Lucian took a deep breath, shaking his head.
He gave up. There was no point in making up more reasons and lies. It was over.
Taking a step forward toward Rose’s bed, he pushed all the worries to the back of his mind. Worrying wouldn’t change anything now.
It is what it is.
At the very least, he could ask her one last time before everything collapsed.
Lucian could see how Rose was avoiding looking in his direction, her focus entirely on Olivia.
He clenched his jaw, tilting his head slightly, a sad smile forming.
So, you remember everything, huh? And now you won’t even look at me?
She’s afraid of me.
Lucian thought as he observed her behavior, confirming his fears. She was actively avoiding his gaze. Was she going to tell Mother and everyone what he had done?
Rose’s body trembled slightly as she heard his footsteps approaching. She took a deep breath, and then
She suddenly turned away from Olivia and met his eyes.
Their gazes locked.
“Hey, Lucy… it’s good you’re alright,” she said, a small smile forming on her face so natural, so effortless. There was no disgust, no fear in her expression.
“Thanks for saving me last night.”
Lucian stopped mid-step, blinking in surprise.
She… she…
Does she not remember what happened last night?
What’s going on?
Confusion flickered in his eyes, yet a fragile hope bloomed.
He didn’t know what to say.
Rose just smiled at him again, blinking lightly.
Lucian’s thoughts raced.
Hey, Max, did you do something? Did something happen? Am I saved?
No response.
Lucian frowned.
Max isn’t reacting…
Rose, meanwhile, turned slightly toward Olivia.
“Mother, Luna did ask me to go to the nightclub. Lucian isn’t lying,” she said, her voice steady.
Olivia stiffened. Her sharp gaze dropped to Rose, her expression unreadable.
Rose remained unfazed, her usual cool demeanor unshaken.
Olivia sighed. “Don’t stress yourself, Rose. Be a good kid and rest.”
“You should rest now. No need to explain anything we can talk about it later,” Olivia added, wanting to keep Rose from getting worked up.
“It’s alright, no pressure,” she reassured.
“Oh no, Mother,” Rose shook her head, her tone firm. “I just want to thank them first.”
Ahhh, my acting is just… ahh, Rose thought to herself. Her face remained expressionless, her usual cold mask perfectly in place.
She turned her head toward General Damian, who visibly tensed.
What is happening now? General Damian’s mind raced. Am I about to be exposed too?
That evil kid might go mad he sweated
“Thank you, Uncle, for saving me from that drug addict who shot me. I’m really grateful.”
Rose’s words were calm, sincere.
“I’m really sorry for the trouble I’ll definitely repay you,” she added, still keeping her expression composed.
General Damian blinked at her.
Huh?
His body which was tensed relaxing but.a dazed expression on his face
Lucian, standing to the side, gave him a blank stare.
“Aha ha… no worries, Miss Rose. Happy to help,” the general quickly said, nodding hurriedly.
Rose then turned to Meleonora.
“And you, Elder Sister thank you for taking care of me. If you hadn’t motivated me, I might’ve lost all hope. You’ve been such a great help.”
Meleonora stood frozen, blinking at Rose’s words before nodding blankly.
When did this happen? Meleonora thought, her mind spinning. Wait, is she in on the plan too? But when did Lucian tell her?
Umm… whatever. Let’s go with it.
On the other side, Celestia narrowed her eyes slightly.
Was Lucian really telling the truth?
Or did I misinterpret something?
Wait… or is Rose lying?
But why would she?
Celestia’s brows furrowed deeper.
Meanwhile, Olivia, still by Rose’s side, gently patted her head.
“It’s alright, girl,” she said.
But Rose wasn’t done yet.
“It’s not, Mom,” Rose suddenly said, her voice carrying a subtle sharpness. “I could hear you guys interrogating Lucian like he’s some criminal. Do you guys not trust him?”
Olivia’s eyes widened at the accusation.
“Wha? No, I wasn’t!” Olivia quickly tried to defend herself.
“I trust him! It’s just that I was angry at him for not telling me anything. Do you know how worried I was?!”
“It’s not that I don’t trust him. Why would I even think he’s lying?” Olivia hurriedly explained, her gaze shifting toward Lucian.
Lucian stood still, silently watching the exchange unfold.
“You shouldn’t have doubted him in the first place,” Rose said, shaking her head.
I need to completely shift their focus away from this, she thought.
“Ehh… no, it wasn’t like that!” Olivia quickly tried to explain, looking at Rose’s disappointed eyes.
“Hey, Rose, it’s not like that. I was just worried!”
Rose dismissed Olivia with a simple, “Leave it, Mother,” her gaze shifting to Celestia, who stood silently to the side.
“And you, Princess,” Rose’s voice turned sharp, laced with challenge. “You call him your love, don’t you? Last time, you were so protective jumping around like a knight in shining armor. What now? Having trust issues with your ‘darling’?”
Her words dripped with contempt, her cold eyes boring into Celestia’s. She hated hearing that word from her mouth darling hated the way it rolled off her tongue so naturally, so possessively.
Celestia’s eyes narrowed. What’s with that look? The hostility, the unspoken resentment it intrigued her.
“That’s not distrust, miss rose,” Celestia said smoothly, a knowing smirk tugging at her lips. “It’s called looking after what’s mine.”
Rose stiffened, but Celestia continued, tilting her head slightly. “And if I recall correctly, my darling~ ended up in danger last night because you decided to wander into questionable places.” Her voice was deceptively light, but her sharp gaze was measuring, calculating.
Rose clenched her jaw.
“Not only did you get yourself injured,” Celestia went on, crossing her arms, “but you nearly dragged him down with you.” Her tone sharpened, the accusation clear. “So before you throw around baseless claims, maybe reflect on your own choices first.”
A faint tremor flickered in Rose’s gaze when Celestia once again said darling with that sickeningly sweet possessiveness.
Celestia noticed.
Oh?
Her smirk widened, her sharp mind already piecing things together.
So that’s how it is…
She let out a low chuckle, leaning in ever so slightly, her voice dropping just enough that only Rose would catch the edge beneath her words.
“Sister-in-law~,” she drawled, savoring the reaction, “You really shouldn’t frequent such places at night… Kuefufufu~”
The moment the words left her mouth, she saw it.
Rose’s entire expression darkened, her pupils constricting in silent fury.
Bullseye.
Sparks flew in the space between them, an unspoken war igniting, their gazes locked in a battle neither was willing to lose.
Celestia had her answer.
And Rose had no idea she had just revealed everything.
—