Chương 67: Chapter 66

The prison carriage jostled as it moved through the streets of the Holy Nation. Inside the carriage, Damien quietly looked through the open spaces of the vehicle, observing the people outside. This was not an ordinary prison carriage. It was a humiliation carriage. The design itself was meant to expose the prisoner to the public.

The sides were left open enough for people to see inside, and during normal executions or public punishments, citizens would throw rotten food, vegetables, or whatever else they could find at the person being transported. Usually, this process began after a priest announced the crimes of the prisoner. The crowd would hear the accusations. They would see the signs of wrongdoing. They would be told who they were supposed to hate. However... This time, there was nothing. No announcement. No explanation.

No evidence displayed. Only a silent prisoner carriage moving through the streets. The commoners watching the procession looked confused. Some immediately understood that something was wrong. Perhaps this was nothing more than a political display. Perhaps the priest involved was abusing his authority. Perhaps this was a personal grudge disguised as justice. They did not know the truth, but they understood enough. After watching for a few moments, most people simply returned to their daily lives.

They had their own problems to deal with. The procession continued forward. Eventually, it entered the noble district. Compared to the commoner areas, the streets here were much quieter. Most transportation consisted of elegant carriages belonging to nobles traveling between estates, businesses, and social gatherings. Because of that, the prison carriage did not attract much attention. However, a few nobles still glanced toward it curiously. A prison carriage rarely traveled through this area.

They immediately noticed the unusual circumstances. Without needing an explanation, they understood. This was not a normal punishment. This was someone attempting to display power over another person. A quiet warning. A reminder of who held authority. This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. Meanwhile... Rosa's day had begun much earlier. At six in the morning, she sat inside her study, reviewing noble etiquette.

Despite already possessing mastery-level etiquette, she continued to study the smallest details with her tutor. A noble's posture. The proper way to address someone of higher status. The subtle differences between formal and informal gatherings. The hidden meanings behind certain gestures. For two hours, she carefully reviewed everything. Not because she lacked skill. Because someone at her position could not afford carelessness. At eight, she moved on to her other lessons.

She studied the current situation within noble society, the political movements of other nations, and the events occurring outside the Holy Nation. She also reviewed information regarding the Empire that ruled over the surrounding kingdoms and nations. A person born into her position could not simply understand etiquette. They needed to understand the world itself. By the time her lessons ended, it was nearly noon. Rosa made her way to breakfast and ate a healthy meal before resting for thirty minutes.

Afterward, she took a walk through the garden. It was a habit she maintained whenever possible. A short period of quiet before continuing the rest of her responsibilities. By one in the afternoon, she would decide what to do next. If she received an invitation to an outing or noble gathering, she would attend. Otherwise, she followed her mother through the estate. For two hours, she helped manage various matters. She checked reports, observed the workers, and learned how the household operated.

A Roosevelt was not simply someone who wore elegant clothing. They were responsible for everything beneath their name. After finishing her duties at the estate, Rosa spent the next few hours visiting one of her father's many businesses. Today, she was working at a boutique store. She assisted customers, reviewed products, and learned the daily operations of the business. Her father had always encouraged her to understand the industries connected to their family.

A Roosevelt who only understood luxury but not the effort behind it would eventually become useless. After finishing her work, Rosa stepped outside. The boutique happened to be near a toy store. While passing by, she remembered a small child she had met before. Jake. The energetic child who had been with Nina and Miss Abelina. She remembered visiting Nina's shop a month earlier to deliver the remaining funds after exchanging the gifts into currency. During that visit, she had briefly met the mother and child.

Thinking about Jake's excitement, Rosa smiled slightly.

"A toy would probably make him happy." She entered the toy store and carefully looked around. After some consideration, she selected a large teddy bear. It was probably a little bigger than necessary. But children enjoyed things like that. At least, that was what she assumed. After leaving the store, Rosa made her way to a nearby dessert shop. She picked several treats. Some for Nina. Some for Miss Abelina. And perhaps something Jake would enjoy as well.

Since today was their scheduled day off, she planned to visit them before the evening became too late. She wanted Jake to enjoy the toy. Then she could return home and finish the day. As she walked back toward her carriage, she heard quiet whispers from nearby nobles.

"Is that a prison carriage?"

"Why would it be here?"

"Someone must be trying to make a statement." Rosa turned her head slightly. Following their gaze, she saw the procession moving through the noble district. For a brief moment, her eyes met the person inside the carriage. However, the person she saw was not the Nina she knew. Damien was currently controlling the body, and Nina's appearance had been changed. Rosa had never seen this appearance before. To her, it was simply an unfamiliar prisoner being transported through the streets. After a moment, she looked away.

She entered her carriage and departed from the noble district. Her destination remained unchanged. The Can't Make It, But I Can Shop.