Chapter 11
Chapter 11
Preparations began at the annex for Theodor’s journey to the capital.
There were still two weeks left until Prince Kyle’s birthday week, but it would take a full seven days by carriage just to travel from the northern Siphoc region of the Empire to the southern capital, Mirka.
The traveling party would consist of Theodor, Rosalyn, Arch, and two attendants who would help along the way. Butler Anton would remain behind to manage the annex. Rosalyn handed Anton a training journal, where each day’s workout reps and sets could be logged.
“Don’t skip your workouts just because I’m gone.”
“As if I would.”
Thanks to weeks of consistent exercise, Anton’s back had noticeably improved. With the pain gone, he now worked out diligently without even being told.
“If there’s anything you need for the trip, just say the word.”
Something he could help with…
As it happened, there was something she needed. Rosalyn knew that the imperial physicians held the elixirs that could help Theodor regain his health, but she wasn’t exactly sure where in the palace it was. The original novel hadn’t detailed the layout.
Unlike this crumbling annex, the capital’s palace was massive. If she had to search room by room, it would take a considerable amount of time. But Anton had worked in the palace since childhood. He would surely know its location, sparing her the trouble.
“You’ve worked in the palace since you were young, haven’t you, Butler Anton? Then you must know the place inside and out.”
“Yes, I do.”
“Then you must also know where the imperial physicians is?”
“I do. But why do you ask?”
Rosalyn glanced toward the still-frail Theodor and replied,
“I believe there may be medicine there that could help His Highness recover his health.”
“I see. Just be careful since there are so many different types of medicine that it’s easy to get confused. Some of them look very similar.”
Anton pushed up his glasses with a fingertip as he offered the warning. The novel had mentioned the physician’s vast array of medicines, but how many were there for even Anton to say such a thing?
Still, he kindly drew her a map showing the physician’s location.
“Thank you so much!”
Rosalyn bowed her head in gratitude. Then Anton asked her a question.
“By the way, miladay, may I ask for your measurements?”
“My what?”
“I’d like to order a formal dress for you to wear to Prince Kyle’s birthday celebration.”
Ah, so just wearing a robe wouldn’t do?
Now that she thought about it, Kyle’s birthday was a dazzling event attended by all of the Empire’s most prominent nobles. She’d definitely need a proper outfit.
Rosalyn gave him her measurements and added,
“Don’t go overboard. Just pick something decent. I’m only His Highness’s teacher, after all.”
To her, the banquet mattered far less than sneaking into the physicians. With that, she headed to the banquet hall.
There, Theodor was diligently stretching on his own. His form was a bit off, but it was much better than the first day. As she approached to help him, he flinched.
“What’s wrong?”
“… It’s nothing.”
“Oh? Not going to stretch more?”
“I’m done.”
With that, he fled the hall in haste. Well, they did have to prepare for the trip. She decided to let it go for today. Still, it was a good sign he was doing it on his own.
Rosalyn stepped out to the front of the annex. The three snowmen standing side by side still stood cheerfully. Thankfully, it was another clear day.
‘Maybe I’ll take a walk.’
She paused under the shade of a large tree. She wondered if the brown cat she saw before might be there.
“Oh, there you are!”
The brown cat was curled up, purring softly in its sleep. A small scar remained visible on its right forepaw. As Rosalyn approached, the cat sensed her and lifted its head, retreating slightly.
“Don’t run. It’s me.”
The cat gazed at her warily.
“I brought you a special treat today.”
A flicker of curiosity appeared in its eyes. Rosalyn crouched down and reached into her robe.
“Ta-da!”
What she produced was a plant covered in small, sharp leaves, emitting a fresh, green scent. The cat’s eyes instantly widened, it was catnip.
She’d found it in the trunk brought from the Magic Tower, the same trunk that had belonged to the original Rosalyn. Catnip was often used as an herbal remedy, so it made sense that a mage’s apprentice might have had some.
In her previous life, Rosalyn had known that cats loved it. She waved it lightly toward the brown cat.
Hypnotized, the cat stepped toward her. It sniffed the catnip with growing interest and came right up to her face.
“Good kitty.”
She gently stroked the cat’s head.
Unlike before, the cat didn’t flinch. Instead, it leaned in and rubbed its face against the leaves in her hand, purring with pleasure.
“Can I hold you?”
Rosalyn asked softly, then lifted the brown cat into her arms. It didn’t resist, curling up contentedly in her arms, still rubbing against the catnip.
But then…
“Meow!”
The cat’s eyes snapped open in alarm. It leapt from her arms and landed with a soft thud. After a wary glance, it bolted into the garden trees and vanished.
Rosalyn stared wistfully after it before turning away.
***
The brown cat, Arch, wandered the garden with a bewildered expression.
What just happened?
