Chapter 152: Gift

Ignoring the ‘affection’ before him, Roman stepped back two paces.

“Do you know me?”

Rosalind’s various reactions didn’t seem like a disguise. It appeared she had approached to strike up a conversation because she recognized him—and with goodwill, at that.

Even now, her demeanor was more instinctive wariness than any warning of danger.

“I don’t know you…”

Rosalind walked forward with the rose in hand, then pinned it to Roman’s forehead.

“But right now, I really want to get to know you better~”

As she spoke, her cold fingers traced along Roman’s cheek.

“So beautiful…”

Her chilled touch slid from Roman’s hairline to his forehead, then nose, lips, and finally paused at his throat.

“You and Lainie are so alike, it’s almost uncanny.”

Her violet eyes gazed at Roman, deep admiration and obsession flickering within.

“Good child, tell me.”

“Are you and your mother both inside the Papal Palace?”

Otherwise, why hasn’t Sylvia appeared yet?

A wave of jealousy, like a serpent, tore through her heart.

What were they doing now?

In this flower-laden, moonlit night, how romantic a scene could it be?

Rosalind leaned closer to Roman’s face.

“Why aren’t you speaking?”

Her hand gently brushed his lips, her state growing ever more abnormal.

Roman felt utterly speechless—not just in words, but in his heart.

He had already guessed what her Sacred Seal was.

The sudden acceleration was only superficial; in reality, she had slowed time, making it appear as if those nearby were moving faster.

The two potted plants beside them were the best evidence: by accelerating time, the unripe became mature, and the withered ones reverted to their prime.

Now too, she had once again slowed the surrounding time.

Only the two of them remained on the same timeline.

This left Roman at a loss, as any cry for help would take a long time to reach outside at this flow of time.

Rosalind’s words just now made Roman hesitate.

She knew his mother?

Seeing her, should he tell her the truth…?

“Calm down first.”

Roman spoke softly.

That familiar face, the gentle expression, made Rosalind pause—her slightly deranged gaze settling down.

But it was only temporary.

Staring at Roman, Rosalind slowly steeled herself.

Just as she reached out to Roman’s shoulder, ready to embrace him, an invisible field surrounded them both, and the time-delay effect vanished.

“I was just wondering if my dear sister had come over after discovering something.”

Sylvia materialized behind Rosalind, pressing down on her shoulder to pull her away from Roman.

“Now that I see you, you’re still as foolish as before, pretending to be so charming, all for my sake?”

“Didn’t you realize that from start to finish tonight, everything went unusually smoothly for you?”

Rosalind’s alluring eyes locked on Sylvia, narrowing like shimmering autumn water.

So?

Whose child is this little prince?

She could no longer be bothered to act, seizing the opportunity to ask directly.

Standing together, the two looked like twin lotuses—one holy and dignified, the other pure yet alluring.

Though sisters separated for years, their first topic upon meeting was far from each other.

“Didn’t you already know? He’s Lainie’s child, of course.”

Sylvia stood beside Roman, her arm around his shoulder, speaking indifferently to Rosalind.

“……..”

Rosalind blanked for a moment, then shook her head and asked again.

“Child? Lainie’s child with whom?”

Sylvia didn’t answer.

“Virgin Conception?”

After a while, Rosalind tentatively asked.

“Perhaps.”

Sylvia replied.

Rosalind pressed on: “Where is Lainie? I want to see her.”

This time, there was no response, only a long, long silence.

A ripple of unease stirred at Rosalind’s heart. She thought of the end of that Dream Fragment…

“Dead?”

When she spoke, her voice trembled.

“…….”

Sylvia still hung her head in silence, only patting Roman’s shoulder lightly.

“You go on ahead. Milis and Rosetta are there.”

Without waiting for Roman’s response, she sent him to the first floor.

Thus, only Sylvia and Rosalind remained on the second-floor Balcony.

The two seemed to share a certain tacit understanding, seeing through each other and willingly completing this encounter.

Rosalind’s reaction wasn’t as dramatic as Sylvia had imagined; she merely shook her head in a daze, her face full of sorrow.

“I’ve already buried Lainie—in my wife’s name.”

Sylvia added softly.

“Is that so? Only you know?”

Rosalind suddenly retorted.

“Of course. Lainie is mine, so it’s enough that I alone know.”

In your heart, the most important person ends up having nothing to do with you in death.

Perhaps that’s the saddest part.

“Can I see her?”

“No.”

Sylvia shook her head firmly.

“I already said, Lainie has been laid to rest.”

Rosalind closed her eyes, memories of herself and Lainie resurfacing.

She had arrived first…

When she had left home and was saved by Lainie, upon opening her eyes she thought she saw the Goddess herself.

Yet at that time, Lainie wasn’t alone—Sylvia, who had come looking for her, was there too.

Later, she realized Lainie truly was her goddess, for except at the very beginning, she remained an unreachable existence.

If that was all, Rosalind would have been content.

But in truth, the goddess in her eyes was a gentle, caring girl beside someone else—and that someone was also close to her.

That period was torture, each sight a trial for her soul.

So much so that later, she completely diverged from Sylvia’s path.

“How do you plan to arrange the child?”

After a long pause, Rosalind asked softly.

“I’ll guide him to become the next Pope, and present the whole World to him as a Gift.”

Sylvia replied, calm yet resolute.

Seeing Rosalind finally struck speechless, she said no more and turned to leave.

“Gift?”

Rosalind murmured.

Then, a strange smile slowly appeared on her pure and alluring face.

“My dear sister, since your Gift to him is so bountiful, how could I possibly fall behind?”

She recalled the impression the boy had left on her—every movement in her memory made her fondness grow.

So it’s decided.

Sister, the Gift I’ll give Roman is you.

Compared to this tedious World, you yourself as a Gift are even more precious, aren’t you?

Of course, there’s also myself…

She would make him the happiest boy in this World.