Facing Russell’s questioning, Rose watched as the emperor’s eyes dilated and flickered in anxiety.
Ahh… Your Majesty killed a man for the first time because of me.
It was the knights and their captains who participated in the support for the suppression of the rebels in the neighboring kingdoms of the Tristan Empire or the wars that took place elsewhere.
As long as the Tristan Empire did not directly declare and participate in war, the Emperor had no reason to go to war.
Russell's father, the predecessor of Tristan, established a gentle and peaceful diplomacy with neighboring kingdoms, and Russell inherited his will.
Because of that, Russell was a man who had never participated in a brutal battlefield, nor had he ever killed a person.
The fact that Russell did not participate on the battlefield was well known to Rose, who lived her life within the walls of her manor.
He killed a man today for the first time because she was in danger.
…His Majesty now has blood on his hands because of me. It’s all because of me. What should I do?
Rose bowed her head. The act of holding her fingertips could not hide her nervousness.
Now that I think about it, I keep causing trouble for His Majesty until we’ve come to this day where it’s blown up.
Rose’s head sank lower. She was unable to raise her head.
Her long blonde hair pointed to the ground.
"I’m really truly sorry, Your Majesty."
"Rose?"
"I know very well how cunning and two-faced it would sound for me to just say sorry… because I'm weak... Because I couldn't protect myself, I kept getting help from His Majesty."
[TL/N: She’s saying it’s cunning of her to say sorry even though he had to save her. She means it doesn’t sound like an apology, but more like she would want him to comfort her even after risking his life to save her.]
"What are you talking about all of a sudden?"
As Russell approached Rose, his shoes entered her field of vision.
She said this without even lifting her head.
"If only I were a little bit stronger… If I had even the slightest ability to protect myself, today Your Majesty would—you never would have killed Stanley Gardner with your own hands."
Rose knelt down without hesitation and bowed her head.
"I am deeply sorry, Your Majesty."
This little action of bowing down isn't enough after what I’ve made him do.
But that was all Rose could do now.
That's why His Majesty's hands were shaking. That fear was because he had to take a human life.
Rose had no intention of raising her head, nor did she plan to rise to her feet.
Until Wells comes... No, even after returning to the capital, I intend to apologize to Russell for causing him to kill people.
However, contrary to her determination, Russell urgently pulled her off the ground.
"Rose, I think you're misunderstanding something."
"Yes?"
"I asked because I was worried about you."
"About me?"
Rose's red eyes widened.
Russell looked at the hand that was holding Rose's shoulder for a moment, then let out a deep sigh and slowly lowered it.
With his hand gone, the shoulder, which was hot just a moment ago, cooled down in an instant.
"Rose, I mean—it meant seeing people die because of me. Is it okay?"
"…Oh."
"There is nothing wrong with killing that man with these hands, but it was because I was worried that the sight would come as a shock to you and that you would be startled every time my hand touched you."
Rose looked at Russell's right hand, which had moved away from her.
The hand holding the sword pierced Stanley's heart boldly and without hesitation.
However, Russell's hand that had taken a life did not give Rose any fear.
I don't feel afraid. Is it because of His Majesty?
Rose reached over and grabbed Russell's right hand.
His hands exposed to the chill of winter were cold, but to Rose, his hands were warmer than any heating device she’d touched.
"I am not afraid. Rather I... After everything I’ve caused, I was more afraid of His Majesty avoiding me."
"Rose."
Russell drew closer and tousled her hair with his free left hand.
"I mean it. If I had the power, it would have been me killing Stanley Gardner."
Russell's hand, which had been carefully tidying up his hair, stopped.
He stared at Rose's face without lifting his hand.
Rose's eyes were still stained red with tear marks.
But it did no harm to her beauty.
Still as beautiful, it was Rose Honeywell, his favorite creature in the world.
But at this moment, Russell sensed something strange about Rose.
…No one is unconcerned when they see death right in front of their eyes.
Especially for someone like Rose who was practically raised by Wells as a greenhouse plant. It's not a disposition where you can watch the hand of death descend so easily.
In a short time, many doubts passed through Russell's mind.
When one was in doubt, more doubts took hold, but Russell shook it off and straightened Rose's hair.
"As long as Rose is okay, that’s fine. Thank you for not being scared of me after what I just did."
"Thank you for saving me."
Rose stayed still under Russell's hand, which was tidying up the cloak.
Then, out of curiosity, she opened her mouth.
"But how did Your Majesty know I was here? You just said that there was a letter from the Imperial Palace earlier."
"I received a report that a carriage with colorful patterns left the capital in a hurry. Since it was found out to be Rose Honeywell's kidnapping, if the Imperial family sent troops to find you, it would be like throwing prey to chatty nobles, so I came alone."
"Instead, my older brother is bringing knights."
"Yes, Wells went to the manor first, so he'll be back here soon after. He’d be able to find us easily because the carriage wheels are clearly visible on winter roads where carriages do not frequently travel."
