0 Prologue - When her world begins

Rosalia grew up with little knowledge about the outside world. The Marquis’ Seltfer family is one of the most prominent aristocratic families in the country, and their residence boasts a vast estate.

She can’t take a step out of there, it’s not much different from Rosalia’s garden. Still, she just accepted her fate and lived out her life.

She has been living there for sixteen years. She had been wise for a long time and she knew that there are things she couldn’t gain and had no desire for anything.

She was unable to attend a school for aristocratic children. Even though the royal family, viscounts, barons, and all children of nobility attend it to naturally have warm interactions with each other as well as to grow and form strong relationships. However, she did not complain that she only has a tutor that would go into their residence for her to learn.

Her parents died early and her family were only her grandfather, the marquis, and her bright younger brother-in-law, who was brought from his relatives to take over as his successor. It seems to be small in terms of the size of the mansion, but they also have talented servants. Occasionally, her fiance, who has been decided from her childhood, would visit. They are all within the narrow world of Rosalia.

Until that day, on her way to her favorite greenhouse, she found an unfamiliar red-haired knight.

Among the knights, there are also who are known as guardian deities of the Kingdom of Lestria. She knew of their existence, but it’s her first time to actually see one.

He was a tall man wearing a black gold armor, with dark skin and smooth supple muscles covering his whole body. Although he was like a war-god, he had a vague air of innocence around him. Furthermore, why is he on the grounds of the Seltfer family in the first place?

She couldn’t help but feel restless that Rosalia had no choice but to speak out, “You there, do you have any business in my home?”

She was careful with her behavior as there’s a possibility that he may be a guest. Though she sort of lost her vigilance as he turned around, his eyes shining like a puppy.

Rosalia walked up to the young man with a wry smile, “Excuse me, sir?”

“Ah, I’m Cadio Grant. Well, uhh…”

“Sir Cadio, My name is Rosalia Seltfer. Would it be easier to understand if I say ‘ Rose Princess’ ?”

Although she was smiling, she watched his reaction with a cold heart. Rose princess . It’s a title currently only used for Rosalia. However, most nobles know that it isn’t any brilliant title. What will the man before her do? Would he grimace in disgust? With a smile plastered on his face, would he sneer at her? His reaction was none of them.

He tilted his head innocently like a child and his face brightened as if he got the point, “Rose princess…I see. You are indeed as beautiful as a rose.”

Rosalia was taken aback by this unexpected turn, her eyes were wide. Looking at his smile, one can see that he was sincere. She thought that a knight who served the royal castle had heard rumors before.

“I am honored to hear your compliment. To put it simply, I am a resident of the Marquis’ home.”

“Ahh…What?! This is a residence?! I’m sorry, I thought it was a park!”

Cadio Grant is a good looking young man. He has vivid red hair and strong eyes with a will that shimmers like gold. His nose bridge is high and has thin lips, and smooth bronze skin. His body is well-structured, slender yet thick and firm even when wearing an armor. It’s an appearance that would attract a lady’s gaze wherever she is, it is even powerful enough to be a weapon.

However, he resembles a puppy, tilting his head anxiously, “I’m very sorry. I had intruded in without permission, but I am not someone suspicious. If you tell me where the exit is, I will go.”

Cadio shrunk his body to a low bow as he apologized. If he’s left unattended, he will surely be arrested by one of their servants. Rosalia could not leave him alone as she began to feel sorry.

“If you don’t mind, please let me guide you to the exit. I don’t think even a strong knight will be able to continue, from now on, escape the eyes of the servants in my residence.”

Rosalia is allowed to walk alone due to the safety within the premises. There was hesitation behind her, but Cadio began to meekly follow her.

“That’s right. I met some of them, but they do not seem to be just mere servants.”

“They are a few selected elites.”

“Is it fine to use the word ‘elite’? No, I’m sorry to trouble you, but please take care of me.” he bowed down gravely and Rosalia nodded.

Rosalia is aware that the people under her has a reason to undergo rigorous combat training. Rose Princess is easily targeted whether for good or bad. Unless one has a reliable background or good personality, one will be played at the interview stage. If one doesn’t have the fighting power, then that’s it. It is rumored that it’s more difficult to work for the Seltfer family than serving the royal palace, since even a letter of recommendation from someone known wouldn’t qualify one to be hired.

Cadio walked next to Rosalia, smiling, “I would like to thank you, but since I am assigned to the Lestria Academy, I have no chance to walk around freely. If you have anything you like, if there are sweets or accessories that are recently popular in the capital, you may tell me. Well, if it isn’t that expensive, it’d be helpful.”

“Well.”

He doesn’t have any sense of vigilance and leaks personal information as he speaks and every time he moves. First of all, she can imagine a knight working for the palace is in school to guard the royal family. She’s sure that the prince’s younger brother will turn sixteen this year and the strongest of the knights is assigned to escort him. She understood how strong he is since he wasn’t caught by her people, but not only his ability, his trust in the royal family is strong.

She wondered if it was a hindrance as he exposes his value in his daily life. It’s a matter of concern, though it’s another person.

“I don’t mind just your gesture…I’m ashamed to say that I don’t know much about the capital.” She added her own circumstance casually and as expected, he tilted his head.

“Well, isn’t it harder to just stay here? Would they worry if they’d let you out to play?”

“Well, it is quite natural for a noble lady to receive such command. Though, how many loopholes are there? It is necessary for anyone to take a breather, so it is rare for a lady to never go down to town. For me, things are a bit special.” she said to the extent that she could explain.

Cadio tilted his head as his confusion increases, “Well…What circumstance is it where you can’t act on it freely?”

“Ha! It can’t be helped.” She was only playing him. It’s no use crying over her misfortune, and it’s enough to live a rich and peaceful life. It’s just that she doesn’t have the freedom. Well, how is he going to react now, will he act surprised by her incoherent remarks?

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Her expectation once again was easily overturned.

“…Why do you have to endure it? Since I don’t know what the circumstances are, I might say something irresponsible. However, as I’m living my own life, I think that I should live as I like.”

“—”

Yes. He knows nothing, but he was the only man who ever thought of Rosalia’s freedom.She stopped before she realized she did. Her world is vividly repainted. For the first time, her heart began to make noise like it’s trying to jump out of her body.

It was a dramatic change for a girl who had lived with her heart like a dead doll. Blood rushed to her body like a tide. The feeling of being uplifted, it heated up to the tip of her fingers and it freely went up to her cheeks. Her chest hurt so much, but it helplessly felt sweet.

― Like. I like this person. It was no longer an instinct. There is no shame, no doubt, and she will give everything no matter what she does.

…She must definitely get Cadio Grant.

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