"…That being said—"
"Seems you're enjoying yourself."
A voice sounded behind her.
Familiar enough to make her freeze.
Slowly, Roselia turned—
"…Rania?"
Before her stood a woman with white-blonde hair, styled in a jellyfish cut, the rest cascading down her back. Amber eyes settled on her without wavering.
"A green thumb," Rania said, her gaze drifting across the garden. Taking in the blooming flowers before returning to Roselia.
"As always, I see."
Roselia said nothing.
Reluctance flickered across her face as she tried to look away—
"Why are you avoiding my eyes?" Rania spoke, her tone calm, but edged.
"I clearly told you to collect yourself properly."
A pause.
"Do you realize that acting like this only makes you look more guilty?"
Roselia stiffened, her grip tightening slightly around the watering can in her hand as her gaze dropped.
"You're aware of what I've done."
A small, bitter smile formed.
"I'm sorry—"
"Save it."
Rania raised a hand, cutting her off cleanly.
"Your methods were wrong, yes. The past cannot be fixed."
A brief silence followed.
"But I'm no longer as attached to it as I once was."
Roselia's expression hardened. Her fingers curled tighter, knuckles paling.
"Maybe I should even be grateful to you."
Roselia froze.
Her thoughts halted completely as she slowly lifted her gaze.
Rania stood there. Calm. Composed.
Unfamiliar.
"For making me realize that suffering… and malice… aren't always born from physical harm alone."
The words settled heavily.
Roselia's chest tightened. The faint light in her eyes dimmed as her gaze fell once more.
Her lips parted, another apology forming.
But nothing came out.
After a moment, she forced out something else instead.
"…Why are you here?"
"Miss Anathasia and Sir Kyle are here."
Roselia stilled.
Her head snapped up, eyes widening.
"They're… here?"
Her brows drew together as her gaze drifted.
"…Then what does that have to do with you being here?"
Rania didn't answer immediately.
Her eyes shifted toward a budding rose behind Roselia as she stepped closer, gently cradling it. Her finger traced along its petals.
"A child."
"…A child?" Roselia echoed, confusion painting her face.
Rania glanced at her, withdrawing her hand from the rose.
"A child made from a weapon Miss Anathasia created."
Silence.
Roselia's jaw slackened slightly as realization struck.
The watering can slipped from her hand.
She staggered a step back.
"What… are you talking about…?" she whispered.
"Miss Veridielle? A child? From… a weapon…?"
"From the collapsed remnants of totalities," Rania added, turning to face her fully.
Roselia shook her head immediately, her face paling.
"What exactly is she thinking…? Why would she—"
"Totalities…? Remnants…?"
Rania gave a small nod, her gaze drifting elsewhere.
"A deterrent for Cosmic Gods," she said simply.
Roselia froze.
"So she gave life to… something like that… and now she—?"
"Wants you to take care of it."
Rania's voice cut through cleanly.
A brief pause.
"Or rather… her."
The last trace of color drained from Roselia's face as her body went rigid.
"…Why me…?"
Rania let out a quiet sigh, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear before meeting Roselia's gaze again.
"Sir Kyle believes you deserve another chance."
A pause.
"That is why he chose you."
Roselia stilled.
Slowly, warmth returned to her chest. Something fragile, unfamiliar.
…Someone still believes in me…?
Rania's expression hardened instantly.
As if reading her thoughts—
"Do you truly think I would allow you to remain in this world if I had no trust in you?"
She shook her head, brushing her bangs aside.
"Why would I have worked with you to abolish slavery a century ago if that weren't the case?"
Then, Rania turned away.
Her form began to dissolve. Starting from her feet as she glanced back over her shoulder.
"Miss Anathasia and Sir Kyle may arrive at any moment with their…" she trailed off briefly, clearing her throat.
"…daughter."
Roselia frowned slightly.
"Why the hesitation…?"
"It's best to be prepared," Rania replied calmly. "Until then."
With that, her form vanished completely, leaving Roselia alone once more.
Roselia raised an eyebrow, folding her arms as her brows furrowed.
"What was that for…?"
"Lady Roselia."
A voice spoke from behind her.
She turned sharply, caught slightly off guard.
"Yes? What is it?"
"It is lunchtime."
The air stilled.
Roselia stared at the butler, who remained composed, head slightly lowered.
She inhaled, then let out a slow sigh.
"I thought I already told everyone to eat first…?"
"That is correct," the butler replied. "However, it is also important that we ensure our Lady's well-being."
