TWFLLYM Ch 96

It's Not Useless (2)

Nothing beat the servants' passageway for a secret meeting. With Elona's help, Roserikta and Kalart met without anyone knowing.

The narrow corridor, barely wide enough for one person to pass, remained dark and quiet today.

[Kalart] "So?"

His voice echoed low in the space.

[Roserikta] "I thought we could try a similar method."

[Kalart] "I don't like it."

She expected Kalart to welcome the idea. His reaction flustered her.

[Roserikta] "Do you think it won't work?"

[Kalart] "Not exactly."

He pulled her hand, caressing it playfully before interlacing his fingers with hers.

Roserikta considered this a habit of his restless hands. However, Kalart possessed no such habit. He simply loved touching her.

[Kalart] "I don't want to tell that kind of lie. Pretending not to like you. I have no confidence I can do it properly."

[Roserikta] "It won't be that difficult."

Her face flushed inexplicably. Placing a hand on the warming nape of her neck, she thought this might be her own habit.

Strangely, whenever this man is near, I burn up. My heart races faster. Sometimes I even sweat.

Now that I think about it, these mirror the symptoms of consuming a love potion.

What do I do? I must like him so much.

[Roserikta] "Your Highness, therefore…… you don't have to do anything."

[Kalart] "I don't have to lie?"

He asked, raising the back of her hand to his lips.

She wondered if a man's face naturally looked this sensual when half-covered by a woman's hand.

[Roserikta] "You don't have to do it unless the situation requires it. You just need to stop what you are doing now."

[Kalart] "What am I doing now?"

He slid his lips across the back of her hand. His other hand wrapped around her waist.

[Kalart] "Don't tell me you mean I should stop doing this."

In the past, she would have told him to save this for later and focus on a constructive conversation.

But right now, I don't want to.

Look at me. What will I do if I become more like him?

[Roserikta] "Sending gifts or invitations every day. They prove useless."

[Kalart] "So I should stop?"

His counter-question carried a subtle grumble. He released her hand and pulled her head in for a hug.

[Kalart] "I want to do so many things. I have restrained myself. Sending one every day is not enough."

You will end up selling the country at this rate, Your Highness.

[Roserikta] "You have already given too much. And honestly……"

[Kalart] "Witches don't need them? I know."

She rested her forehead against his shoulder. As she drew close, his body scent mixed with his warmth washed over her.

Why does this man smell so good?

Just like Clobell, she rarely bathed because she was lazy. Yet she always gave off a warm, pleasant scent.

He is the same. No, he obviously washes well every day. It is a completely different scent, but strangely, they share a similar vibe.

[Kalart] "Still, I want you to lack nothing. I want you to have everything I can possess."

[Roserikta] "Your unchanging heart is enough for me."

[Kalart] "Isn't a heart too easy?"

He knows nothing.

[Roserikta] "The opposite. The heart is the most difficult thing."

She loved the hand slowly patting her back. The sensations he provided proved intoxicating.

[Roserikta] "That explains why love potions became forbidden. The human heart is too complex and full of variables. Many variables mean it changes easily."

He lowered his head and rubbed his lips against her hair.

[Kalart] "Do you always keep in mind that my heart might change?"

[Roserikta] "Hmm…… At first, I did. But I have forgotten it all now."

Because looking at you, I know that will never happen. You stand firm and solid, always staying right there.

[Kalart] "That sounds like permission to act arrogant."

[Roserikta] "Haha…… You are right."

Hugging him back, Roserikta lifted her chin. His jaw leveled with her eyes. Glancing up further, she met the beautiful black eyes gazing down at her.

[Roserikta] "I am a witch, too. I shared Grandmother's mindset. I considered the human heart the most untrustworthy thing, but you made me forget that."

[Kalart] "I am honored."

Peck. He kissed the tip of her nose.

[Roserikta] "So you don't have to do anything for a while. Most witches have fiery tempers. Grandmother will react quickly."

[Kalart] "What if it backfires?"

[Roserikta] "Then we marry amid countless blessings and a little opposition."

[Kalart] "Your only family forms that opposition. I refuse to accept that."

