Chapter 147- Fears

Chapter 147: Chapter 147- Fears

Chapter 147- Fears

The trio continued chatting for a bit about random things. Unsurprisingly, they were getting along quite well. Venera and Rose came from similar backgrounds, so even if they weren’t particularly friends, Venera didn’t find her completely annoying. As for Rize, he had lived amongst the rich and high society enough to understand them and not feel like a complete alien.

However, after finishing food, Rize excused himself to get some rest. He felt really exhausted after the trip and the past two days of constant stress and thinking. He knew they had a long day ahead, so he decided to take as much rest as he could before their long trip tomorrow.

"You two won’t go to sleep yet?" Rize asked as he stood up and walked to his tent.

"I will in a moment," Venera replied.

"Same for me. I want to enjoy the weather for a bit longer." Rose added as she looked at the fire. "We might not get this again for a while."

"Right," Rize muttered. "Well, enjoy your time."

With that, Rize walked into his tent, lay down, and before long, he was already deep asleep. His body and mind were exhausted, so the moment he got some proper rest, he felt as if everything was turning black, and he dived into a very deep slumber.

With that, silence took over the entire world for the two girls as they sat there and stared at the fire while falling deep into their own thoughts. These moments were rare for people like them, so they always found themselves thinking back on everything they had done so far.

However, Venera was thinking about one particular thing that didn’t leave her mind since earlier today, and it only came back stronger now that she was sitting with the person who caused it. Staring at Rose, Venera could admit that she was quite a beautiful girl. She was also smart and quite talented.

’She got everything that makes her stand out wherever she goes.’ Venera thought to herself. ’No wonder she stood out for Rize too. It is completely natural...’

However, even as she thought of that, she could only swallow the slight feeling of anger in her heart. She didn’t know why she was behaving this way, and she didn’t like it. It wasn’t how she usually is. Venera is a calm and aloof person who doesn’t let unnecessary emotions cloud her judgment.

Yet, this particular feeling kept popping into her head again and again and refused to leave her.

"Your Highness."

Suddenly, Rose broke the silence as she looked at Venera. The other looked up with a confused expression.

"Do you hate me?" She asked.

The girl was taken aback by the question as she blinked. "Hate you?"

"I don’t know if it is simply my own feeling, but I’ve been worried that I might’ve offended you in some way," Rose said. "If so, I would apologize and clear the misunderstanding."

Rose stared at Venera with a serious and honest expression as she tried to use her most sincere tone. After all, this was a problem she didn’t want in the first place. If she offended the princess of Sagardia, she had to clear it up, or it would come and bite her later. Venera was one of the few people who could actually do some great damage to her if she wished for it.

"No..." Venera replied. "I don’t hate you, and you certainly... didn’t do anything wrong." She replied. Even though Venera felt angry and annoyed, she didn’t harbor hatred toward Rose. It was more of a complicated feeling toward her existence and her relationship with Rize.

"I’m glad to hear that. I really respect you, Your Highness." Rose said. "And I can tell that you are a good person and someone who has morals. You don’t come across people like you that often in life, so I would like it if we had a friendly relationship."

"Hm..." Venera looked at her and then looked away. ’I don’t know why I even harbor these ill feelings against her... When she didn’t do anything wrong.’

Venera knew that Rose meant no harm, and she wasn’t that kind of person, at least from what she knew. The fact that she was actively antagonizing her wouldn’t be great.

"You’re a good person too," Venera said. "And I think we can definitely work together."

Rose heard that and smiled faintly. "Great. I’m really glad to hear that. That’s a burden off my shoulders. Rize told me that you’re naturally a quiet person, but I was still worried that I angered you."

"He said that?" Venera asked. "What else did he say?"

"Well, he certainly praised you a lot. I can tell he looks up to you a lot." Rose said.

"Really?"

"Yeah, I can see it in his eyes. He respects and admires you a lot. Rize himself is a very unique and one-of-a-kind person, so it is impressive to see someone like him so grounded in reality." She said. "Most people with his talent would have the arrogance and ego to fill this entire world."

"Yeah... He’s amazing." Venera replied. "He had been through things that would break many people, but he never gave up. I don’t think anything in this world could break him."

"Is that so?"

"Rize is... different." The girl continued. "He always gave me the feeling that he isn’t even from this world. He isn’t like everyone here. I do not know why he gives me that feeling, but perhaps that’s what makes him stand out the most. He isn’t like people here."

"You had that feeling too, huh?" Rose said. She had also experienced something similar when she met Rize the first time. He just stood out to her unlike any other person, and she could only find herself more and more curious about him the more she talked to him.

He was a unique person and someone that keeps bringing her attention toward him without even trying.

"I do not want him to change or be changed. This world is... He is too good for it." Venera muttered.

A fear in Venera’s heart was seeing Rize get tainted by this world. She wanted him to remain as he is, the same Rize she knew for a long time now. She didn’t want any cruel or evil person to make him change or hurt him. She had taken it upon herself to protect him from that world and to make sure Rize never faces pain again.

However, with how things were going and how the pieces were moving, the danger only grew by the day. Her enemies and his enemies were growing in number and hostility. Their only chance of fighting them was to gain power... A lot of power.

"Do you care about him, Your Highness?" Rose asked. This was something she never expected to see from Venera herself. She had lived her entire life thinking that the princess was emotionless and cold, like a divine being untainted by the emotions of this world.

Yet, the more she talked to her, the more she realized that Venera was a girl, just like her. She has her own fears and worries and thoughts and feelings.

"Yes," Venera replied. "I do."

"..." Rose nodded. "I see. If you want my honest opinion. Well, Rize strikes me as an extremely intelligent person and someone who is always aware of what’s happening. Because of his past, he knows how cruel this world can be, so I don’t think things would change him that easily. But you never know; perhaps he might change, and that change isn’t bad. We are growing, and we will experience things that will change us." Rose said. "I don’t think all change is bad."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah. I’m sure you aren’t the same person from ten years ago now, Your Highness."

"..."

Venera contemplated her words for a second, and she did have a point. However, when Venera thought about what could truly change Rize, she could only imagine bad things. Venera was scared that Rize’s beautiful smile would disappear.

She can’t have him lose that, and it could be the cause of the evil in this world.

"So, for now, I don’t think you should worry about it. Rize is more than capable of protecting himself. He won’t fall." Rose added as she stood up and dusted her clothes. "Now, I will excuse myself to get some rest."

Venera nodded her head. "I will head to sleep too."

"This was a good conversation, Your Highness." Rose smiled. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

With that, Rose walked into her tent, leaving Venera behind as she looked at the fire for a while. Rose’s words kept repeating in her mind as she bit her lower lip.

’I hope things go as well as she said.’ She mused as she finally swiped with her hand, extinguishing the fire before she turned around and walked into her tent too.