He had spent the last few days hunting nonstop. He needed to prepare food for Theodor’s journey to the capital. After leaving a pile of freshly caught birds in the kitchen, he’d gone to his favorite shaded spot in the garden for a nap.
It was Rosalyn.
After their last meeting, Arch had decided to be wary of her. He still couldn’t understand why she was so kind to him. So he’d raised his guard and glared at her.
But once again, she approached him.
As she drew closer, something strange overwhelmed his senses. She carried a peculiar scent. What was that?
Just then, she crouched in front of him and produced something from her robe.
It looked like an ordinary herb.
And then, his eyes widened.
‘….!’
A crisp, strange fragrance tickled his nose. A wave of euphoria washed over him.
Arch was drawn toward the plant as if entranced. Without realizing it, he closed his eyes and rubbed his face against the leaves. The fresh scent filled his nostrils, each breath making him feel oddly elated.
Soon, a warm sense of peace wrapped around him.
It was a foreign sensation. As a beastkin who’d lost his parents young, Arch had never known what peace or comfort truly felt like.
It was unfamiliar but pleasant. He wanted to stay like this just a little longer.
And then, he suddenly opened his eyes.
‘….!’
He was nestled in Rosalyn’s arms.
What am I doing?!
Shocked, Arch sprang from her arms.
Even as he wandered the garden, he couldn’t shake that strange feeling. He stared at his right forepaw, the one with the faint scar she had treated.
Lifting the paw, he gently licked the mark. His small eyes glinted with an unreadable expression.
Then he darted away into the trees.
***
A few days later, Theodor left the annex for the capital.
Two carriages stood waiting outside. One was for passengers, the other for luggage like clothes and food. The two attendants would ride in the cargo wagon, while Theodor, Arch, and Rosalyn would share the passenger carriage.
Though it bore the royal crest, the carriage was old and cramped, indistinguishable from the cheap wagons used by commoners. Even in these small details, the Emperor’s disregard for Theodor was evident.
‘So I’ll finally get to see that damned Emperor, huh.’
Rosalyn climbed into the carriage with clenched teeth. Ever since entering this world, she’d wanted to lay eyes on that bastard at least once.
With all three aboard, the carriage was packed. To think they had to ride like this for a whole week, she was already exhausted at the thought.
Theodor sat alone across from her, while Arch was seated right beside her. Their closeness made her uneasy, as she still found him intimidating.
Arch, arms crossed, wore his usual impassive expression. When she glanced his way, their eyes briefly met. But Arch quickly turned his head away.
That was strange because he never avoided eye contact. What was with him?
Rosalyn stared at him, puzzled.
The carriage jolted as it began to move, leaving the annex gates behind. Come to think of it, this was the first time she had left the Siphoc annex since transmigrating into the novel.
Rosalyn gazed quietly out the window.
Only barren snow-covered plains stretched beyond. There was nothing else to see in Sipoc.
‘But the capital is supposed to be dazzling, right?’
The glorious capital of Mirka, where everything in the Empire converged. It had been the main setting in the original story. Rosalyn clearly remembered how Mirka was always described in lavish detail.
Just the thought of finally seeing it in real life made her heart flutter inexplicably.
‘Wasn’t there that café Theodor and Annie used to frequent?’
Before Theodor lost his mind after awakening, he and the heroine had gone on a few actual dates in the capital’s old-world cafés. Of course, those dates always ended with intense, heated physical affection.
If there’s time, she’d visit one of those cafés to remember it.
Thinking that, she looked across at Theodor.
He sat with his head bowed, deeply engrossed in a thick book about awakening. Snow-pale skin, a sharp nose, heterochromatic eyes of violet and green.
After weeks of eating well and slowly regaining strength, his handsome features had become more striking. He still looked thin, but once fully recovered, he would be impossibly beautiful.
Just imagining his bright future made Rosalyn smile unconsciously.
Theodor, sensing a strange gaze, looked up from his book and found Rosalyn was smiling at him.
That smile again.
Just seeing it made his chest tighten and a dull ache stir in his lower abdomen. What was wrong with him?
Theodor had spent days digging through books, trying to understand his symptoms but found nothing.
It troubled him deeply.
Whenever the symptoms struck, the mana core in his lower abdomen grew hot and tense. If this condition interfered with his awakening, it would be disastrous.
He debated telling Rosalyn about it. After all, she was his awakening instructor. But how could he explain the surge of strange urges and emotions that came with it?
He glanced at her again, then quickly returned to his book.
“What is it?” she asked.
“N-Nothing,” he muttered, head snapping back down.
Then Rosalyn cheerfully suggested,
“Your Highness, if you just sit there reading, your body will stiffen up. Let’s stretch a little.”
And so, Theodor began stretching his neck and shoulders while seated in the carriage.
And then–
JOLT!
The carriage hit a rock and lurched violently.
Theodor’s upper body pitched forward, straight toward Rosalyn.
“…!”
