Chapter 78
Rosetta’s head snapped up at that. It was completely different from what he had said a long time ago.
“I thought you said it’s fate if you have the same name.”
Rosetta stopped smiling at the poor joke. “Forgive me for saying this, but you seem to have more talent for singing than jokes.”
“I’m not joking, I’m speaking from the bottom of my heart. Think about it. You and Riga were never meant to meet, the distance was too great and the worlds you were in were too different, but here you are. So don’t be so hard on yourself and wait for fate. Let fate take its course, let it flow naturally, and you’ll eventually reach the destination you were hoping for.”
The long-winded words ended up being comforting and encouraging. Rosetta felt her heart warm.
“Thank you, sir. You are a very kind man.”
Rosetta studied Asion’s face.
“May I ask you one more question?”
“Of course.”
“Why did you choose me then, when my sister or brother were so much more accomplished and well-known?”
At a banquet years earlier, the King had asked everyone present to write a poem, and without hesitation, Asion had chosen Rosetta. Asion had written many poems and songs in his life, but very few of them were directed at people, and it was the desire of all royalty and nobility to be chosen. Nor did he write poetry just because he was ordered to. He would not compose a poem even with a knife at his throat if he felt there was no suitable subject. It was this high-mindedness that made Asion famous across the continent.
“…Actually, people like me can see things that normal people can’t.”
“See what?”
“Like some sort of aura that flows through the person.”
Asion lifted his hand and traced a shape along Rosetta’s body.
“There’s a very good aura floating around you, Princess. It’s good, clear, warm, and golden. Whereas the wicked have a dark, evil aura around them. You were the only one in the banquet hall that day who glowed so brightly. Even if His Majesty had not commanded me to do so, I would have sung for you that day.”
“Then you see something in Rashid as well?”
“Yes, of course, that’s why I work for Riga. I see in him a very cool, refreshing blue light. In many ways, I can say that he’s a good match for you.”
“That’s very interesting. I’ve heard before that the Myastra is only visible to those whose hearts are pure and sincere, but how is it that you, a human, can see it? Is it a special ability that only you possess?”
Asion suddenly burst out laughing.
“Look at this. Most people would be suspicious when they hear something like this, calling it nonsense. But you, Princess, believe me at face value, don’t you?”
“…I suppose that means I trust people too easily.”
“No, that’s a different matter. What I’m saying is that you have a fundamentally good will, Princess, and it’s not easy for a person to maintain a good will, especially one who is at the pinnacle of power and wealth like you are. I’ve met many royalties and nobles in my time, so I know better than most. You are certainly special, Princess.”
His eyes narrowed as he smiled.
“Please keep what I just told you a secret. Not even to Riga.”
“Okay, okay. I promise.”
With that, Asion ended the conversation and left the room. Mark was waiting in the doorway, and he immediately grabbed Asion’s arm and led him somewhere.
[Hey, where are we going?]
[Shut up and follow me!]
Only when they got to a shady spot did Mark let go of his arm.
[Be honest.]
[About what?]
[You know something, don’t you? Why have Riga and Rigaina been acting like that lately, and why are you seeing Rigaina separately? How long has someone who just got here known Rigaina?]
[…….]
Mark growled at Asion who kept avoiding his eyes.
[Seriously, is there anything you can’t tell me?]
[…Do you really need to know?]
[Yes!]
Asion let out a small sigh.
[Then I’ll tell you this, Mark. Rigaina is not the daughter of the Basque chief.]
Mark’s jaw dropped. Seeing his astonishment, Asion briefly imagined what would happen if she told him that she was actually the youngest princess of Lysa Kingdom. But that was something he could never say. Mark would never tell anyone, but this was still a big deal.
[That is a bit of a problem. For now, just keep it to yourself.]
[So you’re saying the bride was switched in the first place?]
[Yeah, kind of.]
[Ha, oh my.]
