“Rosaline! You pretty thing who happens to be my disciple!”
Raymond brought his arms around her back and legs, then tucked her into a hug and spun her around.
“This is fun.”
The sensation of her feet floating was delightful. When Rosaline said it was fun, Raymond said, ‘Then let’s do it one more time!’ and spun her round and round. Everyone ducked or ran away, trying not to get hit by Rosaline’s feet. The victims who couldn’t avoid it cursed Raymond. Leticia, Eberhard, and Hessa skillfully dodged the sudden attack, probably because Rosaline trained them. Indeed, these are my disciples. Taking advantage of the pause, Rosaline was pleased.
“Sir Rosaline!”
Many people around the room called out to her.
Congratulations! Congratulations! The match was incredible!
Rough hands patted her back, tousled her hair, smoothed it down, and pinched her cheeks. It was to the point where her mind went into a haze.
Champagne spilled on Rosaline’s head. The culprit was Pardict. He happily laughed as Raymond hit him. Hessa and Calyx also glared fiercely at Pardict. They brought a towel and tried to wipe Rosaline’s hair, but it soon became useless.
The mischievous knights poured alcohol on Calyx and Hessa too. Everyone was wet and laughed like idiots. Grown men got drunk and staggered around, but then again, they had been drinking before Rosaline came in.
“Sir Martin is strong, but still, Sir Rosaline was stronger.”
Feeling better, Rosaline smiled as she swept aside her thoroughly drenched hair.
“You’re right. I am the strongest.”
It didn’t even sound smug when she said it. Isserion came in for a while and hated the scene in the room that smelled like alcohol.
“You crazy people!”
Everyone laughed Ahahaha; they looked insane. Isserion hurriedly tried to leave but was soon caught by distracted knights and forced to undergo a champagne soak. Isserion’s younger brother, Lewon, took the initiative and soon got everyone to pour the champagne peacefully. Rosaline also timidly measured out a cup and joined in.
“Rosaline.”
“Yes?”
“Great job. You were cool.”
Raymond laughed like an idiot. Rosaline received a flower necklace and a bottle of champagne from him. She put on the wreath and popped the champagne. A loud bang sounded, and bubbles came pouring out. Rosaline poured the champagne over her head and closed her eyes. Her hot head went cold.
The sword bestowed by the Emperor fell on the floor and became drenched in alcohol. Drunk men stepped on and kicked around the fancy sword adorned with jewels. Rosaline didn’t mind either and sat down on top of the table.
The excited men took off their shirts.
“You can’t,” Raymond warned Rosaline. Calyx also suddenly felt uneasy and began buttoning up her shirt all the way to her neck. Rosaline glared at them with dissatisfied eyes.
The knights had already prepared seats and were arm wrestling. They seemed inspired by the match between Rosaline and Martin. Pardict defeated Isserion: a natural result of a battle between a whale and a rabbit.
“I won, Chief Secretary!”
“Of course, you would!”
These were the words of Isserion, who was then bullied into another arm wrestle five more times. Rosaline laughed and clapped her hands. Isserion got angry at Rosaline for asking him to arm wrestle again.
“Do you think I’d do that?!”
Rosaline laughed at this situation. Seeing her amusement, the senior knights grabbed Isserion and refused to let go. They did an excellent job.
Suddenly, a cat came into the waiting room and sniffed at the spilled champagne on the floor. Judging by the happy narrowing of its eyes, the drink seemed to suit its taste.
Rosaline secretly hid a bottle from the other knights.
Then, someone knocked on the door of the waiting room. Even as the knights laughed and had fun, nobody forgot their vigilance, so they caught the quiet sound. Pardict, who was showing off his muscles after taking off his top, opened the door.
“Agh!”
Then, his body trembled. Obscured by his large body, no one could see who was at the open door, but his reaction had allowed them to feel something. Men began to dress at a faster rate than they had undressed.
“Oh, dear… I’ve interrupted a good time.”
It was a voice roughened from living long years. Realizing the visitor’s identity, the knights continued redressing faster like crazy. It was enough if only Pardict had to show an ugly appearance.
Rosaline jumped down from the table where she was sitting.
Pardict still stood frozen with his upper body bare. Rosaline slapped him on the back.
“Get out of the way, Parpar.”
Still, he didn’t move out of the way, so she had to push him away. Rosaline brightly smiled when she saw Dimla and Guandite, whom she had finally met during the competition.
