Riding in a carriage when you don’t feel well is the best way to develop motion sickness.
Just like now.
Rosenta couldn’t even remember how he came to the palace.
He sat on the sofa, almost half-dazed, with his face buried in his hands.
"Are you okay?"
“……I’m not okay at all."
His words were mixed with a little resentment.
This morning's rough journey would not have happened if not for Theodore.
Rosenta received his letter early in the morning while he was still hungover.
Theodore's letter told him to come at all costs.
"Did something happen?"
"Something did happen and that’s why I’ve called you out of the blue."
Theodore handed over a glass of ice water as if he had been waiting to do so.
Rosenta didn't hesitate to accept it and quickly drank the chilled water.
Looking at Rosenta in that state, Theodore slowly began to speak.
"These days, a woman in purple has become famous in the capital, right?"
"Cough!"
Rosenta was glad he’d swallowed all the water; he almost spewed it.
He looked up with a small cough.
"What are you saying now…….”
"I'm talking about the woman in purple. Do you know anything about her?"
"Well, how would that be possible?"
Rosenta intentionally furrowed his eyebrows, deliberately pretending to be in a bad mood.
"I just asked because she’s famous these days, along with the new courier service, so I'm curious."
"Is that so?"
Theodore quickly lost interest.
Instead, he approached his desk, picked up a document, and brought it to Rosenta.
Then he held it out to Rosenta and continued his explanation.
"This is a message from the person I have planted in the Holy Kingdom. The saint, and a few others, will soon depart for Nequitia."
Rosenta looked at the papers.
What Theodore just said was summarized as described.
"I am told she is going to address a disaster in Nequitia, but there wasn't any corresponding appeal that came to me."
"You didn't receive an appeal?"
Rosenta was quiet while listening to Theodore.
But inside he was surprised.
First of all, he was surprised that Theodore had planted a spy in the Holy Land...….
"I didn’t. The implications are significant. Either the Holy Kingdom is plotting some kind of scheme, or a disaster has really happened that we don't know about."
It was also surprising that he was able to understand the situation in such detail.
Rosenta wasn’t looking down on Theodore.
Originally, in the book, he was always a step behind, perhaps for the sake of progressing the story.
"Since when did you...….”
"It hasn't been that long. I've been preparing step by step since I ascended the throne."
"I see...….”
Rosenta was now sure. Things were now leading in a different direction from the ending of the original story.
And he had hope.
He hoped it would be a happy ending for everyone.
As this hope began to grow, a more intense will burned.
As a result, he proactively asked a question that made Theodore feel burdened.
"Then, may I know why Your Majesty brought up that woman in purple?"
A very deep smile began to grow on Theodore's mouth, as if he had been waiting for that question.
He opened his mouth and said,
"We'll need a barrier to hinder them, just in case. So, I'd like to use her."
"A barrier? No way...….”
Rosenta knew what he was thinking.
Maybe Theodore had a similar idea to when Rosenta had decided to let the woman in purple be well known.
‘It's good to be on the same page, but it will be difficult if the other person is Theodore.’
"I think I'll make her a symbol of the empire, to counter the saint."
“……I see. I think that's a good idea, but...… Why call me...….”
Rosenta’s reply didn't come out smoothly.
‘Maybe he’s talking to me about this because it involves the woman in purple.’
However, because they were the same people, they could not appear at the same time. Also, there was Theodore.
Rosenta was curious and afraid of what he was going to say.
"I intend to summon her; if that happens, I would like you to leave with her for Nequitia."
"With the woman in purple?"
"Yes."
"Oh...….”
Going to Nequitia was a welcome experience.
It was a village that appeared in the second story arc, 'The Dying River.'
However, Theodore wanted him to appear before him in the form of the woman in purple, receive a sendoff, and leave with the Duke of Estella.
Of course, this was nonsense.
Rosenta forced his mouth to open, barely managing to utter a word of rejection.
“……That would be difficult."
Theodore's expression didn't look so good when he heard that answer.
But he didn’t blame him.
