Chapter 301: Little Rose

Outside the doors, a pint-sized whirlwind of platinum-blonde hair and stubborn curiosity stood her ground like an unyielding mini-commander with purple eyes.

Lady Rose Reodeo, no older than six, looked like a doll in a frilly, rose-pink morning dress.

Three estate maids hovered around her in a frantic, flustered flock, their hands hovering helplessly as if trying to herd a runaway kitten.

"Young Lady Rose, please!" the head maid whispered desperately. "His Lordship will have our jobs taken away if you interrupt the imperial delegates! Lady Eleanor expressly commanded that you remain in your room!"

Rose puffed her cheeks into an indignant pout, holding up her small index finger.

"Just one peek! Only this much!" Rose bargained, tilting her head and flashing a dazzling, weaponized wink that could melt glaciers. "Just a teensy-tiny little squint at the princess! Grandfather won’t even notice, I promise!"

The maids clutched their chests, their defenses crumbled under the sheer, concentrated dose of miniature cuteness.

Taking instant advantage of the tactical breach, Rose spun around. Her fingers hooked into the handle of the double doors, nudging it just an inch until a slender crack opened.

Holding her breath, Rose pressed her nose directly against the gap, squinting with all her might into the grand parlor.

Through the narrow slit, across the sprawling room, she caught the distant silhouette of an figure draped in pristine white, silver-white hair.

’It really is a storybook princess!’ Rose squealed internally.

Desperate for a clearer look, she leaned forward, pressing all her weight against the door.

Without a sound, the heavy door smoothly swung inward.

"Eep—!"

The support vanished. Rose let out a startled, squeaky gasp as she tumbled headfirst into the room.

"Whoa there, little lady. Steady on."

A pair of large, warm hands effortlessly scooped her out of midair, breaking her fall before her dress could even graze the carpet.

Eren crouched on the floorboards, balancing the tiny noble girl on her feet with gentle, steady hands.

Rose blinked rapidly, catching her balance, her large violet eyes traveling upward.

She found herself staring directly into the most ridiculously handsome face she had ever laid eyes upon. Untamed midnight-black hair fell over sharp features, and his eyes were as deep and radiant as the blue ocean, crinkling at the corners with playful warmth.

Eren leaned in slightly with a teasing smile.

"You know, Lady," Eren whispered with a conspiratorial wink, "spying on imperial delegations is an elite class skill. If you get caught by the palace guards, they make you do three hundred squats around the ground. Not very becoming for a stealth thief, is it?"

Behind the doorway, the three maids turned as white as a cloud. They dropped straight to their knees in the hallway, pressing their foreheads to the runner rug in absolute, trembling terror.

"M-Mercy, My Lord!" the head maid stammered in panic. "Please forgive the young lady! We failed to restrain her! It is entirely our fault; we beg for Your Lordship’s grace—"

Eren casually flicked a dismissive hand toward the corridor, his easy grin entirely devoid of malice. "Relax, ladies. Nobody’s losing their head today over a little girl’s curiosity. Take a breath."

Rose, completely ignoring her terrified servants, tilted her head all the way back, her soft violet gaze locked dead onto Eren’s striking face. A soft, curious gasp escaped her lips, her hands clasping together in pure wonder.

"Are you the prince?" Rose asked, her sweet, breathless voice ringing through the quiet parlor. "Are you the hero who slayed the dragon and came to marry the fairy princess?"

Eren let out a bright, delighted chuckle, thoroughly charmed by the little interrogator.

"A prince?" Eren tapped his own chin thoughtfully, as if giving the matter consideration. "Well... I’m not much of a prince. Mostly."

Eren placed a hand over his heart and offered an impeccably graceful, aristocratic half-bow.

"Eren Volsver, at your service, little lady," he announced. "Heir to the Volsver Dukedom and humble traveling companion to Her Imperial Highness."

Rose’s eyes flared round up, catching onto only one critical word in that grand introduction.

"The princess?!"

Before Eren could even stand straight, the tiny blonde tornado darted right past his knees in a flash.

"Young Lady Rose! It is terribly unladylike to sprint indoors!" the head maid wailed in horror from the corridor, but her words were already lost to the wind.

Eren pushed himself up with an amused chuckle, turning back toward the servants. "Don’t fret yourselves into an early grave, ladies. Go down to the kitchens and fetch something for our honored guest, will you?"

The maids blinked, bowed until their aprons grazed the carpet, and scrambled toward the scullery with fervent thanks.

Meanwhile, inside the parlor, little Rose had screeched to a new halt in the center as she found herself facing down a squad of four formidable, extraordinarily stunning women, all staring back at the tiny intruder with varied expressions.

Rose’s gaze darted across the couches, rapidly assessing the lineup.

On the right sat a tall, strikingly different woman with long pink hair pulled back into a high ponytail, dressed in a crisp white formal shirt and black trousers. Her tanned skin carried the natural glow of the training fields, her rolled-up sleeves revealing toned, muscular forearms that looked capable of punching clean through a wall. Those storm-grey eyes watched Rose with curiosity.

Beside her, a brown-haired girl pushed round glasses. Her face was overwhelmingly soft and adorable, swimming in an oversized lavender cardigan that made her look more like a cuddly rabbit.

Then Rose looked to the left.

Sprawled with effortless elegance was a lady with cascading midnight-blue hair and sharp golden eyes. Her posture was so breathtakingly regal, so dripping in untouchable aristocratic poise, that Rose genuinely thought for a split second that she must be the princess.

Finally, Rose’s purple eyes locked onto the important figure.

Sitting there was a woman draped in immaculate ivory, her silver-white hair falling like spun starlight across her shoulders. Seraphina sat with one leg crossed over the other, her hands resting in her lap, her red eyes staring down at the little girl with a cool, unreadable, emotionless gaze—the kind of frosty imperial look that makes any spoiled noble kid tremble.

Yet little Rose didn’t flinch.

Instead, the little girl’s face lit. Her cheeks curved into a wide, breathless beam of pure wonder as she took a small step forward.

"Are you the fairy princess from the stories?" Rose chirped, clasping her little hands together. "The one everybody talks about?"

Aria leaned forward with her chin propped on her hand. Her golden eyes sparkled as she glanced sideways at the freezing princess.

"She certainly is," Aria answered smoothly. "Allow me to introduce Her Imperial Highness, Princess Seraphina Van Regulas. And who might you be?"

Rose blinked, suddenly remembering the lessons her etiquette tutor had drilled into her skull.

With adorable solemnity, the little girl pinched the frills of her skirt standing. She slid her left foot back, dipping into a pristine, picture-perfect noble curtsy, bowing her head.

"I am Rosslyn Reodeo, daughter of Lady Eleanor," Rose declared proudly. "It is an honor to greet the imperial sun."