The preparations went smoothly.
For three days, everyone but Illian at the Third Prince Palace had been caught up in preparing for the birthday party.
Rosena, Yerhan and the employees decorated the unused room. The new wallpaper was applied, the table was decorated with real flowers, and a cage-shaped three tiered tray was filled with snacks.
The bright and lively-colored carpet was filled with well-wrapped gifts.
When Federer’s special baked cake was placed on the table, Ibella arrived. She brought a maid with her who held a formidable-sized gift in her hands.
“Thank you for coming.”
Rosena greeted Ibella with a big smile. Ibella put down the present and looked around, admiring the room.
“It’s different from the birthday parties I know.”
An imperial child’s birthday party was held in a formal place, and nobles were invited to a banquet.
On the contrary, there were frequent cases where the party became a social gathering for adults.
But this birthday party was exclusively for Illian. The scale was small, but charming and cute.
When all the arrangements were complete, the employees stood by the side, not leaving the room. It was because Rosena asked them to celebrate together.
Ella, Rosena’s maid, prepared an embroidered handkerchief, and Federer brought a package of cookies.
Everyone was excited and waited for Illian.
Rosena went to pick Illian up, who happened to have just finished his class.
Illian ran to Rosena with a big smile.
Rosena covered Illian’s eyes with her palm.
“Mom?”
“Illian, mom has something to show you.”
Illian tilted his head, but gently walked along with Rosena.
Arriving in front of the room, Rosena lightly led Illian.
The view that had been obscured was now wide open, and another world appeared in front of Illian.
“Happy birthday, Illian.”
With Rosena’s friendly voice, loud applause burst out.
Illian went inside with a puzzled face. There were already familiar people gathered inside.
Rosena led Illian to the center of the room. While Illian opened his eyes wide and looked around, Rosena glanced at the door.
It was about time the friends that Yerhan mentioned came.
Knock, knock.
Upon the knock on the door, everyone looked at the door in unison.
Yerhan, who was sitting, slowly stood up.
“I think my friends are here.”
Rosena jumped to her feet, excited as if her own friends had come. And the moment she opened the door, Rosena paused.
His friends were the knights of Tiriad, who were as big as bears.
As they stepped inside, the spacious space felt full.
Unlike usual, the Tiriad knights were dressed in cute clothes today. They looked at Illian and said shyly.
“Happy Birthday, Young Master.”
Everyone looked at the Tiriad knights with puzzled faces. However, they soon straightened their expressions to hide their embarrassment.
“I heard that you want to see us!”
Considering Illian’s age, Crayle, who wore animal-printed clothes, smiled broadly.
Illian looked at Yerhan for a moment. With those eyes that said ‘It’s your doing, right?’. Yerhan nodded his head leisurely in response.
Rosena was a little perplexed, but soon greeted the knights with a smile. After all, they were the ones who came to celebrate Illian’s birthday.
Everyone sat down, and Rosena lit the candles on the cake.
Before extinguishing the fire, a piece of paper was put out in front of Illian.
There was a myth in the empire that if you write a wish and blow a candle, it will come true.
Illian immediately scribbled something on the paper. Then he made his cheeks plump and blew out.
Everyone applauded when the candle was completely put out.
While Yerhan was cutting the cake, Illian opened the presents one by one.
There were all kinds of gifts – from simple gifts prepared by the employees, to colorful capes and shoes brought by Ibella, and even model toys prepared by Rosena.
Illian, who was diligently opening the packages, paused. There was a small sheath in a long box.
It wasn’t a wooden sword, it was a real sword.
Illian, as if possessed, looked at the real sword. He liked that present the most, and his eyes sparkled.
Who gave it to him? Upon looking around with that expression, he spotted Yerhan, who gave a significant smile.
He was saying ‘It’s a gift from me’ with his eyes.
Illian narrowed his forehead, but quickly loosened it. He just didn’t like the person who gave him that gift, but he really liked the gift itself.
“Thank you.”
Illian expressed his gratitude to everyone. Everyone but Yerhan smiled happily.
