CH 74

"You want to be selected as a candidate for Tristan's Gloria?"

Wells wondered if he had heard it wrong.

Russell didn't say anything, but his expression showed that he felt the same way.

It wasn't an unexpected reaction to her sudden outburst, so Rose was able to calmly continue.

"I'm also a noble, so I can't live a secluded life in a manor forever. I made my debut and became an adult, so I have to socialize with the other nobles. To that end, I thought it wouldn't be a bad idea to participate in the contest for Gloria of Tristan."

Fortunately, a ready-made explanation flowed naturally from Rose's lips.

It's a pretty plausible excuse if you think about it yourself.

...No, maybe it's something that I've hidden away in a corner of my heart all along.

Rose could not live under Wells Honeywell's protection forever.

As long as she was a noble, she was destined to marry another noble, and in that case, she would have to take the other person's last name.

At that time, I didn't want to be a stranger to my partner, nor did I want to be left alone in a social world where I lacked even the basics of friendships and connections.

...Alright, when I think about it like this, I think it's okay.

I'm not sure I'll be chosen for the position of Gloria of Tristan, but I'm sure that at the end of this charade I'll know where Ilya Titonsser has been hiding. Of course, that is, unless Nina West was lying.

Deep in contemplation of her thoughts, Rose forgot that she was in the presence of Russell, The Emperor of her nation.

It was only after belatedly recognizing that her surroundings were too quiet that she came to her senses. Rose smiled sheepishly.

Wells, who had no way of knowing Rose's intentions, seemed to be moved by his beloved sister's aggressive behavior and courage to grow and experience the world. At first glance, his eyes seemed to be misting up with emotion.

However, the misty eyes on his face were short-lived, and Wells soon returned to a serious expression.

"Rose, whatever it is, if you say you're going to actively promote it, I'm in favor of it. But now you..."

Wells couldn't complete his sentence, but Rose seemed to know what he was trying to imply.

Sitting on the same couch as him, she moved slightly closer to her beloved brother.

"Brother, are you worried about what's inside me? Of course, I don't know what Elliot will do when he finally wakes up what's inside me, but I don't want to hide in the manor in fear for that reason alone. Especially now that he is not in the capital, I want to increase my influence, even if it's only a little."

What happened before time was reversed is now a blur in Rose's memories.

But even if the details of my past life faded into oblivion, my head still remembers very clearly the pain in my heart of being pushed off a cliff by Elliot, and my body remembers the feeling of my bones shattering as they crashed into the unforgiving ground.

Rose turned to look at Russell.

He, too, was listening to her with all seriousness.

"What do you think, Your Majesty?"

Rose was curious about his opinion. Russell, who had not responded as he pondered her explanation, spoke after considerable thought.

"If Lady Honeywell wants to do something, I will support her. Don't worry about Duke Proud or any other threat. I will protect you."

Rose wondered if Wells would be angry if he found out that she felt encouraged like never before by Russell's vow of protection. She laughed, thinking it was nonsense.

As if answering Russell's words, Wells, who had been listening quietly from the sidelines, abruptly interrupted.

"It is either me or the Honeywell family knights who protect my sister."

Russell had long since become accustomed to Wells' familial possessive outbursts in regards to his sister. So it was second nature for him to respond half-heartedly.

"Oh, then I guess so."

Wells said no more.

Instead, he felt his head begin to ache from the soon-to-arrive applications from various families.

Tristan's Gloria was a title that could be called the flower of the founding festival.

For the honor of presenting the beginning and ending of the founding festival to everyone, families with female members sent yearly applications to the Imperial Palace.

Those who work in the Imperial Palace went through many of the applications, filtering those that didn't make the cut.

Among those that passed, it was then handed to Wells and Russell, who chose the real Gloria of Tristan candidate.

A lot of people will participate this year too.

Rose's application would easily pass and come to Russell and Wells.

She possesses the name Honeywell, and as a noble, she has the virtues and knowledge that are essential for a Gloria to possess.

The problem comes after.

Those who have been nominated to become the incarnation of the goddess have to prepare for the competition by cleansing their bodies and minds in a temple not far from the capital.

There are many things they have to refrain from doing and many things they cannot eat.

The preparation period with those restrictions was difficult even for women who had lived a strict aristocratic life from the moment of their births.

Even though they are adults, most of them are young, having just had their coming-of-age ceremony, so there were many people who gave up during the preparation period.

Wells looked at Rose anxiously.

Fortunately for her, there was no food that she was picky about.

I don't have to worry about her not eating or overeating, as my sister will be fine with whatever she is given.

Wells didn't know what they would serve the Gloria candidates at the temple, so he couldn't say for sure that it would help, but he had faith that Rose would do just fine.

The problem lies with me.

Wells, who had allowed Rose to enjoy the abundance of the good things that life had to offer, whether it be food, clothes, or anything else, was afraid that she might end up drinking only water in the temple.

He remembered the young lady who was selected as Tristan's Gloria last year.

I met her previously, the youngest daughter of a certain count family, at an Imperial banquet held for the closing ceremony.

He still couldn't forget the words she uttered while she was surrounded by people and the center of attention.

"Do you want me to become Tristan's Gloria once again? Ho Ho. Even if I die and wake up, I won't be able to do that."

Wells sighed deeply as the memory of her voice rang in his ears.

