”

“Your Highness, may I come in for a moment?” Isserion spoke from outside.

Rosaline and Ricardis widened their eyes and looked at each other. Ricardis stammered out a response.

“N-no. What’s the matter? I quite hate being disturbed during my alone time!”

He felt ashamed for giving such an adolescent-like answer.

“I have something important to discuss.” His tone was so grave that Ricardis couldn’t bring himself to reject him.

Rosaline was flustered, unable to go left or right. With a determined expression, she whispered to Ricardis.

“It’s too slippery to cling to the wall right now! Instead, if I get in the bathtub, I can submerge for about an hour! Please let me do that!”

“… That’s remarkable.”

Even in such an urgent situation, he admired her ability. As Rosaline seemed like she was about to submerge herself into the water, Ricardis panicked. No, don’t go in! You can’t! He grabbed her by the hem of her clothes, barely preventing her. It was chaos.

“I will enter, Your Highness.”

The sound of Isserion opening the door reached their ears. Rosaline gasped in shock. Ricardis gritted his teeth and turned her shoulders. Rosaline felt the firm warmth of Ricardis against her back as he turned her around and held her close.

When Isserion stepped inside the bathroom, he saw Ricardis sitting amid the swaying red rose petals with his back exposed. Right in front of him, Rosaline had crouched down. Because Isserion, Ricardis, and Rosaline were all lined up in a straight row, Isserion couldn’t see her. He could only admire Ricardis’ upright sitting posture, imagining how good it would be for his spine health.

“What’s going on, Isserion? Since this area is damp, please don’t come in. Just speak from where you stand.”

Ricardis’ consideration was overflowing. Rosaline had dipped herself in the bathtub up to her mouth, looking up. Seeing her hair floating in the water, Ricardis quickly gathered it into one and handed it to her. Rosaline accepted and tightly held her hair like a lifeline dropped from the sky.