Chapter 58
“Today’s winner is His Highness, the Grand Duke of Lutèce!”
“Congratulations! It’s the first time I’ve seen someone capture such a prime silver fox without a single scratch!”
A short while later, the outside became noisy with people welcoming the winner, but Rosen still had no intention of leaving the tent. Her transparent rose-colored eyes welled with clear tears.
Unlike the lively atmosphere outside, filled with congratulatory words and admiration for the hunted game, the tent was completely empty. Sitting alone, Rosen pulled something out from her pocket.
It was the decorative ribbon she had worked hard on for months, now muddy and dirty from falling into the pond. She had tried washing the mud-stained fabric repeatedly, but it only became more wrinkled and unsightly. She couldn’t possibly present such a dirty item to someone as radiant as him.
“Your Highness! The celebration banquet will begin soon. Please join us.”
“…”
Iscarion, who was proudly leading the procession on his black horse, slowly looked around. He saw young ladies excitedly presenting gifts to their knights. Despite the preparations for the upcoming banquet, Rosen was nowhere to be seen. His adjutant cautiously called out to him again, “Your Highness!”
At the same time, Rosen, with a sullen expression, was hiding at the back of the crowd. She clung to the hem of the Empress’s maid’s skirt, peeking out at the radiant Iscarion.
Although she had sneaked out to see him as the winner, she didn’t have the courage to present the ruined ribbon. Seeing the other young ladies holding beautifully embroidered handkerchiefs, belts, and decorative ribbons, Rosen hid her muddy gift even more.
‘I can’t give Brother something so shabby…’
As Rosen stood there, staring down at her fingers, Iscarion spotted her and dismounted. The people around him looked at each other in surprise. Searching for someone with his eyes, he strode into the crowd and stopped in front of Rosen, who stood with her head down.
“Rosen.”
“Brother… Isca…?”
“Why are you here alone?”
Although he had pretended not to know, Iscarion was aware that Rosen had been diligently learning to embroider for months to make him happy. He gently pulled her small hands, which she had hidden behind her back.
“Won’t you give that to me?”
“But it’s so dirty, hicc…”
Seeing the impressive gifts from the other young ladies made Rosen feel even more inadequate, and she shook her head, about to cry. At that moment, one of the young ladies, who had been eavesdropping, gathered the courage to speak to Iscarion.
“Your Highness, if you don’t mind, would you accept mine? I made it especially for you.”
“Your Highness! Please look at mine too!”
As soon as she shyly offered her embroidered handkerchief, other young ladies, who had been watching, hurriedly came forward with their prepared gifts.
The thought that this might be their chance to catch the usually aloof Grand Duke’s attention made their hearts flutter, forgetting their initial intention to give their handkerchiefs to their brothers or lovers.
“No.”
But Iscarion coldly dismissed them without even glancing their way.
“I think it’s a great discourtesy to approach a man who has a fiancée.”
“I’m so sorry…”
Instead of looking at the embarrassed young ladies as they retreated, Iscarion tenderly took the ribbon from Rosen’s hands.
“Here, give it to me.”
“Brother!”
“You are my fiancée. I won for you, so you should congratulate me. Don’t you think?”
Hearing that he won for her made Rosen’s little heart race. Without hesitation, Iscarion tied the dirty ribbon onto the end of his sword. The ribbon, so filthy it was unrecognizable, seemed to shine more brightly than any precious silk at that moment.
“Thank you, Rosie.”
As per the winner’s tradition, Iscarion knelt on one knee before Rosen and made eye contact with his young fiancée. He slowly lowered his head, placing a kiss on her small, reddened hand, made so from washing the handkerchief in cold water.
“I dedicate today’s glory to my precious lady.”
“Brother…”
He wiped her tears and pulled her small frame into a tight embrace, whispering softly. His soothing voice tickled her ears, his warm and broad embrace making her feel safe. His smile and the way he looked into her eyes made him seem like a prince from a fairy tale.
‘I want to grow up quickly and become an adult.’
At that moment, Rosen made a firm resolution. She would become a magnificent lady worthy of him. She wanted to grow up quickly and stand proudly by his side.
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