Two gazes met.
The gazes entangled in the air silently stared at each other.
As if time had stopped.
However, as if to contradict that, tears welled up in the corners of Cassion’s eyes and fell once again.
Tears slid down his cheek as if gliding, and they brushed against his ear.
In response to this vivid sensation, Rosetta blinked her eyes.
“…Cassion.”
A call escaped from her locked throat.
Cassion blinked his eyes in silence. He couldn’t respond, as he simply couldn’t.
No words came out.
They had nearly died.
Rosetta had almost died, and he, watching over her, had nearly died as well.
A life without Rosetta…
‘…Is a life not worth living.’
Twenty years of existence solely for the purpose of survival. That had been his only goal throughout his lifetime.
But now, it was different.
Perhaps due to the miracle of dying and coming back to life, he had found a purpose in his life as well.
Revenge, the duchy, recognition.
Now, none of those mattered.
In truth, for a very long time, the reason for his life had been…
“…Rosetta.”
The voice calling her name was fervent.
Along with the trembling voice, Cassion’s lips stiffened into a smile.
“…You’re alive.”
He couldn’t even tell if those words were directed at Rosetta or at himself.
Whether they were meant for Rosetta, or for himself.
Watching this, Rosetta also lifted her rigid lips.
“Yes, I’m alive.”
The smile was beautiful.
That was all.
The silence of the imminent night passed between the two of them.
Rosetta breathed in and out slowly, reaching out her trembling hand.
Cassion still held onto both sides of Rosetta’s cheeks, gazing at her.
Rosetta’s hand touched where Cassion’s cheek was.
More precisely, just below his moist eyes.
Her thumb swept under his eyes.
A gentle touch passed over the place where the moist tears had left long trails.
“…You cried?”
With a question tinged with amusement, Cassion buried his face in Rosetta’s hand.
Her small palm couldn’t hold all of the man’s face, but the sensation against her skin was vivid.
Watery eyes.
Eyelashes that tickled every time they blinked.
Lips that pressed against her palm when she lightly pressed it.
“You… You stopped breathing.”
“So, you gave me your breath.”
“…You taught me, Rosetta.”
Each time the man replied, the slightly ticklish sensation swept across her palm.
It tickled so much that her hand twitched a few times, but the hand that gripped the back of her hand did not let go.
Rosetta smiled lightly, as if she were a child throwing a tantrum.
“Why are you laughing when you almost died?” Cassion asked, narrowing his eyes.
“Then should I cry?”
In response to his playful counterquestion, the answer came quickly.
“…No.”
It’s better to laugh.
With a short comment tucked in.
Rosetta smiled.
Perhaps it was because of the relief that came with discovering the truth after nearly dying, her smile felt light.
Cassion watched her for a moment and then smiled along.
But only for a moment.
Cough—!
Cassion, who had wiped his cheek on Rosetta’s hand, grimaced as he breathed heavily.
Alarmed by his unusual breathing, Rosetta opened her eyes wide.
“Cassion!”
The situation quickly reversed.
The strength drained from the hand that had been holding the back of Rosetta’s hand.
Cassion, now empty-handed, buried his face in the edge of the bed and gasped for breath.
Rosetta quickly got up and supported Cassion.
“What’s wrong? Where does it hurt? Where are you in pain?”
“…Haah… Ha… My heart… My heart…”
His hesitant answer was uttered with such fear that Rosetta reached out and touched Cassion’s heart.
‘…It’s hot.’
Why was this happening?
How could a person’s body be so hot like this?
Rosetta urgently laid Cassion down and rested his head on her lap. Then, she placed her hand back over his chest and closed her eyes.
As she focused, she could feel a powerful surge of mana emanating from his heart.
It seemed that the mana had become momentarily unstable, most likely due to the shock he had experienced.
Because of this, his mana core, the heart, seemed overloaded.
Gradually, the tense look in his eyes and the furrowed brow relaxed.
It appeared that Cassion had been shocked and taken aback to this extent because of…
‘Me.’
Yes, me.
The tears that welled up in her eyes, her desperate and trembling voice as she claimed that she had stopped breathing.
Everything had revealed his emotions, as if he were about to die any moment, even the voice that called her name.
‘Stupid.’
Rosetta closed her eyes and circulated her qi, calming Cassion’s mana.
‘Stubborn.’
Fortunately, it seemed to be a temporary phenomenon. His pounding heart gradually found its rhythm.
‘Like an idiot…’
Why didn’t he ever notice his own physical condition? Always risking his life for her.
He’s seriously…
So lovely.
