The Beast That Licks Me - Chapter 1.18

While falling forward, she tried somehow to take one more step in a comical posture, but the ground stopped getting closer. Evan had wrapped his hand around Rosette’s waist and lifted her up.

“Rosette, what’s wrong?”

“I’m, I’m out. Of. Huff. Breath. Can’t walk…”

“We can’t let those people catch us, right?”

“Th-that’s. Huff. Right.”

Her chest heaved violently, causing her pronunciation to slip. Evan stared at Rosette with eyes like blue glass marbles.

“Where do we need to go?”

“Hah. Ha-harbor…”

“Which harbor?”

“Pl-Plentino…”

“I don’t know it. Guide me as we go.”

“I ca-can’t walk…”

Evan once again lifted Rosette up and tucked her under his arm. Though this was the second time today she was suspended in midair, there was no sign of getting used to it. Rosette’s waist was tightly gripped by Evan’s firm arm muscles. Evan ran like the wind, holding Rosette on one side and the bag on the other.

Even though Rosette might be light, she was still an adult woman with considerable weight, yet Evan was running even faster than when he had been dragging Rosette along. The strong wind whipped Rosette’s hair and face. Rosette couldn’t even think of fixing her disheveled hair and just blankly watched the rapidly changing scenery. A fork in the road appeared before them.

“Rosette, which way?”

At Evan’s question, Rosette hurriedly searched through the map.

“Le-left turn!”

“Got it!”

Evan kicked off the ground and tilted his body to the left. Whoosh, Rosette’s body floated up.

“…!”

Even after the turn, Evan’s speed didn’t decrease at all. Rather, the momentum from pushing off the ground briefly made them even faster. Rosette, her breathing somewhat stabilized, raised her head and guided the way.

“Past that clothing store and right! Then straight ahead! Ah, no. Left!”

“Okay!”

Evan faithfully followed Rosette’s commands. Evan was a dedicated racehorse, and Rosette was the perfect jockey. Rosette suddenly recalled her childhood. Evan, who had been large even as a child, would carry young Rosette on his back as they roamed the mansion energetically. Though having the appearance of a dog, Evan understood human language and followed even Rosette’s childish commands well. Remembering the time when they were each other’s best companions, a warm smile appeared on Rosette’s face. But that smile soon disappeared.

“E-Evan. Stop. Stop. We need to go to an inn before entering the harbor. To change clothes and dye my hair.”

“Ah, understood.”

“I can walk on my own from here, so put me down.”

Evan set Rosette down without argument. Her sides ached from being tightly held by Evan’s arms, similar to when she had worn a corset.

They had escaped safely. From the house where she had been confined her entire life, together with Evan. Even the salty scent of the sea rising from afar felt fragrant. Rosette, covered in a robe, entered the pre-booked inn with Evan. As she opened the old inn door, a sharp-featured man greeted them from behind the counter.

“Welcome.”

“I have a reservation, sir.”

Flustered by her naturally informal speech, Rosette hastily switched to formal speech. The man, seemingly accustomed to informal speech, paid no mind and asked for her details.

“What is your name?”

“…Adrian, sir.”

Rosette gave a completely different name, not the alias she would use on the ship.

“Staying for one night?”

“That’s right, sir.”

“That will be 2 silver.”

Rosette held out the money she had prepared. She had silver coins too, but it seemed better to exchange money here rather than on the ship. The man momentarily looked troubled upon seeing the gold coin.

“I’m sorry, but we don’t have change at the moment. I’ll get it exchanged at a nearby shop and bring it to your room soon.”

“All right… Sir.”

“That boy will show you to your room.”

The man pointed to a boy who was sweeping the hall with a broom. The boy put down his broom and approached them. He seemed polite, but his eyes were filled with curiosity toward the pair.

“I’ll guide you.”

The boy scampered up the stairs like a flying squirrel. Rosette and Evan quietly followed him. Throughout the climb, creaking noises could be heard. Rosette stared down the stairs with wonder. Having always lived with only the finest things, these elements were very unfamiliar to her. The cheap tapestry with stains everywhere, the musty smell of dust, insects flying around candles, olive-colored walls smudged with soot. It was strange yet interesting.

