Chapter 30
Chapter 30
Rosalyn stepped out of the bathroom with a fresh, clean feeling, her body soft and warm. Behind her, was Arch who trailed out slowly.
His dark brown fur, now freshly washed, gleamed in a lighter, glossy shade. Even the paw pads, which she’d thought were black, turned out to be pink. It seemed Theodor had been too preoccupied with his awakening during their time at the Siphoc villa to properly bathe the cat.
“See how clean you are now?” she said with a grin.
At her voice, Arch darted away to a corner of the room. While she changed clothes, he turned his back to her, refusing to look. His behaviour was oddly endearing as if he were trying to respect her privacy.
“Come here for a second,” she called gently.
But Arch didn’t budge. What was she trying to do now? He didn’t want to let his guard down again.
Then she spoke in a coaxing tone.
“I prepared a gift for you, actually.”
With that, Rosalyn pulled out a bundle of herbs from her travel bag, a generous bunch of catnip.
“Mrrrow…”
Arch’s eyes glazed over as the scent hit his senses. He’d sworn not to approach her again, but his body moved on its own, drawn toward the intoxicating smell. Rosalyn welcomed him into her arms, and he instinctively rubbed his face against her chest, seeking warmth and comfort.
“That’s it, good boy.”
She held the now-docile cat, gently stroking his soft head. Just then, a knock sounded at the door.
Knock, knock.
Still cradling Arch, she opened it only to find Theodor standing there. His eyes sharpened the moment they landed on Arch, who was practically melting in her arms with a blissful expression. What the hell does that little mutt think he’s doing?
Meanwhile, Arch, lost in the warmth of the catnip and Rosalyn’s embrace, jolted when he realized his master was here. He leapt straight up in shock, landing on the floor with a thud before bolting to the corner of the bed and vanishing behind the sheets.
Rosalyn blinked at the flustered cat and turned to Theodor.
“Your Majesty… are you sure that’s really your cat? He looks terrified of you.”
“… More importantly, his fur color looks different.”
“Oh, I gave him a bath earlier while I was washing up. I did a good job, didn’t I?”
“You’re telling me he bathed… with you?!”
Theodor’s face flushed a deep red as he glared at the corner where Arch had disappeared. The bedsheets trembled slightly. Rosalyn couldn’t quite understand why he was reacting so strongly.
“Anyway… what brings you here?”
“Your new residence is ready. It’s time to move.”
Soon after, attendants arrived to carry Rosalyn’s luggage. Theodor personally accompanied her to her new quarters. When they reached the door, a familiar face greeted them.
“Head butler Anton!”
“Miss Rosalyn!”
Anton welcomed her warmly, standing tall with perfect posture.
“Have you been keeping up with your exercises?”
“Of course. Take a look.”
He proudly pulled out the workout chart Rosalyn had given him when she left Siphoc. Each day was filled out with signs of diligent effort.
“Thanks to you, I barely felt any pain during the entire week-long carriage ride. It’s a miracle!”
He looked genuinely happy, and seeing that made Rosalyn’s mood lift as well.
Then Anton added, “In fact, the other palace servants were shocked to see how much my posture and health had improved. When I told them it was all thanks to your training, many said they’d love to meet you.”
“Really?”
Rosalyn looked surprised, and Anton nodded.
“Yes. There are plenty of others in the palace worse off than I was. Chronic neck and back pain is just a way of life for most of them.”
She’d vaguely thought she might be able to offer exercise guidance to others here in the palace, but she hadn’t expected things to move so smoothly.
Maybe… she really could work as a proper trainer again, just like in her past life.
And it might even help her get closer to the palace staff. Right now, she was a total outsider.
With renewed determination lighting her face, Rosalyn beamed.
“That’s perfect! Then please tell the interested staff to gather in the garden tomorrow morning in their comfortable clothes and shoes.”
“Understood. May I join too?”
“Of course!”
Just then, Theodor narrowed his eyes and asked in a quieter tone.
“What about the training you do with me?”
“Would Your Highness like to join too? It’s more fun when everyone exercises together. It’s also more motivating and effective that way.”
She looked up at him with a bright, inviting smile.
“… No. I want to train with you alone.”
Ah, so he wants one-on-one personal training.
‘Well, if he’s serious about improving, that’s definitely more effective.’
After all, he’d insisted on keeping her here just so he could train with her.
“Alright then. I’ll do personal sessions with Your Highness first, and lead the group sessions afterward.”