[…I thought there was something, but this is it. Considering Riga’s personality and the fact that this hasn’t been resolved so far, there must be something going on that I don’t know about.]
[But why do you know something about it that I don’t?]
[…….]
[You’ve just returned from Lysa, and the fact that you and Rigaina met privately, and that Riga spoke only to you, could it be that….]
He looked at Asion with a very suspicious eye. Asion swallowed hard. Had he already figured it all out?
[…Does Riga trust you more than me? If so, I feel really sad.]
Asion shook his head at the completely wrong place to start.
There’s no way this dullard of sensitivity and reason would have realized that already.
[Anyway, that’s all I can tell you, so don’t ask any more].
Asion walked away quickly. Mark followed behind him.
[Hey, is that all, huh? Is that all!]
7. The Monster Forest
Rosetta looked in the mirror and smoothed her hair. Since she was going to be active today, she wore her hair in a single braid to make it easier to move around. Benny taught her several easy ways to tie her hair, but this was her favorite.
She finished off her look by brushing the ends of her tied-up hair a few times. Looking at her reflection in the mirror, Rosetta pulled up the corners of her lips.
Yeah, let’s not give people the wrong impression. I won’t be able to see them anymore.
Rosetta had noticed lately that people in the castle had been restless. At first, she didn’t realize it because of her own emotions, but after a while, it became obvious. She saw them looking at each other, unsure of what to do.
Once she realized it, she knew she had to make the best of her relationship with the people here. As Asion said, a good relationship should never end badly. If you part with a smile, that’s all that matters.
Just then, there was a knock on the door. Benny opened the door and looked surprised to see Rosetta doing her hair by herself.
“You’re all ready already? I was going to do your hair for you.”
“I just felt like doing it today. Come on, let’s go,” Rosetta said, sounding brighter than she had in a long time, and got up from her chair.
Benny’s expression brightened as well, and he pushed the door wide open, exclaiming, “Well, it’s been a while since we’ve been out, so let’s get some fresh air!”
Today they were going to the river near the village, where they’d been dyeing for a while, getting the colors just right, and today was the big day. With so much dye to wash off, it was more efficient to do it in a flowing river.
Rosetta climbed on top of Masha. The older ones rode on loaded carts, while the rest traveled on foot.
Before setting out, she saw Ethel clutching a teddy bear in her arms. She followed her mother for an outing and play.
[Ethel, come here.]
Rosetta beckoned from her horse, and Ethel trotted over, smiling broadly. A servant nearby helped her up onto the horse.
[Wow!]
Ethel let out a small exclamation as the horse began to walk slowly. The teddy bear, still clutched preciously in Ethel’s arms, was wearing a crocheted white dress.
[Is this Mommy?]
Ethel understood the three-word question and nodded.
[Yes, my mom made it!]
[Pretty.]
[Hehe.]
Ethel rubbed the teddy bear against her cheek and laughed. The child’s sunshine-like smile warmed Rosetta’s dizzy mind. It was a good thing she had brought this child to the castle after all.
As soon as they reached the river, the work began. The sight of the dyed fabric spreading out in the river was even more spectacular than I had expected. Red, purple, and other colors spread out across the blue water. As Rosetta gazed at the colorful river, she thought to herself that if she were an artist, she would paint a picture of this scene and keep it forever. But since she couldn’t, she could only capture this moment as best she could with her eyes.
“Very beautiful, isn’t it?”
The old woman approached and spoke to Rosetta. The old woman was one of the people she had become closest to over the time of dyeing together.
“I was already thinking of painting this,” Rosetta said, “but it’s a shame I don’t have the talent.”
“Why would you want to paint it? You’ll have to come back and see, there will be plenty of opportunities.”
Rosetta didn’t answer, just smiled bitterly. The old woman’s face colored with a faint flush of pride.
“These are the moments that make me feel the most proud. Now all I have to do is dry it well, and the sky and wind will do the rest.”