Tris and Rose both stood silently, looking at each other for a while without saying a word.
Rose's face still carried the same cheerful expression as before.
Meanwhile, Tris looked somewhat contemplative, as if he was pondering something.
Witnessing this silence, Rin felt a bit tense. Just as Rin was about to speak and explain how she met Rose, Tris spoke first:
"Who are you? And what do you want?"
The question was so direct that it bordered on rudeness.
Yet Rose seemed completely unfazed by the bluntness. She smiled gently and replied:
"My name is Rose. Earlier, I saw Rin helping another child and was impressed by it. That's why I sincerely hope I can be friends with such a kind girl. Of course, if you're her friend, I'd like to be friends with you too."
Hearing Rose recall the earlier event and compliment her, Rin blushed shyly. Tris, on the other hand, looked delighted, like a child happy to have made a new friend. He grinned and said:
"Is that so? I'm Tris, nice to meet you."
Rose: "Tris? That's quite a lovely name."
For some reason, she seemed to linger on the name thoughtfully.
Rin felt there might be some hidden meaning behind the compliment, though perhaps it was just her own nerves playing tricks on her.
Tris: "Since Rin and I still have personal matters to attend to, we need to leave. Hopefully, we'll meet again another time."
He smiled, said his farewell, and pulled Rin along.
Though abrupt, his words matched perfectly with Rin's earlier excuse.
Rose: "What a pity. I wanted to talk with you more.
In three days, at dawn when the morning bell rings, there will be a charity event nearby for the poor.
Would you join? It's just helping distribute porridge. I'll be there too."
She extended the invitation warmly.
Tris: "Charity, huh? Alright, if we're free, then we'll come."
Of course, he was only being polite—he had no intention of joining any public event.
So in reality, they certainly wouldn't be free.
Before Tris could leave, Rose grabbed his arm tightly, pleading pitifully:
"(＞︿＜) Come on, promise you'll come, won't you? Aren't we friends now? If you don't, I'll be sad."
Anyone else would likely have agreed.
Especially with Rose's beautiful appearance, no man would refuse the chance to spend more time with her—let alone turn down such a direct plea.
(ㆆ_ㆆ) But Tris only found her bothersome, clicking his tongue inwardly.
Judging by her demeanor, if he didn't agree, she wouldn't let him go.
Tris: "I won't promise something I can't be sure of. Breaking promises is not good."
(￣へ￣) He stated firmly, refusing to commit.
Rose: "(✿◠‿◠) It's just a short event, less than an hour. Surely you can spare a little time?"
She leaned closer against him.
Even through layers of clothing, Tris could feel her soft chest pressing against his side.
Her actions were increasingly unlike those of a noblewoman mindful of etiquette.
Yet Tris's attitude remained unchanged.
Tris: "I'll consider it in the coming days. Perhaps I can join."
Though it sounded like an acceptance of the invitation, in reality, he never gave a full confirmation, leaving room to back out and skip the event that day.
And it seemed that even this reply still couldn't convince Rose at all.
Rose: "(✿◠‿◠) I was planning to gather helpers, but others took them away. So you could help me a little, right?"
Her small hands gripped his arm tightly—surprisingly strong despite their slenderness.
Tris had to secretly use spiritual energy to protect his arm, or else his bones might have cracked under her grip.
In other words, though she smiled, her words were practically a direct threat.
Tris: "I can only contribute some food supplies to the charity group. As for joining directly, I can't promise."
He compromised only as much as he was willing.
Rose seemed to realize she couldn't push him further. She let go, speaking with some regret:
"Alright. Then could you send me the food soon?"
Tris: "Do you have an empty spatial ring?"
Rose: "Yes."
Tris: "Good, then here."
Suddenly, a large amount of food appeared before him—supplies he had taken from bandits earlier, stored in his own spatial ring.
Rose quickly absorbed them into her ring, so fast they vanished almost instantly.
The brief appearance made a nearby hungry pauper wonder if he had hallucinated from starvation.
Witnessing Rose's overly enthusiastic invitation turn into a swift transaction, Rin was baffled.
Still, she knew this wasn't the time for a servant to interrupt. Her questions would have to wait.
Tris: "Alright, see you again if fate allows."
He bid farewell and pulled Rin away. This time, Rose didn't stop him—she only waved and smiled:
"If you're free, you must join, okay?"
* * * * * * * * * *
Tris and Rin returned to their lodging. They bought food and had lunch in their room.
While eating, Tris said:
"Alright, tell me in detail how you met Rose. Don't skip anything."
On the way back, Tris had told Rin to stay silent until they returned, so she hadn't spoken yet.
Though she had many questions, Rin obeyed and recounted everything.
Tris listened quietly while continuing his meal, saying nothing. He seemed deep in thought, beyond Rin's understanding.
Rin: "Did Rin cause trouble for Master?"
She spoke with guilt. After all, the outcome Rin saw was that Tris had given away a great many belongings, seemingly all of them food and stored provisions.
Tris: "No, your actions weren't wrong. This matter has nothing to do with you. Rose's target from the start was me."
His sudden declaration shocked Rin greatly.