Chapter 340 -: 339 Important stuff.

Rosalina slowly nodded in understanding. She was undeniably curious about whatever had happened inside that abandoned cabin, but if Sylviana insisted it was the climax of the latest volume, then hearing it now would only ruin the experience. She had never been particularly interested in romance novels before today, yet after listening to nearly the entire plot, she found herself wanting to read it properly. Knowing the ending beforehand would undoubtedly lessen the anticipation, and although she disliked waiting, she reluctantly accepted that some things were better discovered firsthand. There was, however, one part of the story she simply couldn’t wrap her head around. Why would the author make the female protagonist the fiancée of Julius’s own son, only to have her pursue Julius himself? Was it some strange preference of the author? Some bizarre obsession she couldn’t begin to understand? Rosalina decided she neither knew nor wished to know. Fiction was fiction, while reality was something entirely different. In this world, Julius belonged to her. There was no maid, no reincarnated woman, and certainly no heroine who would steal him away. Even if someone were foolish enough to try, Rosalina had absolute confidence in how that story would end. She would simply eliminate the problem before it had the chance to grow. With that reassuring thought, she dismissed the ridiculous novel from her mind. Remembering the true reason she had invited Sylviana to the lake, Rosalina gently swam closer until only a short distance separated them. A faint smile curved across her lips as she spoke in a calm, almost sisterly voice. "Come here. Let me wash your back." Sylviana hesitated for only a moment before obediently moving closer. Rosalina’s warm tone had long since eased the princess’s nervousness, and despite her naturally timid personality, she found herself trusting the older girl far more than she had expected. Standing side by side, the difference between them became even more noticeable. Rosalina was slightly taller, her figure elegant and well-proportioned from years of training, while Sylviana possessed a smaller, more delicate frame that made her appear almost fragile beside her. Without another word, Rosalina gently gathered the princess’s long emerald-green hair into her hands before carefully washing it, her movements slow and surprisingly practiced. For a while, neither of them spoke. The only sounds were the gentle splashes of water and the breeze rustling through the surrounding trees. Eventually, Rosalina broke the silence. "You know Julius from that novel," she said softly while running her fingers through Sylviana’s damp hair, "but do you know the real Julius?" Sylviana lowered her head. "I... don’t know very much..." She nervously played with her fingers beneath the water before continuing. "B-But... Alia said Sir Julius is arrogant... and someone who doesn’t respect anyone. There were also rumors that... that he used to force any woman he liked into becoming part of his harem..." The instant those words left her mouth, Rosalina froze. Her hand stopped moving. For a fleeting moment, an overwhelming fury flashed through her black eyes. ’That nasty bitch...’ She’s still spreading those disgusting rumors. ’I swear... once I get my hands on her... I’ll invent a hell cruel enough that even eternal flames would seem merciful compared to what I’ll do.’ Her fingers unconsciously tightened before she forced herself to take a slow breath. This wasn’t the time to frighten Sylviana. Gradually, the terrifying expression vanished. "None of that is true," Rosalina said firmly. "Not a single word." She almost sounded offended. "A harem? Julius?" She let out a small scoff. "That idiot wouldn’t even know what to do if ten women confessed to him at once. He’s never kissed another woman before me despite being unbelievably handsome, talented, kind, dependable..." She paused, smiling to herself. "...and perfect." Sylviana’s emerald eyes widened in disbelief. "R-Really? Sir Julius... never..." Rosalina nodded without hesitation. "Those rumors were carefully manufactured to turn him into a villain. Both the Valentina Clan and the Thorne Clan benefited from spreading them, especially after Julius became more famous. Lies spread much faster than truth." Her expression darkened slightly. "So don’t believe a single word of it. The real Julius is almost the complete opposite of everything you’ve heard." A look of obvious disgust crossed her face. "Unlike certain shameless women from the Thorne Clan." Sylviana felt Rosalina’s hand tremble ever so slightly against her back, yet before she could say anything, Rosalina had already continued speaking, as though trying to replace those unpleasant memories with happier ones. "So... where should I begin?" She smiled faintly. "I suppose our story truly started because of Leon." "Sir Leon?" Sylviana asked curiously. Rosalina nodded. "One day he came to us because he’d developed feelings for a girl. Well... mostly to me." A nostalgic smile spread across her face. "He proudly explained that whenever you truly like someone, your heart begins tingling whenever they’re nearby." "Tingling?" Sylviana repeated quietly, though this time there was something strangely cautious about her voice. Rosalina noticed the subtle change immediately. She narrowed her eyes for a brief moment before nodding. "That’s what he said. He even declared that he’d marry her once he grew up." She laughed softly. "It sounded so ridiculous that I became curious. I started paying closer attention to my own feelings, and before I realized it... I was the first one to fall." A gentle warmth appeared in her eyes. "The funny thing is that Julius was completely hopeless back then. Cold, oblivious, and utterly incapable of noticing something so obvious. Sometimes I wondered if he’d remain that way forever." She sighed dramatically before smiling again. "Then we entered the academy." Her smile became softer. "I still don’t know what changed inside his head, but one day... he proposed to me." Rosalina unconsciously hugged herself. "Ah..." A dreamy sigh escaped her lips. "What a wonderful day that was." She suddenly blinked. "Oh, I almost forgot. Before that happened, his mother had already chosen another girl as his fiancée." Sylviana looked surprised. "What happened?" "I chased her away." Rosalina answered so casually that it almost sounded ordinary. "Thankfully she was a reasonable girl. Once she realized Julius and I already belonged together, she stepped aside without causing trouble." Rosalina’s smile gradually faded into something quieter but infinitely more resolute. "So we’ve been together ever since." She looked directly at Sylviana. "That novel you mentioned could only ever remain a story." There wasn’t the slightest hesitation in her voice. "I will never leave Julius. Not while I’m alive... and not even after death." Her lips curved upward ever so slightly. "And he won’t leave me either." Sylviana silently listened. After a brief pause, Rosalina chuckled to herself. "Although..." She shook her head helplessly. "Sometimes he behaves like an absolute madman." Sylviana tilted her head. "What do you mean?" "There was one day when I wore a new dress while we were walking through the city. Quite a few men couldn’t stop staring at me." Rosalina sighed as though recalling an especially troublesome memory. "Do you know what Julius did?" Sylviana slowly shook her head. "He gouged out their eyes." Silence filled the lakeside, Rosalina merely shrugged. "I scolded him afterward, of course." Then, despite herself, a tiny proud smile appeared on her lips. "...Isn’t he something?"