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Chapter 55
Is My Face a Crime?
“Phew.”
Rose entered her room and took a deep breath. Her legs were trembling.
It was because Count Bastia had brought her to the harbor to show off the modified Pontos.
The moment she saw the lapping water, her head spun, and she couldn’t absorb the long-winded explanation about how the Pontos had been altered or how fast it could go.
She clenched her teeth, determined not to collapse in front of so many eyes.
Fortunately, neither the Duke nor the Count seemed to notice her condition until they returned to the inn.
“Rose, you’re really stubborn. How did you manage to hold out for two whole hours?”
Her jaw hurt from clenching so tightly. Rose rubbed her cheeks gently and let out a sigh.
Today had only just begun. Thinking that she would have to spend the entire time on the sea made her feel a deep despair.
Still dazed, she fiddled with the black bracelet.
“I… miss him…”
The man who had promised to come immediately whenever she felt seasick was not here now.
Even the bracelet that was supposed to calm her nausea was useless today.
“Fool. That’s why it won’t work anyway.”
It wasn’t nausea in the first place; the only reason she could calm down was because Arsen was beside her.
But he wasn’t. She didn’t even know if he was alive.
Rose felt tears welling up uncontrollably.
‘If he got hurt… I won’t forgive anyone.’
Knock. Knock. The sound of someone tapping heavily on the wooden door made her flinch and lift her head.
“Your Highness, the meeting is about to start.”
Rose quickly composed herself and opened the door.
Herya raised an eyebrow at her pale face.
“What’s wrong with your face?”
The perceptive guard immediately noticed her darkened expression.
Herya guided her back inside.
“You need to attend the meeting. Put that down.”
“You’re really pale. Are you sick?”
“No. Just put this down first and let me speak.”
“Is it about that reward or something again?”
“Lower your voice.”
Rose was anxious that someone outside might hear.
“It’s nothing serious. The meeting’s in the Duke’s room, right?”
“Does it matter if the meeting is important right now?”
He sat her on the bed and placed a hand on her forehead.
“When did this start?”
“…Just after I came back. I must’ve been a little tired.”
Rose mumbled, trying to hide her weakness. It was an old habit—she didn’t want anyone to know her trauma again.
But the man wasn’t buying her poor excuse. He pressed persistently.
“Did the Count say something strange? Why would someone perfectly fine come back looking so pale?”
Rose had nothing more to say and felt cornered.
“Just pretend you don’t know. I’m really fine.”
“……”
“You’ll feel better after a little rest.”
Herya kneeled before her, staring intently. He didn’t seem willing to back off until she spoke.
Unable to meet his gaze, Rose lowered her head.
A tense silence filled the room.
Finally, the guard let out a resigned sigh.
“Alright. Then rest a bit. I’ll tell them you won’t attend the meeting.”
“What…!”
As she tried to stand, his firm hand pushed her back down onto the bed.
Darkness fell over her eyes.
Herya covered her eyelids.
Soon, the sound of a prayer reached her ears, and she fell asleep almost instantly. Even her pale lips were now breathing evenly.
After confirming her color had returned, Herya slowly withdrew his hand.
He looked down at her sleeping face, tucked the blanket properly, and quietly left the room.
The man descended a floor and headed to the operation meeting.
The room, also where the head of the Benoit family stayed, was the largest in the inn. Royal knights stood guard at either side of the door.
Seeing this, Herya’s sand-colored eyes settled. From the stairs where he waited, he spotted Count Bastia approaching with a woman.
Herya stepped in front of the Count.
“You’re not the guard of the Third Princess, right? I’ve heard about you. Your name is…”
“What did you say to the Princess?”
Taken aback by the sudden question, Count Bastia hesitated. The woman next to him tried to speak, but the Count stopped her.
“What are you talking about? Saying something to the Third Princess?”
“I’m asking what conversation you had with her.”
“Listen. No matter how close you are to Her Highness, you’re not obliged to tell her guards what you said. If you’re curious, I’ll say it in front of her during the meeting.”
“The Princess isn’t attending the meeting.”
At that, the Count looked puzzled.
“Why…?”
“She fell asleep, exhausted from the long journey.”
Count Bastia frowned and chastised himself.
“I see, I didn’t consider her fatigue. I talked so much on the Pontos without realizing it.”
“Wait. On the Pontos?”
Herya asked.
“Yes. I thought it better to explain the modifications before tomorrow’s departure. Sorry she overexerted herself.”
“You made her walk around the ship?”
“Yes.”
“For how long?”
“About two hours. Why do you ask?”
Herya’s face was shocked.