Everyone at the party had a share of cake and other food. And they had a good time enjoying entertainment prepared by the Tiriad knights.
The party ended by late afternoon. After that, Rosena sat in her chair, bumped her head against the table and looked at Illian as he fell asleep.
She was so tired that she thought of sleeping here too.
Rosena swept Illian’s hair up and looked down.
He held onto something tightly even while he was sleeping soundly. Rosena unfolded Illian’s fingers one by one. Then a roll of paper fell on the floor.
Rosena realized that it was the one that Illian wrote his wish on earlier.
What did Illian wish for?
After contemplating whether to read it or not, Rosena eventually opened the paper, unable to overcome her curiosity.
[Please let us stay together.]
Rosena looked at the letters for a long time. Not a single crooked letter fell from her eyes.
Rosena, with the paper barely folded, hugged Illian tightly.
“Happy birthday.”
***
Rosena finally left the palace after a long time. She was going to check the letter from Astania, so she sneaked out of the palace with the horseman without an accompanying escort.
She was only going out for a while, so she only spoke to her maid, Ella.
It had been almost a month since she had been avoiding Yerhan.
They talked a lot about Illian’s birthday a few days ago. But she had been keeping her distance again since that day.
It was because she thought that every time she saw Yerhan’s face, her feelings would deepen.
The carriage left the Imperial Palace and ran along the main road of the capital.
On the streets of the capital, flags symbolizing the empire were spread all over the place.
Flowerpots were placed in front of each house, and the streets were as clean as a new road.
There was not much time left until the Founding Day, so she did her best in decorating herself for this outing.
Not only the imperial nobles, but also foreign envoys and nobles attended the founding ceremony. So, she had no choice but to focus on her appearance.
Rosena parked the carriage and went out into the street.
The reason she left the Imperial Palace today was to receive a letter.
Since she sent her response to Astania the other day, another letter should have arrived by now.
Rosena turned around the alley and headed inside. Then an old shop appeared.
To others, it looked like a shop that bought and sold old books, but it was the only place where people could contact those in Astania.
Astania was a closed country and hardly welcomed foreigners.
However, since the owner of this shop was an Astanian, he could freely travel between the empire and Astania.
As Rosena entered the store, the owner came out from inside.
“Is there any letter for Rosena?”
When Rosena asked in Astanian, the owner immediately took out a box and handed her a letter.
“Thank you.”
Rosena took the letter and left the store.
As the previously sunny weather turned cloudy, Rosena looked up at the sky. The clouds were moving at an unusual speed.
The sun was eaten by the dark clouds, and no rays were visible. It looked like it was going to rain anytime soon.
Rosena thought it was time to get into the carriage before it started raining.
And as she moved quickly, she saw someone standing in the alley.
The skinny man was standing still, gazing up at the sky.
To get out of the alley, Rosena headed towards the direction where the man was standing.But the man did not move until Rosena approached.
Rosena said to the man standing in the middle of the alley.
“Excuse me.”
The man responded to that.
Rosena ducked out of the way so as not to bump into him.
Rosena, who was trying to get out of the alley, stopped for a moment.
It might come off as a little meddlesome, but it was easy to catch a cold when it rained in early autumn like this.
“Excuse me, it’s going to rain soon.”
-…Rain?
The man asked very slowly. His gaze was fixed on Rosena.
Rosena paused for a moment, looking at his eyes that could be seen from a distance.
The man’s eyes, in which a strange light flowed, seemed to resemble the time when Yerhan lost his rationality.
“That’s right. If you stand like that, you will catch a cold.”
-Cold….
He spat out a few words, as if he was a copycat.
Raindrops fell on Rosena’s cheeks, who stood puzzled.
It looked like it was going to rain before she reached the carriage.
“Hurry up and go in.
Having said those last words, Rosena hurriedly left the alley.
Then, the man stood and stared at Rosena’s back, muttering slowly.
-…You’re a human… but how could you, with me…?
He tilted his head.
Small objects crawling on the floor in the humid air gathered around the man.
They were what humans called monsters.