Once the heat in his chest subsided, and his heart returned to its usual state, Rosetta withdrew her hand. She then smiled silently and wiped the sweat from the man’s forehead.
Cassion, who had felt as if he might stop breathing, slowly opened his eyes and let out a weak laugh.
“It’s okay. I think I was just really surprised.”
Rosetta reassured him quietly, as the situation had reversed in just a few minutes. Cassion let out a disbelieving chuckle and nodded.
“Can you breathe properly?”
“…I’m fine.”
“No, you’re probably not.”
At her straightforward response, Cassion blinked his eyes.
Probably not fine… What did that mean?
However, his brief confusion was soon dispelled.
Rosetta’s hands gently cupped Cassion’s cheeks, bringing their faces closer together.
At the moment, their noses brushed against each other.
She opened her eyes slightly and asked once more,
“How are you? Are you really okay?”
Beyond her rounded eyelashes, her golden irises shimmered softly.
Cassion gazed at them for a moment, then slowly shook his head.
“I don’t think I’m okay.”
A mixture of laughter and emotions filled the air.
At the same time, he closed his eyes, and he didn’t know who leaned forward first anymore.
Their faces drew closer, and warmth met warmth. Their breaths mingled so intimately that it was hard to tell whose breath belonged to whom.
Cassion’s hand found its way to the back of Rosetta’s neck.
As he slowly raised his upper body, she, in turn, adjusted her position to make it easier for him.
“Hah.”
Their lips parted for a moment, accompanied by a soft sigh.
Rosetta smiled playfully and brushed Cassion’s face with her fingertips.
The desire in their gazes mingled once more.
“Rosetta.”
“Tell me, Cassion.”
Whispers resembling confessions passed between them. Cassion firmly held Rosetta’s gaze while his hand moved.
The target of his touch was his own ear,
Or rather, the earring that changed the color of his hair and irises.
With a light flick of his finger, the earring fell onto the bedsheet with a faint rustling sound.
His once deep blue hair turned pitch black, and his dark gaze flashed with crimson.
Seeing Cassion’s original appearance after such a long time, Rosetta felt a strange and subtle emotion wash over her.
The red of his eyes was truly, truly passionate.
As Rosetta silently gazed at him, Cassion lightly smiled and whispered,
“I have something to say, but I want to say it with my original face.”
“…What is it?”
With her chin resting on his palm, she looked at him with a casual question, even though she already knew the answer.
She was simply savoring the sweetness of his voice.
Well, even if Rosetta would have said that she already knew it and would cover his lips with her hands, he still would have confessed it, somehow.
“I love you.”
A low voice whispered, sending shivers down her spine as the sensation coursed through the air.
Soon, Rosetta’s hand delved into Cassion’s black hair.
As her pale fingers tucked among his jet-black locks, they stood out distinctly. She gazed into his fiery crimson eyes and smiled even deeper.
Not Maxwell but the real ‘Cassion Carter’, confessing his love, and the true ‘Rosetta Valentine’ finally finding her name.
She couldn’t help but think that it was so absurdly, ridiculously romantic.
Rosetta leaned closer, resting her head on Cassion’s shoulder. His gaze remained fixed on her, pursuing her relentlessly.
Their eyes met occasionally at oblique angles, and Rosetta’s crimson lips, as red as his eyes, parted.
“I do too. I love you.”
It was a long night.
* * *
Just as the morning always came early, time always marched swiftly.
About ten days had passed since Rosetta had received her real name, on the night of Alicia’s birthday.
As the year-end approached, amidst the bustling atmosphere, Rosetta leaned against the windowsill, her chin resting on her hands, gazing at the snow-covered world outside.
“Just a few more weeks, and it’ll be the coming-of-age banquet.”
“That’s right.”
The response came from behind her.
Sitting on her bed, to be precise, where the canopy’s sheer curtains were cascading down.
Cassion, dressed and brushing aside the curtain, leisurely approached Rosetta.
His large hand overlapped her slender one, which rested on the windowsill.
Rosetta leaned her head back onto the chest of the man standing behind her and spoke softly.
“I’m looking forward to the coming-of-age. I wonder how your family will react.”
Cassion didn’t respond but tidied her hair gently.
Now that the goals of becoming a duke or seeking revenge had become secondary, as the time grew closer, a subtle sense of anticipation couldn’t be helped.
“Yeah, they should be… glad.”
To welcome me.
At the languid sound of the man’s voice, Rosetta turned to look back, silently letting out a smile.
Ah, they say love makes people resemble each other.
They were indeed a perfect match.
The man’s smiling face was an exact reflection of her own smile.