[Roserikta] "Then we will brainstorm another method when the time comes. Let us try this first."

He chuckled, reminiscent of the moments he called Roserikta cute in random situations.

[Kalart] "All witches have fiery tempers?"

[Roserikta] "I am calm. Perhaps because of my mixed blood."

[Kalart] "You resemble your grandmother."

[Roserikta] "Hmm…… No."

He simply smiled, not attempting to contradict her words.

[Roserikta] "Then you will follow my plan?"

[Kalart] "If you wish."

[Roserikta] "Yes. Now, stop sending gifts, and don't visit me. Give Countess Aldwin a reasonable excuse."

[Kalart] "Is that enough?"

[Roserikta] "Yes. I will handle the rest."

Unable to resist the cute, upturned nose meeting his gaze, Kalart continued to place light kisses on it.

[Kalart] "I granted your request, so shouldn't you grant mine?"

Is asking him to stop sending gifts considered a request?

[Roserikta] "The word 'request' feels inaccurate, but I plan to listen. Tell me."

[Kalart] "While we maintain this fake distance, I want to meet you here every day. Once a day. It doesn't have to be here."

[Roserikta] "Meeting at the same time and place every day invites suspicion."

[Kalart] "What if we change the time?"

[Roserikta] "Hmm…… Wouldn't setting a daily appointment be a hassle?"

[Kalart] "We can set it when we part ways each day."

That made sense.

[Roserikta] "Let us do that, then."

[Kalart] "And I have one more thing."

Saying this, he scooped her into his arms. She let out a surprised gasp, causing him to panic and freeze.

[Kalart] "Ah…… Am I not supposed to do this when you carry a child?"

[Roserikta] "It is not that severe. Furthermore, the child has not even formed yet."

[Kalart] "The baby will be born, though."

[Roserikta] "It is far too early."

[Kalart] "Is that so?"

He smiled briefly, lost in thought.

[Kalart] "Things will change once the baby grows."

His gaze dropped downward. Realizing he was imagining her with a swollen belly,

She raised her hand to cover his eyes.

[Roserikta] "Stop looking. I told you, it is too early. It will take months to show."

[Kalart] "Understood. Remove your hand."

[Roserikta] "Promise you won't look at me strangely."

[Kalart] "I never looked at you strangely."

[Roserikta] "You do."

[Kalart] "I don't."

Watching his lips move below her hand evoked a strange feeling.

This allows me to stare at him freely. He looks handsome even with half his face covered.

With her free hand, Roserikta pressed against his lips.

Come to think of it, we haven't kissed today.

[Roserikta] "……By the way, what was your other request?"

He moved his lips to whisper.

[Kalart] "Kiss me every day. In a different place every day."

[Roserikta] "……"

Although the reason behind needing a new spot eluded her, his request touched her deeply.

It sounds like he wants steady, thorough love every single day.

Honestly, you don't even need to ask. Because I am the one who wants to love you equally and thoroughly every day.

[Roserikta] "I will, Your Highness."

Today's target was his lips.

---

The effects materialized the very next day.

This morning started quietly. Until yesterday, the Head Maid and her attendants bustled about, managing everything from wash water to miscellaneous tasks.

They floated fresh petals in newly fetched cold water, waited with towels to catch any stray droplets, and dressed Roserikta in new clothes matching the color of the flowers Kalart sent that day.

Meanwhile, they brought Clobellina an early breakfast to prevent her from complaining and even entertained her with peacock feathers tied to strings.

Once Roserikta dressed, an overly extravagant breakfast arrived. After the meal, a steady stream of gifts followed under various excuses.

Habits are formidable. Despite finding it excessive, she had slowly started adapting, but that all changed this morning.

[Clobell] "Hm? Something changed. Why does it suddenly look so plain?"

She flared her tiny nose.

[Clobell] "Why is the nice smell fainter today. It is strange. Waking up to that smell made me happy."

Leaping from Grandmother's bed to the floor, Clobellina scanned the room with narrowed eyes.

[Clobell] "Where did all the flowers go?"

