129.

“…….”

“So let’s live long and healthy lives, and meet again very far down the line. If you truly feel sorry for me, you must do exactly that.”

Stay happy forever, above all others. Daisy whispered into her ear as she tightly embraced her. Before Ro could even offer the carefully thought-out words she had prepared, the small warmth slipped away from her arms. She saw the child running far off, then turning back to wave.

Ro raised her arm to wave back. She had to smile. Daisy was watching, after all. She had promised to stay happy always. Yet even as her lips curved upward, it felt as though a searing heat had settled upon her eyelids. Her vision blurred again and again, until she could no longer clearly see the child’s figure.

Ro forced her eyes wide open, imprinting Daisy’s retreating back into her memory until the very last moment. Soon, a warm light enveloped Daisy.

* * *

Ro woke up with her eyes swollen and puffy. She must have cried so hard that her pillowcase was nearly soaked, yet her body felt strangely lighter. The splitting headache had eased, and the throbbing pain throughout her body was less severe than yesterday.

Ro stretched luxuriously on the soft bed, basking in the gentle sunlight and breeze drifting through the window. Though she had only dozed off briefly, she felt as though she had rested deeply and thoroughly, as if a mysterious vitality had newly surged throughout her limbs. It must have been thanks to dreaming of Daisy last night.

Now that she thought about it, last night’s events seemed almost impossible to believe. Calypso, Pontos, Scylla… It was all so surreal—suddenly thrust into mythological tales, with no sense of reality at all.

Yet she couldn’t deny that it had given her a new goal. Ro reached behind her neck, firmly gripping the protruding key above her collar. To find Scylla’s box, and to open it. A new purpose, as always, gave her the strength to endure everything.

“Ah.”

At the soft exclamation, she turned her head to see Cardier standing in the doorway. Instinctively, she scanned her own body. The severely underweight frame, the overgrown fingernails, the skin stained purple from tightly bound ropes, and her hands beginning to tremble uncontrollably.

Of course, Cardier had been the one caring for her while she was unconscious—so he had probably already seen everything there was to see… Still, Ro was in no condition to even feebly claim she was “fine.” It made a mockery of her bold declaration to him just before, vowing she would live well.

Seeing Ro’s mortified expression, Cardier let out a brief sigh, as if he had guessed her thoughts entirely.

“Sorry. I didn’t realize you were awake.”

He calmly set the tray down on the small bedside table. Then, as naturally as ever, he sat on the edge of the bed and reached out, placing a hand on her forehead.

“Your fever’s gone.”

He looked just as perfect as always. One would expect his appearance to be disheveled after prolonged naval combat, yet he looked as refined as if he had just stepped alone into the center of a ballroom. While he took something from the tray, Ro lifted her arm to sniff under it. Suddenly, she felt as though her entire body reeked, and she became acutely aware of her neglected hair.

“How are you feeling? The physician said you’d need prolonged rest.”

“Not at all. I’m perfectly fine.”

Ro smiled, hiding her trembling hands beneath the blanket. Cardier smiled back, clearly pleased by her bravado. His fingertips, brushing against her cheek, felt calloused.

“I should’ve known that quack was incompetent.”

“…….”

“Anything uncomfortable? Anything you need?”

Ro began to shake her head, then paused, remembering something.

“There’s… one thing I must ask of you.”

“Tell me anything.”

“Near the mast where I was tied up, there’s a little girl… She should be there. Please dress her in something good… truly good, and bury her properly.”

“Montrosa will show every possible measure of respect. I’ll do as you say—just breathe slowly for now.”

Only then did she realize how heavily she had been panting. Leaning against his firm arm, Ro steadied her breath. Her eyes quickly grew hot. Such a wasted life. Too young, too fragile, to have died saving her.

“I’d like her in a white dress with blue embroidery. The burial ground should be somewhere bathed in warm, abundant sunlight. A hill with a view of the sea would be even better.”

“All right.”