Roselia forced a smile and bent down to pick up the watering can—
Only for the butler to take it first.
"My Lady. It is lunchtime."
He held the watering can firmly, meeting her gaze without wavering.
Her smile twitched.
"I appreciate the concern—"
She reached for it, and missed.
"—But I won't get sick over not—"
She reached again, only to miss once more.
"—Eating."
She paused.
Then snapped.
"Give it back already!"
"My Lady," the butler repeated evenly, "it is already lunchtime."
Roselia froze.
Her arms dropped to her sides as her hands clenched, turning pale.
She clicked her tongue, irritation rising.
"Stubborn little—just give it back," she gestured at the garden.
"The flowers need care!"
Her voice lifted, but the butler remained unmoved, holding the watering can with effortless composure.
"And it is currently lunchtime, my Lady. Please join everyone else."
Roselia stepped closer.
Her hair began to stir slightly behind her, shifting like a faint halo.
"Lucian…" she muttered, her tone sharpening. "I may be your aunt, but this is getting out of hand."
The boy didn't flinch.
"The Empress herself requested that I ensure you take care of yourself."
Roselia paused as her hair fell still again, cascading down her back. She turned away with a sharp click of her tongue.
"…I knew I should've refused when the House of Ataraxia asked me to take you in."
—
Minutes after forcing herself to eat, Roselia found herself sprawled across the couch in the center of her estate's opulent living room.
Her gaze lingered on the paintings, depictions of Rania's deeds throughout the current millennia.
Then—
—Everything went still.
The entire estate.
No sound.
No breeze.
Nothing moved.
The faint rustling of leaves outside from just moments ago—gone.
?! What—
Then—
Footsteps.
A sharp, staccato rhythm echoed through the halls as someone rushed toward the living room. The sound felt unnaturally loud against the suffocating silence that had swallowed the estate, despite the hundreds of maids and butlers within.
A chill crept down Roselia's spine.
She rose from the couch immediately, her gaze snapping toward the double doors as she waited.
They creaked open.
Slowly.
An old man in a tailored black suit stepped inside. One hand behind his back, the other resting over his chest.
He lowered his head.
"Lady Roselia… you have visitors."
She didn't move.
A lump formed in her throat as she swallowed.
"Who…?"
Her voice came out quieter than she intended. Smaller. Cold sweat prickled along her back, a few drops trailing down her temple.
The butler hesitated.
His eyes remained lowered.
But his hand—
It trembled.
Just slightly.
Enough for her to notice.
And in that moment—
She understood.
This atmosphere…
This silence…
"It is… Lady Anathasia Veridielle Augthoria…"
"…Mr. Kyle Veridielle Augthoria…"
A pause.
A small one.
Just enough to matter.
"And… Lady Grace Veridielle Augthoria."
For a moment, Roselia's thoughts went completely blank.
Grace… Veridielle Augthoria? Only Carthanalenia and Francesca had—
Then—
Rania's words from earlier slammed back into her mind.
"Miss Anathasia and Sir Kyle may arrive at any moment with their… daughter."
Her gaze dropped.
Almost unconsciously, she brought her hand up, biting lightly at her thumb.
So that's why…?
The hesitation… because the girl is something Miss Veridielle acknowledged as her own child…?
"Pardon the intrusion."
A voice cut through her thoughts.
Familiar.
Too familiar.
Roselia stiffened.
Slowly, she lifted her head—
And the moment a strand of white entered her vision, her face paled.
When their eyes finally met, a forced smile found its way onto her lips.
Standing before her—
Was the Supreme Being herself.
Anathasia Veridielle Augthoria.
Roselia's breath caught as Kyle stepped in right after.
And behind him—
A pink-haired girl stood. Young. Quiet. Watching. Occasionally tugging on Kyle's sleeve.
…That must be Grace.
"Welcome… Miss Veridielle. Mr. Kyle," Roselia said, tilting her head slightly, her smile just a bit uneven.
"How may I help you today…?"
For a brief second—
Anathasia's expression hardened, and softened again the moment she felt Kyle's gaze on her.
She exhaled quietly, giving a small shake of her head.
"I was thinking," she began.
"Out of all the Outer Gods, despite your… tendencies, it's still true that you're among the most capable. The most versatile."
A brief pause.
"And you were once human as well."
Her gaze shifted briefly—
Settling on Grace behind her.
Then to Kyle.
A small nod.
She turned back to Roselia.
"I'll be direct."
A pause.
"Can we entrust Grace to your care?"