Chapter 6 :Be as gentle as a mother

Late at night, in the Rose Knights’ dormitory, Leanna stopped in front of Melin’s room.

She had keenly noticed Melin’s unusual mood today. As captain, she had a duty to check on her mental state.

Knocking, she called.

“Melin? You in? It’s Leanna.”

“Melin?”

No answer came. Her brows furrowed deeper. Finally, as if realizing something, she pushed the door open.

The room was simply decorated. A faint girlish scent lingered in the air. But what made her face pale was the emptiness.

Gone in the middle of the night—what else could it be?

Was Melin trying to escape?

What a joke! With so many patrols around, escape was impossible. And if Lady Isabelle found out…

She’d die!

Leaning against the door, Leanna thought long. Finally, she bit her lip and decided to tell Celis tomorrow.

Only Celis could save Melin.

…

Pulling her black hood tight, Melin climbed over the dormitory wall and fled toward the forest edge.

She knew the consequences of getting caught. But staying here was no different from death.

She couldn’t die.

Her sick mother was waiting for her.

Spotting guards with searchlights in the distance, she crouched low and slipped through the trees.

But soon, she stepped on a dry branch.

Crack—

A searchlight swung over instantly. Melin tried to hide, but magic seized her wrist the next second.

Raising the light to her face, the guard said.

“Knight miss, by regulation, this is restricted. Anyone here at night must see Lady Isabelle.”

“I—I…”

Her body trembled. She stammered, instinctively wanting to run. But the guard’s magic was beyond her strength.

Then holy light flashed in the woods. Celis in her snow-white dress appeared beside her.

To the guard, her tone was gentle but firm.

“Stand down. Tonight, you saw no one. Leave this to me.”

“Yes, Saintess.”

The guard bowed and vanished.

After, Celis crouched before Melin, gazing into her eyes.

“You want to go home, don’t you, Melin?”

Blushing, Melin lowered her head. Fear and grievance exploded.

“Sorry, Lady Celis… sorry. I know I’m a deserter, a coward. But I’m so scared! Scared of dying here, scared I’ll never see Mom again…”

Stroking her head, Celis smiled.

“Fear of death and missing family aren’t cowardice, Melin. They prove you’re human.”

“But… everyone says being a Rose Knight is glorious. The empire gave my family money, best doctors for Mom. I wanted to persevere…”

Her pupils showed hesitation.

“But today’s training… Lady Isabelle is terrifying! She’ll really kill us! If I die, what about Mom? She has only me…”

Celis knew Melin’s background was far more tragic than most knights’. That made family even dearer.

After a pause, struggle flashed in her eyes, then resolved into firm determination.

“Melin, I can’t choose for you. But I can give you the chance.”

She stepped aside. Moonlight glimmered at the forest’s end—like freedom, endlessly tempting.

“Stay, or keep walking. No guard will know you left. Pass the last post, and you’re free.”

Melin’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“You—you’d let me go? Why? You’re…”

“My status doesn’t matter. Tonight, I’m just an ordinary person who doesn’t want a daughter to lose her mother—or a mother her daughter.”

Celis pulled a small coin pouch and a gently glowing magic amulet from her pocket. She pressed them into Melin’s hands.

“This money covers your travel. The amulet has magic. Crush it if life’s in danger. Remember—if you leave, don’t look back.”

Clutching them, Melin felt the heaviest yet warmest things in the world. She knelt—not from etiquette, but pure gratitude.

“Lady Celis, your kindness, I—I…”

“Go. No thanks. Hurry before other guards come.”

Helping her up, Celis waved her off.

At parting, Melin looked deeply at the saintess, as if etching her into her soul. Then she turned and vanished into the thick night.

Celis stood until the footsteps faded. Then she let out a faint sigh.

Most Rose Knights were barely adults. Bearing the world’s salvation at this age inevitably bred mental strain.

Her role was to heal those wounds.

Like a mother.

Thinking this, she walked toward where Melin disappeared.

…

Ding-a-ling—

A carriage passed through bustling streets. Smelling noble perfumes in the air, Melin stood by the town road, bewildered.

Where… was this?

Leaving the knights’ camp, she realized she knew nothing beyond her destination: Anna Town.

Wandering aimlessly, someone suddenly bumped her.

“Sorry, sorry.”

“It’s fine.”

The person pulled their hat low and melted into the crowd. Melin didn’t pursue it.

Soon, she reached the carriage rental.

Approaching a driver, she asked tentatively.

“Excuse me, how do I get to Anna Town from here?”

Anna Town was obscure in the Aust Empire. Few knew it. But luck was with her—the driver did.

“Anna Town? Too far. By carriage, months. But head north to Rhodel Fortress first. Large teleport array there. Gets you to Anna in one or two days.”

Removing his hat, the driver asked warmly.

“How about it? Carriage to Rhodel? Discount—sixty coppers per person.”

“Ah, okay.”

Sixty coppers?

Melin thought it pricey, but for home, she had to pay.

She reached into her pocket. Only the amulet remained.

The coin pouch?

Searching everywhere, it was gone. The driver’s enthusiasm faded as he understood.

He raised a brow.

“No money?”

“N-no…”

Panic rising, Melin recalled the stranger who bumped her.

A pickpocket!

Damn! She should have grabbed them!

…No money now. What to do?

She couldn’t go back. Moving forward… just to Rhodel would take ages to earn.

Head lowered, Melin clenched her fists. Grievance and distress surged.

“Here’s one hundred twenty coppers. She’s with me.”

As she stood lost, lavender scent wafted on the wind. A familiar figure appeared beside her.

Handing the driver a pouch with one hundred twenty coppers, Celis smiled gracefully. The driver quickly counted them.

Staring at her profile, Melin’s lips moved. Her voice was mosquito-thin.

“Lady Celis?!”

“You.”

Celis poked her forehead, helpless.

“Really. Out alone and not careful. How can I relax?”

In an instant, Melin’s eyes reddened.