Chapter 48

In the original novel, Diana was an a.s.sa.s.sin of the highest cla.s.s.

Light on her feet, fast with her hands, and had very sharp wits. She was that kind of a.s.sa.s.sin.

This was the result of failing to overcome the soaring prices of her younger sisters medicine, and she eventually had to go down a darker path.

It didnt seem like she had killed anyone yet at this time, but

At this rate, shes going to start killing people in the near future.

In any case, as an a.s.sa.s.sin, she later became entirely loyal to Leo and served him as his hands and feet. The reason for that was simple.

Its because Leo cured Ria of her illness.

Amongst House Carters items on which they had conducted magical research, it just so happened that there was one such item that could cure the rare disease Ria was suffering from.

Leo offered it to Diana, and the medicine had an exceptional effect on the child.

Truthfully, it was a stroke of luck.

As it was still being studied, the potion was incomplete and could still have had side effects.

When Leo gave that medicine to Diana, it was only intended to be a clinical test in the first place.

Diana, in the end, did not know the truth behind this.

Blind to the truth, for her, Leo was entirely just the savior of my little sister.

And Diana was someone who would do anything for her benefactor.

Its not a leap. You will be deeply, exceptionally loyal. Because you love and care about your sister very much.

As Rosetta was thinking about the original novel for a while, she smiled and replied like this.

On the other hand, Diana couldnt smile at all.

In fact, she also knew about her own sharp senses.

When she had to survive from the bottom of the pack, she had no choice but to have these senses.

And, with that sharp wit, she realized that Rosettas words clearly had an underlying meaning.

That being said

Just now, what youre saying Are you saying that youre taking my sister hostage?

She asked the question, yet no answer returned right away as she stifled her breaths.

The silence was suffocating.

She was so nervous because the silence could be interpreted as both a yes and a no.

Dianas fingers curled onto the floor.

And her fingernails scratched through the rough, arid surface.

Before I came here, I found out a few things about you

Pardon?

I heard that youre working for one of those shady guilds? And that you borrowed money there for your sisters medication.

At Rosettas hushed question, Diana blinked.

You found out something like that in such a short amount of time?

Perhaps it was only natural for her influence over information to be that powerful because she was a ducal princess.

Whenever she confirmed once more the monster-like aspects of the princess, Dianas heart just tightened up even more because of anxiety.

She was already going crazy from worry for Ria, who was still counting alone outside the door.

Soon, however, these emotions shattered and dispersed into the air.

That medicine. Its fake, you know.

Despite how offhandedly she delivered this fact, Rosettas words were absolutely shocking to Diana.

What are you

If words had a tangible form to them, Diana would have collapsed from them by now.

It felt as if shed been hit on the back of her head with a ma.s.sive blunt weapon.

From what I gathered, it has effects like a painkiller, and your sister said she felt like shes getting better, right? Thats only because she cant feel the pain. Besides the temporary anesthetic effect, there is a side effect that would make your sisters body gradually deteriorate. Perhaps even, she could lose her life any time soon.

Lies

Isnt the bottom of her eyes becoming yellowish brown little by little? Her hands are shaking, and her tongue is becoming a strange color, too, I believe Its been a while since she drank the medicine, yes?

Every time Rosetta recited the symptoms one by one, Diana could see her little sisters face flas.h.i.+ng though her head.

The deepening shadows of the yellow-brown hue under her eyes, her hands that trembled frequently. Even her p.r.o.nunciation sometimes turned unintelligible.

Now that I think about it, these symptoms didnt appear until she was drinking the medicine

As Diana thought about this, she jumped up from the ground.

Blood was oozing from both of her knees when she had hit the floor with a loud thud earlier.

However, she felt no pain at all.

She wouldnt feel any pain in her body. She was seething with blind rage.

What do you plan to do?

At Rosettas question, which she asked with the same calm demeanor, Diana replied in a voice that slightly betrayed her restlessness.

Ill have to pay them a visit. I have to know if its true. If it is, then Ill kill them all.

At the frank remark that held not a trace of falsehood, Rosetta nodded back. Then, she asked again.

How?

That

Hesitating at that point, Diana trailed off.

She also knew that she wouldnt be able to do it.

You cherish your life though. Dont you have to protect your sister? If you go to a place like that alone, then you know fully well which side will perish.

She couldnt refute any of it. Because she knew that what Rosetta said was correct.

At that moment, what swept through her entire being was a sense of helplessness, resentment, fury.

That anger boiled within her and became lodged at her throat.

That hot, acrid sensation p.r.i.c.kled at her throat and around her eyes.

