Subliminal Wayfarer

Meanwhile, it wasn’t just Alicia who had overheard the conversation.

‘…Fortunately, it wasn’t about obstructing the marriage.’

Rosetta had been listening to the entire conversation from her room.

She had initially planned to seek out their father to ask him directly, but upon hearing that he was in conversation with Damian, she decided to eavesdrop instead, hoping to catch any clues about his recent actions.

And so, focusing her energy to her ears, she listened in on the conversation…

But instead of finding clues, she ended up hearing all about her father’s true feelings.

“Alicia is really something, isn’t she.”

Rosetta muttered to herself as she stared out the window.

If it she was still the same girl she was in the past, Alicia could never have imagined speaking to their father in such a manner.

Just as their father said, Alicia has grown up a lot.

Somehow, it felt both disappointing and refreshing, yet Rosetta was proud.

Forgiveness and worthiness.

Technically, their father had already asked for Rosetta’s forgiveness.

Didn’t he apologize in the underground library on the day of her coming of age?

He had also continued trying to genuinely treat her well ever since.

Even when everyone else was doubtful, their father had said, ‘Don’t mind them,’ and believed in her. He even rushed to save her on the day of the final confrontation.

Although his efforts were clumsy, she wasn’t unaware of the sincerity they contained.

It was just that hearing his true feelings in his own voice made her realize anew how much had been twisted.

Yet, all these thoughts were moot because she had long since forgiven their father.

Wasn’t the fact that she was happy to call him ‘Father’ instead of ‘Duke’ after realizing she was the real Rosetta proof of that?

Above all, the ordinary life she desired included ‘family’ in it.

“But, if you want to be properly forgiven… I’ll have to do as you wish.”

Rosetta murmured softly as she picked up her teacup and took a sip.

Even if she had already forgiven him in her heart.

As long as their father carried the burden of guilt, he would always be the sinner to her, and she merely the victim.

It was clear that wasn’t the kind of family she wanted.

Crossing her legs, Rosetta tapped her foot as she pondered.

Now, what to do?

 

* * *

 

The time for apologies came sooner than expected.

That very evening, at dinner, in front of Damian and Alicia, the duke opened up and offered his sincere apologies to Rosetta.

“So, the reason you had the servants watch me was…”

“I wanted to know what you liked and disliked. Before you get married, I wanted to do things you wanted, as your father.”

The atmosphere was as if it was a confession.

Alicia and Damian glanced at Rosetta while trying to hide how nervous they were.

They didn’t want Rosetta to feel pressured into forgiving their father because of them.

As Rosetta’s silence stretched, the tension among the three of them gradually intensified.

Eventually.

“I vaguely recall wanting to go on a picnic when I was still a child. With the whole family, of course. Maybe ride a boat, have a packed lunch, and go for a walk.”

The duke was taken aback by the unexpected answer.

He had been so tense, expecting a demand to prove himself or a refusal to forgive, that he had been holding his breath.

“Are you against the idea?”

“No, not at all. I’m all for the idea. Very much.”

Without even being sure what he was being asked, the duke nodded and answered immediately.

The others did the same.

After observing the three of them nodding, Rosetta smiled and propped her chin on her hands.

“So, when shall we go on a picnic soon?”

The picnic was scheduled for two weeks later.

The duke, the young duke, and the two ducal ladies.

As it meant that all the masters of the territory and the mansion would be away, a fair amount of preparation was needed.

As the picnic date approached, the smile on Alicia’s face grew wider and wider.

“Do you like it that much?”

Unable to contain her smile even while drinking tea, Alicia was asked by Rosetta, who looked pleased.

“Yes! I’m so happy! A picnic with the whole family. It’s wonderful!”

“Well, it feels more like a trip than a picnic now.”

What started as a light picnic turned into a 5-night 6-day travel itinerary.

Since they were going to be away from home and absent for urgent matters anyway, they thought it might be better to enjoy a few more days out.

