The Beast That Licks Me - Chapter 1.4

If she ran out of the Great Hall now, her parents’ honor would be tarnished. Rosette wanted permission to travel, not to humiliate her parents in front of others.

Finally, Rosette took the box. Her parents visibly relaxed. The box, which she thought would be light due to its small size, was heavier than expected. When Rosette took it but made no further move, Sarhen urged her again.

“Open it, Rosette.”

“…Yes.”

When Rosette opened the box, the object inside gleamed in the light of the chandelier. The gift was a necklace. A pink diamond the size of two finger joints was set in the center of a thin platinum chain. The craftsmanship was perfect, and the size was impressive. Exclamations flowed from people’s mouths.

“I’ve never seen such a large pink diamond!”

“It’s so beautiful!”

Having lived surrounded by jewels since birth, Rosette could tell this gem was quite valuable. But that wasn’t what she wanted.

“The moment I actually saw this necklace, I thought it would match your eye color perfectly. That’s why I really wanted to give you this gift. I didn’t know you would say you didn’t need a birthday present…”

Benedict scratched his cheek awkwardly. Seeing Benedict’s embarrassment, Rosette felt a pang in her heart. How much had he been looking forward to giving this gift? Her father had always liked surprise events. Of course, he wouldn’t give a small gift at a celebration party that substituted for a debutante ball. Rosette pressed her trembling lips together and managed a smile.

“Thank you, Dad. It’s the best birthday gift.”

A perceptive maid approached and carefully lifted the necklace. Soon, Rosette felt the cold touch of metal above her collarbone. The necklace was heavy. Rosette was saddened by this fact, but didn’t show it. Someone watching clapped. The applause spread, echoing throughout the Great Hall.

While she was forcing a smile, she felt soft fur on her fingertips. Looking to the side, she saw Evan whimpering as he looked at Rosette. He seemed to know that her mood was at its worst right now. Rosette felt better knowing that at least one being in this vast hall cared about her feelings.

“I’m fine. Thank you, Evan.”

Rosette whispered softly into Evan’s ear. As the commotion subsided, someone cleared their throat. Turning toward the sound, she saw Stefan approaching her.

“Stefan?”

He didn’t seem to be coming to comfort her like Evan. Stefan had his shoulders tensed and was taking deep breaths. After briefly clearing his throat with his fist to his mouth, Stefan slowly bent one knee. Strange glances and exclamations flowed among the people. Rosette’s heart pounded anxiously. Surely not.

“Lady Rosette Alpaine. Though many years have passed since I first saw you, my love has grown larger and stronger. I, Stefan Demetium, dare to propose to you, and if you permit, I wish to spend my life with you.”

Rosette was so dumbfounded that her mouth fell open.

You want to be together? At this timing?

Stefan wasn’t the type to be insensitive. Sometimes he could read Rosette’s mood and condition better than her family. The fact that he made this proposal knowing it would hurt Rosette’s feelings meant he must have judged this to be the perfect moment to make his move.

Rosette looked down with cold eyes at the man proposing to her. Stefan took out a ring from inside his coat and held it out to her.

“Will you accept these feelings of mine?”

Ah, without a doubt, this was the worst birthday ever.

***

Rosette woke to someone wiping her forehead. Night had fallen, and darkness had settled in the room. By the light of the candle beside her, Rosette could tell who was nursing her.

“Becky.”

“My lady! Are you conscious?”

“Woof woof!”

Evan, who had been on the floor, jumped onto the bed and licked Rosette’s cheek. Despite his wolf-like appearance and large size that might frighten others, Rosette reached out without hesitation to stroke Evan’s head.

“Yes. What time is it now?”

“Past midnight. The physician said it was just a simple fainting spell, but I was worried because you didn’t wake up for so long.”

Becky sniffled as she said this.

“I’ve always fainted easily.”

“You haven’t been fainting lately, so I thought you’d gotten healthier! I kept worrying whether your clothes were too tight or if the makeup was toxic.”

Rosette recalled the events before she collapsed. Stefan had proposed to her, and people had looked at her with expectant eyes. The fact that her parents were the most expectant of all made Rosette’s heart ache.

