Rosaline couldnt tell how Ricardis felt about her as she stood before him, did he see her as a shapeless shadow seeping into the darkness?
Rosaline quickly averted her gaze to her feet as the thought of Ricardis looking at her in disgust sent shivers down her spine and made her fingertips numb; she felt like everything was crumbling around her.
Rosaline.
At the sound of his sigh, Rosaline couldnt help but tear up, but Ricardis, looking at her, reached out his hand. Rosaline reflexively recoiled, but his hand grabbed her wrist first.
Rosaline Esther.
It was a voice containing suppressed anger.
Yes
Why do you think I didnt ntion that I know about these things?
She didnt know. Rosaline avoided looking into his eyes, focusing only on his nose and lips. She also made sure to map out an escape route in case she needed to flee. Ricardis
furrowed his brow, noticing her scanning the forest.
Youre truly
Ricardis tightened his grip on her hand and pulled her closer. He wrapped his two hands around her waist as she touched his chest. Rosalines eyes widened.
Look at without thinking of running away. I cant chase you anymore because Im exhausted. I told you Im fragile. I might collapse for real this ti.
If she resisted, she could overpower him easily; however, Rosaline remained in his embrace without any fuss because she felt a great sense of relief in the current situation where Ricardis reached out to her first. She could tolerate any harsh or shocking words that might leave his mouth. She was relieved.
A sweet fragrance emanated from his neck, and his embrace was firm and warm. Rosalines body felt pliant as if his heat could lt her away.
Ricardis looked down at her gradually relaxing body.
I didnt reveal that I knew your secret because I felt it was unnecessary. The secret was significant, and I had no idea how you weighed its significance. I couldnt even anticipate your reaction. Of course, things could have gone smoothly. But what if it hadnt? What if this was a blemish you didnt want to be exposed?
He briefly paused, exhaling a sigh before continuing.
Rosaline, as I ntioned, I expect the worst in every situation. Thats why I didnt speak up. I didnt want to hurt you needlessly or lash out like this.
Rosalines eyes widened. It was an unexpected response: he didnt keep silent because of what he thought about her but because he didnt know what she would think.
This ti, Ricardis act of considering the other persons perspective was neither a fierce tactical strategy nor an offensive maneuver. It was a gentle and warm regard. Rosaline could sense the truth in his words, but she wanted to confirm again, even though the tangled threads of anxiety had gradually unraveled and were well on their way to untangling completely.
Why do you not want to get hurt?
Rosalines hand gently touched his arm. This ti, it was Ricardis body that slightly stiffened. He furrowed his brow, seemingly uneasy.
Thats an easy question, he chuckled and replied, because I like you.
Rosalines eyes widened, and she looked at him silently. After a few seconds, she burst into a bright smile, like sothing had lted away to reveal a core of happiness.
From the look in her eyes as she scanned for escape routes, her desperate sprint, and her wavering gaze, Ricardis could grasp the magnitude of her anxiety. However, hed had no idea how to handle those frozen and tightly clenched emotions. But with just a single declaration of his affection, Rosaline seed to have released all the pent-up uneasiness she had been carrying.
It was not that her anxiety had diminished but rather that he could sense how much importance she placed on his words at this mont. That fact made his heart itch sowhere, but
Your Highness likes !
Ricardis looked at her with a troubled expression. This person indeed had accepted his words as affection but not as the emotions felt between n and won.
Did you not know I care for you more than anyone else?
No, I had a feeling, but
Even if she misinterpreted, if he could witness her cheerfully smiling like she had achieved sothing remarkable Well, it wasnt so bad either.
***
Black, but slightly opaque. About this size, Rosaline explained, now that she had nothing to hide.
She enthusiastically described her appearance when she was It before, using her hands to draw a round shape from the ground to her waist.
You must have been very adorable. You cant change into that form anymore?
No.
Thats a sha. I wanted to see it once.
Oh, Macaron can still do that, though.
Is that so? But I dont think they will even if I ask.
