Chapter 44
“Tell Janssen to buy it.”
As Maxim was about to leave the office after ending the conversation, Rose blocked his path. She said firmly.
“No, I have to choose the color myself. It’s hard to explain to Janssen if I’m not the one going.”
“Have you already forgotten what happened the last time you went out?”
He reminded her of the past with a low warning tone.
“It’ll be safe if I take the escort you gave me. Please allow me to go out.”
“Do you think I’ll allow you to go out on your own?”
“If not, it will be safe with you. Who would dare touch me.”
Rose was fiddling with her fingers and expressing her true intentions. Maxim smirked as if he now knew what she wanted. As he drew closer to her, Rose took one step back. Her back touched the drapery on the wall.
He asked, placing one hand against the wall and using the other one to bring her face closer.
“Did Janssen say that?”
Rose avoided his gaze and answered.
“Why is that important?”
“Why do you want to go outside? What are you up to?”
“What do you mean? I told you, I really need paint. I’m stuck in this boring castle. I hope you understand my hobby.”
As if trying to peek into her head, Maxim’s eyes darkened. Actually, just now, he was thinking of what Janssen had said earlier this morning.
“Are you going alone again this year? Marianne would love to see Her Majesty the Queen.”
Marianne’s image came to mind as well. Every year he went, she was worried about him getting a companion. Marianne’s voice, complaining that her, an old woman, could not shut her eyes comfortably and leave His Majesty alone, hovered around his ears for a moment.
“Your Majesty?”
Recognizing that Maxim was thinking of someone else, Rose cautiously called out to him.
Maxim said as he lowered his arms from the wall and backed away from her.
“I will leave as soon as the meeting is over tomorrow morning.”
Rose’s face brightened when she realized that those words meant that she was given permission.
“Thank you!”
Rose didn’t go out and hesitated even though their business was over.
“What else?”
“That’s… Thank you.”
When her voice, which had been confident until just now, suddenly drifted in, Maxim looked back at Rose as she continued.
“Back then, at the lake.”
Rose was somehow embarrassed to see Maxim’s face, so she hurriedly left the office before hearing his reply.
Rose couldn’t sleep that night with half expectation and half worry. Unknowingly, the day was already bright.
She prepared to go out in modest clothes that her maid had prepared in advance. Her heart was beating strangely.
She didn’t know if it was because she was excited to go out after a long time or because she was nervous about going out with Maxim.
Meanwhile, Maxim, who was leaving after finishing the meeting, had been bothered by it the whole time.
Cough, cough. Janssen had been coughing since the beginning of the meeting. When Maxim looked at him with sharp eyes, Janssen responded with a puzzled smile.
“I apologize. I have a little bit of a cold.”
Maxim’s eyes narrowed and his gaze seemed to pierce Janssen.
His eyes were mixed with doubts and complaints about why Janssen couldn’t take care of himself properly.
“You were fine yesterday, but you got sick today?”
“Yes, my lord. I forgot to close the window last night and fell asleep, but I can still go.”
As soon as Janssen finished answering, he coughed again. When he hurried to follow Maxim, Maxim exhaled slowly.
“I’m not going to drag the patient away.”
“I’ve taken the medicine, so I’ll be fine soon, Your Majesty.
As Maxim stared fiercely, Janssen bowed his head as if he was sorry for being a setback in his plan.
“I’ll heed your order.”
Rose, who was already ready and waiting for Maxim and Janssen outside, became increasingly anxious. The sight of the two of them coming out with serious faces was something unusual.
‘Why is the atmosphere like that? Did the schedule get canceled?’
When Rose looked at them with a worried face, Janssen, who noticed it, quickly approached her.
“What’s going on?”
“It’s nothing. I’m not feeling well today.”
“You’re not feeling well. Where?”
“It’s not a big deal, but His Majesty said it would be better for me to stay.”
Rose, who was told it was nothing, looked at Janssen with a reassured look, asking if he was really sick.
It was similar to the gaze Maxim gave him earlier.
“I am really unwell.”
Rose said, with really worried eyes.
“Then hurry up and go inside. It’s getting cold.”
Since Janssen was unwell, Rose looked at Maxim, wondering if he would postpone the trip to another day. When things got like this, it was difficult to just follow the schedule. Without Janssen, it was only the two of them.
Of course, there were escort knights who followed them out of sight, but they hid thoroughly. So, in reality, it was only Maxim and her.
