Chapter 348 – I’ll Be Back.

Not under the roof of an empire, but under the roof of a strange mansion that is unlikely to be found anywhere on the continent.

Since we spent most of our time together and slept in the same bedroom, each person’s room was like a warehouse.

When it comes to the purpose of each person’s space, the biggest use is storage of items.

Other than that, the percentage of people staying there to focus on practice is probably the highest.

“Haaa…”

A dark room with blackout curtains drawn to block sunlight.

Rike’s lips opened, a deep exhalation spread out, and his purple eyes flashed, revealing himself.

‘I feel refreshed.’

Let’s finish the Tonap method taught by Roman and open her eyes.

Sweat was dripping down her bangs.

As the concentration and consciousness that had been hovering inside expanded outwards, the lively voices of the family in the mansion could be heard.

‘I have to wash up and prepare dinner.’

Rike got up and took some soft underwear and clothes from the drawer.

I told her to focus on training and that Alice would take care of the flower beds, and Chloe and Lily would take care of the food.

I heard that Seria is joining them to learn how to cook.

I was so anxious that I couldn’t bear it like this.

Rickera has been sharply increasing the intensity of her training recently.

She doesn’t just keep up her training when she’s sleeping, so she still has a handful of stamina left to move around in the kitchen.

‘I can’t give up taking care of her brother’s meals.’

To tell the truth, she wants to take responsibility for her lover’s meals.

Rike takes pride in knowing Roman’s eating habits and tastes better than anyone else in her mansion.

– Ah? I made a mistake! Why is this so weak?

– Ceria! If you cut the ingredients and cutting board together ㅡ!

– I’ll buy one tomorrow. Now just add all the ingredients and boil it, right?

– Oh! I have to add that later…!

“Foot.”

Just by hearing the voice, you can imagine what the situation is like in the kitchen.

It’ll be a mess if I go out.

So it’s good.

‘Even if there is no blood connection.’

This is a real family.

The existence of a family that cares for each other is so warm and good.

With a gentle smile, Rike left her room.

····

After dinner, training continues at night to end the day.

Roman’s offensive against Rike, who was about to face a critical situation, was harsh and devoid of any laughter.

The advice was given with the endless thrusts of her sword rather than with her mouth.

Ricke also knows that this is what her training should be like now.

The momentum of the flying sword was so cold that it was wrapped in life.

Jjaeng! Kang!

“Tsk-!”

The moment Roman strikes Vanitas with his longsword.

Rike, whose posture was disturbed, rolled around on the floor.

The sword fell at high speed on the spot.

Pop!

The blade was embedded in the dirt floor where my body had been placed just moments ago.

What if you ignored your instincts and rolled because you were relying on your specialty, vision?

That blade would have pierced Rike.

“Whoa…!”

Rike, who used Vanitas to raise his body, takes his stance again.

Roman put the longsword into his inventory.

‘Martial arts?’

I wonder if he wants to use his fists instead of his sword now.

Rike lowered the center of gravity while raising the tension.

Roman relaxed her stiff face and opened her mouth with his usual kind smile.

“Should we stop here for today?”

“Already?”

“I always say this, but rest is also important for growth.”

“···.”

It comes one step at a time.

Roman simply tidied up Rike’s clothes and hair that had become a mess from the sparring, held her in his arms, and stroked her hair.

“Rike.”

“Huh?”

“Can you not hesitate?”

“···.”

I know the worry that lies within Roman.

The sight of Seria shedding tears after hearing the news about her family may have ignited the worry.

“Hell Broom is different from that warlock. This is the real deal. This means that there should be no hesitation as long as you decide to do it with Rikke’s hand.”

“I know what you want to say.”

“The moment you take advantage, you must have no mercy. No matter what you hear, you must not feel shaken or sad.”

“Huh.”

I put my ear to Roman’s chest and listened to the strong pounding of his heart.

In one ear, she listens to the voice of her lover who worries about her.

Nothing strengthens her heart more than this.

“I definitely do not take Lieke’s decision lightly.”

“I know you’re doing it because you’re worried about me.”

As time goes by, her desire for revenge fades, or she needs to relive those terrible days.

That’s not advice.

The words that came out of Roman’s mouth were sentences composed purely of worry.

“Brother.”

“Yes. I’m listening.”

Ricke’s arms hugged Roman’s waist tightly.

And she says the words she was wondering when to say.

“Can you go to the estate with me tomorrow?”

“···Are you going to be okay?”

“Yes. Brother please watch over me.”

“Of course we should go together. Even if you go alone, I will follow behind you.”

No matter how long she trains, she will never feel confident and fully prepared.

