Her vision was clouded by darkness.
Even with her eyes opened, the area was dimly lit. It was a sight that filled Rosemarie with an earnest sense of relief. The scent of the out-of-season roses tickled her nostrils, but the sweet scent of the Kaola tea tickled them more.
“Princess, shall we return to your room? Nightfall is already upon us. Come now, I have some piping hot Kaola all ready for you, as well.” Heidi brought the cup filled with Kaola over to Rosemarie, but she remained hanging her head, bucket on head, in the corner of the greenhouse.
“I’m sorry, Heidi. Just a little while longer.” That same afternoon, a verdict was passed on Rosemarie’s charges.
—She was acquitted of the charges of plotting Crown Prince Claudio’s assassination, but she was to be placed under surveillance.
Everyone probably knew that she was actually innocent of any crime considering that Claudio, the victim in question, was the one defending her. It did mean a fair end to the matter, nevertheless.
Not only was a letter with a detailed report on the incident issued to Volland, but an apology signed by both King Baltzar and Claudio as well.
Her relief was short-lived as Rosemarie bolted out of the dining hall, her legs taking her to the greenhouse Claudio gave to her, where she put her bucket squarely on her head. The continued exposure to the gazes of both human and beast alike was bringing her to the edge of her mental limits.
(Why haven’t my eyes been cured even though Prince Claudio’s mana has returned to him...?)
Perhaps her eyes would remain this way for the rest of her days.
As she let out a deep sigh, her bucket was plucked off her head from behind.
“—! Heidi, please, give that ba...”
“You’re back to wearing this thing on your head? Doesn’t it get hot?”
When she turned around in chase for her pilfered bucket, she found Claudio with it in his hands, looking disappointed.
“No, it doesn’t. I won’t wear it, so please give it back,” she pleaded with her hand extended. Claudio looked back at her sternly, but he returned the bucket to her without objections, nonetheless. Rosemarie hugged it with care, settling her shaky nerves.
“—I hate the fact that an inanimate object has me jealous.”
“...Huh? Did you say something?” Rosemarie tilted her head, perplexed. Claudio blushed slightly, shook his head to disavow having said anything, and presented his hand.
“Let’s go back to your room. I’m sure you’re tired.” She went to take his hand, hesitated, and then gave a dry smile.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I was just thinking about how differently you treat me compared to the time just after the wedding...”
“Yes, as for that... I’m sorry. I feel absolutely terrible for leaving you behind in the hall.”
“Well, I’m also to blame for that happening... But, I was so happy that you came to get me when Master Edel tricked us.”
“Right, as bitter as I am about that, it ultimately worked out.”
“Still, I let you go ahead and drink Kaola without knowing it was made from Seed of Mana-Sealing.”
“You did. I thought I was a dead man because of that.”
“I’m so sorry. And despite that, you’ve given me this greenhouse and taken care of so much for me... I’ve been quite an inconvenience to you from the very start, haven’t I?”
“...No. I mean, that’s beside the point. Anyway, what is with this sudden trip down memory lane?”
She smiled at Claudio as he looked at her, dubious. Despite her remembering all the drama she shared with Claudio, one event after another, she found herself getting sentimental.
Claudio’s unsociable temperament had all but faded and she could tell that he was clearly genuine about caring for her just as he had stated. That was also why it was a tad saddening.
“—When will you be sending me back to Volland?”
Claudio gazed, perplexed, dropping his outstretched hand. “What are you talking about? Your charges have been dropped.”
“Yes, but, I believe the agreement was that I stay here until your mana returned to you, Prince Claudio.” Her own eyes hadn’t been cured, but there was no longer a reason for her to stay here if his mana was back to him.
“Since your face has returned back to normal, there are girls who would gladly marry you, seeing as how handsome and refined you are, Prince Claudio. A no-frills, gloomy backwoods princess such as myself being crown princess would be a disservice to the people of Baltzar.” With his head back to normal, Claudio was a talented and personable young man. Luck was in his favor, no matter what. Although, now that his attitude had finally started to soften, she was enjoying the conversations they were sharing.
She pretended not to notice the aching in her heart, staring at Claudio.
Claudio didn’t say a word, his face stern. Maybe he wasn’t because he was going to say something? There was a possibility that she got the jump on him and he was angry.
“Oh, but, if our divorce doesn’t happen right away, I will be fine with a year wait. You can just leave me be in a corner of the castle until then. Also, if you just allow me to walk to the greenhouse, I can—”
“Princess! Princess! Hush up! Shut your mouth!” Heidi, pale in the face for some reason, covered Rosemarie’s mouth with her hand from the side. At almost the same time, Claudio bounced his shoulders with a chuckle.
“Send you back to Volland? I never planned on doing that at all.” Claudio stated with an emotionless voice and a somewhat cold smile. Rosemarie shook off Heidi’s hand, miffed.
“That isn’t what we agreed to! You said that you would send me back home if your mana returned...” Was Claudio telling her to watch on as a different girl stood by his side? She didn’t want to see that, and just imagining that choked her. Even if she were to keep herself shut in, she couldn’t keep herself from imagining. In which case, it would have been better for her to worry about it back in Volland.
Rosemarie stared at Claudio without wiping the tears welling in her eyes. He clearly seemed shaken up.
“You... said that you would be by my side if I needed you. Was that a lie?”
“It was not a lie. But you don’t need me anymore, right?”
“As if I could do that. Do you think I’m the type of man who would kick you out because you’re useless after getting my mana back... No, I did say something similar, didn’t I? Back in the beginning, at least.” Claudio started arguing his point angrily, but he touched his forehead as if he suddenly realized.