Bridal Lessons - Chapter 11
II. Unfamiliar Bedroom
“…Rosen.”
The quiet bedroom contained only the two of them. The large mirror-adorned marble vanity and console, the soft carpet and table imported from foreign lands… The furniture decorating the spacious room was all beautiful, giving off that unmistakable newness of never having been used.
Rosen lay in the center of the unfamiliar room on a four-poster bed, her eyes closed, breathing softly.
Iscarion, recalling recent events, knelt beside her to remove her uncomfortable-looking shoes, just as he had on the day he proposed to the young Rosen.
After a while, he sat on the edge of the bed, looking down at her deeply sleeping face. His expression, usually gentle in front of her, was now cold and hardened.
“I no longer want this kind of relationship.”
She had spoken so firmly earlier Iscarion glanced at the half-opened curtain. A large tree outside stretched its branches close to the window.
The small tree they planted in commemoration during Rosen’s first year at the grand duchy. The sapling, once as tiny as young Rosen, had grown significantly, now visible from the second-floor window.
Yes, that’s right. It was time for their relationship to change.
He had often thought it was time to change how they addressed each other and other such things. A change was indeed necessary. After all, she had grown up.
“I’m sorry, Brother. But I think it’s only right to end this engagement.”
However, this was not the direction he had intended.
Iscarion reached into his jacket pocket and took out a purple velvet box.
Click.
Opening the luxurious case, which felt quite heavy for its size, revealed a gemstone shining brightly with the same color as Rosen’s eyes. A 20-carat pink diamond ring, flawless and clear.
He had planned to give it to her today, but it seemed he would have to wait.
But you’re leaving me?
“Rosen, you brought this on yourself.”
They were in a newly constructed annex behind the grand ducal residence. Iscarion slowly looked around the room, filled with furniture designed for a newlywed couple.
“Not bad. We’re using it sooner than I thought, but it’s not bad.”
Had he been overly arrogant, thinking that he and Rosen wouldn’t need such measures to keep her close. He had thought that it was unnecessary between them.
He had never imagined using the room prepared for their honeymoon to confine her. Yet, the fact remained that she was still by his side, which was fortunate.
Rosen, sleeping soundly and unaware, looked as lovely as a sugar sculpture crafted by a skilled artisan. Her silver hair, which fell softly over her forehead, shimmered gently. Her hair blended harmoniously with his golden locks—like the sun and moon, perfectly matched.
His love for Rosen had remained constant since she was young, but the deeper feelings he had now were completely different from before. It was hard to pinpoint when this change started.
Perhaps it was the day he returned from a long campaign and saw her waiting for him at the port, standing on tiptoe among the knights’ wives. Or when he noticed her cheeks, once always red like apples from running around the garden, had softened to a pale peach hue. Or when the child who used to beg for an extra candy started to offer mature opinions and help prepare for the territory’s New Year’s events.
He had carefully observed her small frame growing into more womanly curves. The sweet scent that began to emanate from her made him pause, unable to forget it even into the night, leading to restless sleep.
Rosen was the first person he ever felt affection for, so this change was natural.
“You probably don’t see me as a woman either.”
How many times have I thought about you…
Her soft cheeks and eyes were still slightly moist. Did she cry before falling asleep, feeling sorry for ending their engagement? The traces of tears on her long, damp eyelashes ignited a dark desire deep within him.
But for now.
Suppressing the long-held impulse, Iscarion controlled himself once more.
Breaking off the engagement?
His face was as cold as the frozen lake in front of the grand duchy. Iscarion reflected on the earlier events, narrowing his eyes as he recalled the request letter that Rosen had handed him.
“I want to break off our engagement. I am requesting to annul the betrothal we made twelve years ago.”
—If I had known you would write such a thing, I would never have taught you to read and write, Rosie.
