Chapter 88

‘Rodella, you shine too brightly in my eyes.’

‘So bright I can’t take my eyes off you.’

‘No matter how much I try to hide or cover you, you shine so purely, stealing the eyes of other men.’

‘Then, Rodella, while you’re away overseas, out of my reach…’

‘What if someone comes along—someone who won’t get in the way of your future and won’t draw blood—and takes your hand?’

‘What if one day, you come back holding another man’s hand and smile at me…’

‘And you introduce him to me as your ‘closest friend.’ What then?’

“……”

Aivert clenched his fists.

Even though he clenched them so tightly blood nearly drew from his palms, nothing changed.

He had to admit it now.

Aivert Royden was Rodella Syveric’s closest friend.

Nothing more than that—just a friend.

***

After Aivert left, a stream of visitors continued to come.

“Rodella, don’t skip your meals.”

“Even if it doesn’t taste good, you still have to eat the porridge.”

Her parents nagged and worried before leaving. They brought her a bundle of books so she wouldn’t get bored.

“Don’t worry about anything. Just rest.”

Even Aivert’s mother, Lady Royden, came.

She even instructed a small study to be set up in the next room, telling Rodella she could read as much as she liked.

“I’ll work that Royden boy to take care of the Azure Knights’ affairs, so don’t worry. He’s good when someone tells him what to do. Probably.”

Even Latine, who added that suspicious-sounding remark, came and went.

Despite all the visitors, the place wasn’t noisy like the national hospital, which was nice.

But she must’ve really not been well—her fatigue didn’t fade easily.

“Hoo…”

Rodella sank into the bed after checking out the study next door.

The soft mattress embraced her body.

Normally, she’d be busy checking out book titles, but whether it was because of her health or something else, she came back to her room without even picking one up.

Still, the gentle breeze in that not-quite-study room and the unhurried time…

It had been so long since she rested like this.

From her academy days to her time at the Administration Bureau—

Of course, it was important to show academic achievement and results. But she also tried her best not to show any flaws to those who looked down on her.

If she had gone to the national hospital, she’d probably still be doing that.

“It’s comfortable here.”

No one leaks information or evaluates her every move.

Even if someone did report on her behavior here, it would only go to Aivert.

Rodella blinked up at the ceiling.

“He already knows everything anyway…”

He was just that kind of person—comfortable to be around.

He should have been.

But thinking of Aivert only made her feel uncomfortable again.

“There’s a lot to see when I leave, but first…”

She had pretended to be excited and cheerful, but maybe it hadn’t worked as well as usual.

Rodella closed her eyes.

When he left and waved goodbye to her—it had looked normal.

He’d looked like his usual self.

But he didn’t smile. Not once.

He used to smile so much.

Why was she so bothered?

“…Might as well sleep.”

Rodella sighed.

Leaving on an overseas mission really was the best option.

That way, Royden—Aivert—could move freely.

She wouldn’t be his weakness anymore.

If she hesitated too long, the timing might get messy.

The noble faction was already showing suspicious signs.

That boy didn’t want to shed blood in front of her.

“……”

But still, like a fool, if Royden or she were truly in danger—he wouldn’t just stand by, would he?

“……”

Rodella opened her eyes halfway.

It was just a feeling, but she was sure of it.

If she didn’t leave the empire soon, he’d try to protect her by suppressing himself again—

“No, no.”

She yanked the blanket over her head.

To forget his face that kept appearing in her mind, she counted sheep. Then she counted the wolves chasing those sheep.

Eventually, she drifted into a light sleep.

And then, she dreamed.

A dream with Aivert in it.

No—Aivert and another woman.

***

「You’re back, Rodella?」

It seemed to be the day she returned from her overseas mission.

Judging by the long shadows in the reddish autumn light, it was late fall.

She saw a carriage bearing the Royden crest… looked like they were near the border.

Close to the Syveric estate, probably.

Well, where else would she go if not home?

「Welcome back. You’ve worked hard.」

But the one who greeted her first wasn’t her parents—it was Aivert.

Wearing a dress uniform with the Azure Knights’ Azure accents, the outfit suited him well.

Had he always had a uniform like that?

Dream-Rodella tilted her head.

More ornate than what he’d worn at the last ball, even his makeup was done.

Like he was the star of the day.

He looked like himself—but not.

That uncanny feeling only deepened when his gaze shifted.

「……!」

To be precise, when his smiling face turned to look at someone else.

Huh?

Even dream-Rodella froze.

Following his gaze, she saw an unfamiliar woman.

A woman who glowed beautifully under the sunset—like Aivert’s hair always did.

As if by reflex, she tried to look at the woman’s face, but—

Aivert took the woman’s hand.

With a gentle touch, as if handling a gem. And then—

—Smooch.

He lifted her hand and kissed it.

Both of them wore matching rings.

Rodella’s eyes flew wide open.

「This is the woman I’m going to marry.」

What?

Before she could process it, a wedding invitation was held out to her.

「I figured you were too busy running around, so I couldn’t reach you.」

Opening the invitation, she saw the wedding was in two months.

「You’ll come, won’t you, Rodella?」

Huh?

Maybe because she was so shocked—what hit her like a punch was one line on the envelope.

[To Rodella Syveric, my dearest friend.]

***

Rodella opened her eyes.

Only after waking did she realize.

It had been just a ridiculous dream.

But it was so vivid—such a stupid, vivid dream. Her mouth fell open in disbelief.

The image of the wedding ring and invitation was as clear as footprints on a sandy beach—she could practically draw it.

“…Who was she?”

That was her first thought.

Who was that woman beside him?

Even though she knew it was a silly dream, the question lingered.

Rodella blinked in disbelief.

“What kind of stupid dream was that…”

Well, it could happen.

If she was gone for two to three years on a diplomatic tour, Royden would have to consider an heir.

Then of course he might get married—perhaps even for political reasons.

But still.

Still…

“…Who was she, seriously?”

Was there even someone in this empire who could marry Aivert?

Someone who could put up with that personality?

Wait, what’s wrong with his personality?

‘Is it… good? Or not?’

No, wait—

“Why am I even thinking about this…?”

Rodella clutched her blanket.

Then, looking at her own hand, she finally understood what this annoying dream was trying to tell her.

Even though she knew it was nonsense—

…Why did it leave such a bad taste?

“…Should I come back later?”

A voice suddenly cut in.

“Huh?”

She turned—and there was Cecilia, already halfway through the door, about to leave.

“Wait, don’t go!”

Rodella called out urgently.