The way to find out directly…

Just as I was about to open my mouth, Ian’s face came closer, his eyes growing clearer in the narrowed distance and rippling like waves.

Could he be trying to smell if there’s a cherry scent?

“Wait a moment.”

I hastily covered my mouth and stepped back. It was then that I heard a noise from inside the residence.

Hearing the sound of footsteps getting closer, I quickly pushed Ian away. At the same time, the entrance door burst open.

“Rosebelia?”

The person who appeared through the gap of the door was Edwin, dressed casually.

“Edwin.”

“Rose, are you staying in the residence today?”

“Yeah, it turned out that way.”

Edwin’s eyes widened as he was about to nod. His gaze lingered on me for a moment before quickly moving to Ian.

“Were you two together?”

Catching Edwin’s twitching smile, I quickly replied.

“I was just on a walk and happened to run into Kline in front of the residence.”

I gave a silent nod to Ian, and he let out a small sigh before opening his mouth.

“Yes, that’s right. I’m also staying in the residence today.”

“Is that so?”

His eyes narrowed as if that should be it, scanning Ian and me one by one.

I should change the subject before he says something off.

“Edwin, are you feeling better?”

Only then did Edwin’s eyes focus on me. While waiting for his reply, I naturally covered my lips.

“Yeah, I feel better after some rest.”

Edwin smiled as if relieved. Come to think of it, he looked pale until the afternoon, but now his complexion was back to normal.

“That’s good.”

“I was feeling a bit stifled staying inside, so I thought of taking a walk.”

“Alright, go ahead. I’ll head in first.”

Ignoring Kline’s persistent gaze, I moved inside the residence.

As soon as I entered my room, I checked the mirror. There was a small trace of blood on the edge of my lips.

Considering that I wiped it once, it must have been noticeable at first.

“I’m not sure if cherry pie will do the trick.”

I approached the table and took a big bite out of the cherry pie.

Ian wouldn’t come all the way to my room to check if I ate cherry pie, but I felt somewhat relieved.

“What can he do if he clings to me to the end?”

After washing up in the small bathroom, I lay down on the bed.

It felt a bit hard, but not uncomfortable. No, it was rather comfortable.

Being able to be alone in this small space felt good.

“If it’s one room per person, it’s excellent.”

Considering the room even had a private bathroom, it wasn’t small. The building for the residence was built so big that rooms were plenty; once you were assigned a room, it wouldn’t change until you left the knighthood, which I liked.

Whether I stayed or not, this room would be mine alone until I left the knighthood.

The Emperor did put a lot of investment into the knighthood facilities, moving its headquarters from the outskirts to the capital.

As I was staring blankly at the ceiling that felt unusually close, Ian’s words suddenly came to mind.

‘May I check it directly?’

“Check what directly…”

The thought halted as Ian’s overlapping face flickered before me.

Recalling the incident with Ian even for a moment revived the tingling sensation that had slipped into the cool night air.

Half-lifting my body, I touched my tingling forehead and let out a small sigh.

I thought he was emotionally unavailable, but he came closer at an unexpected time.

Is it more surprising because it’s from someone I didn’t think would make a move?

“Could it be that he has no hesitation because he doesn’t see me as a woman?”

That’s possible. It would suit Ian better.
Nodding my head, I immediately lay down on the bed. Struggling to fall asleep, I embraced the quilt tightly around me.

“Are you coming back now, sister?”

“Yes.”

It was Rosebelia’s voice. Realizing that this place was in a dream, I quickly became aware of my surroundings.

It was the path leading to the Duke’s mansion, and the ones conversing were Rosebelia and Kaiden.

“Do you have something to say to me?”

“No, nothing.”

“If you are going to talk about the duel again…”

Kaiden seemed to tense up, struggling to hide it as he repeatedly clenched and unclenched his fists. Catching a glimpse of this, Rosebelia paused briefly before speaking again.

“I didn’t mean I would never duel you. You’re just too young right now… nobody in our knight order even duels me.”

Her voice still sounded resolute, but was notably softer now.

“Not even one person?”

“That’s right, not even one person. I’ve been refusing all duels within the knight order.”

So, Rosebelia really hadn’t dueled with Ian after all.

“I didn’t say I wanted to duel with you right away. I just want to have even a small hope that if I work hard, I might be able to duel you someday…”

“If a practice duel would suffice.”

Kaiden’s eyes widened at Rosebelia’s blunt statement.

It was a reaction worth having. I was surprised myself.

I had thought she would firmly refuse, just like she did with Ian, but Rosebelia was evidently softer towards her younger siblings.

“Really?”