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Chapter 68
These stormy days of rain and lightning were her favorite weather to go to bed at. But now, she was concerned about this kind of weather because of Maxim Lancert.
The morning before at dawn, Maxim’s face was as pale as death. Sweat was dripping all over his body and he had groaned painfully as if he was having nightmares. His expression looked like a man in the pit of hell.
He always showed a cool and strong side. It was the first time she had seen him like that, so Rose was startled. Because she couldn’t stand still and watch, all she could think of was to wake him up and save him from his pain. That was the reason why she was looking out the window anxiously when she was with her parents earlier.
Boom!
As lightning brightened the room, Rose put down her glass of wine. She donned a robe and left the room. She went back to the study and then to his bedroom, but he was nowhere to be seen.
‘Where the hell did this man go?!’
Now that her heart was impatient, she opened all the nearby doors one by one. She looked all over the drawing-room, dining room, and hall, but couldn’t find a single ant.
‘Since Jansen didn’t say anything, he must still be somewhere in the house.’
Rose, standing in the middle of the stairs, nervously bit her nails.
‘Don’t say…’
Looking back, her steps sped towards somewhere. There was one place she hadn’t checked yet. She ran down the stairs, ran to the end of the hallway, and passed once more through the narrow hallway in the corner. The surroundings were completely dark, except for a faint light leaking out from behind the closed door. Rose calmed her breath and stared at the door quietly.
Maxim looked around the room, slowly tilting the glass. The weather was like trash and he felt like his head was going to split in two. He couldn’t sleep, so he found this place while looking around the mansion. At first, he was excited as if he had discovered a secret door.
This room, which was built like a secret room as if to protect this space even in the event of a war, was like a treasure trove for the landlord. He had heard that this great mansion was well versed in art, but he didn’t expect the extent of it. The space was like a museum as if all the treasures of a kingdom were brought. Although it looked like a useless antique to his eyes, if anyone else had seen it, they would have opened their mouths in amazement.
There was something that caught his eye more than the glitter of gold and jewels. These were the large and small picture frames that filled the walls. He knew several painters received support from the family and were provided accommodation and meals.
Indeed, at a glance, the paintings on the wall showed the history of the Etoile family. Even among these happy-looking families, his eyes followed only one person.
Rose Etoile.
She was a newborn baby in the arms of Mrs. Audrey, with wings drawn on her like an angel. A girl with big purple eyes, sitting between two identical-looking boys. A young girl holding Count Jared’s hand and smiling broadly in front of a fountain. A picture of her drawing the figure of her grandfather at the window. Finally, wearing a green dress, with red hair hanging down to her waist, her lips slightly open and looking back. The growing process of Rose Etoile from childhood to becoming a proper Lady was beautifully expressed in these pictures. He could feel how precious and loved the person portrayed was by the one who commissioned the painting. Maxim stood in front of the last picture and stared intently into her face as she turned back.
‘Why did this woman leave her family and come to the North? Why do you have such hatred for Cassiax? Why, of all things, did you choose me?’ He recalled what Jansen once said. A woman who was even considered a candidate for the Crown Princess volunteered to come to the North. Everyone thought she was crazy.
‘You… What are you thinking?’ Maxim raised his hand and gently stroked her face in the painting. Soon after, he placed his lips lightly over hers.
At that moment, Rose, who watched the scene through the open gap, froze in embarrassment. Coming to her senses, she left the place very quietly and quickly without him noticing.
Rose rushed to her room and laid down on the bed, blinking her eyes and looking at the ceiling. She couldn’t stop her heart from beating like crazy.
Such a scene got engraved so clearly in her mind.
‘How come…? Why…!’
The next day, Rose suffered a lot since the break of dawn due to the visit of her mother, Mrs. Audrey.
“Cassiax’s wedding isn’t a big deal. My closet is already overflowing with dresses I’ve never worn before, mother.”
Rose said she didn’t understand, but Mrs. Audrey’s heart was not in the same place.
“The dresses you bought before going to the North? Oh, God. If you wear that, your mother will die from embarrassment.”
“Mother…”
“The fashion in the capital has already changed a few times, how can you wear an old dress?”
Rose looked at Mrs. Audrey with a disapproving expression. Since she was in the North, she had no idea about the fashion of the capital.
“If you want to tarnish your reputation in my face, then do it!”
Mrs. Audrey turned her back and sniffed. She was the daughter who almost became the Crown Princess. It was regrettable that the position was taken away, but as a mother she wanted her daughter to look more beautiful and noble than Marquis Montara’s esteemed daughter, the protagonist of the wedding ceremony. She was disappointed her daughter didn’t know that either.
