35 - The Time of the Blind Beast (15+ Revised Edition)
Chapter 35
Humans instinctively pursue beauty. Therefore, beautiful things tend to draw attention. From the sunset burning red after the rain, to clusters of flowers blooming with each season, to cute puppies and kittens, to mouth-watering baked bread, and even to the faces of people young and old, whether they possess harmonious features or a unique aura.
A face that was quite striking for someone of humble origins often drew people's attention, and thus, Rose was quite accustomed to the gaze of others, whether she liked it or not. If someone stared at her intently, Rose would pretend not to notice.
But not anymore. Especially when visitors like the Doctor stared intently at her face in this Derosa mansion, her heart would pound, and she would break out in a cold sweat.
Sometimes, she even indulged in fantasies. For instance, someone asking Ezekiel why there was a young woman with chestnut hair and hazel eyes right beside him.
Of course, such a thing never happened. Yet, even considering the possibility was enough to awaken a vigilance that had dulled for a moment.
There were days when her vigilance escalated into anxiety. On those days, Rose would once again tie up her hair, check the headscarf hiding it, and stand in the shadows that occupied the mansion, looking into a mirror. The mansion was so dark all around that the color of small parts like the iris couldn't be properly seen. Only after confirming this fact multiple times, as if it were an obsession, would Rose find solace alone.
So… that man's gaze is uncomfortable.
Rose glanced sideways at the man who had arrived with fresh cherries and melon. The man, who had been ordered to ensure the mansion never ran out of fresh fruit, consistently brought a variety of fruits, enough to be consumed in a day or two.
Where did he source his goods?
The North and East, heavily scarred by war, had damaged land, making it difficult to consistently produce high-quality agricultural products for some time. Yet, this man procured fruits of quality comparable to Claris from this barren North. If this were all, one would simply admire him as a capable merchant with extensive connections and move on. But instead of quickly settling the payment and leaving, he always had to glance at her, leaving an unpleasant aftertaste.
On the first day the man's gaze lingered, she deliberately left, pretending to be busy. The next time, to her surprise, she encountered him in the drawing-room while running an errand for Ezekiel. Unlike her, who was startled to find an outsider in such an unexpected place, the man greeted her with a pleasant smile.
"We meet again."
"...How are you here?"
"Ah, haha, I was just looking around and didn't realize I'd wandered so far. By the way, for a Valdemara, this mansion feels rather bleak, doesn't it?"
"I suppose so."
"The space feels too empty. Usually, a family like the Valdemaras, whether in their main residence or a villa, would fill it with rare collectibles on display."
Those collectibles were all stored upstairs, but Rose maintained her composure and feigned ignorance.
"Is that so? I wouldn't know."
"I imagine the sculptures here are also works by famous artists."
"Sculptures…?"
As far as she remembered, there were no large decorative items resembling sculptures on the first floor. Anything that might obstruct Ezekiel's movement had been cleared away long ago, and it was before her time, so she knew little of what had been there.
Did he mean he had gone upstairs, a place even the hired help wouldn't dare to enter?
Rose asked, her expression serious.
"Where did you see them?"
"There are many in the garden. They seem to be arranged for a leisurely stroll around the grounds. I heard that because it's so cold here, places for long walks are rare, so there was a trend for decorating the garden. But it seems the garden isn't well-maintained now."
The man replied casually. His demeanor was skilled and natural, as expected from someone whose profession involved dealing with people. Rather, it was Rose who was becoming flustered at this point.
"...When did you find all that out?"
"When you meet people and travel around, you naturally see and hear a lot."
There was nothing more she could find fault with. Rose conceded and withdrew.
Nevertheless, she couldn't shake off a strange sense of unease. While not on the scale of the main family estate, this was still a mansion belonging to the Valdemara family. How could an outsider, entering for the first time, have navigated to the drawing-room without being noticed by other staff? And what had the man been looking at in the drawing-room before she happened to enter?
Still, today, thankfully, the man hadn't strayed from the kitchen. Instead, he just stared intently at Rose's face. Hesitating to turn away, Rose took a short breath and asked the man,
"Do you have business with me?"
The man smiled broadly.
"I've felt this since last time, but you are a rare beauty for a place like this countryside."
Based on her past experiences, men rarely commented on appearance without impure intentions.