He slowly bent his knees. Then, the translucent monsters climbed up on the man’s body.
Suddenly, like a mist, the man disappeared in an instant.
***
I’m in trouble.
Rosena stood under the roof in front of a shop and looked out at the raining street.
As soon as she left the alley, it rained as if there was a hole in the sky.
She would go through the rain if possible, but the rain was so strong that she thought it would hurt if she got hit.
Rosena looked around the empty street. People walking on the street went out like the low tide, and the flowers in pots outside the window or in front of the store couldn’t raise their heads in the heavy rain.
There were several puddles of water on the floor. Water pooled and ran down the crevices of the well-maintained road.
The raindrops splashing on the floor sounded like screams.
It used to rain cats and dogs around the time of early autumn, but this year, it was earlier than what Rosena remembered.
When will it stop? She told Ella she’d be right back.
It was already time to arrive at the Imperial Palace, but there was no sign of the rain stopping.
Standing under the roof of the store for a long time, Rosena decided.
She didn’t know that it’d rain today. It might not rain today, but even if it rains, she would still go to the carriage.
And it was the moment when Rosena was about to step away.
There was the sound of splashes, someone trampling, on the puddles of water.
Someone was running on the empty street.
Rosena turned her head.
In the distance, she saw Yerhan running with an umbrella.
He hadn’t even opened his umbrella, and his body was drenched.
When their eyes met, Yerhan stood still.
Through the heavy rain, they could see each other’s faces.
His face, which had been clearly visible for a moment, was blurred by the non-stop rain.
Yerhan approached Rosena, clutching the folded umbrella.
Before she knew it, he stopped in front of Rosena.
“….”
His blue lips came into Rosena’s view. Raindrops fell continuously from his wet hair. As she slowly lowered her gaze, she saw pants soaked in dirt.
No matter how much it rained, if the pants got dirty like this, it meant that he was outside for a long time without thinking of avoiding the rain.
Why did he run without an umbrella in the heavy rain?
Soon, Yerhan opened the folded umbrella. He tilted the umbrella to Rosena and finally parted his trembling lips.
“Let’s go home.”
He only said this one sentence.
Rosena realized why he had brought the umbrella. It wasn’t for his own use, it was to shield her.
Just like the streets, the inside of Rosena’s chest also became moist.
It seemed to be wet, but she couldn’t allow the dampness to stay. (TL/N: wet/dampness, referring to her feelings.)
She said she was going out for a while, but she didn’t say where she was going, so how did he know?
Rosena silently walked down the street with Yerhan carrying the umbrella.
The umbrella was too small for two people.
Yerhan naturally leaned the umbrella towards Rosena. Heavy rain fell on his shoulder, but he didn’t say a word about it.
Rosena was uncomfortable with this silence.
Rosena took a deep breath and spoke for the first time.
“Why did you… come all the way here?”
He was silent for a moment, then tightened his grip on the umbrella.
“…I came to find you.”
Rosena shut her mouth.
She didn’t say where she was going, but seeing that he came to her in the end, perhaps he had searched the streets.
She was so sorry to think that he had been looking for her so much that he got drenched. And at the same time, her heart ached.
Rosena muttered lowly, as if speaking to herself.
“You don’t have to do it though…”
Yerhan stopped.
He turned to Rosena, still holding the umbrella.
When Yerhan stopped, Rosena was surprised and met his gaze.
It felt like tears were running down his face.
After not speaking for a while, he opened his mouth.
“I know you… are avoiding me these days.”
Raindrops fell from the tip of the umbrella and onto Yerhan’s cheeks.
“It’s okay to stay away from me. However….”
His trembling voice seemed to be covered by the sound of rain, but Rosena could hear it clearly.
“Please don’t go away without a word…”
“….”
Rosena couldn’t answer for a moment.
His voice, as if begging for her not to disappear, was scattered along with the sound of rain.
Rosena raised her head and looked at him. And that’s when she realized. Yerhan thought she had run away and came to find her.
Rosena bit the inside of her lip softly. It seemed that the fact she was avoiding him lately had been making him anxious.
