Chapter 20:

Vol 1 Chapter 21: Caelan and the Secret Letter to Sister Clara

Blood Rose Princess Just Wants to Live in Peace with Her Little Daughter


It had been three days since Clara left Rose Valley. For an adult, that time seemed short. But for Caelan, who waited every morning for the gentle knocking sound of her “mother’s friend,” three days felt like a long winter.

The Third Day Without Clara…

Caelan sat on the windowsill, hugging her deer doll. Marry prepared breakfast as usual, but she noticed that her daughter was not talking much today.

“Mom, where is Sister Clara?”
“She went back to town, Honey. She had an important task.”

“But… why didn’t you say goodbye to Caelan?”

Marry was silent for a moment. “She asked me to hug her from afar.”

Caelan pinched her bread roll. “Hugging her from afar is not nice…”

Caelan’s Secret Letter…

In the afternoon, while Marry was hanging out the laundry, Caelan went inside and opened the small drawer where she kept her “important secret” items. There were shells from the north coast, blue bird feathers, and dried rose pieces that Clara had given her.

Caelan took paper, crayons, and a pen.

“If Big Sister Clara is busy… then Caelan has to find a way to make Big Sister Clara remember to come home!”

Her hands were small but diligent. She wrote a short letter, with spelling that was still imperfect:

Big Sister Clara that Caelan likes.

Caelan is at home with Mom.
Mom said that Big Sister has gone on assignment.

But Caelan waits every day.

Big Sister Clara has promised to play with Caelan again, right?
Don’t lie, Big Sister!
Caelan kept the dried roses that Big Sister gave her.
The scent of the flowers has faded, but Caelan remembers their smile.

Big Sister, don’t be sad in the city, or Caelan will be sad too.
Mom also feels sad when she sees Caelan sad.
So… you have to be strong! But don’t forget to come home.

From Caelan,
Big Sister Clara’s childhood friend.

Marry and Unspoken Memories...

When Caelan handed the letter to her mother and said,

“Mom, this is a secret letter. But you have to send it to Clara. Don’t read it!”

Marry smiled, then hugged Caelan tightly.

“This little girl… really has the power to break down the walls of the world.”

Marry didn’t read the letter, but she smelled it. The scent of crayons, dried flowers, and pure love that couldn’t be written with adult words.

Two Days Later — The Capital...

Clara sat in her quiet room, a pile of documents lying on the table.

A courier brought a small package—no sender’s name.

Inside was a small letter, folded carefully, with a dried rose wrapped in clover.

Clara read it. Her eyes immediately filled with tears.

“Caelan…” she whispered.
“Why are you so kind…”

She couldn’t help but smile. Then she stood up, grabbing her black coat. But her steps were halted.

Not because of duty, not because of fear.

But because… her heart began to miss her.

Clara kept the letter in her leather wallet, along with her detective badge.

Slowly, amidst the fire of investigation and the ashes of the past, a new, pure intention grew: to protect the laughter of a sincere little girl.

Caelan, I will return. But when I return, I will not only be your mother's friend…

I will be the one standing beside you both. Not as a detective. But as a protector, a witness, and perhaps… a big sister.

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