Diechs smile hardened slightly. His eyes still looked kind, but there was a stiffness in his expression that made it seem sowhat awkward.
It seems Rosaline really likes my brother.
Because hes pretty.
The awkward smile on Diechs face disappeared in an instant. He closed his mouth and rolled his eyes upwards as if deeply contemplating sothing. He wore the sa expression as when he read through an academic journal: deliberation, contemplation, and consideration. Was it a matter of concern whether Ricardis was beautiful?
Ah!
Diech nodded as he ca to a realization, accompanied by a sigh. He soon opened his mouth with seriousness written on his face.
Whos prettier? or my brother?
Recently, Rosaline developed a keen sense of self-awareness. In situations like this, if you complint soone else, the person in front of you would feel hurt!
[There are white lies, but Sister]
It was sothing Calyx had said once. There must be a reason why white lies exist!
Your Highness Diech is prettier.
Diechs face brightened.
So, do you like better?
Since you like pretty things, wouldnt you prefer the more beautiful person? Diech presented an argunt based on perfect logic. Rosaline was depressed. Indeed, one cannot tell lies.
[Small lies tend to lead to larger lies!]
Her younger brothers words were always right. White lies were still lies
Rosaline hesitated. Her silence beca the answer.
Diech let out a sigh. His expression and gaze seed to say, I knew it, making Rosaline feel hed given her a scolding.
It seems you lack the talent for lying, Rosaline. Unlike .
Diech finished his words and tightly closed his mouth. His expression showed he had much to say, but he soon turned around and walked away. Rosaline hesitated for a mont before following him from behind.
The man who always matched her stride when walking together distanced himself to express his mood. With brisk steps, he marched away. It wasnt as if he was deliberately mocking her stride, but his long legs had already taken him quite a distance.
Rosaline diligently followed Diech, stepping on protruding tree roots here and there. As her soft footsteps followed, Diechs pace slowed down. Rosaline matched his speed accordingly and walked calmly.
Diech pursed his lips. Even without turning around, he could envision Rosaline following him with a ek expression, one step behind. The stiffness in his expression lted away. The two continued silently walking, maintaining that quiet mood for several minutes.
Then, Rosalines footsteps ceased. Diech turned to look at her. Rosaline was rummaging through the dry bushes.
This place, with broken branches, parched land, and dried-up tree trunks scattered about, resembled a barren tomb. Amidst the bleak and hair-raising scenery, a single white flower blood. Diech frowned. How could it bloom even in this dead land? It displayed remarkable vitality. It was sickeningly impressive.
Rosaline gently plucked the white flower. It was a gesture of caring for sothing precious and fragile. Stray black hair cascaded down over her cloak, and her lowered eyelashes flickered. Rosaline smiled faintly. Diech gazed at her in dismay.
Seeing Rosaline delicately handling each petal, he realized it was a gift for soone who matched that color.
Feeling breathless, Diech placed a hand on his chest. He thought his heart had stopped montarily, but it beat harder than ever irregular and erratic. It thumped, thumped thumped. His eyelashes trembled. His golden eyes tinged with the hues of the sunset. Rays of red sunlight scattered across his eyes and hair. He gazed at her intently before finally speaking.
You really like my brother, dont you?
His words this ti didnt seem directed at Rosaline. It was more of an acknowledgnt. His statent carried an air of resignation and acceptance. However, Rosaline felt compelled to respond.
Yes.
For a long ti, Diech maintained a silent stillness.
Rosaline.
Yes, Your Highness.
I have a request.
A request? Was he referring to the gesture of gratitude for saving Chocolate the Warhorse earlier? Diechs expression transford from the previous coldness and rigidity to a softness indistinguishable from his usual self. He didnt seem any different from how she usually saw him. But why
Rosaline felt an odd chill in the gentle voice and the warm smile that made her surroundings cozy. She recalled Ricardis voice.
[Dont trust anyone.]
Her instincts warned her of the danger. Rosaline halted her movent of stepping back. Diech was in danger? Or was he dangerous? Toward herself? She felt slightly confused by the warning from her instincts, which had quickly tightly coiled around her.
Diech had always co to her rescue in many difficult situations. They had spent a lot of ti alone together. If he had ill intentions, there would have been better opportunities, like in the back alleys where bad people gathered during the Shadowless Night festival.
