The Beast That Licks Me - Chapter 1.13

“I’m doing this out of gratitude, truly. You’ve been with me all this time. Oh, and if it’s alright, could you also dispose of this?”

Rosette also handed over a ruby necklace. Becky’s eyes widened as she took the necklace.

“Miss, isn’t this the gift you received from the Count for your fourteenth birthday? Are you sure it’s alright to sell it?”

Becky, who rarely interfered in Rosette’s affairs, unusually added her opinion. Rosette nodded, seeming to have anticipated this reaction.

“Yes, it’s fine. I now have something more magnificent.”

Rosette said, looking at the pink diamond necklace in the center of her jewelry box. Becky nodded in understanding.

“Indeed, you can wear that one from now on.”

“Exactly. I probably won’t wear this one much anymore. Even if I wanted to give it to another friend, I don’t have friends who wear such things.”

“Now that you mention it, Lady Roxana was a bit peculiar, wasn’t she? But if you need money, couldn’t you just ask the Count? I’m worried you might regret giving away something you used to wear so diligently.”

“Since you ask that way, I’ll tell only you. Today, my dad and mom discovered my secret funds.”

Becky opened her eyes wide and asked.

“His Lordship Count Benedict?”

“Yes, he discovered what I had hidden in my mother’s academy graduation album. So things are a bit tense right now. I’m sure all my secret funds have been confiscated… So it’s awkward to ask my mother or father for pocket money. That’s why I’m disposing of this at an appropriate time. Besides, I’m an adult now and would like to have some money of my own.”

Becky’s expression softened, seemingly reassured by the detailed explanation.

“I understand. I’ll make sure to negotiate and sell it at a good price.”

“I’m counting on you.”

Rosette showed Becky her clenched fists with both hands as if to encourage her. Becky adopted the same posture and left the room.

The room, which had been lively with conversation, fell into silence. Rosette maintained her expression until the door closed, then stared into space while biting the inside of her cheek. It was a bad habit she always had when deep in thought.

Rosette knew very well how harsh her mother, who occasionally showed weakness only to her, could be to others for her sake.

Though her mother had said that after the marriage, Evan would be set free, Rosette knew Evan would never find freedom. He would probably live his life imprisoned, providing only saliva. Just imagining Evan’s back as he gazed out the window, where bright light filtered through, made her heart feel like it was being torn apart.

Rosette knew too well what that life was like, so she couldn’t just leave Evan be. As she clenched her fist tightly, blue veins stood out on her thin hand.

Evan, I will never let you live like me.

***

“Rosette, what do you think of this fabric? Rosette?”

Rosette snapped out of her thoughts at the sound of someone calling her. Looking ahead, she saw Sarhen pointing to a bright cream-colored fabric.

“What?”

“I asked if this fabric is alright. What have you been thinking about all this time?”

“Ah… it seems fine.”

“You’ve been repeating ‘this is fine, that is fine’ for a while now. Looking at you, I don’t think you’re fine at all.”

At Sarhen’s sharp observation, Rosette responded as though caught off guard.

“I’m sorry. I’ll focus now.”

“Good. Please concentrate. This is for your wedding dress, you know.”

“Yes.”

Answering halfheartedly again, Rosette touched the fabric Sarhen showed her. The smooth silk material gently brushed against her fingertips.

“It’s nice. But isn’t it a bit early to be looking at wedding dress fabrics? The ceremony is a year away.”

“My dear. Wedding preparations are always tight, even when you start early. If I had known he would propose on your birthday, I would have started preparing three years ago.”

At Sarhen’s scolding, Rosette made an outward effort to examine the fabrics. But to her eyes, they all looked the same.

‘What’s the point of choosing when I don’t know anything about it…’

The fabrics were brought to the Count’s residence by a famous dressmaker. Whatever she chose would be more than adequate. Rosette casually touched the fabrics and selected the one that Sarhen seemed to like best.

“I think this one is nice.”

“It’s rare that our opinions align. We’ll take this one.”

“Yes, madam.”

Sarhen wore a satisfied expression. Rosette wasn’t particularly interested from the beginning. Even if this wedding dress were made, she wouldn’t have the occasion to wear it. She only felt a little heartache because her mother was so happy about preparing for her wedding.

“An excellent choice. Shall we go with the design you selected earlier for the dress?”

“Yes, please do.”

“Very well.”

“I’ll pay seventy percent of the cost in advance. Above all else, prioritize my daughter’s dress. This is our only daughter’s wedding. Better to do too much than too little.”

At the mention of seventy percent, the dressmaker’s mouth opened wide. Typically, only thirty percent of the payment was given as a deposit before production began. However, Sarhen, eager to see her daughter’s wedding dress quickly, unhesitatingly paid seventy percent. Knowing what feelings prompted this generosity made Rosette feel uneasy.

“Thank you. I will create the finest dress for you.”

Was it because of this immense consideration for her daughter? For three days, Rosette hadn’t seen even a single strand of Evan’s hair.

Sarhen claimed that Evan was getting plenty of outdoor time, just on a different schedule from Rosette. She said that after the intensive education to make him presentable in public, he would simply fall asleep when his studies ended, but contrary to her words, he was certainly imprisoned somewhere.

Being a divine beast, he probably wasn’t being tortured or anything like that, but for Evan, confinement itself would be painful.

‘He loved walks more than anything.’

Thinking of Evan locked in a room made a corner of her heart ache sharply. She had deliberately made a small cut on her finger and asked for Evan to be brought, but Sarhen, ever meticulous, handed her a small vial the size of a finger containing Evan’s saliva. The message was clear: heal yourself.

She could have slashed her wrist and demanded Evan’s release as a form of protest, but acting too extremely might derail her plans. Until that day came, Rosette needed to be an obedient and compliant daughter. So far, she had been relatively faithful to that role.

While the dressmaker was organizing the fabrics with a broad smile, someone knocked on the door. It was Becky.

“Miss, you have a visitor.”

“Who is it?”

“Lady Roxana. Shall I guide her to the drawing room?”

“No, please show her to my room. I’ll be there shortly.”

“Understood.”

After Becky closed the door, Sarhen inquired.

“Who came to visit?”

“It’s Roxana. She came a long way for my birthday, but I collapsed, remember? I think she was worried. She said she’s bringing a gift while checking on me.”

“She must have been very concerned. Talk to her well. While you’re at it, tell her about your wedding. When is Roxana getting married?”

“Yes, I will. I’m not sure when she’s getting married.”

“Oh my, the Marquis must be worried too. As her friend, you should try to persuade Roxana.”

“I’ll bring it up.”

“Good, now go. She’s waiting.”

“Yes.”

Leaving the drawing room, Rosette shed the image of a good and polite daughter and quickened her steps. By the time she entered her room, she was breathing heavily from running so hard. Roxana was already seated in a chair.

“Xana!”

“Rose!”

They embraced each other like friends who hadn’t met in a hundred years. The comfortable meeting made her feel relieved after an uneasy morning.