“Then wait a moment while I change my clothes. I’ll be back.”
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Only after Audrey pretended to wipe her tears with a handkerchief did Rose follow her. Sending her daughter to the North must have been like the sky falling for her, but if she could comfort her mother with something like this, there was nothing Rose couldn’t do. As the two climbed into the family wagon, the mother began to speak gracefully.
“What’s there to lose with Montara’s esteemed daughter? Not because you’re my daughter, but because you’re pretty, smart, and not lacking in anything. Besides, don’t you have a decent husband now?”
Countess Audrey’s expression brightened as she opened her fan and fanned herself. A few days ago, she was holding the hand of her husband, Count Jared, and sighing deeply and yet she had completely changed now. After seeing Maxim, from whom she had only heard of terrifying rumors, her face lit up and became elated. The man to whom her daughter was married was no monster, no devil, nor an ugly old man. Besides, wasn’t he a decent king of the North? Preconceived notions about the North and the Northern king had gradually faded and her favorability increased. Their ferocity, which she had heard so far, turned into strength, and their savagery turned into toughness. It was a subtle nuance, but the difference was enormous.
Like mother-like-daughter, Audrey Etoile was quick to adapt and positive about the situation as Rose Etoile.
“However, where did Hans Oppa go that I can’t see him this whole time? Even when I got home.”
“He has been busy wandering around these days. Don’t you know better? That kid.”
“What do you mean? Knowing better?”
Rose didn’t understand what her mother was saying.
“After going to see you, he suddenly became busy. He and your father always have serious conversations in the study.”
“With father?”
“I don’t know either. What do they say? You can’t trade ships directly. You have to bid in someone else’s name– All I hear is boring business talk.
“Ah…”
Even with the inaccurate information her mother gave her, Rose had an idea of the subject.
“So now, Hans Oppa is busy preparing for a new business.”
Rose’s eyes lit up and she grabbed her mother’s hands.
“Well, did Hans ever tell you when and where he was going? It’s more like he’s just coming when he’s coming, and going when he is gone. I don’t know if I’m dealing with a guest or my son. Anyway, Hans, that kid, he has to find a good wife to make him stay home because I can’t do it.”
Audrey folded the fan and said as if determined. At the thought of his second son, Hans, who was living as he pleased, the fever went up to her face.
“There must be good people out there. I’m going to bring my brother’s hidden bride with me.”
Rose smiled and wrapped her arms around her mother’s shoulder. Hans’ words before returning to Solstern came to mind.
“I’ll find out if there is a way for the family’s business to enter Helevant. Of course, I’ll have to discuss it with father.”
‘Then was it because of that matter?’
As Rose was immersed in such thoughts, her mother said with her eyes twinkling as if relieved, “Before the wedding, there will be a dinner for distinguished guests from all over the world. I’m already looking forward to what everyone’s expression will be at that time. Hohoho.”
Rose didn’t want to scatter ashes on her mother’s expectations, so she just listened quietly.
“You don’t know how much Marchioness Adelia dug into my heart while pretending to be worried about you. Then she sent her daughter to the chubby, fat earl as if it was so good.”
‘Wasn’t that chubby Count father in the past? Of course, he has changed a lot thanks to my mother.’
Rose endured the laughter threatening to leak out of her mouth and looked warmly at her mother.
“Rose, when you left, I almost stopped socializing at all. I shed tears of blood after leaving my beautiful daughter like that. As a mother, I have never experienced such an ordeal in my life.”
When the injustice of that time hit her as if it were stabbing her heart again, Mrs. Audrey shed tears like pearls. While listening to her mother’s story, Rose suddenly thought of something different and fell into her thoughts.
‘I got married after hurting my mother’s heart, but Hans Oppa should do better… and I hope mother likes the bride too. If it’s Hellen, she’ll probably love her.’
But somehow Rose felt ominous, not hearing her mother’s voice.
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“When they see you, husband and wife, I bet everyone will faint, right? Those naughty women giggled behind other people’s tragedies. Seeing them smile bitterly from a stomach ache will make me feel better as if the suppressed anger has been cleaned away.”
How much had she accumulated during that time? Words that didn’t match Mrs. Audrey’s elegance poured out her mouth.
Countess Audrey, who had been chatting brightly, narrowed her eyebrows as she looked at her daughter who had not heard a word.
“Rose? Rose!!”
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