Episode 121

While listening to Anna convey the situation, Rose’s face grew darker, and her eyes showed anxiety. 

Their family might be in danger because of Ethan. These thoughts tightened Rose’s heart, and a sense of unease crept over her. 

Anna spoke in a soothing tone as if she could read Rose’s thoughts.

– We are all safe for now. The staff at the estate is friendly, and… it’s just that I feel indebted to Priscilla. But you had to come here because you might also be in danger.

“I…,” 

Rose began, her voice catching, and then she continued with effort. 

“…I will personally go and thank the Countess.”

The ground beneath her feet seemed to tremble as her gaze swirled, and her stomach churned. 

Rose’s voice trembled as she spoke.

“I’m sorry…”

The risk of loving Jasper had never felt so real. He was the one person she should not love. 

As she grew closer to Jasper, the words she had whispered to herself in her heart came back to her.

Rose bit her lip, and her eyes and nose tingled. Her mind was in turmoil with worry for her family and guilt.

‘It’s not just about me working hard.’

George’s wrongdoing still clung to her like a label on her back. Rose pressed her fingertips to her eyelids and released them. Her skin felt damp.

She had expected Ethan to oppose her, but she had never thought that her family would go as far as they did. 

Jasper had always reassured her, telling her not to worry, and that he would take care of anything that might interfere with their relationship. But had she been too complacent, relying only on those words?

Jasper might have his moments of helplessness. Rose tried to maintain composure as she took deep breaths. 

Even so, it was fortunate that Priscilla was helping the family unexpectedly. Rose had feared that Priscilla might hate her, as the engagement with Conway had played a crucial role in its dissolution.

‘Adela is indeed like her mother.’

Rose sighed with relief as she thought of Adela. 

Without Adela, Priscilla wouldn’t have been able to keep an eye on Ethan’s movements and protect the family in Quilts.

Anna’s muffled voice came through the phone.

-Rose, I didn’t contact you to blame you.

“…”

It’s not her fault. George, who sold his title behind the family’s back, and Ethan, who is the real problem, are the ones in the wrong.

Anna had always been cautious not to reveal the family’s secrets, but now it was different. Rose’s lips quivered in silence.

She’s simply fallen in love with someone.

“But…”

For her, love might have been a luxury.

Rose swallowed her words along with her breath. Her chest felt tight because of Jasper. It seems her relationship with Jasper is quite strong. 

Adela told Priscilla that there was no room for her to interfere.

“What about Adela? Has the Countess been upset…?”

-I don’t think so. Considering that she helped us. For now, Adela is fine.

Rose silently expressed her gratitude to Adela once again. 

Anna hesitated for a few seconds before speaking.

-Just make sure of one thing, Rose. Do you truly love that person?

She was probably referring to Jasper. Rose swallowed a dry swallow and answered softly.

“Yes…”

– Even if it might be a difficult choice?

“I was prepared to handle it. If Ethan threatens our family…”

She might have to leave Jasper. Her throat tightened, and her entire body stiffened.

-That’s enough then. You didn’t make a decision lightly, given your personality.

Rose was surprised by Anna’s unexpected words. She had thought Anna would advise her to end the relationship with Jasper as soon as possible before it got more dangerous.

Anna’s calm and resolute voice continued.

-I plan to divorce your father.

“Divorce?”

-I’ve realized this time that I can’t let that man hold us back anymore.

Even when George caused trouble, Anna had been reluctant to consider divorce. 

Divorce wasn’t common in their time, and it was even more unusual in Anna’s generation. It was an unimaginable choice. 

If she were to part ways with that man and gain full custody… even if George’s misdeeds were exposed, they might not face any punishment. It’s uncertain, as different judges might have different rulings on such matters. But… they had to try.

Rose had never heard Anna speak so decisively. 

Anna, burdened by the weight of life, always sounded tired in her voice. 

Many thoughts had crossed her mind when she was moved here in the dead of night, and even more, since she heard about how that man was living now. It was time to stop.

A rush of complex emotions flooded Rose’s heart. The strongest of these emotions was relief. 

Now, she might finally break free from George entirely. The possibility alone filled her with a breath of fresh air. Rose touched her warm eyes with her hand.