Rose's smile, which had been maintained out of politeness, vanished.
"You are rude."
"I apologize if it sounded like an evaluation. However, to my eyes, you don't look like you were born in the North. I'm curious about what brings you to this mansion."
"That's… isn't it the same for you? Even though you speak with a Northern accent, you sound like someone who lived in the capital for a long time."
At Rose's observation, the man showed a flicker of surprise.
"Why do you think so?"
Rose was inwardly surprised that her guess, made with a bit of probing, had hit the mark.
"It's obvious."
She had thought his habit of taking off his hat to greet people seemed refined. His ingrained mannerisms were smooth, giving him an air of having dealt with many high-ranking individuals, which implied he must have spent a long time in the capital where the upper class gathered.
"Merchants travel all over the country as part of their trade, so perhaps I seem that way. You, I overheard the other day, are called Rose. Is that your real name?"
Rose stared at the man with a stern expression.
"What are you trying to say?"
"I think it's a shame for someone of your young age and pretty appearance to be confined to this remote, dark mansion. You could find a more prominent position than this. Fortunately, I have connections here and there. If you wish, I'm willing to introduce you to good opportunities. How about it?"
"No, I don't need it."
Rose refused outright.
Seeing her expression, the man let out an awkward laugh.
"I said it because I was interested in you. You don't need to be so wary. I'm not a bad person. Come to think of it, we haven't introduced ourselves. My name is Merlo. Judging by your reaction, you don't seem very curious, though."
People who say that are rarely good people.
Was he truly interested? Or did he have other intentions?
Rose glared at the man, her vigilance unwavering.
Could a mere dream startle someone so much?
Rose woke up with such a jolt that the bed shook, stating she had dreamt she was abandoned by him. While the content of the dream, as relayed, was no different from a nonsensical dream, she was also secretly pleased that her separation from him had manifested as a nightmare. Coupled with this was a self-reflection that perhaps she hadn't been able to give him enough reassurance.
Indeed, even a hundred promises spoken aloud are weak in effect without evidence. Although hurt by the distrust reflected in Rose's subconscious, Ezekiel resolved to try and understand her anxiety.
"Serva, I want to acquire a good diamond."
This was part of his reflection and understanding.
He quickly added another instruction.
"A red diamond."
A red diamond would suit Rose, with her red hair.
"A red diamond? Those rarely appear at auction; you usually have to find them through private channels."
"That's why it will be more valuable. It doesn't matter if it takes a long time, so find a large, fine gem. Consider recrafting it into a set of earrings, a necklace, and a ring."
Madam Serva tilted her head.
"Well, Master, do you know that such rare and expensive red diamonds usually have nicknames?"
"Nicknames?"
"They call them 'Blood Diamonds'."
Men go to great lengths to procure special gems for very limited reasons. When they wish to give a gift to a woman. And a diamond, wasn't it the gem with the most definitive meaning universally? Madam Serva quickly grasped the diamond's intended purpose.
"Unique diamonds tend to attract public attention, and diamonds that gain attention are quickly surrounded by all sorts of stories. As a result, nicknames like 'Blood Diamond' or 'Cursed Diamond' often arise, usually because something unfortunate happens to the owner. For someone from high society, this might be an opportunity to gain attention, but Rose is a young lady of ordinary birth. Wearing a gem with the nickname 'Blood Diamond' would likely make her feel uneasy and unsettled."
Moreover, in Madam Serva's view, Rose wasn't the type to attend social gatherings and show off her jewelry. Even if Ezekiel were part of the Valdemara family, she couldn't fulfill her role as a family member and would live secluded, like now, with only a handful of people within the mansion. There would be no opportunity for social gatherings. The red diamond Ezekiel desired was too extravagant for someone who had to live a quiet life.
"Wouldn't a plain, ordinary gem be better for an occasion, rather than a unique and peculiar type that might attract undue rumors?"
"Serva, do you believe in such superstitions?"
However, Ezekiel scoffed.
"It's inevitable that things everyone desires come with stories. Don't worry about fanciful rumors like 'Blood Diamond' or 'cursed jewels'."
For a proposal asking for a lifetime together, 'plain and ordinary' sincerity was unacceptable for a man.
He cut her off decisively.
"Those who are scared by such superstitions are cowards. Serva, I want the most expensive and finest gem."