The more she thought about it, the more she didnt believe it was Diech. Her growing restlessness, the small size of those suspicious sparks, and the substantial trust she placed in him overshadowed that slight possibility, thus contributing more significantly to Rosalines perception of Diech.
Rosaline nodded slowly, What is your request?
Diech opened his arms wide. Can you hug ? Just once?
Rosalines eyes widened. The unexpected request left her bewildered. All of a sudden?
Diech burst into laughter. Honestly, it would seem strange no matter when or in what situation I say such words.
Certainly. Yes. Despite being close for several years, it would be unusual for the 5th Prince and a knight of the Empire guarding the 2nd Prince to find themselves in a situation worthy of an embrace.
So, um I want to have so closure, you see. I would appreciate your help.
Does Your Highness hugging contribute to any kind of closure?
Well, yes. Thats why Im making this request.
It was not her place to say, but
Your Highness, hugging wont bring you closure.
As if she had sothing caught in her throat, Rosaline swallowed hard, feeling awkward.
[Rosaline, there is danger. Be careful. Dont trust anyone.]
She couldnt forget Ricardis words, but
Well I guess it must be awkward. Im sorry for saying sothing strange all of a sudden, Diech scratched his head, his rough movents betraying his confusion. I just wanted to hug you once. Its just Ive wanted to for a long ti, He looked straight into Rosalines eyes and smiled gently. Ive liked you, Rosaline.
The softly spoken words echoed like a spell, not spreading beyond the confines of their intimate space. It was a connection with a depth unknown even to Ricardis. It drew Rosaline toward him, guiding her footsteps within the vast expanse of the forest.
In the dark night, as they held hands and escaped from the dirty alleyways, it felt as though they shared every sensation without needing to speak. It was a bond that went beyond their ti together, sothing akin to instinct, engraved beyond in distant mories.
Rosaline hesitated before approaching Diech. As she took a step closer, Diech bead with a bright smile. All she could read from his smile were gentle and beautiful emotions, like round and soft colors.
With each step Rosaline took, the distance between them closed. Diech, as usual, softly smiled as if trying to lt her heart away. His glass-like eyes shimred as if subrged in water.
They were within touching distance. Rosaline looked up at him. Diech slowly blinked as if assuring her that everything was okay. The strange barrier that had stood rigidly between them softened. Dont trust anyone. The critical words spoken by the person who ant the most to her seed to dissolve into a tender, lting sensation.
Rosaline buried her face in his open embrace and wrapped her arms around his waist. A pleasant fragrance filled the air. It was the scent of a person, not perfus, mixed with the sll of dry cloth.
With a gentle movent, Diech, who had stood frozen ever since her forehead touched his, slowly moved his arms. Rosaline imdiately pulled herself closer to him, not feeling any discomfort.
Diech buried his face in Rosalines shoulder and held her even tighter. He was trembling. He looked cold, and he seed to be in pain. It was different from his usual smiling deanor.
Suddenly, the image of him from the final day of the martial arts competition entered Rosalines mind.
In the middle of the venue, the Emperor had bestowed a sword on her, and the audience cheered as the eagle soared with its mighty wings overhead. She rembered Diechs face that day, shining under the brilliant sunlight.
Although she couldnt see his face while holding him so tightly now, sohow Rosaline felt as if Diech had that expression, that sa look on his face. And co to think of it, why was he crying? She had forgotten to ask. It felt strange to ask in a situation like this. Deep in thought, Rosaline recalled that mont.
She vividly rembered the scorching sunlight of that day, as well as the cheers that filled the vast open space.
[Glory of Illavenia! With the blessings of Idelavhim, may it last forever!]
She witnessed the anger simring in his srizing golden eyes concealed behind a flawless facade. She recalled the sound of Diechs laughter, much like the present mont, filled with genuine warmth.
A sudden shiver ran down her spine. Rosaline, still being held, twisted her body.
Ugh!
Rosaline let out a piercing cry. Deep crimson blood stread into Diechs embrace. Her hand clenched his cloak with intensity, her muscles bulging. She felt a tingling sensation in her fingertips and a throbbing pain in her head.
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