TTPB 52

Chapter 52

The Problem Is Being Alone!

“Duke Benoît?”

Rose’s eyes widened in surprise at the news that the duke himself would be participating.

“Despite appearances, I’ve endured countless wars in the past,” said Duke Benoît.

Originally a knight, the Duke had long since become the head of a trading company and had not wielded a sword in years, but his instincts as a warrior were still finely honed. Beyond that, he had another reason for joining this relief mission.

‘He’s worried about Diane.’

Contrary to his outward demeanor, he clearly cared deeply for his child and was going out to rescue his son from isolation. Rose nodded to herself.

“It’s reassuring to hear that the Duke will be on board.”

Next, Rose organized a medical team composed of priests and physicians.

“I will lead the medical team myself,” she declared.

As soon as the nobles heard that Rose intended to go to the battlefield, they objected immediately.

“This cannot be allowed! Your Highness, the Princess, going personally…”
“Especially now, when the status of the Second Prince is uncertain, it’s unacceptable for a royal to go there.”

However, she spoke firmly and resolutely.

“It seems everyone has forgotten the nature of my blessing.”

Rose began to persuade them by emphasizing her power of Regeneration.

“I believe the recent incident has proven the potency of this blessing. Additionally, I have previously studied medicine under Sir Sabas at the orphanage. There is no one better suited to command the medical team than I am.”

The commotion gradually subsided. The nobles were uncomfortable with the idea of a member of the royal family leaving the palace, but none of them doubted that Rose was the most suitable candidate. After all, she had been miraculously saved from near-death by the fairy’s blessing.

Once they selected several large carracks for transporting supplies and added medium-sized carracks to accompany the main fleet, the fleet was more or less ready.

“Is this fleet sufficient?”
“We are not going to battle at sea. Our goal is simply to deliver supplies.”

Though the nobles were uneasy about the relatively small size of the fleet, they could not afford to delay any further.

“Departure will be in three days. Once we reach Norman Port, we’ll transfer to ships from there.”

Norman Port, at the northern tip of Caron bordering the Anatome Sea, had a wide bay suitable for docking. While the main fleet traveled, the earlier-mentioned supply ships would complete preparations for departure.

“I will lead the main fleet. Sir Gawain, please command the caravelle squadron.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Very well. Time is short, so let’s conclude this meeting here. Let’s prepare the supplies immediately.”

With that, Rose concluded the lengthy “Gorod Landing Operation” meeting.

The maidservants stuffed her luggage with winter clothes, eager to prepare her for the harsh northern climate. When the number of bags exceeded double digits, Rose intervened.

“That’s enough. This will do.”
“This is hardly sufficient.”

Countess Verdié, head of the maids, urged the servants who had paused.

“The knights themselves struggle in this freezing cold. How could Your Highness possibly endure it? I worry greatly, especially since I won’t be by your side.”

The head maid sighed, lamenting that she could not accompany the Princess. Rose gave a sheepish smile. The wrinkles on the Countess’s face had deepened since hearing the news of Rose’s impending departure, reflecting concern over how frail Rose had become lately—like a winter tree branch about to snap.

“You could leave the command to Duke Benoît.”
“How can I? I am royalty, after all.”
“Even in Eretria, noble leadership is required.”
“But we have the Archduke.”

Once Ludwig returned from his absence, he would oversee the affairs of the royal court for the time being.

“That is why I am even more worried. What might the Archduke attempt in your absence…”

The Countess was unusually anxious. She remembered when the Archduke’s father controlled the palace. The former Crown Prince Gaius had been notoriously cruel. The fairy’s blessings, being Curses, Mind Control, and Telepathy, spoke volumes. It was only natural to fear Ludwig, who inherited that power.

‘Of course she’d be worried—she even suffered from it herself.’

Rose felt uneasy leaving Ludwig behind as well.

“Bella.”
“Yes, Your Highness?”
“We need someone keeping an eye on the Archduke.”

Rose was concerned about the Archduke, who had been absent from the meeting. A few nobles had missed the sudden summons, and the circumstances were suspicious. The unexpected death of Aracne and the monster assault—were these mere coincidences? Rose could not be certain, but she had a gut feeling that he was involved.

