My Ruin to You - Chapter 46

◇◇◇

There was only one conclusion.

While the idea of receiving a steady salary without lifting a finger was certainly alluring, nothing in this world came without a price. And the most dangerous thing of all was not knowing what that price might be. She intended to visit the Marquis at dawn to formally express her gratitude—and she’d wager her entire fortune that he had been expecting as much when he gave her that ambiguous warning. Yet the question remained, why had they summoned a Manifestor to a clinic where not even a single ant could be found?

“You should head in now. Shouldn’t you enjoy the festival?”

As the sun set, the council member urged her to return home—earlier than usual. There was clearly something afoot, but Roseline complied without argument. The council member’s expression brightened as they watched her leave. Just as she opened the clinic door to step outside, a commoner man, about to enter, froze and quickly moved aside. Assuming he was a patient, she gave a slight nod, but the man bowed deeply to her before calling the council member’s name and stepping inside.

“Hey, where is it—?”

“Shh! Keep your voice down!”

Just before the door closed, a suspicious snippet of conversation caught her attention. Roseline stared at the firmly shut door for a moment before finally stepping away.

Her breath formed pale clouds in the air as she walked. Though the winter sun had set quickly, the streets were bustling with festival energy. The dark sky was filled with colorful lanterns, and the sounds of carriage wheels and merchants hawking their wares painted the winter night.

On impulse, she bought a lantern. The merchant’s child handed her an ink-dipped quill, urging her to write a wish. “Money.” The child covered their mouth and giggled at the short, blunt wish, while the merchant joked, “My, someone of your standing is quite greedy, aren’t they?” Amused by the child’s laughter, Roseline pinched their cheek playfully before moving on.

Staring at the single word scrawled on the tag, she was reminded of a man who had once scolded her for wishing for money.

“‘If your wish is just money, I’ll be disappointed.’”

“‘But my wish is money—why would you be disappointed, Your Highness?’”

“‘Because my wish is you.’”

“‘Huh?’”

“‘I’ll give you money. So make your wish about me instead.’”

“‘Well, that depends on how much you’re offering.’”

“‘As much as you want.’”

His eyes had held the promise of giving her anything she desired. It was so unbearably sweet that Roseline, after glancing around, rose onto her toes and pressed a quick kiss to his lips.

“‘Since you’ve given me something precious, I’ll write my wish as you.’”

In the end, she never got to write it. He had stared at her intensely before suddenly grabbing her wrist and pulling her away. His steps were so hurried that the lantern slipped uselessly from her hand. She’d forgotten—just for a moment—how easily that man’s self-control crumbled. Whether fortunately or unfortunately, a high-end inn wasn’t far, and with lanterns filling the sky outside the window, Roseline spent the night being thoroughly shaken.

““……How far back are you planning to reminisce?””

She didn’t know why she had so many memories of him, popping up at the most inconvenient times. No—memories were just an excuse. She had only attended one festival with Valen, and most of the times she’d released lanterns, it had been with Lina, whether in the capital or the territory. Resentment flickered toward Valen.

““Fly well.””

Shaking off the damp thoughts, Roseline released her lantern. As she watched it float into the sky, carried by the wind—

““Aaaah!””

A grotesque scream pierced through the festival’s noise. Roseline whipped her head around. Something was wrong. Like a contagion, shrieks spread, and people began shoving and pulling at each other in terror.

“Run—get away!”

Someone’s desperate cry turned the festival into chaos. Swept up in the fleeing crowd, Roseline staggered and barely managed to dodge to the side. Lanterns were trampled underfoot, shattering into pieces, and through the fluttering remnants of light, dark shadows swooped down.

Bats.

“P-Please, save me…!”

“No—no! Stop, AHH! Let go!”

Roseline saw it all—clearly. The bats gliding between the lanterns burst into flames, crumbling into ash as they fell. And beneath them, a scene of carnage unfolded—people tearing into each other, driven to feast on flesh and blood.

“…This is insane.”

The chaos, now surging toward her.