Instead, he seemed to be stubbornly wondering what he could do to persuade Rosenta.
Things were going to be very difficult if Rosenta didn't come up with another way.
Rosenta internally ran through ideas in a hurry.
"Your Majesty, it would be difficult right now. I need time to sort out a schedule."
Rosenta observed Theodore’s expression for a moment. He still showed no signs of changing his mind.
It didn't matter. Rosenta was going to be stubborn anyway.
He opened his mouth to speak again.
"I know why you want to send me. You must have thought it might be a curse."
"Yes. Usually, in cases like this, the crisis is artificially created."
"But wouldn’t it be better for Your Majesty to go in person?"
“……It would."
The golden eyes took on a dull glow.
There was also a tinge of guilt that Rosenta didn’t understand. His eyes seemed to be filled with worry.
There was a prolonged silence.
Finally, Theodore's iron door-like mouth began to slowly open.
“……You know how ridiculous that is, don't you?"
"Yes, I know...….”
Rosenta knew that it was a stupid thing to say.
It's not easy for the emperor to leave the imperial castle empty.
Above all, Theodore had already secretly snuck out and followed him once before when he headed to Silva.
There was no guarantee that it would even work this time.
"It won’t be easy for you to leave, but you know that the faster solution would be for Your Majesty, who has the power of purification, to go."
Rosenta didn't back down.
This wasn’t just him avoiding the issue. It was true.
If they took into account that it might not be a curse, Theodore's ability would be more useful than his.
Rosenta gently lifted his chin.
"Take your time and go; I will take good care of the imperial capital while Your Majesty is away."
Rosenta meaningfully looked at Theodore with a confident smile.
***
"Duke?"
As if it were strange to see him going down to the basement of his bedroom upon returning, Enoch called him.
But he was too busy to answer.
Rosenta rummaged through the chest of drawers and pulled out his dress and veil. Then he, frantically, began moving back and forth across the room.
"What do you need me to do...….”
Although he had been so enthusiastic, he only had one body.
He didn’t even know how he would make an alter ego.
Nevertheless, he could not afford to ignore the imperial family. What should he do?
"What's going on, Duke?"
Suddenly, Rosenta felt a strong grip on his shoulders.
His body was quickly turned.
He could see Enoch's light green eyes, which had a somewhat fierce look.
Rosenta let out a faint groan.
"Oh."
At the same time, he was reminded of the hidden card called Enoch.
He suddenly grabbed Enoch's arm.
"Can you help me?"
"What?"
That fierce look, as though it had been a lie, disappeared. Enoch's languid eyes turned toward him with a slight arc.
He was like a fairy.
Like a genie in a lamp, like he would do anything for him..….
Vivian's words came to mind.
She’d told him that there was no tree branch that couldn't break. Enoch was the kind of person who would be his support.
"Tell me, Duke, all the things troubling you...….”
As if to seduce him with his sweet voice, Enoch quietly stared at him.
Then Rosenta burst out laughing.
"Ha, it was a ridiculous mental image."
He gently let go of Enoch’s arm. Then he swept back the messy flowing sides of his hair.
He called,
"Enoch."
At his call, Enoch's eyes faintly narrowed, taking on a mysterious light.
He looked into those eyes and removed Enoch's hand off his shoulder.
Then he asked him,
"When are you going to leave?"
“……Leave. That's not a very pleasant thing to say. Although, I am leaving you for a while on my own."
One corner of Enoch’s mouth twitched upward. That twitch soon disappeared like a mirage.
Enoch’s smile returned.
This time, he didn’t put his hands on Rosenta’s body. However, he moistened his mouth as if he had developed an appetite while looking at him.
"Even if I have to divide my body into two, I will do whatever you tell me to do, just give me orders."
As soon as he was finished, Enoch carefully took his right hand.
Rosenta didn't shrug it off. He just looked down at Enoch, who was leaning down.
Then, Enoch bowed his head.
"You are the one who holds my leash."
Something warm and fluffy touched the back of Rosenta’s right hand.
It was Enoch's short kiss.