“The issue is that he might use mind control…”

Approaching recklessly was dangerous due to the risk of brainwashing. Rose paused, then clarified her instructions.

“Monitor the noble faction closely. Especially since he is engaged to Lady Rosche, something is bound to happen. Send me telegrams at the earliest opportunity.”
“Yes. I will keep watch diligently.”

Bella Verdié replied calmly.

“Do not overexert yourself.”

Rose advised maintaining a safe distance from the Archduke.

‘The nobles will make the first move before Ludwig acts.’

She left the remaining packing to her maids and went to her office to organize supplies and paperwork necessary for departure. Just as she began sorting the piles of documents, Herya returned from the knight training ground.

She had sent him to deliver telegrams outlining the war situation and operational plans. Normally reluctant to perform tedious tasks, even he seemed to sense the urgency of the situation and obeyed without complaint.

“Ugh, everything’s wet,” he said, removing his hood on the terrace and shaking off the drizzle.

“What happened?”
“No more messengers from the North Continent. That red-haired knight and Duke Benoît are planning the operation. Here, this is from the Duke.”

Rose took the letter, her expression tinged with disappointment. The royal family’s top priority for this expedition was the safety of the Second Prince. All operations and reinforcements were designed to ensure Tanasis returned safely. However, for Rose, Arsen’s whereabouts were the most critical concern—and there was still no news.

‘I should have gone with him.’

Rose bit her lip tightly. Ever since the messenger arrived, not a single day had passed without tension. During meetings and preparations, she had been restless and anxious. Herya, seeing her unease, even brought her tea himself to calm her.

But this feeling had existed long before that—ever since she had failed to receive a single reply from the loyal man she trusted. In fact, it had started when she had sent him off alone. She regretted not expressing her feelings properly before his departure.

‘If I had gone with him, there wouldn’t have been so many casualties.’

Even if the situation had deviated from the original plan, she could have used Regeneration to help the wounded. If by chance Arsen was hurt, this regret would haunt her forever.

‘What if something happens to him?’

Her voice trembled. Herya, seeing Rose bow her head, felt awkward. He was not skilled at comforting others. The knight waved his arms helplessly before irritably running his fingers through his messy hair.

“Honestly, Princess, you should worry about yourself more than Lafayette.”
“Huh?”
“Worry about going to that freezing land! Who’s worrying about whom right now?”

He puffed up his messy hair and huffed indignantly.

“You know, Princess, you don’t even understand me as well as I do.”
“…”
“Honestly, I oppose your going there. The knights will handle it just fine.”
“Aren’t you worried?”
“Of course not! Why would I worry? Even if I were, why should I sneak into that place? So, Princess, let’s not go, okay?”

Rose frowned at his casual attitude. At times like this, she was acutely aware that he was a foreigner. After all, the knights on the expedition were Imperial soldiers. How many lived or died was none of his concern. She understood that logically, but she could not suppress her cold tone when speaking—it concerned Arsen’s life.

“The monsters have increased to a bizarre extent. Tevere can’t just sit back, right?”
“No. Why are you bringing up Tevere? Worry about returning alive from the Red Forest first.”

Rose pursed her lips in dissatisfaction. She knew continuing the conversation would only heighten her anxiety.

‘It’s frustrating—I feel like I’m the only one worrying about Arsen.’

Neither the palace, nor the nobles, nor even the remaining Remigis knights, worried about him. Her nerves, already frayed, left her unable to sleep properly.

“Ugh, I’m going crazy. Do I really have to go there? Absolutely?”

Seeing him so resistant to going where death awaited, Rose couldn’t help but snap.

“You don’t have to follow me just to escort me. You don’t want to die either, so if you want, you can stay here.”
“What are you saying? Who do you think I am?”

Herya scowled, his pride wounded. His sand-colored eyes blazed.

“Do you think I’m scared? I can escape from hell by myself if I need to.”

His remark made it impossible for Rose to understand what he was dissatisfied with.

“Then what exactly is the problem?”

Suddenly, Herya shouted.

“The problem is being alone!”

Then he kicked the door and stormed out of the room.