“Mother..”

Rose spoke with a quivering voice.

“Yes, let’s do that now. Let’s live on our own. Let’s not suffer because of Father, or rather, that man…”

Rose’s slender neck trembled. 

The divorce process wouldn’t be smooth, and they weren’t sure how long Priscilla would continue to support the family. Everything ahead was uncertain, but even so, Rose felt a sense of elation. 

Whenever there had been discussions about George, her shoulders felt heavy, and her breath caught in her throat. But now was different. 

For the first time in a long while, she felt like she could breathe freely.

* * *

After finishing her conversation with Anna, Rose made an effort to sort out her complicated thoughts due to the various pieces of information she had received.

‘I need to visit the Countess and have a detailed conversation… Oh, and I need to talk to Jasper.’

Jasper would undoubtedly be upset when he heard that Ethan had gone to see George. However, proper communication was essential at this moment to navigate the situation together.

Jasper already seemed to know everything and had even made preparations without Rose’s knowledge. Considering this, Rose pondered carefully about what to say to Jasper.

‘Is he in the training hall right now?’

She needed to see Jasper as soon as possible. 

As Rose tried to recall Jasper’s schedule and guess where he might be, the area near the main lobby was bustling with activity. 

It was unlikely that the report cards had been posted already.

As Rose absentmindedly walked past, she caught something in the students’ conversation.

“Is it Rose Bell? Wow.”

Rose couldn’t understand why the students were mentioning her name, especially since the report cards probably hadn’t been posted yet.

‘What’s this?’

Rose hesitated for a moment and then approached the main lobby. 

She saw a sign with the Imperial family crest, and shortly after, she almost let out an exclamation, covering her mouth quickly with her hand to stifle the sound. 

The students scattered away, looking at Rose curiously.

Rose moved closer to the sign and carefully read the words one by one. It seemed like today was a day of surprises one after the other.

[Royal-Sponsored Invention Contest Winners Announcement.]

The results seemed to have come out much earlier than expected, and there were two familiar names listed as the recipients of the top award. 

Theo Lixton and Rose Bell.

Rose’s legs almost gave way as she read the names, and she felt a rush of breathlessness. The letters in front of her seemed blurry as if they were melting.

‘…Top award?’

She had been excited about just receiving an award, but to win the top prize? Rose could hardly believe it.

‘Am I dreaming?’

The days she had spent cooped up in the laboratory all summer flashed through her mind.

“Ah…”

As Rose staggered and moved her legs, the students’ gaze followed her. Their eyes held a mixture of surprise, admiration, and some curiosity.

Rose paid no attention to her surroundings as she walked. She wanted to share this news with someone as soon as possible, and the first face that came to her mind was Jasper’s.

She had expected to be moved to tears of joy upon receiving the award, but instead, she felt numb, as if she had been hit in the back of her head. She wasn’t even sure if she was walking properly.

Her heart, which had been pounding since she spoke with Anna, now felt like it would burst. It was a day of both illness and remedy.

Rose was walking towards the training hall when a stranger suddenly approached her. The man, a middle-aged gentleman in a fine suit with neatly combed gray hair, greeted her.

“Miss Rose Bell.”

Startled, Rose, who had been lost in thought, trembled and her shoulders jerked.

“…Who are you?”

She took a step back, her eyes filled with caution, looking at the well-dressed man as if he were a specimen of a gentleman.

Due to her recent experience, Rose had become naturally guarded around strangers. The middle-aged man extended his arm with a faint smile and pointed somewhere with his fingertip.

She saw a carriage standing not far from the main building, bearing an imperial seal that was unmistakable, similar to the one she had seen in the contest award announcement.

The man spoke in a gentle tone.

“Her Majesty requests your presence.”

Rose stood there as if she had misheard or was in a daze, and she missed the opportunity to respond.

“Her Majesty wishes to meet the grand prize winners in person. Would you care to accompany me?”

“Uh… now?” 

Rose stammered.

“Yes.”

Rose’s head was spinning, and she felt like she might faint at any moment. 

So many things were happening all at once. She now had to meet the Emperor.