She answered without hesitation.
Now that her schedule was filling up, it really did feel like she was back to being a professional trainer. The thought brought a warm sense of fulfillment.
Theodor’s lips curled into a faint smile, though Rosalyn didn’t notice.
Then Anton spoke up again, “Ah, and I’ll be attending to you here in the palace from now on. Please don’t hesitate to ask if you need anything.”
Anton had been so reliable back at Siphoc, always taking care of the little things. Rosalyn lit up.
“Really? That’s great news!”
“Though, I’m no longer a head butler here at the palace, so the title might need adjusting.”
“What should I call you then?”
“You can just use my name. Or my nickname, Tony as the other servants call me that.”
“Tony, huh? I like that. Makes us feel more like friends, right, Tony?”
“Indeed it does.”
As the two chatted and laughed easily, an odd tension seemed to waft from the side. Theodor was watching them with obvious displeasure.
“What is it?” Rosalyn asked.
“… Nothing.”
She grinned playfully.
“Would you like me to call you by a nickname too, Your Highness?”
At that, Theodor’s cheeks turned bright red. What’s with him?
Then she remembered. Just before he kissed her at the grand banquet, she’d called him by a nickname.
[Teo, you can do it.]
And then, that sweet and passionate kiss…
‘Damn this cursed memory! What the hell was I thinking?’
Desperate to change the subject, she blurted out,
“Your Highness, will you show me my new room already?”
She reached for the doorknob. Anton stood beside her, swallowing nervously.
“… It’s been a long time since I last saw this room.”
“What kind of room is it?”
Just as Anton hesitated to answer, Theodor stepped forward.
“Let’s go in.”
Anton respectfully opened the door. The moment she stepped inside, Rosalyn’s mouth fell open in awe.
“Wow…”
The elegant sitting room with its classic furnishings, and the stately bedroom was beyond perfect. Her eyes lit up at the sight of the bed with its sheer canopy.
“Is this really my room now, Your Majesty?”
Theodor didn’t answer with words, only gave a nod. Rosalyn cheered and ran toward the bed, flopping onto it with a soft thud.
Fwoomf.
The mattress wrapped around her like a gentle embrace. Compared to the stiff beds she’d endured so far, this was pure heaven. She felt like she could lie here for days and be utterly content. With a blissful smile, she gazed up at the delicate canopy overhead. Staying here had been the right choice after all.
Standing beside the bed, Theodor looked down at her and asked softly,
“Do you like it?”
“I love it!”
“Get up. I have something to give you.”
“Huh?”
Rosalyn sat up and followed him.
He led her to the dressing room adjacent to the chambers.
When she saw it, her eyes widened in disbelief. Even in her past life, she’d never had a dressing room like this.
“Your Highness… what is all this?”
“You can’t walk around the palace in that black robe forever.”
“But…”
Before she could finish, Theodor pulled something from the wardrobe, a crimson velvet dress. Even to her who didn’t know much about fashion, it looked breathtaking. The purple dress Anton had given her felt like rags in comparison.
Theodor looked at her, his heterochromatic eyes filled with something tender yet intense.
“This is a gift. Try it on.”
“Your Highness, this is too much for someone like me…”
As her voice trailed off, Theodor stepped close. He bent slightly and whispered into her ear,
“… Try it on.”
His breath brushed against her skin.
He handed her the dress, and without realizing it, she accepted it. A strange flutter stirred inside her chest. Her heart began to pound.
‘What’s going on…?’
It felt like that time she’d entered his room wearing only her petticoat. Rosalyn slowly nodded and stepped behind the dressing screen.
She removed her robe and slipped into the crimson velvet dress.
The soft fabric wrapped around her body like a gentle caress, shimmering under the light. The dress suited her perfectly, as if it had been made for her. For the first time, she felt like a true noble lady. Slowly, she stepped out from behind the screen.
Theodor’s eyes were already on her.
His gaze swept over her from head to toe, lingering as if he were trying to memorize every detail of her in that moment.
With every second of his stare, her heart beat faster.
Trying to calm herself, Rosalyn asked casually,
“How do I look?”
“It suits you.”
“Thank you for the gift, Your Highness. I’ll wear it well.”
She clutched the dress awkwardly and gave a small, noblewoman’s bow.
“Then, I’ll go change back now…”
“Wait.”
Theodor suddenly stepped closer and caught her wrist.
“Your Highness…?”