The emperor pointed with his fingertips at the carriage wheel markings on the ground.
Rose stared at the clear wheel ruts.
I thought I had run for a long time after rolling out of the carriage, but it seems I couldn't have gone far with my running skills.
Her thoughts turned to Stanley.
"It was Ilya Titonsser who informed me that you were going to the post office today."
Just thinking about those words again made her heart beat loudly with shock.
Her heart started beating violently with a thump, as if something heavy had hit it hard.
Where did it go wrong? Why did Ilya say that to Stanley? Surely things ended well with him?
The more she thought about it, the more her head throbbed.
Rose pressed her temples tightly as she frowned.
She knew that Stanley Gardner had a crush on me. That he used her to get closer to me...
Ilya Titonsser knew that. She must have done this to get revenge on me.
"Then when—"
Rose's shoulders trembled as she abruptly stopped.
Russell was too close.
She glanced to the side to see if he had heard her.
Russell was looking straight ahead with his arms crossed.
Rose, worried that she might have accidentally said something weirder while thinking about Stanley and Ilya, sighed in relief at Russell's unresponsiveness.
Just as she placed her hand on her chest to calm her shocked heart, Russell started talking to her again.
"My men are going to move about the capital and do a background check. If they were commoners, their families would have to be punished as well. If they are noble, I will destroy their family."
[TL/N: He’s talking about whoever was behind the kidnapping.]
Rose thought that Russell might be overreacting.
By dying, Stanley was punished for kidnapping and plotting to harm her.
"Your Majesty, please put an end to the punishment of that man's sin with death."
"But you were the one the man fearlessly touched."
"…"
"Honestly, I am still angry. The fact that I almost lost you forever fuels my resentment toward that man."
Russell bit his lip.
"I just think of the fact that I am safe and sound thanks to Your Majesty."
Rose gently stroked his hand.
From the corner of her vision, she saw a carriage and horses running across the paved road. Russell chuckled as he, too, caught sight of those coming towards them.
"Alright, let's be thankful that Rose is safe. It's time to go home."
"Yes."
Rose smiled brightly and ran out, holding on to the front of her cloak.
The Honeywell’s hired driver and coachman identified Russell and Rose and urged the horses faster.
"Rose!!!"
Before the carriage came to a complete stop in front of the two of them, the door opened, and Wells tumbled out.
"Brother!"
Wells' body, unable to balance himself, staggered greatly, and Rose rushed towards him and supported him.
Wells pulled Rose by the shoulder as he approached her and took his sister into his arms.
Tranquility spread across Rose's face in the arms of her family.
"Rose, are there any injuries? Who the hell kidnapped—no! Let’s not worry about that person for now. Let me get you into the carriage first. It's warm inside the carriage and…"
Wells was busy checking if Rose had any injuries. He held her face in the palms of his hands, looked around, and observed them closely.
Rose smiled, pulled away gently, and burrowed into Wells' arms again.
"I'm not hurt, brother. I want to go home."
"Okay, I understand. Come on, let's get into the carriage."
Wells took his beloved sister's hand to help her up.
Russell came to their side. The knights and coachman bowed and greeted him.
After confirming that Rose had taken a comfortable seat in the carriage, Wells belatedly turned to Russell.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"I’m glad I found her on time. She says she's not hurt, but don't forget to get the physician to take a look at her."
"Of course, a physician is waiting at the manor right this moment."
"Perfect, and…"
Russell, at a loss for words at Wells' preparations, made sure that no one was nearby, then leaned closer toward Wells and spoke softly.
"If you go into the woods at three o'clock, there's someone who kidnapped Lady Honeywell there. Now that Duke Proud is there, Wells, you should order the knights to send the culprit to the capital."
Wells, who had been quietly listening to Russell's softly spoken words, was startled. He also lowered his voice.
"How is Duke Proud here?"
"Let's talk about that later. It is urgent that we return to the capital."
Russell pointed his finger behind Wells' shoulder.
"Hey, can you bring me my horse?"
"As you command."
Wells left at Russell's command.
The emperor caught a glimpse of Wells' back as he approached the horse before he stood at the carriage door and knocked.
The curtains on the carriage window were pulled back to reveal Rose.
"Your Majesty, get into the carriage too."
"I can go on horseback. Imperial horses are more difficult than I thought. Others can't handle them well so I’ll have to personally bring it back."
"Still…"
"Rose, right now, your comfort is more important than mine."
Rose placed her hand on the window frame.
I wanted to get closer to Russell, but the carriage's windows aren't big enough to close the gap.
Russell took a step closer to the carriage window.
"Again, I’m sorry."
"What do you mean, Your Majesty?"
"You’ve just been through a lot of bad things. Go back to the manor, get medical treatment then some rest and don't think about anything else."
Rose didn't answer. As if lost in thought, she opened her mouth only after a brief moment of time passed.
A small smile hung on her lips.
"I am alright, Your Majesty. Seeing people die... It didn’t shock me too much."
[TL/N: Please don’t be a holy mary female lead, Rose!]