Many people had gathered to celebrate Rosette’s birthday. What would happen if she rejected the proposal in this setting? And from someone she had been engaged to for over ten years.

Stefan’s reputation would plummet. He would be gossiped about in social circles for a long time, with people wondering how terrible he must be to get rejected in front of so many people.

He might even challenge the Alpaine Count family to a duel to restore his honor. In Rosette’s mind, she could almost see her father falling at the tip of Stefan’s sword.

What about Rosette? It was practically an open secret that Stefan had volunteered to be at Rosette’s beck and call since she was young. People generally thought that Rosette ought to give Stefan something equivalent in return.

What if she rejected her fiancé’s proposal? All sorts of malicious rumors would spread. They’d say she had another man. That she was promiscuous. That she was actually pregnant with another man’s child…. There were many such things people might say, but one phrase would suffice to express it all.

Bad woman.

Once such rumors started circulating, it was over for a woman. Especially if she had no particular connections before her debutante, it would be tantamount to completely ruining her marriage prospects. Whether Rosette wanted it or not, the probability of finding someone better than Stefan for her future marriage was extremely low.

As the only daughter of the Alpaine family, a son-in-law who would adopt their family name was needed to continue the lineage. Furthermore, Rosette was unable to bear children due to her physical weakness.

They had decided to bring in heirs from a collateral branch of the Count’s family, but it was questionable how many men would voluntarily enter a situation where they would have to use someone else’s surname and raise someone else’s child.

Numerous thoughts flickered through Rosette’s mind as she stared at the ring glittering in the chandelier light. Sarhen anxiously watched Rosette before finally embracing her shoulders and whispering.

“Rosette? You seem very nervous. It’s alright.”

Sarhen didn’t ask, “Are you alright?” she said, “It’s alright.” The implication was clear. Not only was she blocking Rosette from saying she wasn’t alright, but she was also telling her to accept quickly.

“……Yes.”

Rosette gritted her teeth. The red lips carefully painted by the maids pressed heavily against her teeth. Rosette stretched out her hand, trying to appear nonchalant while keeping her shoulders straight and chin tucked. Stefan, who had been anxiously watching Rosette, finally smiled with relief.

“I will love and cherish you for the rest of my life.”

“……Thank you, Stefan.”

The cool touch of the ring sliding onto her left ring finger made Rosette shiver involuntarily. People shouted joyfully. Everyone was rejoicing as if it were their own affair. Rosette looked down at the ring with detached eyes. Why? The ring was pretty, but it felt like shackles.

“This is wonderful.”

Sarhen said to Rosette with an unusually bright smile beside her. Rosette forcibly pulled down her unwilling head and said.

“Indeed, Mother.”

The sound of bustling chatter came from far away, buzzing. It felt like she alone existed in a glass world. Stefan was surrounded by those who appeared to be his friends, receiving congratulatory shoulder pats. Stefan looked genuinely happy. Rosette had to try not to despise him. Several young ladies approached Rosette with sparkling eyes.

“To marry such a man, you must be truly happy, my lady.”

“Congratulations on your engagement. What a romantic proposal it was!”

“Thank you.”

Rosette smiled gently, trying not to reveal her emotions.

“Please do invite us to the wedding.”

“Where are you planning to have your dress made?”

“Well… Where would be good……”

Her head began to ache terribly. Despite trying to focus on the young ladies’ voices, they sounded like buzzing flies. Rosette knew what this symptom was a precursor to.

‘Having a weak body……’

“Oh, how about Treta’s dress shop? They have the latest fashion styles……”

“Sometimes it comes in handy.”

“Pardon?”

Rosette’s body collapsed like a puppet with cut strings. Stefan, still unaware of Rosette’s situation, continued laughing and talking with people. In the distance, she could see Evan urgently running through the crowd.

My puppy.

Rosette habitually reached out toward Evan. However, her consciousness didn’t wait for Evan’s wet nose to touch her.

“Kyaaaah-!”

“Lady Rosette has collapsed-!”