The Beast That Licks Me - Chapter 3.5

“My name is Rose.”

“Laub Basiliche. Nice to meet you again.”

Judging by his surname, he seemed to be a nobleman. But why had he come out of that room?

“Do you have business in this room? I heard nobody was using it…”

“Ah, no. I dropped a coin and it rolled in here. It was…”

I couldn’t not go in because it was a gold coin.

Laub whispered conspiratorially. Rosette burst out laughing at how he said such a thing while dressed in clothes that suggested he wouldn’t bat an eye at a single gold coin.

“Did you find your gold coin?”

“Yes, fortunately.”

Laub said, flicking the gold coin on his finger.

“Actually, I was looking for you, Rose, so I’m glad to meet you like this.”

“For me?”

Rosette opened her eyes wide at the man’s unexpected words.

“Yes, I needed someone who could cross rivers with leaves and defeat sea monsters with pine cones.”

“That… was just a joke.”

“I know. I needed your other ability rather than that one.”

“My other ability?”

“Is it true that you can speak four languages?”

“Oh, yes. I can.”

“May I ask what languages and how proficient you are?”

“I’m near-native in Tessaret Empire and Griffin Empire languages. For the Baltic Kingdom and Littlus Kingdom, I can handle intermediate conversation. I can read and write all four without problems.”

Hearing Rosette’s words, Laub smiled and said.

“That’s perfect. Could you help me with some work when you have time? I’ll compensate you generously.”

“Work? What kind of work?”

“Just simple letter tasks. I often need to send letters to foreign countries, and my translator has disappeared, which has been giving me a headache.”

The compensation is about this much. What do you think? Laub whispered the amount softly in Rosette’s ear. Rosette’s eyes lit up, having become quite capitalistic since boarding the ship.

“I’ll do it!”

“I like your straightforwardness. When would be a good time for you?”

“Even two hours from now would be fine if that works for you.”

Laub burst into refreshing laughter as he looked at the enthusiastic Rosette.

“Today is a bit difficult, but how about tomorrow at this time, here?”

“That’s goo…”

As she was about to say “good,” someone hugged Rosette from behind. Before she could scream, a familiar scent brushed her nose.

“E-Evanium?”

Barely stopping herself from saying “Evan,” Rosette called his name. Evan held Rosette’s waist and growled. His aura was so threatening that it gave Rosette goosebumps on her arms.

“Get away from Rose.”

At Evan’s warning, Laub raised his hands and stepped back. Rosette was startled and slapped Evan’s hands repeatedly.

“Evanium, it’s not like that. This person actually helped me before.”

At Rosette’s words, Evan seemed to hesitate for a moment, but instead hugged her even tighter.

“But…….”

“But what? Quickly apologize.”

“……No.”

At Evan’s childish stubbornness, Rosette made an exasperated expression.

“Haha, it’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”

“I’m sorry, let me apologize on his behalf.”

“No need. I think it’s best I take my leave now. Then, shall we meet again tomorrow at this time?”

“Yes, yes, I’m really sorry, Laub.”

Laub tilted his hat slightly up and down to indicate it was fine before turning around.

“Who said you could meet that man?”

Evan asked fiercely. Rosette was both flustered and angry.

“What do you mean by ‘who said’? Do I need permission to meet someone?”

“Don’t meet him.”

“……What?”

“I said don’t meet him.”

“Are you ordering me right now?”

This was the first time Evan had been so assertive. Evan seemed to realize he’d gone too far and suddenly shrank back.

“That’s not it. That person is…….”

“Not ‘that person,’ his name is Laub.”

Though she had merely corrected the name, Evan looked at Rosette like a wounded puppy.

“Anyway, that person just makes me feel bad.”

Rosette quietly observed Evan.

“Evan, are you possibly…….”

“Possibly what?”

“Jealous?”

At Rosette’s words, Evan’s cheekbones flushed red.

“It’s not like that. Really, that person just gives me a bad feeling.”

“Okay, okay. I understand.”

Evan grumbled that it wasn’t true while picking up a book that had fallen to the floor. Rosette, now in a good mood, hummed and rolled her lips inward. Still, she couldn’t help the laughter that escaped. Evan, so you do like me a little.

Just then, Levit and Ariel approached from around the corner. Ariel, excited to see them, waved her hand and ran over, but tripped badly. Rosette hurriedly went to help Ariel up. After comforting Ariel, who had burst into tears, the four of them entered the staff lounge that had become their study room.

***

Teaching enthusiastic children was a joyful experience. Both absorbed knowledge like sponges. Not only did they diligently complete their homework, but they also asked questions without hesitation. Ariel would ask first, then Levit, not wanting to be outdone, would throw in questions he’d been curious about. Rosette had expected it would take at least three days to memorize the alphabet, but they had done it in just one day. While Rosette was proud of such children, she also felt sad. Such intelligent children had not received an education and didn’t know letters until this age. How many more children like them must exist in this world?

“Rose, when is that person coming?”

“Not ‘that person,’ it’s Laub. Since we came a bit early, he should be here soon.”

Rosette cautioned him again, but Evan showed absolutely no intention of calling him Laub.

“Ah, there he comes.”

Rose said, seeing Laub turning the corner and walking toward them. He too seemed to have spotted them and waved his hand.

“I’m late, aren’t I?”

“Not at all. We just arrived a bit early.”

“Making a lady wait is not proper etiquette, so I apologize. Shall we go then?”

“Aren’t we doing it here?”

Rosette opened her eyes wide, having thought they would go inside. The man smiled gently and shook his head.

“We’re going somewhere nearby. Please follow me.”

Laub turned around and started walking. Where could he be planning to go? Evan had disliked Laub from their first meeting. What if he was taking them somewhere dangerous? With a slightly tense expression, Rosette took Evan’s hand and began following Laub.

***

“You really…… eat well.”

Laub remarked with amazement. Rosette lowered her head in embarrassment.

“I’m sorry…….”

The place Laub had taken them to was a coffeehouse in the first-class section. Since nobles preferred tea, the first-class coffee house was nearly empty. Laub ordered coffee and cake for all three of them.

The first cake served was tiramisu. The lady fingers soaked richly in coffee and the cocoa powder were truly delicious. After being completely absorbed in the taste of the cake she hadn’t had in a long time, Rosette found her plate empty.

Looking to the side, she saw Evan was in the same situation. Watching them both, Laub looked somewhat surprised before bursting into laughter. Then he ordered two of each cake that the shop offered. Rosette tried to decline, but Laub was so insistent that she couldn’t refuse.

When the second cake arrived, Rosette was able to eat while maintaining her manners. The problem was Evan. Evan’s dining etiquette itself was fine. He seemed to still remember the intensive training he had received from Sarhen while locked in the basement. The issue was the number of cakes. Evan was now elegantly eating his ninth cake. Rosette could feel the staff glancing at Evan as the plates continued to stack up.

“I’ll pay for Evanium’s drinks and cakes…….”

Rosette said in a weak voice. Evan was an uninvited guest to begin with. He had only been brought along because he had made a fuss about not letting her go alone. Laub smiled kindly and said.

“It’s fine. Thanks to him, I’ve witnessed something rare. I think dining with him when I have no appetite would naturally restore it.”

Rosette became even more embarrassed at Laub’s consolation. She sighed and wiped the cream from the corner of Evan’s mouth with a napkin.

“What kind of letter will I be writing?”

“You just need to translate what I read to you. After the translation is complete, please write it on the stationery. Let’s start with the Ereb Empire language.”

“I’ll do that.”