I'm not trying to cause a scene, but my worries aren't invalid.

Wells thought he might tell Rose that it was okay not to be Tristan's Gloria if he spent any more time debating over the topic of Gloria, so he deliberately changed the topic.

It was indeed a rare occasion where my beloved sister wanted to willingly participate in an event. I couldn't blindly oppose it.

"Rose, it's not long before your birthday. Is there anything you would like to have as a present?"

His change of topic immediately quenched his desire to oppose the previous conversation. Wells' mind, which had been filled with worry, was immediately distracted by Rose's birthday.

Spring is coming soon. That means Rose's birthday is also coming up.

Wells guessed what Rose would say.

I'm sure she'll say that it's fine or that any gift from me is her favorite.

Watching as his beloved sister's lips formed the word of acceptance, Wells struck Rose before she could speak.

"Last year, we had a simple birthday at your request. Please understand your brother's heart, who wants to give you even an extravagant gift."

Last year was even the year that Rose's coming-of-age ceremony was held!

At the time, Rose was suffering from an illness where she was in a passionate, unrequited love for Elliot, and she resisted Wells' every effort to divert her attention.

She smiled shyly when she thought of the version of herself from the year before.

Now that I think about it, I'm glad I didn't say that I wanted to invite Elliot to my birthday at the time.

...My birthday.

Rose glanced at Russell as he recalled her brother's words.

Russell was staring at the floor with his chin resting on the fist leaning on the armrest, perhaps lost in thought.

Since this birthday is a new beginning, even if it's for a short while, would it be possible to spend it with him?

Rose played with her fingers nervously before eventually giving an answer while holding down what she truly wanted to say.

"Brother, if so, give me a necklace. Something nice to wear when attending invitations from noble ladies."

Wells looked delighted at Rose's precise request.

Watching him bring up a list of jewelry that would suit her, Rose, who had been participating in small talk, thought of her brother's birthday.

Wells's birthday is in the fall.

At that time, noblemen would send gifts for him to Honeywell Manor, but some of them came from the Imperial Palace.

The presents from the Imperial Palace were different each year, and yet they were things that Wells said he needed from time to time.

Since Russell and Wells were close, it must have been sent directly by the emperor.

...If I asked for a gift, would you give it to me?

Rose asked silently. She would probably never voice her heart's desires directly to Russell.

I'll fantasize when I go back to the manor after today's coming-of-age celebration is over. Imagine Russell smiling at her, his hand outstretched with a gift specially brought just for her.

Rose laughed inwardly at how stupid she was and inadvertently turned to Russell.

The man in question, who had just been staring at the floor in thought, had at some point turned to staring at her.

Rose's red eyes met Russell's mysterious amethyst-colored eyes.

Frozen by the sudden gaze, they couldn't look away, as if their eyes were locked on each other.

Russell didn't show any reaction and made eye contact with Rose.

Finally, it was he who moved first.

He smiled slightly and straightened his posture.

"Now that I know your birthday, I should send Lady Honeywell a present too."

"...Thank you, Your Majesty."

Rose barely managed to open her mouth and thank him.

Russell nodded.

"But please don't be disappointed with my gift."

It was clear to Rose in her heart that the present she would receive from Russell, even if that gift was just flowers he picked by the roadside, would be accepted with much joy and happiness.

Rose managed to hide the already-spreading expression of excitement and anticipation.

I don't know what kind of gift will come from Russell, but I can't control my smile at the thought that he will personally prepare something for me.

So Rose bowed her head, pretending to tidy up her long hair, hiding the happiness that bloomed within.

Rose wanted time to pass faster so that it would be her birthday in May.

Countess West was in a position to lead most of the conversations and interactions with the noble ladies.

As noble ladies gathered at the coming-of-age celebration held at the Imperial Palace, she naturally led the flow of conversation.

The subject of passionate conversation among the wives was, of course, the Gloria of Tristan, for which the application was about to be received by the Imperial Palace.

All the wives who still had unmarried and of-age daughters chatted about how they would submit applications for Tristan's Gloria.

While everyone was talking in bursts of joy and laughter, a lady turned to Countess West.

"This time, Countess West's niece has also reached the age of maturity, yes? Is she going to participate in the selection for the Gloria of Tristan?"

Besides the lady who asked the question, the other ladies also looked forward to the Countess West's response.

The countess enjoyed her moment in the spotlight, where everyone waited with baited breath for her answer, and gracefully unfolded the fan in her hand.

She paused a little before answering.

"Hmm... Maybe so? Of course, that is, only if she is willing to do so."

Tristan's Gloria, whom any woman with an aristocratic surname wanted to become, and here the Countess was behaving as if it were but a passing competition.

Though Nina said nothing, Countess West intended to submit the application with Nina's name on it.

But I don't know if Nina has any chance of being selected.

Countess West hadn't known Nina for long, but she remembered her character well.

Perhaps it was because she was quiet by nature that Nina never spoke first unless what she wanted to convey was something important.

It wasn't that she was in pain or harmed, but her face was always dark and broody.

It was said that makeup hides your flaws and makes one a beauty that does not fall behind Rose Honeywell, but Tristan's Gloria was not chosen only for her beauty that was decorated with makeup.

"If Countess West's niece..."

Someone interrupted and drew the attention of the women to her.