Chapter 8: 8

A Banquet To Remember

(Rose’s POV)

“No, Rose. It’s just that….”

Belial hesitated for a while before asking.

“What’s with that nickname?”

“Why? You don’t like it?”

“No, that’s not what I meant. Of course in my heart…”

At that moment, my eyes met Belial’s. And then, he immediately grabbed my hand.

“I mean, it works for me.”

I was very relieved.

“I’m glad. I thought you didn’t like it.”

“What are you talking about? Of course, I love everything that you do.”

“Really? Then why did you react that way earlier?”

“I was just a little surprised.”

“You suddenly froze because you were surprised?”

“Yes. Because you’re doing something that you’ve never done before.” 

I assumed that he was surprised about how friendly I’ve become after a few days of not seeing each other. Thank god he was just taken aback by the nickname that I called him. Though, for some reason, in the novel that I read yesterday, when the man called the woman that he liked the way that I did, everyone, including the woman, felt happy. It was so sweet that the people in the background even screamed in excitement.But then again…

“Is it possible that they were screaming out of pain?”

“What?”

(T/N: Rose I just can’t…. Hahaha you’re the best) 

This is definitely the writer’s fault. Who was the author of that story anyway? The novel that the maid recommended was definitely dirty, but they mentioned that there were a few scenes I could use for reference. Tsk. From now on, I would suggest that they stop buying that author’s books. As my expression darkened, Belial asked me. 

“Did something happen?”

I hurriedly shook my head.

“No, it’s nothing. It’s just…”

“Just?”

“I thought I was too indifferent compared to you. That is why I tried to act more affectionate by calling you ‘baby wolf’.”

Belial’s eyes widened. Sigh. This is why people shouldn’t do things that they don’t usually do. I nodded at the thought for a while.

“I’m sorry that you were startled by what I called you. And, don’t worry, I won’t do it again.”

“No, you don’t have to apologize.”

Belial firmly assured me. I could feel that he meant it, because of the strength of his grip while holding me.

“Rose. You have no idea how happy I am right now.”

“… You’re happy?”

Belial smiled so brightly, that I couldn’t see the pupils in his eyes. In the original story, Belial, who only laughed while ridiculing others or punishing his enemies, is smiling brightly in front of me right now. As if he was the happiest person in the world at this moment. I wonder who made him like this?

“Because I’ve just learned that you thought about me that much.”

“Oh, it was me?”

“Huh?”

“No, it’s nothing.” Belial laughed as he watched me shake my head relentlessly. Then I just stood there in front of him, and waited for him to calm down.

“You always made me laugh.”

He laughed so much that his red cheeks began to look like apples. Belial took a long deep breath and hugged me tightly.

(TN: Ayiee! I’m screaming here!!!)

“If you want to, you can call me anything that you want.”

He is a cold-hearted man, but his arms are warm. Then I buried my face in Belial’s chest and licked my lips.

“Are you serious?”

“Of course. Anything other than ‘baby wolf’ is fine.”

Does he really mean it? Then, I can call him by any of the names that I’ve thought of. I immediately asked.

“Baby squirrel, baby deer and baby rabbit, can I call you that?

“Yes, of course.”

“A baby otter, baby ferret, kitty, or something like that?”

“….. Of course.”

There seemed to be a brief pause in the beginning of his statement, but I must be mistaken. I mentioned all of the animals that I know of. And then the maids who came inside the house, couldn’t help but look at us and said with difficulty.

“You seem to be starting up a ranch with all those baby animals. My lady.”

“What are you saying to our lady Rose? Maybe our lady actually is  planning to run a small ranch with all those animals.”

 “That’s right, my lady. You just do whatever you want.”

What are they talking about all of a sudden? I looked at the maids with puzzled eyes. 

“Oh, who’s this?”

With Belial leading in front of me, we went into the drawing room. As soon as we entered, my brother suddenly looked up and then ran his gaze over to Belial’s body, while sitting with one leg on top of the other.

