❅❅❅
WHILE I dreamed, a single tear rolled down my cheek. Rosemary had broken this promise at the age of sixteen. Though her vow might have originated from playing house, she’d truly wanted to stay by Reynaldo’s side for as long as possible.
As my consciousness watched Rosemary’s memories from afar, the world shifted. My next dream transformed into Rosemary’s debutante. She’d prepared a dress worthy of the prince’s fiancée several months ago, the garment matching Prince Grey’s silver hair. She was waiting for him to arrive at the Hubert manor in the royal capital. However, she’d begun to worry. Hours had passed without him showing up.
After turning fourteen, Rosemary began living in her family’s capital residence. Once a month, she spent time with the prince, and every so often, the king invited her to study with his son. Unfortunately, Prince Grey hardly ever joined her. He hated schooling. In fact, he appeared to detest Rosemary as well for badgering him.
In spite of this, the prince promised to escort Rosemary to her debutante. This would be her first time attending such an event. “This is an important day,” her father, Marquis Hubert, had warned her repeatedly. “You cannot make any mistakes.” The day of the debutante had arrived, but Prince Grey still hadn’t shown up. Despite being restless and uneasy, Rosemary somehow maintained her composure while waiting.
Finally, a messenger from the castle arrived.
“The prince has come down with a fever and cannot attend the debutante,” he informed her.
These words crushed the momentary relief Rosemary had felt upon seeing him.
Going to one’s first debutante without an escort was disgraceful. Rosemary squeezed her hands into fists in order to stop their incessant trembling, but she couldn’t relax. She needed to attend this debutante, regardless of the embarrassment it would cause her, as non-attendance would be the greatest shame of all. Furthermore, the royal family had instructed Rosemary to present herself as soon as possible. If she missed tonight’s event, she would have to wait for the next one. That would be too late.
“…I’m going,” Rosemary said.
Resolved, she stood up from her chair. As she did so, Albert—who was planning on attending the debutante as well—called out to her. “Please wait.”
Previously, he’d insisted on accompanying Rosemary as her guard rather than escorting another woman. He hadn’t taken no for an answer either. At coming-of-age ceremonies, debutantes existed to showcase adolescents on the cusp of adulthood.
“Having an older bodyguard in such an environment will cause you to stand out,” Albert had said. “I want to prioritize your safety over my coming of age.”
In the present, Albert had just stopped Rosemary from leaving.
“Before you dash off, may I suggest something?” he asked. “I could serve as your escort.”
✦ ✦ ✦
“Seriously?” Rosemary responded.
“Indeed. I might not be of suitable station, but it’s better than going alone, don’t you think?” Albert turned towards the messenger. “Please bring me formal attire at once.”
In his own awkward way, he’s always shown consideration for me, Rosemary thought.
Before long, the messenger returned with a formal outfit. Once Albert finished changing, he also armed himself with a dagger.
“Thank you, Albert,” Rosemary said, her eyes sparkling as she smiled.
“It’s my job, after all.”
Albert was doing everything in his power to keep Rosemary from worrying. Such kindness from her childhood friend caused her to tear up a little.
Once again, my consciousness jumped to another memory. I was at the debutante venue.
Rosemary presented herself without issue. When others asked her about the prince’s absence, she calmly told them about his fever. Not only did the other nobles sympathize with her, but she also received high praise for navigating a difficult social situation with grace. Even her father—who’d also attended the party—gave her passing marks.
Nevertheless, Rosemary committed a huge blunder that night, perhaps due to her relief. After speaking so much, she’d grown thirsty. While conversing with the adults, she grabbed a decorated glass from a nearby table and drained its contents. Immediately, her throat burned. By some miracle, however, she managed not to cough.
Albert—who’d stayed by her side the entire night—noticed something was wrong at once. Thus, he led her over to the venue’s side wall.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“I accidentally drank alcohol…” Rosemary groaned in response.
Young noblemen and women were considered old enough to drink upon attending their debutante. Even so, Rosemary couldn’t afford to slip up in front of so many people, so she’d only been drinking juice. Since many other guests had been recommending alcohol, she’d been walking around with a glass of juice to keep up appearances. Unable to bear her thirst any longer, she’d tried to rehydrate with water, which had led to this blunder.
Rosemary’s first time being intoxicated almost knocked her out cold. A sense of buoyancy—simultaneously pleasant and nauseating—overtook her. Regardless, she smiled as she announced her departure, desperate not to be found out. Despite her occasional staggering, she managed to leave the venue with Albert supporting her.
Simply put, she needed to return home and rest. Thus, she boarded a Hubert carriage and sat down with her back against the edge. Soon afterwards, Albert followed her aboard the vehicle. While holding a bottle of water in one hand, he instructed the coachman to drive them back to Rosemary’s manor. As the carriage swayed, Rosemary grew queasy.
“Would you like to lie down, my lady?” Albert asked.
Rosemary felt too ill to answer him. Her heart hammered in her chest, and every so often, she would ask the coachman to stop the carriage due to her nausea. As a result, they were making slow progress back to the manor.
“Would you like a drink of water?” Albert pressed.
Rosemary managed to nod. Her throat was terribly parched. Alas, she spilled the water due to her unsteady hands. In the end, she gave up, returning the bottle to Albert and passing out with her back against the carriage wall.
As she rested with her eyes closed, cool liquid flowed into her mouth. Rosemary allowed the water she’d so desperately yearned for to pour down her throat. With her eyes shut, she didn’t know how she’d received this drink. Nevertheless, something warm and gentle brushed against her lips. As she slipped into a dreamlike state, the cold water and this pleasant warmth improved Rosemary’s nausea ever so slightly.
✦ ✦ ✦
❅❅❅
WHEN I woke up, the scene unfolding before my eyes gave me quite the startle. Reynaldo and Albert were both asleep in their chairs, their upper bodies slumped across the table. According to my recollection, the conversation continued to heat up even after dinner. The wine had kept flowing as well. As a result, both men had dozed off at the dining table.
“Wow, I’ve really gone and done it this time…” I mumbled.
Rosemary might have been regarded as a model noblewoman, but her reincarnation had allowed a duke and the high commander to wind up in this sorry state. When I checked the hour, it appeared to be late at night, but there was still enough time for them to return home.
“Reynaldo… Albert…” I called out to them, shaking both their shoulders.
Neither of them responded to me.
I’ve never seen either of them sleep in such a relaxed state.
Considering their immense workload, they hardly ever rested like this. Watching them sleep so soundly was incredibly charming.
Though I wanted to stare at them forever, I couldn’t be so selfish.
But maybe I’ll stay here and let them sleep a little while longer.
And so, I basked in Rosemary’s childhood memories of Reynaldo and Albert without a care in the world.