But seeing him go out to find her even though she went out for a mere while, Rosena felt sad.
So there was no trust between them.
Only once, Rosena had left Yerhan.
The day she first met Yehan, Rosena ran out of the forest as if to escape.
The trust between him and Rosena did not improve at all from the day they were reunited.
Rosena placed her hand on the handle of the umbrella that Yerhan was holding. And slowly tilted the umbrella toward Yerhan.
The same rain fell on Rosena’s shoulder.
“Illian is here, so why would I disappear without a word?”
Upon Rosena’s words, Yerhan’s stiff shoulders shook. He gave strength to the hand holding the umbrella.
“Let go of your hand. You will get wet.”
“Use it equally.”
Rosena gave strength to the handle.
Yerhan couldn’t overcome Rosena’s stubbornness.
The two walked towards the place where the carriage had been parked.
The sound of heavy rain swallowed up all the sounds of the world.
Her dress was wet, and water drops splattered on her shoulders, making her red hair damp.
“…Wil keep the promise I made back then.”
Her voice was barely audible, but Yerhan did not miss it.
“Until Illian has grown up…”
Rosena decided she would divorce Yerhan once Illian grew up and entered the academy. Yerhan also accepted the condition.
He looked into the air with a sunken face. He forgot about that promise for a moment.
“How did you find me?”
At Rosena’s question, Yehan was silent for a moment.
He was contemplating whether to speak frankly or to bury it.
“…I searched all the streets. Then there was a carriage near here…”
Rosena, who had been silently listening to him, opened her mouth.
“I was going to go home early, but it suddenly rained. I told Ella that I was going out.”
It might have been an excuse, but it contained the meaning of ‘she never tried to run away’.
Yerhan seemed a little relieved then. He saw the carriage parked there, and Yerhan opened the carriage door.
The two of them were already drenched, so there was no point in using the umbrella, but Yerhan tilted the umbrella until Rosena got on it.
The drenched Rosena and Yerhan got into the carriage, and the floor was wet with water.
Then the carriage’s wheels began to roll.
The preparations went smoothly.
For three days, everyone but Illian at the Third Prince Palace had been caught up in preparing for the birthday party.
Rosena, Yerhan and the employees decorated the unused room. The new wallpaper was applied, the table was decorated with real flowers, and a cage-shaped three tiered tray was filled with snacks.
The bright and lively-colored carpet was filled with well-wrapped gifts.
When Federer’s special baked cake was placed on the table, Ibella arrived. She brought a maid with her who held a formidable-sized gift in her hands.
“Thank you for coming.”
Rosena greeted Ibella with a big smile. Ibella put down the present and looked around, admiring the room.
“It’s different from the birthday parties I know.”
An imperial child’s birthday party was held in a formal place, and nobles were invited to a banquet.
On the contrary, there were frequent cases where the party became a social gathering for adults.
But this birthday party was exclusively for Illian. The scale was small, but charming and cute.
When all the arrangements were complete, the employees stood by the side, not leaving the room. It was because Rosena asked them to celebrate together.
Ella, Rosena’s maid, prepared an embroidered handkerchief, and Federer brought a package of cookies.
Everyone was excited and waited for Illian.
Rosena went to pick Illian up, who happened to have just finished his class.
Illian ran to Rosena with a big smile.
Rosena covered Illian’s eyes with her palm.
“Mom?”
“Illian, mom has something to show you.”
Illian tilted his head, but gently walked along with Rosena.
Arriving in front of the room, Rosena lightly led Illian.
The view that had been obscured was now wide open, and another world appeared in front of Illian.
“Happy birthday, Illian.”
With Rosena’s friendly voice, loud applause burst out.
Illian went inside with a puzzled face. There were already familiar people gathered inside.
Rosena led Illian to the center of the room. While Illian opened his eyes wide and looked around, Rosena glanced at the door.
It was about time the friends that Yerhan mentioned came.
Knock, knock.
Upon the knock on the door, everyone looked at the door in unison.
Yerhan, who was sitting, slowly stood up.
“I think my friends are here.”
