NIYTR 29

Chapter 29

Rosemary, Unconscious

Edelweiss met Damian’s bluish irises head-on.

Just moments ago, his touch had felt cool—but now, that same hand radiated an unexpected heat.

“Say it. What’s hurting?”

“…”

“I won’t force you to stay.”

Thump. Thump.

The quiet thudding of Damian’s heartbeat reached her ears and gradually calmed her nerves.

He didn’t need to do anything dramatic—just his presence was enough to return her to herself.

“…Thank you, Your Highness. I think I was just a little dizzy. I’m not unwell,”

she murmured in a low, whisper-like voice.

“….”

Damian said nothing, his gaze still tangled with hers.

Those gently rippling blue eyes made her feel as though she were submerged in still water.

“You really are…”

His unwavering stare made her stomach flutter uncomfortably. In the end, Edelweiss looked away first.

“Your Highness, I’m all right now. You can let go.”

She glanced down at the large, slender hand still resting firmly on her waist.

But Damian made no move to release her.

…Someone’s coming.

Clack—

The sound of a key turning in the lock echoed, followed by the creak of the door opening.

Startled, Edelweiss quickly pressed her hands against his chest to push him away—

Of course, Damian didn’t budge an inch.

Edelweiss looked toward the open door, unsure how to react.

She thought it would be Princess Charlotte coming to let them out—but the one who entered was—

“Your Highness Damian, it’s Catherine.”

It was the head maid of Calliope Palace. She bowed politely.

“…What is it?”

“His Majesty has summoned you. He said it’s urgent and asks that you come to Soleil Palace immediately.”

“The old man really enjoys dragging people around.”

Damian swept his bangs back, his voice unmistakably irritated.

“And Charlotte?”

“She had some strawberry cake and is now asleep.”

“Locked us in here and promptly forgot about us, that little foal.”

At the mention of Princess Charlotte, Damian’s expression relaxed slightly.

‘Why is she looking at me like that?’

Edelweiss felt a sharp gaze. She glanced sideways—and sure enough, the maid was staring at her with thinly veiled hostility.

‘Catherine Simon… Baroness Simon.’

A young baroness, married off to Baron Simon, a man around her father’s age.

When their eyes met, Catherine quickly plastered on a polite smile, but couldn’t hide the way her hands were clenched tightly together.

They had never spoken in either this life or the previous one. Edelweiss had only glimpsed her in passing a few times while visiting Calliope Palace.

But she quickly brushed it off.

Her stomach was still churning—she didn’t have the energy to deal with a maid’s resentment.

“Then wait until the rain stops. It looks like a short shower. I’ll be going now.”

“…Yes.”

“The answer you didn’t give earlier—I’ll hear it next time.”

Leaving behind his persistent curiosity, Damian exited the greenhouse.

Despite the rain, he didn’t hesitate. The startled maid rushed after him.

Edelweiss stood alone, watching the raindrops fall. Now that she was by herself, the tension began to ease, and weariness came crashing down.

‘…Where have you been?’

The green butterfly appeared suddenly, fluttering gently toward her.

Oddly, it wasn’t wet from the rain, but it flew lower and slower than usual.

‘You’re sluggish in the rain too, huh?’

She held out her index finger, and the butterfly landed softly.

The scent of damp earth rose from the soaked ground.

Breathing in that scent, Edelweiss reminded herself: I’m still alive.

Since the day she returned from Calliope Palace, the rain hadn’t stopped.

Once it started, it showed no sign of letting up.

It’s been a week already.

Rain always brought her mood down, and today, her nerves were especially frayed. Her body felt strangely heavy.

“Lady Edelweiss.”

Even the sound of rain irritated her. She was about to draw the curtains when Anna’s voice called from outside.

“…Anna, if it’s not urgent, come back later.”

“A messenger from Duke Stern has come. Should I just tell them you’re busy and send them away?”

“Duke Stern? Why…?”

He’d sent someone?

“They didn’t explain. Just said their name was Jane, and that Lady Edelweiss would know who it was.”

Jane.

Did something happen to Rosemary?

She wasn’t in the mood to deal with anyone—but sending Jane away without hearing her out left a bad feeling.

“I’ll come down. Tell her to wait below.”

“Yes, Lady Edelweiss.”

She had no intention of letting Jane into her room.

Rubbing her tired eyes, Edelweiss let out a slow breath and walked down the corridor.

Jane came into view, standing at the bottom of the stairs.

“My lady! Have you been well?”

She greeted Edelweiss like someone meeting a long-lost friend.

But Edelweiss, forcing a smile, didn’t have the strength for pleasantries today.

“Jane. I’m tired, so please just get to the point. Why did Duke Stern send you?”

Jane, briefly flustered by Edelweiss’s curt tone, hesitated before replying.

“Lady Rosemary was startled by thunder and fell down the stairs. She lost consciousness.”

“…What?”

“She seemed to have hit her head quite hard when she fell. That’s why Duke Stern asked me to inform you and bring you quickly.”

The moment she heard this, a flash of realization shot through Edelweiss’s mind.

I remember catching Rosemary when she was about to fall down the stairs.

It had happened today.

She had twisted her ankle protecting Rosemary, becoming a limping wreck in her place.

How could I forget that?

Maybe that’s why her mood had been so sour all day.

What if I fall again?

Suddenly, the idea of going down the stairs terrified her.

What if she became crippled again, bearing that pain all over?

Edelweiss gripped the banister tightly.

“Edel. Let me hold your hand.”

From behind her came the calm voice of the Marquis of Blossomweaver, reaching out.

“…Uncle.”

“No matter what happens, I’m here. Don’t worry.”

Reassured, Edelweiss gathered her courage and began to descend, step by cautious step.

“So, the Viscountess of Benel fell down the stairs and lost consciousness—and you show up here without even notice?”

His voice was sharp, almost scoffing.

“She fell on her own, startled. What does that have to do with my daughter?”

“Pardon?”

“She’s not even dead, is she? And you’re making a fuss over a little fainting spell? Anyone would think it was a funeral.”

Jane looked stunned at the Marquis’s biting tone.

“B-but Lady Rosemary is—she’s Lady Edelweiss’s sister, and I thought… you were close, so…”

“Go back to Duke Stern and tell him this: if his bastard child is sick, he should call a doctor—not summon my daughter.”

The Marquis of Blossomweaver’s words were cold and cutting.

But then he turned to Edelweiss with softened eyes.

“Edel. What if you get into an accident on those wet roads? Just ignore it. There’s nothing Duke Stern can do if you don’t go.”

“…”

“You’re the heir of Blossomweaver. The Lady of Oberlin. He cannot lay a finger on you.”

“But, Marquis… the Duke—”

Jane tried to interject, but he immediately cut her down with a cold edge in his voice.

“Who gave you permission to speak?”

His glare was sharp enough to wound.

“Do you take us lightly because you serve the Stern family?”

Trembling, Jane quickly bowed her head.

“I—I’m sorry, Marquis. I didn’t mean any disrespect…”

Edelweiss didn’t want to go. But this time… she had to see for herself.

“…I’ll go. There’s something I need to confirm.”

Because she had something she needed to return—

the same words Rosemary had once thrown at her.