If you join my side, then Ill help you. Whether its revenge or looking the other way. Whatever it is that you wish.

And, Ill help you find the real medicine for that child.

Hearing Rosettas offer, Diana shook her head in disbelief.

Even now, she still couldnt understand.

Why.

Why Why would Your Ladys.h.i.+p go that far for me? I am no one.

In response to her genuine confusion, Rosetta raised her eyebrows.

The people that she was trying to help thus far were only the kind of woeful people who wouldnt take goodwill as goodwill at its face value.

People who wouldnt easily trust others and who wouldnt easily trust this world that really could not be depended onthe kind of people who lived their lives only by surviving.

Well, its not bad to be suspicious of others.

After all, wasnt it that Rosetta was trying to win over both Ca.s.sion and Diana for her own agenda?

Rosetta looked to the side slightly.

There in her periphery, she saw Ca.s.sions fingertips.

Then, looking back towards the front again, in that tense silence, Rosetta slowly rose from her seat.

The two peoples gazes met.

I want you. I am someone who invests that much in the people I want.

As Rosetta said this, she began to walk forward.

Ta-dak. Ta-dak. Ta-dak.

The sound of her footsteps echoed in the small shanty.

The sound of stifled sobs. The sound of footsteps.

In the midst of that unbecoming harmony, Rosettas aloof voice rang through.

I will be the roof over your head. I will be the foundation to your shelter. The floor, the walls, the bed, the food. Whatever else it is, I will be that for you.

Strangely, this indifferent tone was more comforting.

There were times when a tone like this would echo more greatly inside ones heart.

Either during the day and even during the night, Ill let you live amidst brightness. Both you and your sister.

Without a single exaggeration. Just, she would give what she had mentioned.

At the worlds behest, if youre supposed to roll over like a dog anyway, wouldnt you rather roll over under the care of someone who can be your shelter?

She was not a warm person, but this at least, she could give. She was someone who would keep her word.

For being my hostage, your sister will receive support and protection from me. As long as you do not betray me, that is.

Because it was a small house, no matter how slow she walked or how narrow her steps were, Diana and Rosetta soon faced each other in close proximity.

There, as close as they were when they had confronted each other in the alley.

That is all I require of youthat you do not betray me.

With Dianas eyes br.i.m.m.i.n.g with tears, Rosetta patted her on the arm twice.

As if telling her, youve gone through so much, youve worked hard until now.

At the emotions she was feeling for the first time, her tears eventually fell down from Dianas eyes.

Rosetta walked past the sobbing woman and towards the door.

Ta-dak.

Rosettas steps stopped as she faced the door.

Ninety Ninety-one Ninety-two

With a small voice, the child could still be heard counting.

Perhaps five times had already pa.s.sed.

Even so, the child did not come back into the house.

Just as the childs small voice could be heard from the inside, she would have also definitely heard what was being said from the outside.

Even if she couldnt hear the details of that conversation, even a child could tell that it was not a very pleasant situation.

One hundred.

Finally, the last of the countdown came from beyond the door. However, it was uncertain which round this was.

At the same time, Rosetta pushed the door. As it loudly squeaked open, Rosetta saw the child squatting on one side, sobbing as well.

Ria glanced up as she felt the door open, then looked at Rosetta who appeared before her.

One hundred I counted it all

Hearing the child speak through her tears, Rosetta smiled warmly.

Mm-hmm. Youre very good at counting, arent you.

A gentle palm stroked Rias head.

A gesture that said theres nothing to be afraid of.

Soon afterwards, Rosetta crouched down and held the little girl in her embrace.

The scrawny child was as light as cotton candy.

Rosetta patted the child on her emaciated back, then she turned to nod at Diana.

Im taking this little one as my hostage now. Because no matter how much I think it over, I really do want you. Now then, what will you do? Will you follow me?

At the question that held not a hint of a jest, Diana dropped her head.

She had lost both her parents at such a young age, and ever since then, she had been protecting her younger sister all by herself.

Without her, she knew that Ria would not be safe. So, all this time, she had obsessively been protecting her.

But strangely enough

Ria looked so safe in that womans arms, despite how slender Rosetta was.

Even Diana herself wanted to hold onto that slender hand and beg for her protection.

If she were to be honest with herself, this life she was living was so tiresome daunting.

She, too, wanted to have someone who would protect her.

She was tired of this old house, tired of being hungry, tired of being looked down on, tired of being so poor.

Diana slowly bent down.

And bowed her head.

Towards the woman who would be her shelterthe woman who would take her younger sister hostage.

I will gladly go with you, Princess. Please accept me.