Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Rosette placed strainers into two teacups, then opened the lid of a glass jar and spooned tea leaves into the cups. The scent of flowers gently spread, easing her tense mind.

Soon, she picked up the teapot, where water had boiled by magic, and began pouring it over the tea leaves.

It was a familiar act she performed daily, yet under Theodore’s steady gaze, Rosette felt her body stiffen.

The teapot was quite heavy, filled with hot water, and Rosette’s wrist, holding it, trembled ever so slightly.

“Give it to me.”

Theodore, who had been watching her closely, took the teapot from Rosette’s hands.

For a fleeting moment, their hands brushed, and Rosette felt a flush of heat. Her ears also turned a faint red, but she deliberately maintained her composure.

His rough yet long fingers wrapped around the teapot handle, then slowly poured hot water into the teacup.

His actions seemed indifferent at first glance, but a closer look revealed him delicately controlling the speed.

“Is this how it’s done?”

“Yes, a little slower.”

Rosette had been idly admiring him, but at the sudden sound of his voice, she felt her drifting mind snap back into place.

His appearance, like something out of a masterpiece painting, was somehow captivating in itself. Rosette unconsciously swallowed hard.

Perhaps it was his delicate actions, so unbefitting his somewhat rough demeanor, but she gradually felt her tension release.

After pouring all the hot water, Theodore took a teacup, savored the aroma several times, and then took a sip. His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly, and his lips, excessively red for a man, glistened with tea.

Rosette found her gaze involuntarily drawn to his plump lips.

Then, the memory of that day resurfaced.

In her mind, the events of that day unfolded like a chain reaction, arriving in an instant. The indecent kiss they had shared under the influence of alcohol also came rushing back in a flash.

“The aroma is rather nice.”

His lips parted, and he softly commented on the tea. His tongue, briefly visible, was as crimson as if crushed roses had been applied to it.

Theodore noticed Rosette’s flushed face and surprised gaze, then realized the reason and let out a small laugh.

At his reaction, Rosette quickly lowered her eyes, her voice rising in pitch.

“Y-yes, isn’t it? It was my favorite tea when I lived in the Hersia Kingdom, so I’m sure Your Majesty will enjoy it too.”

“It’s a flavor I’ve never tasted before.”

“That’s because it’s a tea that only grows in warm regions. The temperature differences aren’t very significant in our kingdom.”

“But the scent feels familiar somehow.”

“How perceptive of you. After it was discovered to be good for insomnia, not only Lavender tea but also perfumes and oils were made from it, and the Kaysen Empire was the largest exporter, so you must be familiar with it.”

“I see.”

“Yes, it’s also beneficial for health, so it’s good to drink after a rich meal. It helps digestion and also freshens your mouth.”

Encouraged by his showing interest, Rosette began explaining enthusiastically. The somewhat stiff atmosphere inside the carriage was now filled with the warmth of the hot tea.

“Interesting. Do you enjoy tea quite a bit?”

“Well, when you like something, you naturally learn about it, don’t you? It’s like that.”

At Rosette’s chattering voice and lively expression, Theodore fixed his gaze on her face as if transfixed. Though he barely registered the content of her words, the act of discussing someone’s interests itself was intriguing to him.

And somehow, it wasn’t unpleasant, so he quietly listened to her.

Emboldened by Theodore’s reaction, Rosette began to speak about herself as if a floodgate had opened.

“The Hersia Kingdom, known as the Nation of Gastronomy, has a lot of delicious food, not just tea. My mother told me that when I was little, there was a food I disliked, but when she changed the recipe, I ate it right away, thinking it was a different dish. Isn’t that fun? There are so many kinds of seasonings and a huge variety of recipes. If there’s ever an opportunity…”

Rosette stopped herself just before blurting out the words that had come to mind. She had almost said how she wished they could share a meal from her homeland.

They weren’t intimate enough for such a suggestion, and once their arrangement was over, they would likely never see each other again, making her words inappropriate.

Realizing this, Rosette trailed off, fell silent for a moment, then changed her topic.

“Ah… well, there probably won’t be an opportunity for food… but if it’s alright, perhaps I could bring you some tea from my room? I have a few other varieties besides this one.”

“Sure.”

Theodore’s positive response gave Rosette confidence, and she smiled sweetly at him. If Theodore was treating her so casually, there was no reason for her to be nervous or tremble either.

They were in the same boat, after all. She just had to think of it as an accident that had simply happened.

“You look much better now.”

“Pardon?”

“You’ve been so stiff. And recently, you keep avoiding me whenever you see me.”

