The Emperor Is My Brother's Best Friend-Chapter 56

Rose bowed her head. The act of holding her fingertips could not hide her nervousness.

Now that I think about it, I keep causing trouble for His Majesty until we’ve come to this day where it’s blown up.

Rose’s head sank lower. She was unable to raise her head.

Her long blonde hair pointed to the ground.

"I’m really truly sorry, Your Majesty."

"Rose?"

"I know very well how cunning and two-faced it would sound for me to just say sorry… because I'm weak... Because I couldn't protect myself, I kept getting help from His Majesty."

[TL/N: She’s saying it’s cunning of her to say sorry even though he had to save her. She means it doesn’t sound like an apology, but more like she would want him to comfort her even after risking his life to save her.]

"What are you talking about all of a sudden?"

As Russell approached Rose, his shoes entered her field of vision.

She said this without even lifting her head.

"If only I were a little bit stronger… If I had even the slightest ability to protect myself, today Your Majesty would—you never would have killed Stanley Gardner with your own hands."

Rose knelt down without hesitation and bowed her head.

"I am deeply sorry, Your Majesty."

This little action of bowing down isn't enough after what I’ve made him do.

But that was all Rose could do now.

That's why His Majesty's hands were shaking. That fear was because he had to take a human life.

Rose had no intention of raising her head, nor did she plan to rise to her feet.

Until Wells comes... No, even after returning to the capital, I intend to apologize to Russell for causing him to kill people.

However, contrary to her determination, Russell urgently pulled her off the ground.

"Rose, I think you're misunderstanding something."

"Yes?"

"I asked because I was worried about you."

"About me?"

Rose's red eyes widened.

Russell looked at the hand that was holding Rose's shoulder for a moment, then let out a deep sigh and slowly lowered it.

With his hand gone, the shoulder, which was hot just a moment ago, cooled down in an instant.

"Rose, I mean—it meant seeing people die because of me. Is it okay?"

"…Oh."

"There is nothing wrong with killing that man with these hands, but it was because I was worried that the sight would come as a shock to you and that you would be startled every time my hand touched you."

Rose looked at Russell's right hand, which had moved away from her.

The hand holding the sword pierced Stanley's heart boldly and without hesitation.

However, Russell's hand that had taken a life did not give Rose any fear.

I don't feel afraid. Is it because of His Majesty?

Rose reached over and grabbed Russell's right hand.

His hands exposed to the chill of winter were cold, but to Rose, his hands were warmer than any heating device she’d touched.

"I am not afraid. Rather I... After everything I’ve caused, I was more afraid of His Majesty avoiding me."

"Rose."

Russell drew closer and tousled her hair with his free left hand.

"I mean it. If I had the power, it would have been me killing Stanley Gardner."

Russell's hand, which had been carefully tidying up his hair, stopped.

He stared at Rose's face without lifting his hand.

Rose's eyes were still stained red with tear marks.

But it did no harm to her beauty.

Still as beautiful, it was Rose Honeywell, his favorite creature in the world.

But at this moment, Russell sensed something strange about Rose.

…No one is unconcerned when they see death right in front of their eyes.

Especially for someone like Rose who was practically raised by Wells as a greenhouse plant. It's not a disposition where you can watch the hand of death descend so easily.

In a short time, many doubts passed through Russell's mind.

When one was in doubt, more doubts took hold, but Russell shook it off and straightened Rose's hair.

"As long as Rose is okay, that’s fine. Thank you for not being scared of me after what I just did."

"Thank you for saving me."

Rose stayed still under Russell's hand, which was tidying up the cloak.

Then, out of curiosity, she opened her mouth.

"But how did Your Majesty know I was here? You just said that there was a letter from the Imperial Palace earlier."

"I received a report that a carriage with colorful patterns left the capital in a hurry. Since it was found out to be Rose Honeywell's kidnapping, if the Imperial family sent troops to find you, it would be like throwing prey to chatty nobles, so I came alone."

"Instead, my older brother is bringing knights."

"Yes, Wells went to the manor first, so he'll be back here soon after. He’d be able to find us easily because the carriage wheels are clearly visible on winter roads where carriages do not frequently travel."

The emperor pointed with his fingertips at the carriage wheel markings on the ground.

Rose stared at the clear wheel ruts.

I thought I had run for a long time after rolling out of the carriage, but it seems I couldn't have gone far with my running skills.

Her thoughts turned to Stanley.

"It was Ilya Titonsser who informed me that you were going to the post office today."