“Aren’t you, Duke Serenity?”

There were plenty of sarcastic tones in the way he spoke just now. ‘Hey, calm down. Have you already forgotten that the person you’re mocking is the Duke of Serenity?’ If Belial cut off his neck, he could easily say that it was because my brother was being a bother, and no one would even care to question him. 

I desperately warned him to be a little bit friendlier, but his attitude didn’t change one bit.

“I had no idea that such an important person would come visit this shabby place.”

My mother immediately stepped in front of my brother. My older brother slowly looked at my mother’s face, whom I assumed was glaring at him. This is why I told him beforehand to not be rude to Belial. My mother then turned around to greet us gracefully as she continued to stand in front of my brother.

“Welcome.”

“Pardon my intrusion.”

“My, my what are you talking about?”

My father who was setting the teacups and the teapot on the table smiled brightly. We usually have the maids do it, but they seem to have prepared it by themselves as a way of showing hospitality to the esteemed guest. My father is so extreme.

“Please, sit down.”

“Thank you.”

“Rose, you should sit next to him.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Belial and I sat next to each other on the sofa at my mother’s request. My whole family was sitting on the other sofa, across from us..

“It’s been a long time since we last spoke, and now the both of you are engaged. “

“After all, young people these days move really fast.”

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After I confessed to them that I found Belial cute, my mother became friendlier and created a warm atmosphere around her and my father. 

“I’m not sure what to call you. Calling you Duke Serenity feels a bit distant. It’s as if I’m speaking to a stranger. “

“But it would be impolite if we didn’t address you properly.” My mother continued.

Belial immediately shook his head.

“There is no need for honorifics.”

“Oh my.”

“Just call me however you please. After all, we will all become a family in the future, won’t we?”

I was so worried that this meeting might end up into a fight, but it was all for nothing. If it goes on like this, it might end up with a positive note.

My thoughts, which were initially full of worries about what would happen today, became more at ease. Of course, I hate boring conversations, but this was a meeting to formally talk to my parents about our official engagement, so I wanted it to end in peace. 

“It hasn’t been decided yet, right?”

‘Yep, it was never going to end in peace. It was bound to lead to catastrophe. All thanks to my brother, who was grumbling while holding his teacup.’

“Young people these days decide and end things too quickly. We don’t know what could happen tomorrow, so it’s a bit odd for you to think of those kinds of things in advance.”

“Ah, son.”

“Let’s not think too far ahead.”

As our father grew anxious, he immediately looked into Belial’s eyes. But Belial was already well aware that my brother hated him. Every time they met, he would attack him with such devious words, so there’s no way he would think otherwise. Then, my older brother took a sip of his tea and looked back at Belial. 

“Ah, and I assume that our tea today is not to your liking? Since our family doesn’t serve white tea, would it really be okay for you to marry my sister?”

Tak. Before my brother could even finish his words, my mother suddenly opened her fan wide. She looked intently towards my older brother, as she covered her mouth. My brother quietly turned his head to the other side and held on to his teacup without drinking it.

“Ha, ha. The type of tea we serve has nothing to do with my sister. I was mistaken.”

But my mother’s gaze remained unchanged. Then, I noticed that my brother’s hand was trembling slightly. Well, it’s his fault anyway. We’re already well aware that his specialty is to make a fuss whenever he feels like it, even if he doesn’t have a valid reason to. He couldn’t even hide this special talent of his, even just for today. The moment I clicked my tongue, he immediately made a scene in an attempt to escape this crisis. 

“Who brought this tea?! Which servant made this kind of tea?!”

(TN: Hahaha Beryl RIP.)

Father raised his hand weakly.

“It’s me.”

Suddenly, the mood declined in the room. My brother’s face turned white.

“Ah, Father…!”

“A very precious guest came, and so I made the tea myself, and as expected-.”

