The Beast That Licks Me - Chapter 1.17

Footsteps could be heard from everywhere. The knights’ footsteps sounded quite close. Rosette, turning pale, concentrated on digging the neatly filled hole. Dirt dug under her well-maintained nails. Even though her fingertips were turning red and stinging, Rosette didn’t stop digging. Like someone who couldn’t think about basic common sense because something overwhelmingly serious was happening.

“It’s no use…”

“Rosette, it’s alright.”

Rosette stood up, staggering. Evan embraced Rosette, who looked like she might collapse at any moment. As she was held in his warm arms, her reason slowly returned. As soon as her rationality came back, despair welled up. Feeling like she might burst into tears, Rosette bit her lip hard. Soon after, Rosette looked at Evan with subdued eyes.

“Evan, I’ll buy you some time…”

Rosette’s nose turned red in an instant. Evan stared at her intently.

“Run away.”

Rosette hastily took out valuables from inside her garment and pressed them into Evan’s hands. Plop, plop, jeweled rings, bracelets, and necklaces fell onto Evan’s palm. Rosette looked up at Evan with desperate eyes.

“This should be enough for you to live comfortably for the rest of your life. Just don’t eat too much cake, you fool. If you ever run out of money, go to the farthest temple from here. If you prove that you’re a divine beast, at least you won’t starve.”

Evan seemed greatly shocked by Rosette’s words. His blue eyes shook with confusion.

“Are you serious, Rosette?”

“Yes, I’m serious.”

Evan pressed his lips together, sighed softly, and looked at Rosette with trembling eyes.

“…If I run away, what about you?”

If Evan disappeared, Rosette wouldn’t survive for long. Rosette knew this fact all too well. But she couldn’t let Evan live like her. Even if he wanted to.

“Don’t think about me, just think about yourself.”

“….”

Evan didn’t answer. He seemed very unfamiliar with having this kind of conversation with Rosette. But there was no time. Rosette grabbed Evan’s shirt, clutching his collar firmly, and said.

“When I signal, run in the opposite direction from me. Find another dog hole and escape through there. Never come back to this city for the rest of your life, and live in another country or in the countryside. You’re handsome, so maybe you’ll even get married soon.”

“Let’s go together.”

“You fool. If you get caught this time, you’ll really be locked up. Do you want to live confined in a small room without seeing sunlight for the rest of your life?”

“…Let’s go together.”

Evan firmly held onto Rosette’s sleeve and wouldn’t let go. Rosette finally burst into tears. Transparent tears streamed down Rosette’s white cheeks. Fearing that their location might be discovered, Rosette cried inwardly.

“You’ve already sacrificed enough for me. Now live freely.”

“I didn’t sacrifice anything. I stayed with you because I like you, Rosette.”

“You fool, I know how much you love going outside…”

Rosette buried her head in Evan’s chest. Evan’s gentle body scent mixed with the sweet smell of cake made her dizzy. Rosette deeply inhaled the nostalgic scent she thought she might never smell again. Her legs trembled precariously as if they might collapse at any moment.

“It’s alright.”

“No, I’m not alright…!”

Rosette pushed Evan away and shouted softly. But Evan didn’t budge. Rosette punched Evan’s chest with her fist. But Evan didn’t budge. His firmness actually made Rosette take a step back. Rosette said tearfully.

“How can I, knowing how hellish this life is… How can I keep you here…”

The voices of the knights searching for Rosette and Evan were getting closer. Rosette felt like she was falling into an infinitely deep despair. The escape was easy because this was the first act of rebellion. With Sarhen’s personality, there would never be a second chance.

How much further would Evan fall? And me…?

Not knowing Rosette’s burning anxiety, Evan held her sleeve and looked at her pleadingly. His eyes were like those of an abandoned puppy.

“Then let’s go together.”

“You’ve been saying the same thing all along, you fool. There’s no dog hole and the wall is so high, how can we get out…!”

“What if we could climb over it?”

“…What?”

“That’s easy.”

Saying that, Evan tucked Rosette under his arm. Rosette’s waist was lifted effortlessly by Evan’s arm. Rosette exclaimed in shock.

“Evan, what are you…!”

“Shh, you might bite your tongue if you talk.”

Saying that, Evan bent his knees and used the momentum to leap up in one go. Whoosh, Evan and Rosette’s bodies floated in the air. Rosette’s translucent chemise fluttered in the air.

“…!”

Evan easily jumped over the Count’s wall, which was said to be difficult even for most thieves to climb. He leaped about 2 meters at once without stepping on the pointed glass pieces or wires installed on top of the wall to prevent thieves. And he did it while carrying Rosette. Looking at the dizzying height, Rosette had to cover her mouth to avoid screaming.

Thud. Evan landed successfully, as nimbly and quietly as a cat. Unlike the noisy interior where everyone was searching for Rosette, the outside was much quieter. Probably because no one thought Rosette would cross the wall this way.

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

Seeing Evan checking himself with a neat appearance, Rosette felt even betrayed.

“Evan.”

“Yes?”

“Give me back what I gave you.”

“…Okay.”

Rosette firmly took back the accessories she had handed to Evan. But she still wasn’t satisfied.

“Wait, if you could jump over the wall with me all along, why were you just watching me dig in the dirt and cry?”

“I was worried you might get hurt since it’s been a while since I jumped like this.”

At Evan’s words, Rosette unconsciously touched her forehead. Her face looked twice as tired now.

“Let’s go for now.”

Evan obediently followed behind Rosette. From far away, the sound of the Count family’s bell signaling an emergency could be heard. Rosette’s heart grew urgent.

“Hurry!”

At Rosette’s urging, Evan ran forward like a puppy chasing a ball. Rosette, who had only been full of determination, was helplessly dragged along like a child holding a large dog’s leash.

“…!”

As their pace quickened, the scenery rushed by. Sunken stone pavements, darkened storefronts, dim alleyways. These were sights she had never seen before. Though she was breathless, exhilaration bubbled up simultaneously.

When was the last time she had run this fast in years? It was so thrilling that her jaw trembled. It was difficult to contain the overwhelming emotions. If she relaxed her tension even slightly, laughter might burst forth.

“Huff, huff…”

Even after entrusting her bag to Evan and being practically dragged along, Rosette found herself growing increasingly exhausted. According to the map, they still had nearly 1km left to the harbor. Rosette bit her lip hard, unable to hide her dismay.

I should have built up my stamina normally…!

She tried blaming her past self, but it was useless. Rather than wasting time on regrets, it was better to run one more step. However, unlike before, her body felt incredibly heavy. She had no strength to swing her arms and legs to move forward. There was a metallic taste in her throat.

“Huff, gasp…”

Eventually, Rosette’s pace slowed to that of a small child. From far away, the sound of horseshoes striking the stone pavement could be heard.

“My lady-! Lady Rosette-!”

Voices calling for her could also be heard. Rosette’s face turned deathly pale. They had taken shortcuts only accessible on foot to avoid the knights on horseback, but now they were in danger of being caught even there.

I need to escape. I need to escape…

In her urgency, trying to force one more step forward actually worked against her. Thud. Rosette’s feet tangled and her body lurched forward. The stone pavement rushed toward her.

‘I’m falling…!’