Just as she suspected, his tone implied he knew she had been avoiding him. And even a hint of disappointment in his voice. His uncharacteristic reaction left her equally confused.

“A-avoiding you? Isn’t that just your imagination, Your Majesty?”

“You’d know better.”

Was he even sulking? Rosette was certain it was her imagination, yet her instincts kept telling her otherwise.

And the fact that he was in the carriage with her now was another question. If it was because he was displeased with her avoiding him, then it would make sense…

“Is it about the kiss?”

“Pffft!”

At his blunt words, Rosette promptly spat out the tea she had been drinking. A mixture of Rosette’s saliva and tea splattered on Theodore’s face, forming droplets. Seeing his face drenched in tea, Rosette’s face flushed with mortification.

“Oh, I… I-I’m so sorry…!”

Theodore, having suddenly been sprayed directly in the face with tea from Rosette’s mouth, pulled out a handkerchief from inside his cloak. It was a dark silk handkerchief that suited him well.

“I’ll wipe it for you.”

Rosette snatched the handkerchief from him and carefully began to wipe his face. A surprisingly large amount had splattered, making her acutely embarrassed, which only made her clean more meticulously.

She had heard he wielded a sword, but how could a man’s skin be so smooth, without a single pore? Up close, it was even clearer and purer, like porcelain. And his eyelashes? Why were they so long? He had more captivating eyes than even Rosette, a woman. What about his sharp nose and… his lips, luminous as the finest freshly picked fruit?

The heavens were truly unfair. But then again, this man’s personality was so awful, perhaps it wasn’t so unfair after all.

Yet, he had never treated Rosette badly… People truly needed to experience others to know them. Or perhaps, he was just acting for her benefit, seeing her as someone he needed.

As Rosette’s mind became filled with various thoughts, Theodore suddenly opened his eyes, making Rosette nearly fall backward.

“Are you done admiring?”

“Ah! You startled me. W-what are you talking about?”

“My face.”

Mind reading now too? Rosette hastily returned to her seat, clutching her pounding heart.

“T-that incident was an accident of sorts… Yes, like bumping into someone while walking down the street.”

“I recall the contact lasting quite a while for it to be just that…”

She quickly cut off his words, which were turning increasingly suggestive.

“Here, have another cup. It’s good for restful sleep, so you’ll drift right off.”

Rosette’s face, from her earlobes to her neck, had turned bright red. Her honest reaction made him want to tease her more, but seeing her transparent eyes that looked like they might tear up at any moment, he decided it was best to stop. At her request, Theodore gently closed his eyes.

“The tea is fine. As you wished, I’ll close my eyes for a bit. But it would be troublesome if you tried to ambush me again while I’m asleep.”

“What? W-who ambushed you?”

Rosette fanned herself with her hand in the air, as if the carriage was too hot. Honestly, how absurd, she muttered to herself repeatedly, fidgeting. Theodore watched her from slitted eyes, then chuckled softly. Sensing something strange, she looked at him again, but Theodore’s expression was as serene as if nothing had happened.

And so, after sharing tea with him and spending a surprisingly unawkward time, they arrived.

After hours of travel, they reached the Bill Bronze Region. Rosette and Theodore disembarked from the carriage together. Soon, the lord and his entourage approached and greeted the Emperor. Rosette, too, had somehow become a celebrity; everyone seemed to recognize her and looked surprised.

Anyone would be captivated by the sacred-looking white carriage and her mysterious appearance that matched it. Moreover, with her possessing miraculous abilities, a small stir went through the people gathered there, their gazes instead drawn to Rosette.

Looking around properly, she saw farmland everywhere, consisting of rice paddies and fields. What stood out conspicuously, however, was that most of the crops were withered, even though it was the peak harvesting season.

Moreover, the cornfield on the right had turned completely black, beyond recovery. Let alone harvesting, it was impossible to plant new crops in such soil.

At the ominous sight, Rosette’s brow furrowed slightly.

Soon, the lord beside them approached and began to report the region’s current situation to the Emperor.

“As you can see… all the crops are dying from an unknown disease.”

“How long has it been since the symptoms began?”

“It’s been over two months now. It hasn’t been long, but for this to happen during harvest season… many of our people have lost their entire year’s harvest.”

Most of the crops were rotten or withered, making them commercially worthless. In severe areas, even the soil was ruined, accompanied by a foul stench, forcing people to cover their noses.

“We tried strong pesticides, thinking it might be insects, and even called in experts, but they only kept repeating that they don’t know the cause… I don’t know what to do. Furthermore, disposing of the unusable crops is also a major headache.”