Rather than preparing by force, mental preparation was needed to raise and refine the purity of emotions.

“Brother.”

“Yes. You can say it.”

“···Tell me you love me.”

Now the rain pouring down her first night with Roman fills her mind.

She wanted to hear it from Roman before her own eyes, not from her imagination.

Let the mana flow into Rike’s eyes and emit a brilliant light.

Roman’s lips twitched as he recalled the same time.

“Love you.”

A color that is darker and more evident than anyone else.

The deep colors that spread around Roman beautifully colored the world Rike sees.

One day, I was so close that I could touch her if I stretched out my hand.

Feeling overwhelmed by her reality, Rike hid her face in Roman’s arms and snuggled into him.

“···I love you too.”

It was enough without being lacking.

It was so full that it overflowed.

The decision took root in Ricke’s heart and settled down perfectly.

From the beginning, she believed that she had made up her mind enough that she would have no hesitation in taking action to seek her revenge.

Now I think it’s even more perfect than that.

“I keep thinking about the day I met you…”

“I was thinking the same thing.”

I don’t know what kind of expression Ricke is making in her arms.

Roman rubbed her delicate back and listened to the girl’s voice.

“I’m happy thanks to my brother.”

“Likewise, for me, Rike is the starting point of happiness.”

A girl with eyes as beautiful and special as amethyst.

During Ricke’s time in the capital, which was neither short nor long, she experienced more changes than anyone else.

Even her lover, Roman, she says, has seen a stomach-churning taste of the positive changes he has made in her.

I guess she’s not as good as me.

A year ago that was too embarrassing to call the past.

At that time, she thought that resolving her feelings of resentment was the end point of her life.

But.

For Ricke now, the word ‘revenge’ is an obstacle that must be overcome for a happy future.

Nothing more, nothing less.

*****

“Hmm.”

The last hour ruled by the moon before sunrise.

Dawn.

Roman did not enter her bedroom, but sat at the desk in her own room, lost in her thoughts.

Today, Rike is lying alone in her own room, saying she will sleep there too.

‘How can I not feel it?’

As the day approached for Ricke to move her feet, she felt complicated even though she was not the one involved.

She was tapping her feet every day wondering when this day would come.

She looked back and saw that he was right around the corner from her.

‘I guess I’ll have to give the raccoon some advice.’

The time has come for her to liquidate her compensation with the emperor, which she had accumulated through her commissions tied to Limno.

Roman prepared her letter in as neat a handwriting as possible, pressing on her weak point of bad handwriting.

Square – Sugak -!

“Hmm!”

This is satisfactory. I put a well-written letter in an envelope.

All you have to do is seal her snout with sealing wax using the platinum adventurer’s seal.

I was thinking about asking Eclair to deliver it, but I immediately gave up on that action because I thought the raccoon might be interested in it.

‘···Even if it’s annoying, I have to leave a record.’

Even if the relationship with Rike, which the imperial family already knows about, cannot be helped.

My relationship with everyone, including Eclair, was voluntarily made public and I did not want others to know about it.

‘Finish.’

After entering the address addressed to the person who will receive and deliver the letter on your behalf.

Only then did she put the pen out of her hand.

“Whew!”

She knows that sleeping is the best way to manage her condition.

Even if I lie down in bed, I can’t sleep with this kind of nonsense.

Rike, who is constantly tossing and turning on the bed, probably feels the same way.

Assumptions and thoughts that are useless if you try them now.

They run wild and clutter my mind.

Now, in silence, I feel a paradoxical madness.

Roman crossed his arms and took his time quietly.

“···.”

At some point, I looked outside and the sun was rising early.

The sunlight drives out the cool air released by the moon.

As Rikke in the next room began to move.

Roman also stood up.

··
··

“I’ll take care of you while I’m gone. A round trip to the gate won’t take more than a day.”

“Hmm. Don’t worry, be careful. Don’t get either of you hurt.”

“Don’t worry. I understand Roman’s concerns, but we’re not easy girls.”

As worry and regret appeared transparently on Roman’s face.

Everyone at the entrance, including Eclair and Lily, smiled.

“Oh, brother!! Rike!! You can’t get hurt!”

“Leave the flower bed to me and have a nice trip. Roman! Please take care of Rike!”

– Shhh! Sigh!

“Come on! I won’t eat until Rike comes and makes me something delicious!”

Each person worried and cheered for Rike with deep emotions in every word.

Safely.

I hope we can meet again with a clean face, as if nothing happened.

After everyone gathered in a circle at the entrance and hugged loudly.

Roman and Rike slowly walked away and waved their hands.

“I will be back.”

“I’ll be back.”