“Baiferm! Regent!”
Guandite, who had laughed while covering her mouth, managed to control her facial expression and slightly lifted her chin.
“Congratulations on your victory, Sir Rosaline. Your splendid appearance blew me away.”
“Thank you, Baiferm.”
Dimla clicked her tongue and tucked Rosaline’s wet hair behind her ear.
“Why are you so wet? What if you get cold? Such Illavenian celebrations are not my cup of tea.”
The knights who poured champagne on Rosaline remained silent. Calyx came to the doorway smiling.
“Regent. No, this is not an Illavenian custom. I’m not sure, but it might be a unique tradition for the Knights of the White Night.”
How dare that man—? Isserion looked at him resentfully.
Dimla, Guandite, Rosaline, and Calyx moved away and stepped into the middle of the quiet hallway. Dimla wrapped Rosaline with some fabric she had brought. Rosaline wasn’t cold at all, but she chose to stay put.
“I’m glad I could watch a good performance on the last day of my stay in Illavenia.”
Calyx’s and Rosaline’s eyes widened. Guandite laughed at the expression of the brother and sister.
“Are you leaving Illavenia?”
“Yes. I should have left sooner, but I heard that the child of Gala-Zertaye is active on the big stage, and I wanted to see it, so I put it off until today.”
The reason to stop by Illavenia at this time of the year was usually to celebrate its founding. However, the martial arts competition was only the beginning of the celebrations, and the actual Founding Day was still far away.
“Just because we’ve dethroned Ploeto doesn’t mean everything is over. Baiferm also said she feels the Prince of Balta still has some power in Lagos. Even if that’s not the case, wouldn’t it be better for me to care for my wounds rather than have a party at other people’s festivals?”
“I’m sure you’re still suffering from travel weariness… I’m worried that the long trip will burden your body.”
Calyx looked at Dimla and Guandite anxiously.
“I diligently called some priests, and they fixed some of the problems with my health. One of the priests collapsed because he couldn’t stop pouring out his holy power. Thanks to this, I feel better than ever.”
Dimla laughed like a villain. Ah, she didn’t leave her quarters for a few days. Was it preparation for her next journey? Calyx was relieved and laughed because it was also funny.
Dimla took Rosaline’s hand, whose palms were thick and covered with calluses.
“It is the hand of a great warrior.”
“Yes. I won big time today.”
Rosaline smiled, stretching the corners of her mouth. She was like a child: she showed her emotions without a filter. A 10-year-old Guandite could go out alone, but Rosaline was never allowed to be out and about alone.
Dimla’s anxiety about changing her schedule subsided when she remembered her past meeting with Ricardis.
The man’s inner form, briefly disturbed by the white baby bird, was as dangerous as a quiet snowy night in Lagos. She had heard his name before, not because it was associated with Rosaline, but because the name itself was famous.
The strength of his mother’s family was weak, but the 2nd Prince Ricardis had a power equal to the 1st Prince Elpidio’s. He pulled himself up with only his own ability. He had a clear mind, bright eyes, and open ears that read the current trends, obtained the necessary life skills, found the courage to take risks, and even the luck to escape the jaws of death time after time.
Various things supported her assessment, but Ricardis’ current position wasn’t one he could reach with talent alone. His tenacity and motivation to climb up from the rock bottom gave her goosebumps. Being the possessor of the largest reserve of holy power among anyone on the continent was also his greatest weapon, but it did not shine by itself.
Behind a beautiful face was a dangerous, sharp personality that cut like a blade. But Dimla knew very well that this sharpness only appeared when he rallied to defend his people as danger approached.
She saw with her own eyes that the man held Rosaline in high esteem, and even if the perils Rosaline faced were due to Ricardis, Dimla felt somehow reassured…
“Even if there are many dangers and hardships, this hand will be able to overcome them.”
“Yes.”
Dimla also held Calyx’s hand with her free hand.
“Calyx. Rosaline. Children of Gala-Zertaye.”
“Yes, Grandmother.”
“Yes.”
“Zertaye is a flame that never goes out. It illuminates any dense darkness, endures even in an everlasting snowstorm, sways and shrinks, but eventually burns again. You grew up in a warm place, but I know what you have is no different.”
Dimla tightened the hands that held theirs. Wrinkled hands, bent shoulders. Although she was a small, old woman, the strength of her grip made their fingertips go numb.
“This is my will.”
