“Madam, how many times do I have to tell you?”
Sonya frowned, expressing mild annoyance.
“The Viscount said something big is going to happen on His Excellency's birthday. We need to be ready before noon that day.”
“B-But... Opening the castle's underground passage...”
Rose stammered with a frightened face.
“Isn't that too dangerous? If someone comes in through there...”
“Shh!”
Sonya hurriedly brought a finger to her lips. Checking that no one was around, she glared at Rose.
“Hah, you're so frustrating. Obviously, we're leaving it open so someone can come in, aren't we?”
Perhaps thinking she had completely subjugated Rose, Sonya's tone was highly insolent.
‘You're digging your own grave.’
Rose clicked her tongue inwardly and feigned surprise.
“S-Sonya. How can you say something so drastic...”
“Madam, wake up. Lord Henrik will soon be the master of Schmaichel.”
Sonya's eyes gleamed with greed.
Perhaps wanting her efforts to be recognized, she even volunteered to open the castle's underground passage herself.
“We're opening that path for him in advance. That way, we can be the first to pick up the breadcrumbs by his side.”
“But His Excellency is incredibly strong. I can't imagine him losing...”
At Rose's feeble response, Sonya openly scoffed.
“Wake up, Madam. You were already abandoned by His Excellency anyway.”
“…….”
“When Lord Henrik arrives, do you think His Excellency will protect you? You need to pick the winning side while you still can!”
“...You're right.”
Rose pretended to wipe away tears from the corner of her eyes to hide the smirk twisting her lips.
“No matter how things turn out, I'm already abandoned. I have to find a way to survive even if it means doing this...”
She mumbled like an incredibly foolish master who had finally grasped Sonya's meaning.
“That's what I'm saying. You're finally making sense.”
“If I get on Lord Henrik's good side... Father will think of me as useful too.”
For a moment, a sneer flashed across Sonya's lips.
Sonya knew it too.
That returning to the House of Vikander would only mean hell waiting for Rose.
“Exactly, Madam.”
But Sonya didn't say any of that and only encouraged Rose.
It was a despicable attitude, caring only for her own safety, indifferent to whatever happened to Rose afterward.
‘Not knowing her own future.’
If Sonya had shown even a hint of hesitation or concern, the future would have changed.
But since she didn't, in this moment, Rose completely sealed Sonya's fate.
“Let's go inside.”
Rose headed to her bedroom with Sonya.
“Madam.”
Bill, the butler who met them in the hallway, bowed.
“His Excellency instructed that you stay quietly in your bedroom today. He asked that you refrain from moving around.”
Bill's attitude wasn't as amiable as before.
They had agreed that he would act coldly in front of others.
‘How dare I speak to the Madam like this! How could I!’
‘Bill, this is an order.’
‘Urgh...’
After going through that process, Bill's acting was passable.
However, his droopy eyes occasionally twitched, fully revealing his pangs of conscience.
“Is this house arrest?”
When Rose asked in a deflated voice, Bill shook his head.
“Not quite. However, he said that if you were to disobey the order, whatever happens afterward will be entirely your responsibility.”
It was a prearranged coded message with Dane.
It meant that she had sent word about using Sonya to open the castle's underground passage tomorrow, and that Dane had received it.
“...I see. Understood.”
Rose answered with a drained expression and led Sonya to the room.
“You're back, Madam.”
Helena, who had been waiting in the bedroom, greeted the two.
Tadak, tak.
Rose sat on the armchair in front of the bedroom's fireplace.
“…….”
The estate and the castle were utterly quiet. Like the calm before the storm.
Sometimes gazing out the window at the scenery outside, sometimes fiddling with the Magical Devices.
Rose spent her time without showing any signs of nervousness.
Before long, darkness completely enveloped her surroundings, turning into a pitch-black night. The time spent in intense tension felt both short and endlessly long.
“Ha-am.”
“Sonya, go and get some sleep. You've worked hard today too.”
Rose spoke to the yawning Sonya with a benevolent face.
“Madam, again?”
Helena, who had been pre-briefed, put on a sour face.
“Your favoritism is too much. It's always just her...”
“Lune.”
When Rose called her with a stern face, Helena only bit her lip.
At the sight, Sonya's lips stretched into a wide grin.
“Madam, I'll take my leave now.”
Sonya bowed and discreetly signaled Rose with her eyes. It meant that after tonight passed, she would open the castle's underground passage with the key Rose had given her.
“Go ahead.”
Rose nodded in acknowledgment.
Tak.
As Sonya closed the door and left, Helena pouted.
“That damn girl is finally gone.”
“Right. We don't need to keep up the act anymore.”
“You should start getting some rest, Madam.”
To Helena's words, Rose shook her head.
“It's fine. I want to see for myself just how dazzling tomorrow's sun will be.”
She added, sinking her body into the armchair.
“Bring me some tea. Something warm.”