Rosena jumped to her feet, excited as if her own friends had come. And the moment she opened the door, Rosena paused.
His friends were the knights of Tiriad, who were as big as bears.
As they stepped inside, the spacious space felt full.
Unlike usual, the Tiriad knights were dressed in cute clothes today. They looked at Illian and said shyly.
“Happy Birthday, Young Master.”
Everyone looked at the Tiriad knights with puzzled faces. However, they soon straightened their expressions to hide their embarrassment.
“I heard that you want to see us!”
Considering Illian’s age, Crayle, who wore animal-printed clothes, smiled broadly.
Illian looked at Yerhan for a moment. With those eyes that said ‘It’s your doing, right?’. Yerhan nodded his head leisurely in response.
Rosena was a little perplexed, but soon greeted the knights with a smile. After all, they were the ones who came to celebrate Illian’s birthday.
Everyone sat down, and Rosena lit the candles on the cake.
Before extinguishing the fire, a piece of paper was put out in front of Illian.
There was a myth in the empire that if you write a wish and blow a candle, it will come true.
Illian immediately scribbled something on the paper. Then he made his cheeks plump and blew out.
Everyone applauded when the candle was completely put out.
While Yerhan was cutting the cake, Illian opened the presents one by one.
There were all kinds of gifts – from simple gifts prepared by the employees, to colorful capes and shoes brought by Ibella, and even model toys prepared by Rosena.
Illian, who was diligently opening the packages, paused. There was a small sheath in a long box.
It wasn’t a wooden sword, it was a real sword.
Illian, as if possessed, looked at the real sword. He liked that present the most, and his eyes sparkled.
Who gave it to him? Upon looking around with that expression, he spotted Yerhan, who gave a significant smile.
He was saying ‘It’s a gift from me’ with his eyes.
Illian narrowed his forehead, but quickly loosened it. He just didn’t like the person who gave him that gift, but he really liked the gift itself.
“Thank you.”
Illian expressed his gratitude to everyone. Everyone but Yerhan smiled happily.
Everyone at the party had a share of cake and other food. And they had a good time enjoying entertainment prepared by the Tiriad knights.
The party ended by late afternoon. After that, Rosena sat in her chair, bumped her head against the table and looked at Illian as he fell asleep.
She was so tired that she thought of sleeping here too.
Rosena swept Illian’s hair up and looked down.
He held onto something tightly even while he was sleeping soundly. Rosena unfolded Illian’s fingers one by one. Then a roll of paper fell on the floor.
Rosena realized that it was the one that Illian wrote his wish on earlier.
What did Illian wish for?
After contemplating whether to read it or not, Rosena eventually opened the paper, unable to overcome her curiosity.
[Please let us stay together.]
Rosena looked at the letters for a long time. Not a single crooked letter fell from her eyes.
Rosena, with the paper barely folded, hugged Illian tightly.
“Happy birthday.”
***
Rosena finally left the palace after a long time. She was going to check the letter from Astania, so she sneaked out of the palace with the horseman without an accompanying escort.
She was only going out for a while, so she only spoke to her maid, Ella.
It had been almost a month since she had been avoiding Yerhan.
They talked a lot about Illian’s birthday a few days ago. But she had been keeping her distance again since that day.
It was because she thought that every time she saw Yerhan’s face, her feelings would deepen.
The carriage left the Imperial Palace and ran along the main road of the capital.
On the streets of the capital, flags symbolizing the empire were spread all over the place.
Flowerpots were placed in front of each house, and the streets were as clean as a new road.
There was not much time left until the Founding Day, so she did her best in decorating herself for this outing.
Not only the imperial nobles, but also foreign envoys and nobles attended the founding ceremony. So, she had no choice but to focus on her appearance.
Rosena parked the carriage and went out into the street.
The reason she left the Imperial Palace today was to receive a letter.
Since she sent her response to Astania the other day, another letter should have arrived by now.
Rosena turned around the alley and headed inside. Then an old shop appeared.
To others, it looked like a shop that bought and sold old books, but it was the only place where people could contact those in Astania.