“Here you are. Have a pleasant time.”

The boy turned around with a grin.

“We’re not like that…!”

Rosette tried to explain, unfamiliar with this kind of joke, but the boy was already running down the stairs. Rosette stared at the empty hallway before closing the door somewhat dejectedly.

“Evan. Go to the bathroom and wet your hair.”

“Why?”

“We need to dye it.”

Rosette said as she took out hair dye and clothes from her bag. Evan, who usually agreed with whatever Rosette said, stroked his golden hair with a gloomy expression.

“But I like this color…”

“…I’ll buy you ten cakes after we’re done.”

At those words, Evan immediately got up and headed to the bathroom. How fortunate that he could be persuaded with just cake. Rosette sighed in relief as she watched Evan rush to the bathroom excitedly.

While Evan was wetting his hair in the bathroom, Rosette changed her clothes. After always wearing soft silk, wearing stiff, poor-quality clothes felt strange, like borrowing someone else’s clothes. With that odd sensation, she was fidgeting like someone with ants on her back when Evan came out with his hair thoroughly soaked.

“I’m done.”

“Good job. Come here, Evan.”

Rosette patted the spot next to the bed. Evan obediently sat down and lowered his head. Rosette laid newspaper underneath and mercilessly poured the dye on Evan’s head. Finding the sensation strange, Evan whimpered like a dog.

“It’s cold, Rosette.”

“J-just bear with it a little.”

She might have poured too much, as the dye not only soaked into Evan’s hair but also dripped onto the newspaper. At this rate, it would seep into the tapestry. Rosette frantically laid more newspapers down. Being accustomed to being served, she found it awkward to do something for someone else.

“…It’s uncomfortable. I want to shake my head.”

Evan said in a mournful tone. Rosette sternly shouted.

“What? No!”

If he shook his head, covered in dye, it would splatter everywhere. Rosette wanted to dye Evan’s hair, not create a polka dot pattern on the wallpaper.

“I-I’ll comb it for you. That should feel a bit cooler.”

She brought a comb from the vanity and brushed Evan’s hair. Excess dye dripped onto the newspaper. Rosette pretended not to notice and continued combing Evan’s hair. Fortunately, Rosette was quick to adapt.

‘I need to pour a little at a time and then comb it.’

Once she figured out the technique, the process went much faster. Evan’s head was small and his hair short, so it didn’t require much dye. Rosette tightly sealed the dye bottle and tossed it back into the bag.

“Keep your head down for 10 minutes. Don’t move at all.”

“Okay. Will Rosette dye her hair too?”

“I’ll do it later.”

As she said this, Rosette pulled out a dagger from her bag. She drew the blade from its sheath. In the dim light, the blade gleamed silver. Seeing the knife, Evan jumped up, ignoring Rosette’s order to stay still.

“Rosette, no!”

The dye ran down Evan’s wet hair onto his white neck. Startled, Rosette instinctively pointed the dagger at Evan and shouted.

“Evan, sit!”

“…Okay.”

Not wanting to die, Evan quietly retreated and sat down. Still, he rolled his eyes toward Rosette, clearly anxious.

“Why did you suddenly take out a knife? It’s dangerous.”

Instead of answering Evan, Rosette grabbed her hair. A handful of pink curls filled her palm. She tightened her grip on the dagger.

Slash.

The blade cut through Rosette’s hair, finally severing it. Through the shortcut hair, part of Rosette’s white nape was revealed. Rosette stared blankly at her cut hair. She had grown it with care for over ten years.

It wasn’t just casually grown hair; the servants had applied oil morning and evening, trimming split ends, and meticulously maintaining it. It would be a lie to say she didn’t regret it, but such hair would be a hindrance when fleeing. Fine, long hair would stand out even if dyed.

Rosette proceeded to cut the hair on the other side. Pink locks fell onto the yellow newspaper.

She felt a breeze on her bare nape. Rosette gently touched her neck. Her head felt surprisingly light. The slight headache she’d had and the head that had always been slightly tilted backward now straightened normally. All from just cutting her hair.

“Haha…”

She laughed in disbelief. Evan was staring blankly at her.