“Somewhere not too far from Cyclid or the Eastern Region. Somewhere I can visit often.”

“Anything. Whatever you wish, I’ll make it happen.”

Ro went on for a long time, listing everything she wanted done for Daisy. Her breathing gradually slowed. Cardier held her close, gently patting her back until she calmed. Ro stayed nestled in his arms, feeling his warmth, until the sun had dipped noticeably toward the west.

“Now… I’m fine.”

Eventually, embarrassed, Ro sat up. Cardier placed the tray directly onto her lap. On it was a balanced meal—salad, bread, and a thin soup. Ro frowned.

“I’m not hungry.”

“You should eat something, even if you’re not. Otherwise, you can’t take your medicine.”

“Do I really have to take medicine?”

“According to the physician, yes.”

“…You said that quack was incompetent.”

Ro grumbled. Now, even the word “medicine” sounded dreadful. Cardier soothed her gently.

“I’ve looked into it from every angle. No side effects, no impurities. I recommend you take it, but if you truly don’t want to, I won’t force you.”

“…….”

Damn it. He knew her too well. If he had forced her, she would’ve refused to take it even if it killed her. But this way, her resolve weakened easily. Ro scooped a few spoonfuls of soup, then took a small pill from Cardier’s hand. She tilted her head back and swallowed it deep into her throat. A wave of nausea rose instantly. She drained the entire cup of water before she could finally get the pill down. Cardier took the tray and began to clear it.

“When we go to the Montrosa estate, I’ll learn how to make it myself. So you can feel at ease.”

“…The Montrosa estate?”

“You were the one who broke the promise first, Ro.”

“…….”

“After seeing you like this, do you really think I could let you go twice?”

Cardier’s face appeared calm at first glance. But his voice, trying to suppress something, was hard to conceal. Ro couldn’t bear to meet his gaze and quickly turned away. Silence settled, deep and heavy. Eventually, Rosetta spoke again.

“I’m sorry.”

“…….”

“It seems I’ve ended up lying to you all along.”

“…….”

“I’m just so tired now….”

She exhaled weakly, as if crying, as if laughing. With her eyes averted, the truth spilled out easily. Yes, in reality, nothing was fine. The aftereffects of the drugs Nick had injected—no one knew them better than Rosetta herself. Her entire body felt worn out, like a rag torn to shreds. It was her limit, both physically and mentally. She felt like a broken compass, still creaking habitually pointing north.

“Let’s start with a bath. You’ll feel better.”

When he rang the bell, soldiers arrived carrying a steaming hot bathtub. Ro was instantly astonished—how could bath preparations, especially with a marble tub, be made so swiftly in the middle of the ocean? And yet, despite being merely a lieutenant, he enjoyed luxuries fit for a high-ranking officer, and not a single soldier showed even a hint of discontent. Either because every sailor in the navy was destined to obey him without question, or simply because he was already an immensely glorious war hero whose orders were sacred.

“Take off your clothes first.”

“…Are you going to assist me?”

“Yes. You’re still not able to do it alone.”

Even after the soldiers had completely withdrawn, Ro hesitated a moment longer. It wasn’t sudden shyness that held her back, but fear of the shock he might feel upon seeing her body. Her skin, rubbed raw and discolored purple by ropes, her emaciated frame reduced to mere skin and bones—there was hardly a trace of the vibrant young woman who had just turned twenty. Ro glanced up briefly at Cardier.

“You probably don’t want to see this.”

“What are you talking about?”

Cardier asked, genuinely bewildered. Ro shrugged and silently slipped off her nightgown. The straps loosened easily, and the garment dropped smoothly to the floor. She stepped out of the fabric pooled at her feet, one foot at a time. Unable to face Cardier’s disappointed expression, she turned her head away.

Damn it… Even though it wasn’t about her body at all, the desire to appear good in his eyes grew stronger by the second. Whether this was a normal feeling or not no longer mattered. Ro covered her eyes with both fists.

“Is a body this thin… repulsive?”