Astania was a closed country and hardly welcomed foreigners.
However, since the owner of this shop was an Astanian, he could freely travel between the empire and Astania.
As Rosena entered the store, the owner came out from inside.
“Is there any letter for Rosena?”
When Rosena asked in Astanian, the owner immediately took out a box and handed her a letter.
“Thank you.”
Rosena took the letter and left the store.
As the previously sunny weather turned cloudy, Rosena looked up at the sky. The clouds were moving at an unusual speed.
The sun was eaten by the dark clouds, and no rays were visible. It looked like it was going to rain anytime soon.
Rosena thought it was time to get into the carriage before it started raining.
And as she moved quickly, she saw someone standing in the alley.
The skinny man was standing still, gazing up at the sky.
To get out of the alley, Rosena headed towards the direction where the man was standing.But the man did not move until Rosena approached.
Rosena said to the man standing in the middle of the alley.
“Excuse me.”
The man responded to that.
Rosena ducked out of the way so as not to bump into him.
Rosena, who was trying to get out of the alley, stopped for a moment.
It might come off as a little meddlesome, but it was easy to catch a cold when it rained in early autumn like this.
“Excuse me, it’s going to rain soon.”
-…Rain?
The man asked very slowly. His gaze was fixed on Rosena.
Rosena paused for a moment, looking at his eyes that could be seen from a distance.
The man’s eyes, in which a strange light flowed, seemed to resemble the time when Yerhan lost his rationality.
“That’s right. If you stand like that, you will catch a cold.”
-Cold….
He spat out a few words, as if he was a copycat.
Raindrops fell on Rosena’s cheeks, who stood puzzled.
It looked like it was going to rain before she reached the carriage.
“Hurry up and go in.
Having said those last words, Rosena hurriedly left the alley.
Then, the man stood and stared at Rosena’s back, muttering slowly.
-…You’re a human… but how could you, with me…?
He tilted his head.
Small objects crawling on the floor in the humid air gathered around the man.
They were what humans called monsters.
He slowly bent his knees. Then, the translucent monsters climbed up on the man’s body.
Suddenly, like a mist, the man disappeared in an instant.
***
I’m in trouble.
Rosena stood under the roof in front of a shop and looked out at the raining street.
As soon as she left the alley, it rained as if there was a hole in the sky.
She would go through the rain if possible, but the rain was so strong that she thought it would hurt if she got hit.
Rosena looked around the empty street. People walking on the street went out like the low tide, and the flowers in pots outside the window or in front of the store couldn’t raise their heads in the heavy rain.
There were several puddles of water on the floor. Water pooled and ran down the crevices of the well-maintained road.
The raindrops splashing on the floor sounded like screams.
It used to rain cats and dogs around the time of early autumn, but this year, it was earlier than what Rosena remembered.
When will it stop? She told Ella she’d be right back.
It was already time to arrive at the Imperial Palace, but there was no sign of the rain stopping.
Standing under the roof of the store for a long time, Rosena decided.
She didn’t know that it’d rain today. It might not rain today, but even if it rains, she would still go to the carriage.
And it was the moment when Rosena was about to step away.
There was the sound of splashes, someone trampling, on the puddles of water.
Someone was running on the empty street.
Rosena turned her head.
In the distance, she saw Yerhan running with an umbrella.
He hadn’t even opened his umbrella, and his body was drenched.
When their eyes met, Yerhan stood still.
Through the heavy rain, they could see each other’s faces.
His face, which had been clearly visible for a moment, was blurred by the non-stop rain.
Yerhan approached Rosena, clutching the folded umbrella.
Before she knew it, he stopped in front of Rosena.
“….”
His blue lips came into Rosena’s view. Raindrops fell continuously from his wet hair. As she slowly lowered her gaze, she saw pants soaked in dirt.
No matter how much it rained, if the pants got dirty like this, it meant that he was outside for a long time without thinking of avoiding the rain.
Why did he run without an umbrella in the heavy rain?
Soon, Yerhan opened the folded umbrella. He tilted the umbrella to Rosena and finally parted his trembling lips.
