Chapter 4 - Changing Appearance

"Good night, my lady." After Franches said that, she closed Rosé's room door and left.

Rosé waited at least couple of moments before get out from the bed and pulled out her hidden shoes under the bed. She opened her room door and take a look outside her room. After she ensured there was no one around, she walked out her room.

She walked down the mansion's corridor and headed to the West Tower. The West Tower in Claymore's mansion was never been visited by no one since Rosé's grandfather passed away. That place used to be her grandfather's quarter back then. Sullivan Claymore, the former Duke of Claymore, was known for his great contribution to Zetas Kingdom as the Emperor's right hand man. He was one of His Majesty's councellor and the Great Wizard of Zetas Academy.

Rosé just want to take a look at her grandfather's magic books collection in his personal library. For sure, her grandfather must have rare magic books which none other than her grandfather ever read before. When she attempted to open her grandfather's library, she was surprised because it was unlocked!

This library contained many precious books, why it was unlocked?

That was the question inside Rosé's head before she looked very amazed at the amazing library. The library was very big with towering bookshelves with so many books inside of it. There was a stairs to help reached out the book from the shelves, statue decoration which made of marble stones, and a gold study table at the center of the library!

Rosé's eyes filled with excitement with all things inside her grandfather's library. Thanks to her brother Damon who told her about their grandfather great achievements then told her about his living quarter before he passed away. Now she finally could start to learn a lot about magic in this place!

Then, from that day onwards, Rosé visited her grandfather's library almost everyday to study magic before she fell asleep.

. . .

"There you again, Rosé..." Willhem approached his little sister who looked curiously at the knight's training ground.

"Big brother Willhem!" Rosé smiled brightly to her big brother. "I want to show you something!" After one month waited for her big brother took care of Aldoa's mine issue, finally she could see her big brother again.

"Oh, that reminded me about our last conversation about magic before I went to Aldoa. What are you going to show me this time, Rosé?" Willhem asked in curiosity.

"Umm, about that, let's set that aside for a moment," said Rosé with misterious expression.

"Please follow me big brother, because it is..." Rosé turned her voice to a whisper. "...a secret magic!"

After they found a suitable location with nobody around, Rosé started to enchant magic spell. Then the second she finished it, her natural brown hair turned to blonde color.

"It was changing appearance magic spell that had disappeared long time ago! Where did you find the script to learn that?!" Willhem asked in a shock.

"Big brother, would you mad at me if I tell you that I'm visiting grandfather's library almost everyday at night?" Rosé looked guilty when she confessed. Her hair turn back to her family's brown hair color when she flicked her fingers.

Willhem let a long sigh. "No one has ever entered that West Tower since our grandfather passed away, but there was also no specific rules in our family that forbade us to visit either. So I guess, it's okay."

Rosé's expression turned bright when her big brother said it like that. "Thank you big brother! I would never let it go waste, because I want to learn a lot of magic like grandfather!" She lifted her hands so high to show how much she wanted to learn.

Willhem looked at his super adorable little sister. Then he scooped up his little sister and smiled to her. "Grandfather was an incredible Wizard that the Emperor ever had, he passed away ten years ago when I was only five year old."

"To bad Rosé is not exist yet when grandfather was still alive." Rosé pouted her lip, looked sad.

Willhem chuckled at her statement. Then he was thought, would their grandfather glad if he knew one of his descendants inherited his talent in magic?

. . .

Without notice, time goes fast as it was at the end of the year. Like other nobles family, Claymore also invited famous tailor to measure their clothes size which would be worn next year. As for Rosé, she usually used the same clothes size as Roselia because they have almost the same body size. Sometimes the dress for Rosé had to undergo readjustment because it was too big or too small for her.

"This year dresses are perfectly fit for me, mother!" Rosé swayed her dress with her hands and make the smooth fabric twirling.

"Glad to hear that. Oh my, my twin daughters look very adorable with the new dresses!" Kylie looked very satisfied at her daughters.

"Rosé, let's go to the dinner room for our end year feast." Roselia pulled Rosé arm and walked together to dining room. Warm expression could be seen from the twin's mother as she watched them walk together.

"Darling, after our family feast, we need to attend the Emperor's banquet." Bernard Claymore reminded his wife about the upcoming event.

Soon Kylie's expression turned gloomy. "Not again. Then, we will leave Rosé behind..."

Maybe they could left Rosé behind to her personal maid before, but since Rosé started to learn lady's etiquette, knew and learn so many things, it felt very difficult for them to explain to her. The couple felt sad because Rosé could not joined royal events like this.

"Let's discusses this matter after we have dinner." Bernard patted Kylie's shoulder and the couple walked together to the dining room.

After dinner, Bernard scooped up his little daughter and walked to her room. "Rosé, father want to tell you something."

"What is it, father?"

"Father, mother, your brothers and sister will have to go to Emperor's banquet. But, we could not bring you together." Bernard answered with sad expression.

Rosé looked at her father silently. "I understand, father. I know I must live like a shadow, right? Nobody knows that I'm here, a part of Claymores too. Thus, I shall be careful about my actions. Even if I'm at home."

Bernard felt like a knife pierced through his heart. The pain could be seen on his face. His little daughter was so understanding about her position in the family. So matured, yet he could not being relieved about that. His little daughter should have deserved better. Oh, why must fate brought this sadness to our Rosé? He taught.

"Alright, Rosé. Father have to go now. I will call Franches to accompany you."

After a click sound of the door room, Rosé let out a sigh. She just could not bore her father's sad expression. They showered her with so much love and she understood what should do when a matter like this happened. She also understood why they felt sad for her.

Lived like a shadow, huh...

Rosé walked toward the windows and stared at the dark sky full of stars. She clenched her hand on her chest. She understood, but why she felt so sad? She could not described what she felt right now with words. One thing, she knew that she only wanted everyone to know that she was there. Existed.

I am here.

I am here...

Would someone out there knew someday?

. . .

To Be Continued