The Beast That Licks Me - Chapter 1.2

“Rosette, you asked me not to prepare anything, but are you really okay with that?”

“Of course. I insisted on it.”

“You even refused a gift, so what is it that you want?”

Rosette had received thoughtful gifts from Stefan every year. But a month ago, when Stefan asked what she would like for her birthday gift, Rosette shook her head.

‘I don’t want anything, just grant me one wish.’

Stefan had pressed to know what the wish was, but Rosette said she would tell him on her birthday, since she didn’t think he would grant it if she told him now.

“I told Dad the same thing. That I don’t need birthday presents, just grant my wish.”

“You requested a wish from Count Benedict as well?”

“Yes.”

“How difficult must this wish be?”

Stefan made a face that showed a lack of confidence. Rosette’s eyes sparkled as she leaned toward Stefan.

“I absolutely need your help to fulfill my wish.”

“It sounds like an extremely difficult wish. Tell me.”

Seeing Rosette’s earnest expression, Stefan sighed and reluctantly spoke. Rosette, with her hands clasped together, spoke with dreamy eyes.

“I… after I blow out the candles later, I’m going to ask Dad to let me travel.”

Stefan’s hand, which had been fiddling with Rosette’s hair, suddenly stopped. He was looking at Rosette with a surprised expression.

“At that time, I want you to help persuade Dad with me.”

“Travel? For how long?”

“A month… no, about 2 weeks?”

When Rosette said a month, Stefan’s face contorted, so she quickly changed her words. Stefan sighed deeply and said.

“Rosette, traveling is dangerous. It hasn’t even been a week since you collapsed.”

“I collapsed because of that damned corset, and I don’t wear it anymore, so I’ll be fine. I’ve also been building up my strength recently.”

“Still, this isn’t right. I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can grant your wish. You should have asked for jewelry instead.”

“I already have more than enough of that. And that’s not what I want.”

“Haa… Rosette.”

“Stefan, look at me.”

Rosette said, thumping her chest in frustration.

“While you were happy at the academy, I couldn’t even go outside because they said I was too weak.”

“What could you possibly lack staying at home? Nothing at all.”

“Nothing… at all?”

“Yes! You have everything you want, and you were taught by the most renowned scholars.”

“Really? Do you truly think so?”

“Of course. If people had to choose between your life and mine, they would all choose yours.”

Rosette looked at Stefan with a coldly detached gaze. Stefan seemed to realize he had said something wrong and made an “oops” expression. An irreversible awkwardness hung between them.

Knock knock.

Just then, someone knocked on the door. Thinking it might be Becky coming to announce that the banquet preparations were complete, it was instead the maid Judy, who arrived with tea. Judy, noticing the unusual tension between them, rolled her eyes and mumbled, “Should I… come back later?”

“…No, come in.”

The tea Judy was carrying was what Rosette had been enjoying lately. With a subtle mint fragrance and a sweet, smooth aftertaste, she had come to favor it. Feeling that she might as well have some tea while she was already upset, Rosette let Judy in.

Judy quickly placed the tea on the table and withdrew. It took less than 10 seconds from greeting to leaving. Tap. Even after the door closed, a chilly atmosphere lingered between them. Stefan was the first to break the silence.

“Rosette, you know. You have a chronic illness and you’re too weak. Traveling is too much.”

Tired of constantly hearing about her weakness, Rosette shook her head.

“I’m not that weak anymore. I don’t know how long I have to live like this because of what happened when I was five. After that day, Evan appeared and my chronic illness was resolved! If this isn’t imprisonment, what is it?”

“Imprisonment? Rosette, that’s harsh.”

Stefan’s face had also reddened slightly, suggesting he was excited too.

“You never know what might happen during travel. The outside world isn’t just full of exciting adventures like in those novels you love. What if someone tries to kidnap you? What if you get hurt and Evan isn’t there, and you die?”

“Ah, of course, if I were to die, it would be very inconvenient for you.”

“…Rosette Alpaine!”

Stefan, angered by Rosette’s sarcasm, slammed the table with a thud. The impact caused tea to spill from the cup. Rosette elegantly picked up her teacup and sipped what remained. The aftertaste had a subtle floral scent that was quite deep. If not for this situation, she would have properly enjoyed it.

“I’m not saying I’ll go alone. I can take sufficient guards with me. I’m not a child, I’ve thought about that much.”

“Still, that’s not acceptable. I can’t allow it.”

At the word “allow,” Rosette’s face hardened.

“Stefan Demetium. I have no reason to get your permission for travel. What I requested was for you to help persuade my father, not to seek your permission.”

Seeing Rosette’s stiffened face, Stefan looked like he’d been hit hard.

“If you won’t help, fine. Just don’t interfere when the time comes.”

“I was just so worried about you. Of course, you don’t need my permission. We’re not married, after all.”

“Good to know.”

“Then how about this? We could move up our wedding.”

Stefan snapped his thumb and index finger together as he spoke. Rosette looked at him with a troubled expression. Stefan’s eyes gleamed ominously.

“…Marriage?”

“Yes. We could go as a honeymoon. That way, I could also take time off work. Two weeks might be difficult, but a two-night, three-day trip to the suburbs would be possible.”

Two nights and three days. It was far less time than she had initially thought. Rosette let out a small sigh. She felt stifled and nauseated, just like when she wore tight undergarments.

“I’ll… think about it.”

Though Stefan’s proposal wasn’t to her liking, it was quite reasonable. If it were their one and only honeymoon, perhaps she could persuade her parents.

But that wasn’t what Rosette wanted. To live confined in this vast mansion her whole life, only to have a mere honeymoon as her sole journey. Rosette felt like a canary briefly taken out of its cage, only to be placed in a new one.

“Yes. Think about it.”

As Stefan gently patted her shoulder, his gaze made her uncomfortable enough to turn away, when a voice was heard from outside the door.

“Miss, do you need more time?”

“No, I’m coming out now.”

Rosette said this as she left her seat. Stefan reached out his hand toward her. With a troubled expression, Rosette accepted his escort and left the room.

***

The Great Hall was already bustling with people. Tapestries depicting portraits of generations of the Alpaine counts hung on the stone walls, and the colorfully decorated wainscoting delighted the eyes of the guests. The long table, which could seat at least fifty people, was piled high with food.

Rosette looked at the extravagantly laden table. White bread, pound cake topped with sugar-glazed fruits, crème brûlée, salad with shrimp and seafood, and carpaccio.

Despite the fact that people had not yet started eating, servants continued to bring out food, making the table almost completely full. She knew preparations for her birthday party had begun two weeks ago, but this was her first time seeing such a splendid party, and she felt a bit dazed.

This was clearly her parents’ doing. Rosette had not made her debut in society. Her parents thought she was too weak to endure the constant parties.

Moreover, since she already had a fiancé, her parents judged there was no need for a debutante ball. Rosette herself had little interest in society, so she had no complaints about that. However, her parents seemed to feel guilty about it, so they threw big parties like this for her birthday every year. As if to substitute for a debutante ball, they invited numerous people.