The Beast That Licks Me - Chapter 1.3

“Miss, this way please.”

Becky, who had seen this spectacle first, guided her to the seat of honor. They say the guest of honor arrives late, and indeed, it seemed Rosette was the last to arrive.

Right next to the seat of honor, Evan was eating with a bowl full of meat. Someone had put a red bow tie on him, which suited him quite well. People glanced curiously at the Count family’s divine beast, which effortlessly chewed through bones and meat that could feed at least ten people.

Seeing Evan mindlessly eating meat, Rosette’s mood improved a little, and she smiled brightly.

“I seem to be late.”

“The protagonist should always be a little late. Rosette, happy birthday.”

Count Benedict lightly kissed Rosette’s cheek. Rosette gently embraced him. The count’s face lit up at her childlike behavior despite her age. He didn’t seem to realize that Rosette had done it deliberately to please him.

“Thank you, Dad.”

“Rosette, happy birthday. You’ve become a proper adult now.”

“Thank you, Mom.”

Countess Sarhen finished her greeting by pressing her cheek against her daughter’s. Count Benedict, who was watching the scene contentedly, picked up a silver spoon.

“Now that our guest of honor has arrived, let’s officially begin the celebration.”

Ching-ching-

The jewel-encrusted wine glasses made a clear sound as they touched the silver spoons.

The hall, which had been filled with whispered conversations about recent events, suddenly fell silent. Count Benedict stood up and scanned the surroundings with his blue eyes.

“Thank you for taking the time for our daughter. Rosette is now eighteen years old. It seems like just yesterday when she barely reached my knees… When did she grow so… Ahem…”

Count Benedict suddenly seemed overcome with emotion and his eyes reddened mid-sentence. When a startled Rosette looked at Countess Sarhen, she pinched the count’s thigh hard.

“Ah, I got carried away with sentiment and made a spectacle. I apologize.”

“It’s alright!”

“The young lady is so beautiful!”

Knights belonging to the count’s household, seated far away, defended Count Benedict. He continued with an embarrassed smile.

“Though inadequate, we’ve prepared with all our hearts, so please eat well, drink merrily, and join us in blessing our daughter’s future. That is all.”

Count Benedict raised his wine glass high as he spoke. Everyone else raised their glasses as well. Evan, who had been eating, lifted his water bowl with his soft front paws.

“To our daughter’s future.”

“To her future!”

The people’s toast echoed loudly throughout the Great Hall. Rosette clinked glasses with Count Benedict, the countess, and Stefan before drinking her wine. The wine, which was low in alcohol content and sweetened with honey for easy drinking, went down smoothly. After emptying a glass, she felt warm inside and her body temperature seemed to rise.

While they emptied their wine glasses, a servant placed candles on a three-tiered cake made with whipped cream and strawberries. Soon, all the candles on the cake were lit.

Since the guests were already eating, only the family and Stefan sang the birthday song. Evan also joined in with small barks. After the song ended, Rosette closed her eyes tightly and prayed more earnestly than on any other birthday.

“Dad, I told you that instead of a gift, I wanted you to grant me a wish for this birthday, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I’ve been thinking about this for a very long time. You must grant it.”

“I’m already worried about what difficult wish you’re going to make.”

Rosette smiled awkwardly at his tone, which mixed playfulness with concern. The tension was evident on her flushed face.

“My wish is… to go on a journey, even if just for one week.”

At Rosette’s statement, the surrounding air gradually froze. Count and Countess Benedict were visibly flustered by her words. Rosette had lived restraining even outings beyond the house, due to a rare disease that caused her blood not to clot. Everyone present knew this fact.

Countess Sarhen, who never lost her elegance and dignity, made a small noise as she dropped her spoon on her plate. She seemed unable to believe that her daughter had expressed such a wild wish. Rosette quickly continued speaking, giving no one a chance to interrupt.

“Of course, I don’t mean to go alone. I’ll go with guards and servants. And Evan, too, of course. It’s my lifelong wish.”

“Rosette, that’s impossible. It’s too dangerous.”

Sarhen shook her head in dismay. Rosette avoided her gaze. She already knew that Sarhen, who was always strict with her, would not agree. That’s why she had asked Benedict, who would do anything for her.

Rosette looked at Benedict with her hands clasped in a prayer-like gesture. Benedict’s face contorted as if he found her gaze difficult to bear.

“Rosette, your mother is right. Travel is too dangerous for you.”

“Dad…! Please. You don’t have to give me birthday presents for the rest of my life.”

“….”

Benedict wore a dejected expression. Seizing the moment, Rosette continued.

“I couldn’t go to the academy and have been at home my whole life. All because I was told to wait until I became an adult. And now I am an adult.”

“Rosette, you’re only eighteen. Marriage is imminent, and it’s a time when you should be more careful about your conduct.”

Only eighteen? Had there been freedom for Rosette before that? Sarhen had always prevented her from traveling, saying it was too much for a child. Now she spoke as if it were too late. Rosette felt a fire rising in her chest.

She wanted to shout, but there were too many eyes watching. Others pretended to converse while keeping their ears open to hear every detail of their conversation.

Biting her lip, Rosette looked at Stefan, her fiancé. Stefan, who had been observing the situation, was startled by her sudden gaze and licked his lips nervously, avoiding her eyes.

Stefan had always been anxious about displeasing Rosette’s parents. There was no way such a Stefan would agree to her request. If anything, he might try to persuade Rosette even more forcefully than her parents.

That’s why Rosette had already laid the groundwork.

‘I really don’t need anything for my birthday gift. It’s enough if you help persuade my parents to let me travel.’

Having earnestly requested this, Stefan was at least not completely siding with the Alpaine couple.

I don’t even expect your help. Just don’t interfere.

Thinking this, Rosette looked at Benedict again. He seemed to have finished his deliberation.

“I’m sorry that I can’t grant that wish. Let’s go on an outing to somewhere not too far from home soon.”

“Dad, I…”

“My adorable daughter. You said you didn’t need anything for your birthday gift, but how could I not prepare anything for my daughter’s eighteenth birthday?”

Saying this, Benedict took out a box wrapped in purple velvet from inside his coat. Curious gazes from the people fell upon the box. Rosette momentarily paused the words she was about to say.

“Take it. I thought it would suit you well, and I really wanted to give it to you.”

Rosette stared at the object placed on Count Benedict’s hand. If she accepted this, her previously stated wish would be completely dismissed.

With that thought, she couldn’t bring herself to take the box. As the silence lengthened, Sarhen’s brow furrowed.

“Rosette.”

Sarhen called Rosette in a small voice, but sternly. Everyone was holding their breath, watching this scene. The gazes pouring on her back were almost painful.

Ah, I want to escape.