Soon, the strong, refreshing scent of rosemary tea began to fill the room.
Dal-gak.
Rose silently drank her tea as she gazed out the window bathed in moonlight.
She appeared calm on the outside, but Rose's mind was full of complex thoughts.
‘Everything will change tomorrow.’
Just like in her past life, she spent the night in the bedroom, but the feeling was entirely different.
In her past life, she had been left alone in the bedroom, shivering as she listened to the sounds outside.
But now, Helena was right by her side, and the guards outside were protecting her flawlessly.
‘Don't act recklessly.’
Dane had told her that and instructed Rose to stay in the bedroom.
If anything were to happen, he would rush over immediately. That was why Rose wasn't afraid in the least.
‘I have to do my part.’
Rose thought and rethought the events that would unfold after tonight passed, making preparations. Rather than holding Dane back, she wanted to help him.
“…….”
Helena also seemed deep in thought. Her aura felt more sharply honed than usual.
Because of that, no conversation passed between them. However, it was a comfortable, relaxed silence.
Dal-gak.
When the teacup cooled, Helena would silently approach to refill it with warm water or drape a blanket over Rose's shoulders.
“…….”
In the heavy atmosphere where no one in Schmaichel Castle could easily fall asleep, the long, quiet night passed.
And finally.
“The sun will rise soon.”
Helena narrowed her eyes as she looked out the window.
“Yes, finally.”
Rose also rose from her seat and set the blanket down.
That was when.
“...Someone is coming.”
Helena murmured, looking back at the door.
“…!”
As Rose flinched and looked toward the door, Helena let out a breathy chuckle.
“No need to be startled, Madam. It's the master.”
The moment she finished speaking, the door to Rose's bedroom opened silently.
“...You were awake.”
Dane stood there, fully armed.
Ggubyeok.
Helena gave a slight bow and stepped back to disappear.
Jeo-beok.
Dane strode into the room. His straight trajectory headed directly for Rose.
“Rose.”
He reached out and pulled Rose in.
The moment she fell into Dane's embrace, the cool scent of dawn and the metallic smell of armor rushed into her nose.
Rose's shoulders shuddered slightly at the touch of the cold armor through her thin silk nightgown.
“Are you cold?”
Dane paused but didn't loosen the arms wrapped around Rose.
“Bear with it for a moment.”
Perhaps feeling apologetic, his voice softened somewhat.
“Couldn't you fall asleep?”
“No.”
Rose smiled brightly as she looked at Dane's face, which was a mixture of worry, relief, and affection.
“I had no intention of doing so until you arrived.”
“…….”
Instead of responding, Dane captured Rose's lips.
His lips were slightly cooled. But as he kissed Rose, they quickly heated up.
Despite being separated for only a few hours, she had missed this broad, warm embrace of his.
“Haa...”
Rose let out a sigh of relief.
Feeling his body heat and inhaling his breath, she finally felt the reality that they had safely crossed into another day.
“The sun is rising.”
The two leaned against each other, gazing out at the gradually brightening world.
The rising morning sun began to emit a faint, hazy light.
“In your past life, at this time...”
Rose whispered in a serene voice.
“You were drenched in the blood of your enemies.”
“I was.”
Dane nodded.
“It was hard to tell whether the blood covering me was that of the enemy or my allies. I could barely stand, leaning on my sword as if it were a cane.”
His voice recalling the past was simply calm. Hearing the scenes of the past from his perspective felt somewhat unfamiliar.
“The sun I saw back then looked like a bloody mass urging me toward my death.”
Rose found the faint joy and relief buried beneath Dane's firm voice.
“Look. Your sun is coming.”
Rose found Dane's hand and gripped it tightly.
At that moment, the first ray of sunlight piercing the horizon passed through the windowpane.
The sunlight scattered into dazzling fragments, filling the room. A golden radiance shimmered within Dane's cool eyes.
“...My sun, you say.”
Dane turned his eyes from the window and gazed at Rose. Her red hair, bathed in the sunlight, was burning like the sun.
“My sun is right here.”
Dane briefly kissed Rose's forehead. Then he closed his eyes as if in prayer.
It was a kiss that conveyed his resolve to protect Rose even if it cost him his life.
A promise heavier than an oath offered to God, and sweeter than a whisper between lovers.
“Happy birthday, Dane.”
Rose also whispered with her eyes closed.
“You'll soon receive your birthday present.”
She had no doubt that Dane would win.
A perfect and certain victory. For she would be the one to bring it to him.
“Now, go on.”
Rose smiled brightly and gently pushed Dane away.
A contrasting fervor overflowed over her beautifully curved green eyes.
“See you in the dining room.”
“Yes, in the dining room.”
A chilling resolve flashed across Dane's pupils.
Tto-gak.
After Dane left the room, Rose stood before the mirror.
“Helena.”
A cool voice flowed from between Rose's lips.
“Prepare a dress for me. The most splendid one.”