Even after sending the Count away, he remained leaning against the stair railing for a while.
Finally, he let out a long sigh.
“She must have been trembling for two hours.”
Thwack.
“Ah! That hurts, Your Highness.”
“Try that without permission next time.”
Her hand ached from hitting him. Oddly, it hurt more than him. Herya had a surprisingly solid build.
He smiled mischievously and rubbed the spot she hit.
“Thanks to you, I slept well. You even snored.”
He clearly showed no remorse. No matter how angry she got, he would take it playfully.
Rose glared at him and turned her head toward the deck.
Just then, knights began loading supplies and boarding. Among them, she spotted Gawain and approached him.
He would now lead the caravel fleet to Gorod Fortress. Rose had one last question before parting.
“Sir Gawain, were there any additional messages?”
“No messengers have arrived from Gorod Fortress.”
Rose slumped her shoulders.
“Don’t worry. The captain and the Remigis Knights will be safe.”
Gawain spoke in an astonishingly calm voice. Despite having spent more time with the knights than her, he didn’t show anxiety.
“How can you not worry? There’s been no contact at all.”
“The captain always brings news of victory.”
He seemed to firmly believe Arsen would be safe. After saying this, Gawain went down to the hull.
Watching him leave, Rose looked sullen. Herya glanced at her before turning his attention elsewhere.
“The Duke will board a different ship.”
The Duke of Benoit would board a slightly smaller ship than the Pontos.
It seemed to be a decision made in yesterday’s meeting.
‘She fell asleep and missed such an important meeting!’
After a good rest, her headache was gone as if it never existed. Herya’s prayers worked not only for fatigue but also for her fear of the sea.
Thanks to that, she was now on deck in the best condition she had ever been, though she felt uneasy for missing the meeting.
Being informed of events in this manner was far from ideal.
She felt the pressure of having to personally lead the fleet.
“I’m not confident navigating the sea.”
“Don’t worry, Your Highness. Leave the course to me.”
Looking up at the voice from the foredeck, she saw a slightly tanned woman smiling. Tall, with a striking figure, she looked exotic.
Her fur-clad outfit left her chest partially exposed, but it didn’t seem cold.
She walked down lightly and introduced herself.
“I’m Anahita, traveling with Count Bastia. I’ll be steering the Pontos.”
Rose shook her hand.
“Perfect timing. You’re the skilled helmsman the Count recommended.”
“The Count said that? I’m honored. Don’t worry about my pay, I’ll earn it!”
Her confident, straightforward tone didn’t feel Calorin at all.
‘Maybe because she’s a sailor.’
Rose liked her cheerful personality.
“So I heard. You’re navigating without a compass?”
“Yes. The closer we get to the Red Forest, the less useful a compass will be.”
Due to the influence of magic, compasses didn’t work near the Red Forest. Only skilled sailors could navigate the Anatome inland waters.
Anahita took a translucent stone from her pocket.
“This is called an iolite. I’ll use it to steer.”
“Can it tell the location?”
“Yes. Our ancestors have used it to read the sea routes for generations.”
The light passing through the stone shifted from purple to yellow in moments.
“During the day, we follow the sunlight on the stone. At night, we navigate by starlight.”
Her words sounded romantic.
“Wonderful. With you, we won’t get lost at sea.”
“Haha, of course. I won’t let Your Highness get lost.”
Her cheerful laugh was carried away by the wind.
“That’s what a navigator does, after all.”
Herya teased, as if mocking the obviousness.
Rose cleared her throat and ended the conversation quickly.
“Then please guide us as efficiently as possible.”
“Of course.”
As Rose headed for the captain’s cabin, she sensed an oddly cold atmosphere.
Anahita’s gaze was now fixed behind them.
“We’ll be on the same ship for several days, so introductions are necessary, right?”
Her eyes had grown icy as she stared at Herya.
“What’s the name of this arrogant guard?”
“Arrogant guard, hurting my feelings… Such a face is excellent!”
They growled at each other as if they had met before. Rose was puzzled, seeing how familiar they seemed.
“Arrogant face for being so shameless without apologizing to the Count.”
“That’s just how I talk.”
Unable to tolerate it, Rose tapped Herya, and he reluctantly said his name.
“Herya Deon.”
“Anahita. I hope the journey will be quiet.”
Anahita issued a stern warning and walked away. Rose glanced at Herya curiously.
“What trouble did you get into this time?”
“I don’t know. Maybe my face is a crime.”
He cheekily lifted his chin.
Herya rolled his eyes and gently pushed Rose down the deck.
“Let’s go. I’m cold.”
