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chapter 29
Rosellina reflected on the events of last night. It was a time when everyone else was asleep. Dantes did not seem likely to return, and the three musketeers were busy. She assumed that no one would dare enter the place where Roberto Brida was being held.
She needed to loosen her corset, even if just for a moment. The wound on her side hurt more because the brace pressed against it. It seemed best to remove it briefly and apply something to the area where the brace and the wound overlapped. Fortunately, there was an ointment left by the lady who had treated her. She also needed to clean the part of her body that had been confined by the brace for so long.
Rosellina wiped the inside of the brace and her body with a clean cloth. Even if she couldn’t bathe thoroughly in a tub, doing this prevented the wound from getting more contaminated and chafed.
“I need to make sure Dantes doesn’t have to call a doctor again. I’d rather not be in pain. That’s what’s important for now. Whether I accept his proposal or not, he mustn’t worry about me anymore.”
That was the only thing that mattered to Rosellina. She cleaned both herself and the brace meticulously. Now, all that remained was to put the brace and clothes back on. At that moment, with a loud noise, the door opened.
Dantes?
Rosellina instinctively covered her chest. Dantes, full of anger, demanded an explanation for the situation.
“Why did you deceive me? I thought you ran away because of the fact that we are both… men.”
“……”
“I assumed it didn’t matter if I cursed you for being disgusting and ugly. But that wasn’t it, was it? Why did you run away? No matter how much I thought about it last night, I still couldn’t understand your heart. Why on earth did you!”
Though he tried to speak calmly, Dantes could not hide his agitation. His breathing became rapid, and his face flushed. He seemed both angry and bewildered, needing an explanation for the situation. Watching him, Rosellina parted her lips but could not bring herself to speak. No words would come easily.
“Was the fact that I liked you simply offensive? Was it that horrible?”
Dantes had completely misunderstood. Rosellina wanted to explain that it was quite the opposite; she had run away out of fear that she might develop desires for someone she could never truly have.
But what difference would it make to say that now?
Rosellina took a deep breath to steady her racing thoughts and continued.
“Your Majesty, it’s all over now. Those things have no meaning, and I am merely the criminal, Roberto Brida.”
“No meaning?”
Dantes questioned her. Rosellina paused briefly at his reaction but tried not to falter. She wanted him to think only of the present, not the past. Memories of Port’s fiery gaze and the countless criticisms directed at him flashed through her mind.
“Whether I am a woman or a man, I am a criminal who toyed with the royal family. By accepting the punishment Your Majesty has imposed, I will atone for living a false life before everyone.”
“You truly…”
“……”
“…are far too harsh with me. Very well. I shall personally devise a punishment for you. One filled with the utmost pain and humiliation!”
Dantes shouted in anger and then left. Hours passed, though Rosellina had no idea how many. She remained still, unable to move, her chest aching as if it would tear apart. Yet she did not regret her actions. She had to act as she did.
She put her brace back on and dressed. Then, she could not even take a single breath of rest. Though the event she feared most had occurred, her daily life remained largely unchanged. In fact, it was eerily calm.
Would Dantes come again? Or would the others arrive? What remained for her now?
In some ways, she felt a slight relief. There were no more secrets. Yet the fact that she had disappointed Dantes—that everything had been exposed—pressed heavily upon her.
She knew she had to explain herself somehow. But she had no idea where or how to start. She had never been called eloquent in her life. She chose to remain silent rather than offer a clumsy excuse.
“Could my stubbornness have ruined everything?”
No matter how much she thought, no answer came. Rosellina could do nothing.
While Rosellina continued to reaffirm the correctness of her actions to herself, Marco appeared with a meal. He smiled and approached Roberto.
“You’re a woman, right?”
His casual words held no hint of offense. Rosellina gave a bitter smile and nodded.
“Sorry.”
“It would have been better if you told Dantes. Well, he won’t hear it now anyway.”
Marco brought a tall table beside Rosellina and placed the meal on it.
“Eat first. We’ll depart as planned.”
Rosellina felt uneasy, but she needed to eat something to recover. Marco quietly watched as she ate.
Despite the soot on her face being wiped away and her hair relaxed, Rosellina’s features were composed—a plain but refined beauty. Marco himself had often been mistaken for a girl in his youth, so he assumed Rosellina might have experienced the same.
Time had passed, and by their twenties, their faces had matured. Rosellina, however, remained largely unchanged, though slightly more feminine. Marco thought it foolish that anyone had failed to recognize her. By now, he suspected that Dantes and everyone else must have been fools.
Yet, the women they knew in their world were all noble ladies. While someone like Marco had encountered women from various walks of life, none had been like Rosellina—stronger with a sword than most men, agile, and devoted to the chivalric code.
It was, in some ways, prejudice. Marco brushed back his bangs and asked:
“What’s your real name? They wouldn’t have named you Roberto from birth, expecting you to dress as a man, right?”
“Rosellina.”
“Rosellina? That really doesn’t suit you.”
Rosellina chuckled. Hearing her name from Marco’s lips was absurd—she never imagined this day would come.
“Rosellina. Rosellina. Rosellina.”
“……”
“Maybe it suits you after all.”
“……”
“I don’t know. Maybe it’ll feel right the more I say it. Finish your meal first and get ready. Gunter will bring your shoes and clothes.”
Rosellina nodded. From now on, her will and thoughts held no meaning. She would follow their lead. Life and death alike would be decided by Dantes.
It was the price of her deception. Watching her composed expression, Marco shook his head.
“Rosellina.”
“……”
“Perhaps if you had been a little more selfish, everything might have been easier.”
Rosellina did not fully understand Marco’s words, but she did not ask. Marco sighed, observing her. Though the solution was simple, he had the sense that things would inevitably become more complicated.
“Dantes. Are you insane?”
Marco frowned as he spoke. Dantes ignored him and adjusted his clothing. Cesario, wiping his forehead in thought, added:
“I understand your resentment toward Roberto, but having him walk will slow the procession.”
“Then whip him to make him move faster. If that doesn’t work, tie him to a cart and drag him.”
“Are you serious?”
Marco asked, shocked. Dantes looked at them as if nothing was wrong.
“He is a criminal who insulted the royal family. What’s the problem with treating a criminal like a criminal? And questioning my decision ends here. Remember that we are first ruler and subjects, before friends. Everything you’re saying now questions my judgment.”
“……”
“That’s very unpleasant to me.”
Dantes twisted his mouth in annoyance. Marco raised his eyebrows and leaned back.
“Ah. You were displeased, Your Majesty.”
“Marco, stop. Dantes, I mean, the King, said to stop.”
“Yes, yes. I apologize. I was only concerned the procession might be delayed. Sir Wood, as you instructed. Let’s go. Sir Gunter Butler, do we even have a whip?”
“I don’t think we have anything like that…”
Gunter hesitated. Marco, meanwhile, stepped out briskly.
“Let’s buy one. Or ask Baron Aventurine. Preferably leather. Would a thin, long one hurt more? Or a thick, short one?”
Marco left, signaling he no longer wished to converse with Dantes. Gunter looked at Cesario, who nodded, and Gunter followed.
Dantes still said nothing. Or rather, he could not. His anger boiled inside. He knew he was reacting to every remark Marco had deliberately made to provoke him, yet his unease did not subside.
