Rose slowly opened her eyes, her gaze falling on the person hugging her waist. "Eeehh??" she exclaimed, shocked by the stranger beside her.
She quickly shoved the man away and scrambled to her feet, her heart racing with surprise. The man next to her stirred, slowly sitting up with a drowsy expression.
As he turned to face her, Rose''s eyes widened in astonishment. "Matthias?" she whispered, her voice trembling with incredulity.
The person before her was no longer the little malnourished boy she knew. Instead, a young man with curly black hair, piercing blue eyes, and a lean, adolescent frame gazed back at her.
Rose''s eyes roved over Matthias''s transformed physique, her face displaying a mix of shock and amazement. She couldn''t help but notice that his clothes were now too small for him, accentuating his newfound maturity.
Matthias stood up, his movements fluid and confident. Rose took a step back, her eyes locked on his, as Matthias''s gaze pleaded with her.
"Don''t be like that, Lady Rose," he said, his voice laced with emotion. His eyes welled up with tears as he took a step forward, his arms opening wide.
Rose''s heart skipped a beat as Matthias enveloped her in a tight hug. "I don''t want you to abandon me," he whispered, his breath warm against her neck.
Rose''s hands hesitated for a moment before gently prying Matthias away from her. "We need to find you some new clothes," she said, trying to sound casual despite the turmoil brewing inside her.
As she rummaged through the closet, Matthias stood before her, his eyes fixed on hers with an unnerving intensity. Rose''s hands trembled slightly as she handed him a set of new clothes.
"Finally," she murmured, trying to compose herself. Rose found a plain white shirt with long sleeves, made of sturdy linen that had been washed and worn many times. The shirt had a relaxed fit and a soft, worn texture that spoke of years of use. Along with the shirt, Rose gave Matthias a pair of sturdy brown breeches, made of thick wool that had been worn and faded to a soft, muted color. The breeches were plain and unadorned, with a simple tie at the waist. "These should fit you better." Finally, a pair of scuffed and worn leather boots, with cracked and faded leather that had seen many miles of travel. The boots looked comfortable and well-worn, like they had been molded to fit the wearer''s feet over years of use. "Were lucky to find some boots for you."
"Take off your clothes," Rose said, trying to sound firm despite the flutter in her chest. Matthias nodded, his eyes never leaving hers, as he swiftly ripped off his shirt. Rose helped Matthias to put-on his clothes. "It seems yesterday, you were little and now we are at the same height." Rose said and chuckled.
Rose''s eyes widened in surprise as Matthias suddenly ripped his pants, exposing himself. She quickly turned around, trying to avoid the awkward situation. "W-What do you think you''re doing?!" Rose exclaimed, her face flushing with embarrassment.
"Aren''t you going to put my pants on?" Matthias asked, his voice laced with innocence. "You''ve seen me naked at the river."
Rose''s face grew hotter as she replied, "Y-yes, I''ve seen you at the river, but not...not like this!" She handed him his pants without looking at him. "You put these on yourself."
As Matthias dressed, Rose couldn''t help but had a recollection of what she just saw. ''That sight would definitely leave a mark on my mind.'' Rose thought, and remember the junk she just saw at Matthias that made her face hotter.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
"I''m done, Lady Rose." Once Matthias was dressed, Rose examined him from head to toe, her eyes scanning his transformed physique. "You look good," she said, trying to sound casual.
Matthias''s face reddened, and Rose quickly looked away, trying to compose herself. "Let''s go," she said, gathering their belongings. "Just a few more miles, and we could be home by today if there are no distractions."
As they stepped out of the cabin, Matthias quickly took Rose''s hand, his eyes locked on hers. "Let me carry those for you," he offered, his voice filled with chivalry.
Rose smiled, handing over their belongings to Matthias. As they walked, Rose couldn''t help but notice the way Matthias looked at her, his eyes gleaming with a newfound intensity.
***
"I think your age would be around 18-19 years of age I guessed. Your body isn''t big enough and your face features are still soft." She explained. ''Perhaps this was how he grew up in the past, but what was the trigger?'' She said through her mind. "Anyway, if you''re 18 years of age then there will be a 8 year age gap." She continued. "And now that you are an adult. You should be aware of yourself. Just like what you did back there, You should not be stripping naked in front of a lady." Matthias just nodded.
''I really have a lot of things to know.'' He said through his mind. "You don''t like how I looked?" He asked her. "Do you like bigger guys?"
Rose chuckled. "I like firm guys, and there''s a room for you to look good. You will attract a lot of women in the future." She said. Until Rose heard a clopping sound and turned around and noticed a wagon with a family of 3 people in the front. The wagon approached a halt alongside her.
Rose quickly turned to Matthias and saw him quickly hid behind a nearby tree.
The wagon driver, a woman in her mid-30s, greeted Rose warmly. "Lady Rose, it was nice to see you here."
Rose smiled and returned the greeting. "So are you."
The woman''s expression turned apologetic. "My apologies, Lady Rose, but for my family''s safety, I couldn''t assist you and give you a ride to your estate."
"It''s fine. I understand, and now that I saw you both here, I bet a few more walks and I''ll be home," Rose replied.
The woman nodded. "Yes, Lady Rose. We must go now. We wish you your safety."
"I hope your family is safe as well," Rose replied.
As the wagon resumed its journey, Rose waited until it was out of sight before turning to Matthias. "You can come out now."
Matthias emerged from behind the tree, and they both continued walking.
"Who are they, Lady Rose?" Matthias asked.
"They are the family that I let grow their crops on my land. In return, they must give my estate 5% of their profit. I''m the one who gives them crops and tools." Rose continued, "At their previous place, the Lord who let them grow crops at his land took around 70% of their profit. It''s nice to see them in good condition."
"You have a good heart, Lady Rose," Matthias complimented.
Rose''s expression turned wistful as she recalled her previous existence. Her estate and people had suffered when all her financial resources were spent on military operations to avenge her father''s unjust death.
Rose spotted a tree with a crimson ribbon wrapped around its trunk, the vibrant color standing out against the lush green foliage. She remembered about her father and her wrapping the long ribbon around that tree, a nostalgic smile playing on her lips. "We are almost there." Rose came to a halt and grabbed her luggage, which Matthias was holding. "I will go first and then you will go and blend in with people." She said, her eyes locking onto Matthias'' worried expression.
Matthias gripped Rose''s hand, his fingers intertwining with hers. "Don''t be afraid; you won''t get lost. You''re in my territory now; just walk straight and you''ll see a large palace, which is where I live." Rose''s words were reassuring, but Matthias'' eyes still held a hint of uncertainty.
Rose''s gaze softened, and she gave Matthias'' hand a gentle squeeze before releasing it. Matthias nodded, his shoulders squaring as he steeled himself.
Rose continued walking, her heels clicking on the winding path. As she approached her estate''s gate, she noticed a maid with two knights standing at attention by her side. The maid, dressed in a crisp white blouse with a high neckline and black linings, a knee-length black skirt with a white apron worn over the blouse and skirt, curtsied deeply.
"Welcome Home, Lady Rose," she stated formally, her voice clear and melodious. The wooden door opened widely, displaying a fresh and lively environment.
Rose''s eyes scanned the familiar surroundings, a sense of comfort and belonging washing over her. ''This time, I''ll do everything properly, for my father and my people,'' she thought to herself, a determined glint in her eye.