Two gazes met.
The gazes entangled in the air silently stared at each other.
As if time had stopped.
However, as if to contradict that, tears welled up in the corners of Cassion’s eyes and fell once again.
Tears slid down his cheek as if gliding, and they brushed against his ear.
In response to this vivid sensation, Rosetta blinked her eyes.
“…Cassion.”
A call escaped from her locked throat.
Cassion blinked his eyes in silence. He couldn’t respond, as he simply couldn’t.
No words came out.
They had nearly died.
Rosetta had almost died, and he, watching over her, had nearly died as well.
A life without Rosetta…
‘…Is a life not worth living.’
Twenty years of existence solely for the purpose of survival. That had been his only goal throughout his lifetime.
But now, it was different.
Perhaps due to the miracle of dying and coming back to life, he had found a purpose in his life as well.
Revenge, the duchy, recognition.
Now, none of those mattered.
In truth, for a very long time, the reason for his life had been…
“…Rosetta.”
The voice calling her name was fervent.
Along with the trembling voice, Cassion’s lips stiffened into a smile.
“…You’re alive.”
He couldn’t even tell if those words were directed at Rosetta or at himself.
Whether they were meant for Rosetta, or for himself.
Watching this, Rosetta also lifted her rigid lips.
“Yes, I’m alive.”
The smile was beautiful.
That was all.
The silence of the imminent night passed between the two of them.
Rosetta breathed in and out slowly, reaching out her trembling hand.
Cassion still held onto both sides of Rosetta’s cheeks, gazing at her.
Rosetta’s hand touched where Cassion’s cheek was.
More precisely, just below his moist eyes.
Her thumb swept under his eyes.
A gentle touch passed over the place where the moist tears had left long trails.
“…You cried?”
With a question tinged with amusement, Cassion buried his face in Rosetta’s hand.
Her small palm couldn’t hold all of the man’s face, but the sensation against her skin was vivid.
Watery eyes.
Eyelashes that tickled every time they blinked.
Lips that pressed against her palm when she lightly pressed it.
“You… You stopped breathing.”
“So, you gave me your breath.”
“…You taught me, Rosetta.”
Each time the man replied, the slightly ticklish sensation swept across her palm.
It tickled so much that her hand twitched a few times, but the hand that gripped the back of her hand did not let go.
Rosetta smiled lightly, as if she were a child throwing a tantrum.
“Why are you laughing when you almost died?” Cassion asked, narrowing his eyes.
“Then should I cry?”
In response to his playful counterquestion, the answer came quickly.
“…No.”
It’s better to laugh.
With a short comment tucked in.
Rosetta smiled.
Perhaps it was because of the relief that came with discovering the truth after nearly dying, her smile felt light.
Cassion watched her for a moment and then smiled along.
But only for a moment.
Cough—!
Cassion, who had wiped his cheek on Rosetta’s hand, grimaced as he breathed heavily.
Alarmed by his unusual breathing, Rosetta opened her eyes wide.
“Cassion!”
The situation quickly reversed.
The strength drained from the hand that had been holding the back of Rosetta’s hand.
Cassion, now empty-handed, buried his face in the edge of the bed and gasped for breath.
Rosetta quickly got up and supported Cassion.
“What’s wrong? Where does it hurt? Where are you in pain?”
“…Haah… Ha… My heart… My heart…”
His hesitant answer was uttered with such fear that Rosetta reached out and touched Cassion’s heart.
‘…It’s hot.’
Why was this happening?
How could a person’s body be so hot like this?
Rosetta urgently laid Cassion down and rested his head on her lap. Then, she placed her hand back over his chest and closed her eyes.
As she focused, she could feel a powerful surge of mana emanating from his heart.
It seemed that the mana had become momentarily unstable, most likely due to the shock he had experienced.
Because of this, his mana core, the heart, seemed overloaded.
Gradually, the tense look in his eyes and the furrowed brow relaxed.
It appeared that Cassion had been shocked and taken aback to this extent because of…
‘Me.’
Yes, me.
The tears that welled up in her eyes, her desperate and trembling voice as she claimed that she had stopped breathing.
Everything had revealed his emotions, as if he were about to die any moment, even the voice that called her name.
‘Stupid.’
Rosetta closed her eyes and circulated her qi, calming Cassion’s mana.
‘Stubborn.’
Fortunately, it seemed to be a temporary phenomenon. His pounding heart gradually found its rhythm.
‘Like an idiot…’
Why didn’t he ever notice his own physical condition? Always risking his life for her.
He’s seriously…
So lovely.