Blanca, having heard the news, gifted them VIP tickets for a cruise operated by her trading company.

 

“There will be a party on board, and on the last day, we plan to have fireworks. If you don’t want to reveal your identity, I can lend you a magic tool that changes eye color. And, I’ll prepare a special gift for you as well. You’re our most important client, after all. It’s only right we treat you this way.”

 

There was no reason to refuse such a generous offer.

A cruise sounded fun.

‘It would be nice if Cassion could come too.’

…No.

On second thought, it might be funny for Cassion to join on our first family trip.

Though it might be amusing to watch the family trying not to die of discomfort and Cassion walking on eggshells the whole time.

“Aren’t you really looking forward to it, Sister?”

Rosetta smiled lightly and nodded as she saw Alicia bouncing on her feet.

“Yes, I’m really looking forward to it.”

 

* * *

 

Time flew like an arrow, and before they knew it, the day of the trip arrived.

“Wow!”

“……”

“Woah!”

Alicia kept exclaiming in amazement in front of the giant cruise ship.

And for good reason.

This was the first time Rosetta had seen such a huge ship too.

“They said there would be a party on board, but the scale is incredible.”

“Have you never seen such a ship before, Brother?”

“Yeah, it’s my first time.”

Damian answered Rosetta with a gentle smile.

“Father, you’ve never seen such a big ship before either, right?”

“Yes, it’s an unusually large cruise ship. Did you say it was owned by a trading company?”

Responding to Alicia’s question, the duke casually asked Rosetta.

“Yes, it’s a cruise ship owned by a trading company where my friend is the owner.”

“Hmm. That’s quite the business acumen.”

“That’s one way to put it. She enjoys working more than anyone.”

Rosetta pictured Blanca fluttering her fan and bursting into laughter in her mind.

Hmm. Wait a minute.

Rosetta squinted her eyes momentarily and gazed up at the top of the giant cruise ship.

She felt someone’s gaze from somewhere.

However, even as she looked up at the huge ship, of course she couldn’t clearly see the interior through the windows.

‘Is it just my imagination?’

At the moment, Rosetta and her family had changed their eye and hair color to ordinary brown using a magic tool.

Even so, their striking appearances were not completely concealed, but at least they would not be recognized.

…Yes, it must be her imagination.

“Come on, Sister! Hurry!”

Urged by Alicia, Rosetta smiled and followed.

The duke and Damian also followed behind at a leisurely pace.

Since the four of them had VIP tickets, they were accommodated on the cruise ship’s highest floor, the fourth floor.

True to the VIP level, it was quiet and secluded, yet the outside was clearly visible.

Admiring the beautiful sea view for a moment, the ship announced its departure with a loud noise.

The giant ship moved forward through the waves without any shaking.

Sitting around the tea table and looking at the outside scenery while drinking tea, the water in the teacups did not ripple at all.

“It’s so… so amazing! How is this possible?”

“Exactly.”

Alicia and Rosetta, who had been chattering about the ship for a while, only brought their lips to their teacups after Damian suggested they drink their tea before it cooled.

“Hmm. It’s herbal tea. Does it suit your taste?”

After taking a sip of the tea, Rosetta looked at Damian and the duke and asked,

“Yes, the fragrance is very nice.”

“Right. It’s got a bit of a kick, but it seems to clear the mind…”

“I like it too. Especially this spicy mint flavor.”

Rosetta straightened her back and shrugged her shoulders as she continued.

“I prefer cold-brewed over hot, you know?”

“…O-Oh. I see.”

“Yes.”

From an outsider’s point of view, they might think that the conversation was strange. It’s as though one person was standing on a podium while making an announcement. Or perhaps, like a teacher educating a student…

“You can take notes if you’d like.”

“Ah. Okay.”

The duke, as if under a spell, unknowingly took out a notebook and pen to jot down Rosetta’s words…

Unbeknownst to him, by the end of the trip, the notebook would be filled to the brim.