Chapter 247
“Eat.”
“Wow, fish.”
A bright smile spread across Sarubia’s face when she saw the fish dish accompanied by the fragrant scent of lemon.
“Where did you get this? It must have been hard to find since it’s winter.”
“I picked it up on the way…”
“If you say you picked it up on the way, I won’t eat it.”
Sarubia cut off Rufus’s words immediately. Left with no choice, Rufus confessed the truth.
“…I went to a lake and caught it.”
“You went to a lake? In this weather?”
“Yes.”
“Rufus, you’re really…”
Sarubia trailed off, looking back and forth between the grilled fish in front of her and Rufus.
“Really what.”
Rufus asked in a blunt voice.
Although he spoke stiffly, Rufus was secretly expecting something. He hoped Sarubia would praise him for remembering that she liked fish and going out in this weather to catch it for her meal.
However, Sarubia’s reply was as teasing as always, something only she could say.
“You’re such a romantic idiot.”
“……”
“Smile. I’m joking.”
Sarubia gave a light smile and gently touched Rufus’s face. A chill crept under her palm.
“Why did you go outside in this cold weather?”
“…Because I wanted you to eat something good.”
“It’s fine if I eat something bad, so don’t do this again. What if you catch a cold?”
“I’m still young, so it’s fine.”
Perhaps the remark amused her, because Sarubia burst into laughter again. The sight was like a flower blooming at once through ground covered in thin ice. Seeing her smile, Rufus unconsciously moistened his dry lips.
‘This is driving me crazy.’
Even now, no matter how much time passed, even after seeing it hundreds or thousands of times, he still couldn’t grow used to it. Every time he saw her smile, an indescribable and boundless happiness filled Rufus.
Rufus watched Sarubia pick up the tender fish meat with a fork. Just watching her carefully separate the flesh from the bones and eat it bit by bit was enough. That alone made him feel like the happiest person in the world.
.
.
After the meal, Sarubia took a bath and fell asleep earlier than usual. Rufus had put her to bed after she said her body felt heavier than usual.
After watching Sarubia sleeping soundly like a baby, Rufus rose and walked to the desk. When he opened the drawer, a black envelope he had prepared earlier lay inside.
Rufus casually cut his little finger slightly with a dagger. Blood from his finger dripped onto the black envelope. After confirming that the blood had soaked in well, Rufus infused it with magic. Empowered by magic, the envelope floated up into the air.
The envelope drifted out the window like a dandelion seed, swaying as it disappeared into the pitch black night sky.
‘The witch Odr said she could find it if I stained the envelope with my blood.’
Watching the envelope vanish into the darkness, Rufus thought.
Knock, knock—
Someone knocked on the door.
“Who is it.”
Rufus adjusted the robe slipping from his shoulders and opened the door. A aide standing outside hesitated as he looked at him. He seemed slightly surprised by Rufus’s disheveled appearance.
“I-I apologize for disturbing you while you are resting… but His Highness the Crown Prince is looking for you, Lord Rufus.”
So it has finally come.
Rufus changed his clothes without delay.
Sarubia, lying on the bed, wandered through dreams without even realizing he had left the room. Rufus lightly kissed her forehead before leaving.
“Guard the room well.”
“Yes, Lord Rufus!”
The guards standing watch straightened their backs and answered.
“I will guide you to where His Highness the Crown Prince is.”
The aide bowed politely toward Rufus and began walking ahead. Rufus followed behind him in silence. An ordinary person would have asked why the Crown Prince was seeking him, but Rufus didn’t bother to ask.
He already knew.
What reason could the Crown Prince possibly have for seeking Rufus at this late hour, especially on the very night the King had swung a sword at him? He must have found Queen Echinacea’s magic sword. And he must have heard the story told by the ghost within it.
‘Things will become interesting from now on.’
Rufus was climbing the stairs behind the aide.
“I want to see Daddy!”
“His Highness the Crown Prince is busy, Your Highness Esmeral!”
“No! I still want to see Daddy!”
It was the young voice of a child whose pronunciation was still clumsy. Along with it came the hurried voice of a maid trying to stop the child.
“Ouch!”
At that moment, a thud echoed from below the stairs, followed by the sound of someone falling. Rufus instinctively turned his head.
“L-Your Highness Esmeral!”
The maid cried out in shock and rushed toward the child who had fallen on the stairs.
The child lifted into the maid’s arms was unexpectedly brave. Rufus had assumed she would burst into tears with a loud wail, but he was mistaken. The child bit her lower lip tightly and fiddled with her fingers while tugging at the hem of her small dress, yet she didn’t cry.
‘Not bad.’
Looking down at the young girl, Rufus let out a faint chuckle without realizing it.
Our child, Sarubia’s and mine, will grow up just as cute and brave, he thought. The thought made him wish fervently that day would come soon.
But more importantly, why was such a young child in this palace?
“Why is the royal granddaughter outside at this late hour?”
As if answering Rufus’s unsaid question, the aide scolded the maid.
Royal granddaughter? Rufus’s eyes curved slightly.
Only then did he remember. Crown Prince Viren had a young daughter.
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