Roselia was back in her Antonio disguise, sharing the aftermath of the debutante in Closette’s room. Since discovering her secret, Closette had grown even more at ease, acting as if they were sisters. As they enjoyed tea in the quiet of the room, Closette asked with wide, shining eyes, “But how do you know the Crown Prince?”
“Um… I wouldn’t say we know each other. I think it’s more accurate to say we’ve just seen each other’s faces.”
“He asked you to dance when you only know each other by face?”
“I suppose so….”
In truth, the Crown Prince would have grabbed anyone in the hall to dance with. His only goal was to twist the Crown Princess’s expression into a scowl—though, in the end, it seemed he had failed.
“Then, did you meet the Crown Prince when you were in your female form?”
She had met him while masquerading as a servant, but she didn’t want to be bombarded with more questions. Roselia laughed it off awkwardly.
“Yes, well….”
“The Royal Highness is really something… no matter how pretty you are, the Crown Princess was right there.”
It was precisely because the Crown Princess was there that he had made such a show of it. Since explaining the complex grievances of the nobility to young Closette was impossible, Roselia quickly changed the subject. But the questions only continued.
“Oh, that’s right. Klaus was chasing you like prey. You didn’t get caught, did you?”
She didn’t know whether to say she had been caught or not.
“That… it’s hard to explain, but ultimately, the Duke doesn’t know I’m Roselia.”
“He really is dense when it comes to these things.”
Seeing Closette clicking her tongue, Roselia put on a serious expression.
“You will keep it a secret from the Duke, won’t you?”
“Of course! Unless you say it yourself, I’ll take the secret to my grave. Oh, and… what should I call you from now on? Roselia? Antonio?”
“Please call me Antonio as usual, so I don’t get caught.”
“Got it, Antonio.”
Closette smiled, clearly thrilled to share a secret. Watching her with a soft, sisterly smile, Roselia stood up.
“It’s getting late, so I’ll head back to my room.”
“Yes! Be careful of Klaus on your way! That man moves without making a sound.”
Roselia laughed at Closette’s ghost-story gesture. She knew that despite the theatrics, Closette had opened her heart to Klaus after his attendance at the debutante.
After bowing, Roselia stepped into the dim corridor. The servants, exhausted from the banquet, had already retreated. Just as she walked through the eerie silence, a familiar, chilling voice cut through the air.
“It seems you’re coming from Closette’s room.”
Klaus stood in the shadows, dressed in casual evening wear, looking as if he had just emerged from his study. He watched her intently. Though startled, Roselia kept her composure.
“Yes… I believe the young lady was still restless from the excitement of the debutante.”
She bowed to pass, but his low voice caught her.
“I was too busy at the banquet to say this earlier….”
The way he trailed off was uncharacteristic, and Roselia turned back, tense. Klaus looked away as if embarrassed, muttering, “I am grateful. For helping with the preparations. And for telling me what was important to her….”
Roselia’s eyes rounded in shock. Realizing he had strayed into unfamiliar emotional territory, Klaus quickly regained his cold mask.
“You disappeared suddenly in the middle of the banquet. Where did you go?”
She had been right in front of him as Roselia during that time, but she couldn’t let that be known. She searched for an answer, trying to hide her panic.
“That… I was told we were short-handed. As a servant of the Duchy, I went to help.”
“Is that so? Well… I suppose there were more guests than we’d budgeted for.” He nodded, clearly finding comfort in the logic of the expense. “Roselia De Hessink was also there… did you know?”
Roselia’s shoulders stiffened. Klaus’s gaze sharpened, like a victor nearing the end of a negotiation. She forced herself to face him.
“Yes, I was aware.”
Klaus tilted his head. “Really? You kept your younger sister hidden, yet you stood by even when she walked into the lion’s den?”
“I have no right to stop her choices.”
Klaus curled the corner of his lips. “One thing is certain.”
“And what is that?”
“That you lied to me.” His navy eyes shimmered. “You even lied with a death certificate.”
She couldn’t take back her words, but she refused to let him seize control of the situation.
“I had no choice back then. I couldn’t trust what kind of person the Duke was.”
Klaus stroked his chin. “Fine. I shall not pry into the past any further.” He looked at her with a chilling intensity. “Instead, she should come to the Duchy. Didn’t you say it was better for her to stay here than to live a rough life outside?”
Damn it. He remembered. Roselia broke into a cold sweat.
“That was my initial thought, but my sister’s will is more important.”
He furrowed a brow. “Do you know where she is staying right now?”
It was a test. Perhaps, as someone with a younger sister, he felt a flicker of possessive concern.
“Yes, I am aware. But you needn’t worry. She isn’t doing anything dangerous; just serving and running errands.”
“Even so, is that any place for a lady to live?”
*Why is he so meddlesome when we are perfectly content?* Frustrated, Roselia delivered a firm, cold blow.
“That is her choice. I trust my sister. I hope the Duke will trust me as well. The debt will absolutely be repaid by us.”
Klaus pressed his lips together, his expression unreadable. Roselia bowed with dignity and marched past him down the hall. Klaus watched her for a long time before running a hand through his hair with a self-deprecating smile.
“I’ve been worrying about something unnecessary, quite unlike me.”
Whenever he touched the affairs of the Hessink siblings, nothing went according to plan.
***
Roselia headed toward the back alleys, cross-dressed once more for her attempt to find Nadya. The tavern was tucked into a secluded corner of the Baltezar estate.
As she neared the alley with a firm resolve to buy the painting, a chaotic noise erupted.
“Stop right there!”
“You little vermin!”
Men’s rough shouts echoed against the stone walls. Roselia peeked into the alley and saw Nadya, frail and gasping, running as if she might collapse. Three men were closing in. Before Roselia could even think, Nadya tripped and fell.
“Agh!”
The terror in Nadya’s eyes was absolute. Unable to look away, Roselia lunged forward to help her up. The men immediately circled them, trapping them against the wall.
“What’s with this boy?”
“If he’s lurking in this alley, he must be someone of low standing, too. Now that we’re here, let’s sell them both.”
Roselia’s mind raced. She remembered this scene from the original novel—the moment the heroine rescued Nadya. But that wasn’t supposed to happen for another two months.
*Has my interference changed the plot this drastically?*
She gritted her teeth, holding onto the trembling Nadya. The original heroine had a hidden escort knight, but Roselia was just a servant.
“It’s better for everyone if you don’t resist,” the burly man sneered, his eyes filled with malice.
Nadya whispered, her voice heavy with regret, “I’m sorry, Miss. Because of me….”
A lanky man sauntered forward. “Unlike that sickly woman, this one looks quite lively.”
As he reached out to grab her hair, Roselia firmly caught his wrist.