Once the heat in his chest subsided, and his heart returned to its usual state, Rosetta withdrew her hand. She then smiled silently and wiped the sweat from the man’s forehead.
Cassion, who had felt as if he might stop breathing, slowly opened his eyes and let out a weak laugh.
“It’s okay. I think I was just really surprised.”
Rosetta reassured him quietly, as the situation had reversed in just a few minutes. Cassion let out a disbelieving chuckle and nodded.
“Can you breathe properly?”
“…I’m fine.”
“No, you’re probably not.”
At her straightforward response, Cassion blinked his eyes.
Probably not fine… What did that mean?
However, his brief confusion was soon dispelled.
Rosetta’s hands gently cupped Cassion’s cheeks, bringing their faces closer together.
At the moment, their noses brushed against each other.
She opened her eyes slightly and asked once more,
“How are you? Are you really okay?”
Beyond her rounded eyelashes, her golden irises shimmered softly.
Cassion gazed at them for a moment, then slowly shook his head.
“I don’t think I’m okay.”
A mixture of laughter and emotions filled the air.
At the same time, he closed his eyes, and he didn’t know who leaned forward first anymore.
Their faces drew closer, and warmth met warmth. Their breaths mingled so intimately that it was hard to tell whose breath belonged to whom.
Cassion’s hand found its way to the back of Rosetta’s neck.
As he slowly raised his upper body, she, in turn, adjusted her position to make it easier for him.
“Hah.”
Their lips parted for a moment, accompanied by a soft sigh.
Rosetta smiled playfully and brushed Cassion’s face with her fingertips.
The desire in their gazes mingled once more.
“Rosetta.”
“Tell me, Cassion.”
Whispers resembling confessions passed between them. Cassion firmly held Rosetta’s gaze while his hand moved.
The target of his touch was his own ear,
Or rather, the earring that changed the color of his hair and irises.
With a light flick of his finger, the earring fell onto the bedsheet with a faint rustling sound.
His once deep blue hair turned pitch black, and his dark gaze flashed with crimson.
Seeing Cassion’s original appearance after such a long time, Rosetta felt a strange and subtle emotion wash over her.
The red of his eyes was truly, truly passionate.
As Rosetta silently gazed at him, Cassion lightly smiled and whispered,
“I have something to say, but I want to say it with my original face.”
“…What is it?”
With her chin resting on his palm, she looked at him with a casual question, even though she already knew the answer.
She was simply savoring the sweetness of his voice.
Well, even if Rosetta would have said that she already knew it and would cover his lips with her hands, he still would have confessed it, somehow.
“I love you.”
A low voice whispered, sending shivers down her spine as the sensation coursed through the air.
Soon, Rosetta’s hand delved into Cassion’s black hair.
As her pale fingers tucked among his jet-black locks, they stood out distinctly. She gazed into his fiery crimson eyes and smiled even deeper.
Not Maxwell but the real ‘Cassion Carter’, confessing his love, and the true ‘Rosetta Valentine’ finally finding her name.
She couldn’t help but think that it was so absurdly, ridiculously romantic.
Rosetta leaned closer, resting her head on Cassion’s shoulder. His gaze remained fixed on her, pursuing her relentlessly.
Their eyes met occasionally at oblique angles, and Rosetta’s crimson lips, as red as his eyes, parted.
“I do too. I love you.”
It was a long night.
* * *
Just as the morning always came early, time always marched swiftly.
About ten days had passed since Rosetta had received her real name, on the night of Alicia’s birthday.
As the year-end approached, amidst the bustling atmosphere, Rosetta leaned against the windowsill, her chin resting on her hands, gazing at the snow-covered world outside.
“Just a few more weeks, and it’ll be the coming-of-age banquet.”
“That’s right.”
The response came from behind her.
Sitting on her bed, to be precise, where the canopy’s sheer curtains were cascading down.
Cassion, dressed and brushing aside the curtain, leisurely approached Rosetta.
His large hand overlapped her slender one, which rested on the windowsill.
Rosetta leaned her head back onto the chest of the man standing behind her and spoke softly.
“I’m looking forward to the coming-of-age. I wonder how your family will react.”
Cassion didn’t respond but tidied her hair gently.
Now that the goals of becoming a duke or seeking revenge had become secondary, as the time grew closer, a subtle sense of anticipation couldn’t be helped.
“Yeah, they should be… glad.”
To welcome me.
At the languid sound of the man’s voice, Rosetta turned to look back, silently letting out a smile.
Ah, they say love makes people resemble each other.
They were indeed a perfect match.
The man’s smiling face was an exact reflection of her own smile.