[Roserikta] "Good morning, Clobell. Did you sleep well, Grandmother? And the Head Maid cleared out the flowers."

[Clobell] "Hm? Why did she clear them?"

[Roserikta] "Before they withered."

[Clobell] "She is uselessly diligent. They still looked fresh and pretty."

Roserikta purposely avoided checking Grandmother's reaction.

That would be too obvious, right? I must pretend not to care.

[Roserikta] "Let's wash up and get breakfast. Lady Elona mentioned delicious pheasant pie for this morning. Does that sound good to you, Grandmother?"

Before Mazi could answer, Clobellina shouted.

[Clobell] "Hm? Where are we going for food? Why are we going? They brought it to us every day."

[Roserikta] "Ah…… His Highness sent those meals. Not today, it seems. We must eat in the dining hall."

Clobellina grumbled.

[Clobell] "What is that. Giving and taking away. The dining hall is far. My stomach will empty before we walk back."

[Roserikta] "Come on, the past few days were special treatment. Think about it. So many people suffered carrying meals to this room."

[Clobell] "That is none of my business."

She spouted her typical selfish remarks.

[Clobell] "Tell him to bring it again. Giving and taking it away is incredibly petty."

[Roserikta] "All right. I will pass the message when I see His Highness. Grandmother, please wash up."

[Mazi] "……Alright."

Her response arrived unusually late. Roserikta watched Grandmother rise from the bed sluggishly.

Hmm. I hope this works.

[Clobell] "What is this? Why is it just plain water today?"

Clobellina scowled at the plain water resting in the white porcelain bowl.

[Roserikta] "What do you mean, Clobell. You rarely wash your face anyway. Plus, you said you couldn't appreciate floating flowers."

[Clobell] "Did I say that?"

[Roserikta] "You did. Stop complaining and wash up."

Grandmother remained silent.

After somehow finishing their wash, Clobellina complained throughout breakfast in the dining hall.

[Clobell] "The number of dishes decreased. This is unacceptable."

[Roserikta] "It is the same as usual. We just lived in luxury for a few days."

[Clobell] "Hmph. This is unfair."

[Roserikta] "You complained that sending food you can't even finish just makes you bloated and ruins your appetite."

[Clobell] "Did I say that?"

[Roserikta] "Yes. You did."

Elona chimed in from the side.

[Elona] "You did, Clobell."

Clobellina puffed out her cheeks.

[Clobell] "They say you don't notice when someone arrives, but you feel the emptiness when they leave."

Grandmother Mazi maintained her silence.

Eventually, afternoon tea time rolled around.

[Clobell] "My snacks! Where did all my snacks go!"

She paced the room, meowing pitifully.

[Roserikta] "What's wrong, Clobell?"

[Clobell] "The tea cart should have arrived by now! Why are my snacks not here!"

[Roserikta] "Well……"

Elona intervened.

[Elona] "Shall I go ask the Head Maid?"

[Clobell] "Take me with you! Why are they withholding my snacks!"

Fully accustomed to the recent luxury, she spoke as if she owned the snacks.

[Roserikta] "Will you do that, Lady Elona? I will stay with Grandmother."

[Clobell] "Hurry up. I can't wait. Why did they suddenly lose all their sincerity?"

Elona scooped up the huffing Clobellina and left the Crown Princess' private chambers.

The pair returned over an hour later.

---

[Clobell] "This makes no sense……."

She completely lost her spirit. Her tail drooped, and she remained motionless.

[Clobell] "This is unacceptable. This can't happen……."

[Roserikta] "Why? What happened, Clobell?"

Roserikta feigned ignorance and patted her. Elona shook her head beside them.

[Elona] "The Head Maid stated she will only prepare afternoon tea once a day from now on."

Roserikta tilted her head.

[Roserikta] "Wasn't that always the case?"

[Elona] "It was. His Highness sent extra refreshments as gifts because Grandmother Mazi is here. But today, His Highness gave no word of sending gifts."

[Roserikta] "Ah, I see."

Clobellina released a deeply depressed voice.

[Clobell] "Hmph……. This is unacceptable."