Thud! Father couldn’t even finish his words and stormed out of the room.

“Wait, Father! I didn’t mean it that way! I was wrong!”

My brother yelled, but it was after my father had already disappeared. Beryl immediately got up and ran after him. My mother, who was looking at their backs, opened her mouth.

“So, where were we?”

“… We haven’t even started anything yet.”

We haven’t even started, yet it’s already like this. The future is really bright. Then I rubbed my forehead helplessly.

“I’m sorry. My son has been very disrespectful to you.”

Then, my mother looked into Belial’s eyes. As the head of the Serenity family, a representative of the entire empire. Belial, who is second to no one in the field of swordsmanship, would have every right to be angry if anyone treated him that way. 

However, there was no sign of anger on Belial’s face. I couldn’t help but feel calm as well.

“It’s alright. It’s not like I’ll have to deal with it for a day or two. Rather, it was a lot less than what I expected. That’s why I’m relieved. ”

“What were you expecting?” 

“I knew that he would definitely make a fuss about our engagement. And that he would (*)throw dust in my eyes.”

(TN/N: (*)Throw dust in (one’s) eyes is an idiom that means to mislead or deceive someone by putting distracting thoughts into someone’s head.)

‘How did he know about that?’ Actually, before Belial got here, my brother constantly murmured to himself in the room, saying that he would not only throw dust but stone as well.

“But he didn’t manage to do it, so the things that I brought in case he made a huge fuss are now useless.”

Rattle. Belial brought out a silk bag from his sleeves and set it on the table.

“What is that?”

“It is a magic stone.”

A magic stone is a stone that holds magic power. I couldn’t believe that he’s carrying such precious stones in his arms. They’re so precious that their value couldn’t even be appraised with currency. Then, I continued to ask.

“Why did you bring that?”

Belial smiled benevolently.

“You can’t put stones in the eyes of a person who will become part of the family.”

(TN: What he meant on this part is that he intends to prove his sincerity towards Rose.”

 “……”

“That’s the reason why I brought it here with me. It’s also a green magic stone that symbolizes the Fall Family emblem.”

I handed the silk pouch back to Belial. My gosh, keep it, that magic stone is worth too much for him to carry it around thoughtlessly. Then, Belial put the silk pouch back into the pocket of his robe. 

“Shall we start talking about the engagement ceremony then?” 

“No.”

Mother shook her head resolutely. I thought that my mother would want to talk about the engagement right away, but then why did she object just now? I suddenly became suspicious.

“Before that, I have a question for you.”

“Ask me anything.”

Mother put down her fan.

“I’d like to hear the reason why you broke up with Rose before.”

Oh, I was thinking of asking him this question as well. I just haven’t had the opportunity to bring it up. Now I understand my mother’s intention.

“When you two broke up, we were so puzzled as to why you suddenly changed your mind within a day.”

Belial was silent for a while. My mother didn’t rush Belial to answer right away. A few minutes passed and Belial finally spoke.

“Do you by any chance know about my background, I mean, before I met Rose?”

“Of course we do. Everyone who lives in this Empire knows who you are.”

“Then I’ll explain. Everything I’ve done has its purpose. Naturally, I thought that a powerful man could have everything they wanted and trample on other people as they pleased.

After saying those words, Belial took a deep breath.

“And then, I met Rose at a party.”

Oh yes I remember. In all Ropan novels, the main characters would always go to a party even at least once. I attended the banquet with that in mind, and I also thought that it would be fun to try.

In Ropan stories, all banquets playa major role in showing that female protagonists have a very powerful presence that would spice up the novel world. And, I also needed to find Belial at that time. However,-

(TN: To fully explain the last two sentences, since Rose is originally a transmigrated MC she was aware of the story plot. And that this story that she was possessed in was a Ropan (Historical Romance novel), so she explained the reason why she attended the banquet and it is because she needed to meet Belial so that she can fulfill her role as a side character of the novel.)

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