SWNOVELXO Chapter 8 - A Soft Sensation
“Uh…”
I quickly glanced down at my attire. I was fully dressed in the White Order’s uniform, complete with the white cloak bearing their emblem.
I should’ve dressed more casually.
Claiming to be a mere passerby while so blatantly wearing the attire of the White Order? Who would believe that?
“Sir Knight?”
“Don’t mind it. As a knight, I simply assisted since it seemed you needed help…”
My words trailed off as Daisy flinched, her pale face revealing traces of unease. Sensing her distress, I gave her a reassuring look while gripping my scabbard.
The burly man from earlier had regained consciousness and was trying to crawl away. Stepping lightly on his chest, I raised my scabbard to his chin. The man shut his eyes tightly in fear.
“I’m not trying to do anything drastic.”
Spotting a patrol unit nearby, I waved them over.
“What’s going on here?”
As the guards approached, Daisy instinctively clung to my cloak. Noticing her trembling shoulders, I subtly positioned myself between her and the guards before answering.
“These three men were harassing a young lady in broad daylight.”
“Are you perhaps a knight of the White Order?”
The patrolman’s admiring gaze was slightly overwhelming. I cleared my throat and nodded.
I really shouldn’t have worn both the uniform and the cloak—it was overkill.
“They deserve severe punishment,” I said firmly.
“Could you provide more details about what happened?”
“These men threatened to abduct me!”
Startled by Daisy’s sudden outburst, I glanced back at her. Though nervous, it seemed she had resolved to speak her mind.
“They threatened you?”
“I heard it too. They claimed they only ‘look forward in life’ and said they’d take her away and see what she could do about it.”
Now that I thought about it, despite my conspicuous uniform and cloak, these men hadn’t even guessed my identity.
Who in Fonnes Empire doesn’t recognize the White Order?
“Disgraceful behavior,” I said.
“Make sure to investigate their background thoroughly,” I added.
“Yes, sir.”
As the guards dragged the three men away, Daisy let out a sigh of relief.
“Now that the situation is resolved, I should take my leave.”
“Thank you so much. I’d like to repay your kindness—may I know your name?”
“That won’t be necessary. I don’t require any compensation.”
“Even so…”
Before Daisy could finish, she was overtaken by a coughing fit. At first, I thought it was minor, but the persistent, labored cough made it clear she was struggling to breathe.
I couldn’t just leave her like this.
“Are you all right?”
“I’m sorry… I think it’s just a slight chill.”
Her eyes glistened with unshed tears from the coughing, and her shoulders trembled slightly. Without a second thought, I took off my cloak and draped it gently over her.
“This is…”
Daisy’s wide eyes darted between the cloak on her shoulders and me.
“It would be better for you to keep this on for now. Where are your maid or attendants?”
“I… I snuck away. I wanted some free time, so I slipped into an alley. They’re probably looking for me by now.”
Ah, that’s right.
From the start, the jewels were just an excuse. Daisy had deliberately evaded her attendants to explore the plaza, leading to her encounter with Ian in the original story.
“In that case, I’ll escort you to the main road.”
“No, there’s no need to trouble yourself further…”
Daisy suppressed another fit of coughing, her pale face turning even frailer.
In the original story, Daisy had seemed brave despite her terminal illness, but seeing her like this—so fragile—stirred a deep sadness in me.
If only her tragic fate could be changed…
That thought struck me like a bolt, bringing to mind a poignant scene from the original story:
“I am truly grateful to you.”
“Milady.”
“Thank you for helping me without expecting anything in return…”
“I wouldn’t say I expected nothing in return.”
Edwin, gazing out the window, suddenly turned to look at me.
“What… What do you mean?”
“All I ever wanted was a small smile from you.”
A smile? That was all?
“Could it be…”
“You’re perceptive, as always.”
It all made sense now. Edwin’s perpetual smile, so beautiful it was almost painful to look at, often carried a trace of sadness.
Edwin had loved me.
And it wasn’t until his final moments that I realized it. How pitiful I must have seemed to him.
I looked up at Edwin, tears brimming in his eyes.
“In the next life…”
“Yes?”
“Would you be my friend?”