Even from their brief encounter, Ricardis had gained a good understanding of Macarons temperant. Malice had overflowed from the eagles body. It wasnt the sa thick, murderous intent he had felt for many years. It instead resembled the gaze of old, sneering nobles when they looked at him. It was an expression that said, I cant stand your presence so much that I might die.
However it happened, there was no trace of any friendly sentint, so he couldnt imagine Macaron willingly granting his request. Rosaline also seed to agree to so extent as her face beca crestfallen.
She abruptly rolled up her sleeve, causing Ricardis to gasp, barely managing to hold his breath. Muscles started to bulge on her fair hand, and her skin grew darker and thicker as if covered in leather and with a layer of sturdy glass over it. Her five fingers rged and transford into four sharp ones.
Ricardis was shocked, but he quickly grabbed her hand without showing any sign of fear.
Look at it!
It felt rubbery and chill to the touch, adding to its eeriness. There was a world of difference between hearing about sothing versus experiencing it for the first ti. Knowing that this showcase ca from Rosalines desire to show off, Ricardis held her hand as soon as she finished her transformation.
Wow, this is reallycool. Verysharp.
He still lacked the talent for complints, but Rosaline smiled brightly with delight.
With one swing of this, I can even cut through human bodies!
Thats why the corpses of the Black Moon mbers were all dismbered like that. Now Ricardis finally understood. He gently touched her black, massive hand. The cold, solid scales and sharp claws all had a glossy sheen that was remarkably impressive. As he focused on feeling it, Rosaline beca excited and changed the color of her eyes, elongating her pupils like a predators. She also slightly altered her height and even tweaked her facial bone structure, proudly showing off her transformations.
Its trulyamazing.
Everything was beyond imagination; there was no way to explain it. When Rosaline returned to her original appearance, Ricardis awkwardly touched her face with trembling hands. Usually, he would have blushed at his actions, but he was too engrossed even to notice. Indeed, this face was the most captivating.
Ricardis hesitated montarily before asking her, his hand still on her face, Rosaline?
Yes?
Well You seem to have at least partial mories of the forr Sir Rosaline. Am I guessing right?
Yes, as ti passes, mories of Rosaline gradually resurface. I also recall how you used to scold , Your Highness.
Ah, right. Of course, Rosaline would rember sothing useless! Ricardis felt a pang of guilt.
Im sorry, but No, I didnt scold you! It was her! Of course, that wasnt a good thing to do. I apologize. Anyway!
As he spoke, sothing felt a bit off. Perhaps it was due to the mories of the old Rosaline, but did this Rosaline see herself and the past Rosaline as the sa person?
How much space does Rosaline occupy within you? If all the mories resurface what will happen? So, in your current state, um will you cease to exist?
Ricardis, unlike his usual self, spoke slowly and paused often before speaking.
Rosaline pondered his question deeply, If I were a cake
It was an extraordinary introduction
Rosaline would be the flour I believe.
But an incredibly expressive analogy. Ricardis marveled at it.
If I were a cake, Rosaline wouldnt just be a few slices while I make up the rest. Instead, its more like adding butter, milk, eggs, and baking powder to the flour, baking it in the oven, spreading whipped cream, and topping it with seasonal fruits. While she is the primary ingredient, flour alone is not a cake. Thats the feeling I have if you understand.
Your comparison was amazing. I had no idea my knight had literary talent.
Rosaline shrugged, seemingly proud and pleased by her description. Ricardis chuckled at her expression.
In that case, while your thought process adapts to every situation, your actions are still based on your own thoughts and mories, Ricardis remarked.
He looked intently into her eyes, catching a glimpse of the past Rosaline for a mont.
Now, I ask every part of you: what were Sir Rosalines final monts like? What were her last thoughts?
Ricardis face hardened. Rosaline searched her mories, feeling the weight of the question.
It was painful and agonizing; I wanted to live. But above all else, I wanted to protect you, Your Highness.
I see. Rosaline must have been a fool to the end.
Rosaline was montarily stunned. For past Rosaline to be called a fool by Ricardis!
But seeing Ricardis frowning while still forcing a smile, she couldnt say anything else. Ricardis sighed as he stared into space, then looked back at Rosaline after a while.
Youre flour now.
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