“Let’s go home.”
He only said this one sentence.
Rosena realized why he had brought the umbrella. It wasn’t for his own use, it was to shield her.
Just like the streets, the inside of Rosena’s chest also became moist.
It seemed to be wet, but she couldn’t allow the dampness to stay. (TL/N: wet/dampness, referring to her feelings.)
She said she was going out for a while, but she didn’t say where she was going, so how did he know?
Rosena silently walked down the street with Yerhan carrying the umbrella.
The umbrella was too small for two people.
Yerhan naturally leaned the umbrella towards Rosena. Heavy rain fell on his shoulder, but he didn’t say a word about it.
Rosena was uncomfortable with this silence.
Rosena took a deep breath and spoke for the first time.
“Why did you… come all the way here?”
He was silent for a moment, then tightened his grip on the umbrella.
“…I came to find you.”
Rosena shut her mouth.
She didn’t say where she was going, but seeing that he came to her in the end, perhaps he had searched the streets.
She was so sorry to think that he had been looking for her so much that he got drenched. And at the same time, her heart ached.
Rosena muttered lowly, as if speaking to herself.
“You don’t have to do it though…”
Yerhan stopped.
He turned to Rosena, still holding the umbrella.
When Yerhan stopped, Rosena was surprised and met his gaze.
It felt like tears were running down his face.
After not speaking for a while, he opened his mouth.
“I know you… are avoiding me these days.”
Raindrops fell from the tip of the umbrella and onto Yerhan’s cheeks.
“It’s okay to stay away from me. However….”
His trembling voice seemed to be covered by the sound of rain, but Rosena could hear it clearly.
“Please don’t go away without a word…”
“….”
Rosena couldn’t answer for a moment.
His voice, as if begging for her not to disappear, was scattered along with the sound of rain.
Rosena raised her head and looked at him. And that’s when she realized. Yerhan thought she had run away and came to find her.
Rosena bit the inside of her lip softly. It seemed that the fact she was avoiding him lately had been making him anxious.
But seeing him go out to find her even though she went out for a mere while, Rosena felt sad.
So there was no trust between them.
Only once, Rosena had left Yerhan.
The day she first met Yehan, Rosena ran out of the forest as if to escape.
The trust between him and Rosena did not improve at all from the day they were reunited.
Rosena placed her hand on the handle of the umbrella that Yerhan was holding. And slowly tilted the umbrella toward Yerhan.
The same rain fell on Rosena’s shoulder.
“Illian is here, so why would I disappear without a word?”
Upon Rosena’s words, Yerhan’s stiff shoulders shook. He gave strength to the hand holding the umbrella.
“Let go of your hand. You will get wet.”
“Use it equally.”
Rosena gave strength to the handle.
Yerhan couldn’t overcome Rosena’s stubbornness.
The two walked towards the place where the carriage had been parked.
The sound of heavy rain swallowed up all the sounds of the world.
Her dress was wet, and water drops splattered on her shoulders, making her red hair damp.
“…Wil keep the promise I made back then.”
Her voice was barely audible, but Yerhan did not miss it.
“Until Illian has grown up…”
Rosena decided she would divorce Yerhan once Illian grew up and entered the academy. Yerhan also accepted the condition.
He looked into the air with a sunken face. He forgot about that promise for a moment.
“How did you find me?”
At Rosena’s question, Yehan was silent for a moment.
He was contemplating whether to speak frankly or to bury it.
“…I searched all the streets. Then there was a carriage near here…”
Rosena, who had been silently listening to him, opened her mouth.
“I was going to go home early, but it suddenly rained. I told Ella that I was going out.”
It might have been an excuse, but it contained the meaning of ‘she never tried to run away’.
Yerhan seemed a little relieved then. He saw the carriage parked there, and Yerhan opened the carriage door.
The two of them were already drenched, so there was no point in using the umbrella, but Yerhan tilted the umbrella until Rosena got on it.
The drenched Rosena and Yerhan got into the carriage, and the floor was wet with water.
Then the carriage’s wheels began to roll.