“Anything for you.”
That was the scene I’d wept over every time I read it. Now, having met Edwin and Daisy in person, just recalling it made my heart ache.
I hope they can both be happy this time.
“While you wait, you’ll need this cloak. It will keep you warm and deter any more unsavory characters from approaching.”
“Thank you.”
Things hadn’t unfolded as I planned, but if events like this could change through my choices, perhaps the story was truly shifting.
Standing in the center of the plaza, I swallowed nervously. Hope glimmered faintly, but so did the fear of what lay ahead—choices and their consequences.
Where on earth did Edwin run off to?
I had gone out of my way to set the stage for him to meet his destined partner.
Even if the original story had deviated, there was no room for complacency. Ian and Daisy could still cross paths at any moment.
It would be better if Edwin met Daisy first.
“Don’t tell me he wandered off to grab a meal,” I muttered, changing direction toward the restaurant Edwin often visited.
“Rosevelia?”
A face unfamiliar to me but well-known to Rosevelia appeared before me—her father, Hermann.
“Big Sister?”
“Sis!”
Descending from the carriage behind Hermann were Kayden and Vivian. Lastly, stepping gracefully out of the carriage was
“Oh my, Rose?”
Olivia, dressed in an elaborate gown.
They looked like such a warm and harmonious family. But instinctively, I knew—I didn’t belong in that picture.
“What brings you to the plaza at this hour?”
“I had some business to attend to.”
Escorted by Hermann, Olivia stepped down from the carriage, her expression soft as she approached me.
“Rose, we’re heading to a restaurant. Why don’t you join us?”
“No, I need to return to the Order.”
“It’s been so long since we’ve had a proper meal together. Don’t be like that…”
Olivia was suddenly close, slipping her arm through mine in a gesture of familiarity. A chill ran down my spine, a visceral discomfort.
“No, thank you,” I said firmly, quickly pulling my arm free.
Hermann clicked his tongue in disapproval. At the same time, I heard a faint sound from beside me, like a soft scoff.
Did Olivia just laugh?
“There’s no need to press the matter,” Hermann said dismissively.
“But, Hermann…”
“She doesn’t want to come. We can’t force her, can we?”
Even when their once-healthy daughter spent a whole day bedridden, they hadn’t come to check on her. And now, when we met for the first time since then, there wasn’t a single question about my well-being—no concern, no care.
Hermann’s gaze was filled only with irritation.
“Aren’t you coming with us, Sis?”
Vivian ran up to me and clung to my clothes.
“I…”
“Vivian, come here to Daddy. Olivia, let’s get going with the children,” Hermann urged.
“Hermann…”
“Let’s not keep them waiting.”
As Olivia led Vivian back to the carriage, Kayden stepped closer to me.
“Are you really not coming, Sister?”
“I’m sorry, but I have important work to do.”
“I see. That’s unfortunate. Let’s go together next time, then.”
“Come along, Kayden,” Hermann called, his tone impatient.
Reluctantly, Kayden followed Olivia. Reunited as one, the family headed into the restaurant across the street.
Watching them, I let out a bitter laugh.
Why does this feel so empty?
I had never fully accepted them as my family, yet the hollow ache in my chest was undeniable.
Whether it was in my original life or as Rosevelia, I was equally unskilled at handling situations like this.
If only Edwin were here, he’d come up with some smooth excuse to lighten the mood…
I stood frozen for a while before turning to leave. Yet, my feet felt heavy, and I found myself momentarily unsure of where to go.
Pull yourself together.
Lightly tapping my cheeks, I raised my head, and to my surprise—
“Senior?”
It was Ian.
A carriage approached rapidly from behind him, and before I could exchange pleasantries, I instinctively grabbed the hem of Ian’s cloak.
“Watch out!”
His pupils dilated slightly in surprise as I yanked him toward me. Caught off balance, his large frame toppled forward, landing right on me.
With no other support, Ian’s hands fell gently onto my shoulders.
What… is this?
Before I could process the situation, I realized I was effectively trapped in Ian’s arms. My brow furrowed at the strange sensation—something warm and soft pressed against my forehead.
My lips parted slightly as I understood what it was.