My Ruin to You - Chapter 23

“What is this nonsense?”

Before she could even process the shock, her body moved on its own. As Roseline sprang to her feet, the rustling grass betrayed her presence. The young ladies who spotted Roseline turned pale. Their statuesque stillness lasted only a moment.

“…M-my lady. That is—”

They stammered as if trying to make excuses, but Roseline didn’t even listen and simply ran. Social decorum, dignity, propriety—this was no time to worry about such trivialities.

Her steps grew increasingly hurried. By the time she passed through the academy gates, she was running frantically. As she sped through the city streets lined with red roofs, pedestrians turned to stare at her with wide eyes.

A woman dressed in the academy uniform—symbolizing both her awakening and status—running in such haste was an unusual sight that drew attention. Her soft, rosy hair and delicate features, now flushed from her frantic sprint, only further captured the curiosity of onlookers. It wasn’t until she boarded one of the rental carriages gathered at the edge of the fountain square that their gazes finally faded away.

The carriage was cramped, and the ride was rough. Clatter, clatter. Inside the constantly jolting carriage, Roseline steadied her ragged breath and could think of only one question.

Why? Just why?

But by the time the carriage left the city, crossed the bridge, and neared its destination, she still hadn’t found an answer.

After getting out and paying the fare, she walked toward the oak forest. No—toward the grand duke’s mansion, encircled by the dense woods like a fortress.

She knew it was improper to visit unannounced, without even a prior message, let alone an appointment. But she had to see Valen first. And she had to ask—whether he had really done it, and if so, why.

The gatekeeper recognized Roseline approaching from afar and opened the gates without any formalities.

Creeeak. As the elegant yet imposing iron gates swung open, Roseline quickened her pace again. Just as the roof of a carriage parked in front of the stately mansion came into view, she heard a voice.

“Roseline?”

It was Valen. He seemed to have been about to leave, as he stood frozen mid-motion while putting on his gloves, an uncharacteristically startled expression on his face.

“You couldn’t have walked here. Did you take a public carriage? Goodness, you should’ve sent word. I would’ve come to get you.”

His words spilled out unrefined—another rarity. Soon, his widened eyes softened, and a gentle smile spread across his handsome features. He removed the single glove he had managed to put on and stepped toward Roseline, who stood stiffly.

“Had you been just a little later, we might’ve missed each other. I wasn’t planning to return until late evening.”

Roseline looked up at the man before her. She was confused. Could this man—who kissed her hand and smiled at her with such tender warmth—really have been the one to apply such pressure?

“I need to respond rationally. I need to calm down.”

I knew better than anyone how rumors could be exaggerated—I had suffered enough from them before. I shouldn’t corner him like this, using overheard whispers as evidence. That’s what I thought.

“The Magical Order. Is it really true that His Majesty ordered it?”

But contrary to my thoughts, the words spilled out in a messy rush.

Are you insane? I bit my lip, scolding myself. If I could stay composed in this situation, that would be the real madness. Still, I desperately wished for it—for Valen to look down at me with that calm expression and snap at me for spouting nonsense, to just say No, even once. If he did, I’d drop to my knees right then and there to apologize for my rudeness.

“Merrick.”

His gaze still fixed on me, Valen called for his attendant standing behind him. The ever-discreet attendant, who had been standing as if barely present, stepped forward with a quiet, “Yes, Your Highness.”

“Inform His Majesty that an urgent matter has arisen, and I will attend the banquet another time.”

Valen was the only one who remained composed. Both I and the loyal attendant Merrick couldn’t hide our shock.

Missing an imperial banquet hosted by the Emperor was already a grave discourtesy, but canceling right before it? Only Valen could get away with such a thing.

“N-no, Your Highness. I—I’m sorry for coming so suddenly. This isn’t how I meant to ask. I was too flustered to observe proper etiquette.”

The mention of the Emperor snapped me back to my senses. Clenching my ice-cold fingers, I forced myself to speak carefully.