‘Ah… It’s awkward and uncomfortable just thinking about it. But it’s not easy to get an opportunity like this to go out and explore freely.’
“Let’s go.”
Rose heard Maxim’s voice as she was immersed in complicated thoughts. He signaled to Rose to get on top of the horse quickly.
She decided to think about the future later and quickly got on the horse.
“Then, have a safe trip.”
Jansen smiled softly and politely greeted Maxim and Rose.
Maxim, Rose, and the loaded wagon slowly moved out of the castle.
“Are you really sick?”
When Freddie, who was also seeing them off, asked him to be honest, Jansen croaked harshly at him.
“I’m really sick!”
Rose, on her horse, followed Maxim and looked at the wagons the soldiers were carrying.
It was enough food and fabric for about four family members to easily live comfortably through the winter.
‘Who on earth is Maxim taking care of?’
Janssen gave her a little hint. She used to work for the castle a long time ago, but now she was a retired maid.
“A Maid? He’s taking care of the maid himself?”
“Marianne is not just a maid. If you meet her, you’ll see. She’ll be looking forward to seeing you, Your Majesty.”
Since Janssen didn’t tell her any details, Rose only became even more curious. At the fork in the road, Maxim stood up.
“As soon as you put your things down at Marianne’s house, go back to the castle.”
“Yes!”
The knights carrying the load bowed their heads and obeyed his orders. As the knights began to move to the other side of the fork in the road, Rose stood alone next to Maxim.
It was the first time Rose had missed Janssen so much. Even though she was able to go outside after hiding her identity, she was suddenly nervous about being alone with Maxim.
“Ahem.”
She cleared her throat once and asked Maxim as if nothing had happened.
“Then where are we going now?”
Maxim looked at Rose with a puzzled expression on his face as if he was asking what that meant.
“Didn’t you come along because you had something to buy?”
Rose made a mistake. She begged him to take her along to buy paint and then she forgot about it!
“Ahh! Paint. We should go to the shopping district.”
When Rose smiled awkwardly, Maxim moved first with a cold face. She rolled her eyes and ran after him. The two people walking together in modest attire looked like an ordinary couple of young lovers.
The shopping stores surrounding the square looked as lively as those in Solstern. Perhaps because of the geographical characteristics of the region, the items displayed outside the market were very different, but in Rose’s eyes, everything seemed amazing. Even people passing by looked amazing.
How far did she walk? She finally spotted a store selling paintings.
“There it is. Wait outside, I’ll be right back.”
Rose proudly handed her reins to Maxim. Maxim’s gaze was displeased, but he eventually accepted it. Before Rose entered her shop, she turned to Maxim.
It was so strange and funny to see him waiting for her as he watched the people pass by. No one could ever imagine that man was ‘that’ Maxim Lancert.
Rose smiled and entered the store.
“Welcome.”
She heard the owner’s mechanical voice and quickly looked around the store. It was just an excuse to get out anyway. She didn’t really need the paint.
‘I’m just going to point something out and buy it.’
“Are you looking for anything?”
The owner spoke to her, looking at her as if she was suspicious due to the robe and the hood.
“Do you have any Veluasan paints?”
She asked the first thing that came to her mind. It was what she always used, so it inadvertently popped out of her mouth.
‘Veluasan?’ The shopkeeper doubted his ears for a moment. He put down the things he was organizing and looked at her once more and answered.
“That paint is out of stock now.”
Veluasan paints were very expensive, but they were the finest paints used by nobles and professional painters.
Few people visited the stores, so he had no choice but to look back at her with suspicious eyes.
It was hard to get an order, but it was strange that such an ordinary-looking young lady asked about an expensive tin of paint so casually, as if she was buying a loaf of bread. He said as he approached her.
“Besides, the paint costs more to ship than the price, so it’s rare that shop will bring it in these days.”
Rose adjusted her robe when she saw the store owner approaching her and looking at her.
“I see.”
She quickly turned her gaze away and changed the subject.
“Is this brush made of weasel fur?”
Rose, who was looking at the brush, saw the quality and price. This time, she was really surprised. ‘How can you sell a brush of this quality at such a low price?’
The shopkeeper, noticing her surprise, said,
“The cold northern weasel is known for its thick fur and soft texture, so it is of good quality. Since it is produced in this region, brushes made out of its fur are cheaper than that in other regions.”
“Oh, that’s right.”
Rose fiddled with the brush with an interesting look as if she had learned something new.
“But Miss, I don’t think you’re from here, right?”
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