It wasn’t just a small matter. Perhaps I should have just spent the night at Nadya’s place. Alejandro, having no clue what was churning in Roselia’s mind, continued speaking with a relieved smile, acting as though his duty had been fulfilled.
“Well, I’ve delivered the message, so I’ll be going now.”
Roselia gave a curt nod. She was left to stare blankly at Alejandro’s retreating back as he disappeared down the hall. It hadn’t even been a few hours since she had been with him in the office, disguised as herself. Roselia felt annoyed at her own body, which responded to his proximity with no backbone, much like a tamed puppy. She truly wanted to ignore his summons and sleep like the dead, but she had no choice. She forced her unwilling feet to move toward his office. Damn it, a servant has to go when called. What other choice was there?
Roselia stood before Klaus’s office, let out a deep sigh, and knocked.
“It is Antonio. I heard you summoned me.”
“Come in.”
At the reply, which sounded as if he had been waiting, Roselia took a breath and stepped inside. Unlike his usual self—stuck behind a desk submerged in documents—he was seated on the sofa, nursing a glass of alcohol.
Roselia hesitated, puzzled by the scene. Klaus gestured with his head for her to come closer.
“Did you meet Roselia?”
“No, we missed each other, so I did not see her.”
“I see… well, a lot happened today. It is better to let her rest.”
The tone of Klaus’s voice was self-deprecating, drawing Roselia’s gaze toward him in confusion.
“Antonio.”
She had been dwelling on his unusually melancholic expression, but that lasted only a moment; she froze at the question he threw at her next.
“By any chance… is the man they say is Roselia’s lover the Marquess Eucheliode?”
How on earth had he reached that conclusion? It was absurd, ridiculous, yet upon reflection, she realized it was a plausible inference. She had implied from the beginning that Roselia’s lover lived far away. Moreover, the timing of her recent claim coincided with the visit of the Laphelios Delegation. In a way, he might be the most suitable opponent to deter the Duke’s interest. To break free from his grasp, she would need a partner he could not touch lightly—and no such person existed within the Empire. Well, there was the Crown Prince, but he was a man she wished to avoid. On the other hand, Marquess Eucheliode, the pillar of the Laphelios Empire and the head of the delegation, lacked nothing in ability, appearance, or status. He was someone the Duke could not recklessly provoke.
Having reached that line of reasoning, Roselia opened her mouth before she could stop herself.
“Yes, that is correct. He is Roselia’s lover.”
At Antonio’s words, Klaus’s expression hardened. Even though he had already guessed as much, hearing it directly made his chest ache, and he found it difficult to speak. Klaus looked away, his face etched with bitterness.
“Is that so…”
His demeanor made Roselia feel inexplicably uncomfortable. It didn’t feel right to tell a lie that the person involved didn’t even know about. Furthermore, she hadn’t expected Klaus to react this way. As Roselia shook her head to clear her fluttering heart, Klaus continued in a voice that had sunk deep.
“Roselia was almost attacked today.”
She knew that fact very well. However, from Klaus’s perspective, he clearly thought that her brother, Antonio, would be unaware. While Roselia agonized over how to respond, Klaus spoke first.
“I am sorry.”
“Pardon?”
Roselia’s eyes widened at the sudden apology.
“I should have anticipated that those rascals would be lying in wait near the mansion.”
Could he possibly think this incident happened because he had summoned her to the mansion? Roselia, who had never even considered such a thing, awkwardly countered his statement.
“You cannot monitor everyone outside the mansion. It is enough that she is safe. You do not need to worry so much.”
He seemed somewhat comforted by her words, but Klaus still looked as pitiful as a wet puppy.
“As for Marquess Eucheliode… no, I had better apologize to him properly later.”
To think that the great Duke Baltezar would look so dejected. No matter how much she needed to clarify their relationship… had she told too excessive of a lie? As he waved his hand for her to leave, Roselia exited the office with a heart that had grown inexplicably heavy.
* * *
Roselia, in her guise as Antonio, visited the Count Bernas mansion and entered the room where the Count was staying with a lively voice.
“Grandfather, I’m here.”
“…”
The Count, sitting on the sofa with a disgruntled look, glanced at her and turned his head away. Was he sulking because she hadn’t visited for a while?
“Are you feeling alright today?”
“Old people should just die.”
Roselia let out a soft laugh at the Count’s spiteful remarks.
“You don’t mean a word of that. I’ll clean this room today, so stay there quietly.”
“…”
Saying that, Roselia rolled up her sleeves and headed to the next room. The Count, who had been watching her listlessly, soon stared blankly out the window again. She had been cleaning for some time when the doorbell rang, causing Roselia to look toward the door with a puzzled expression.
“Grandfather, is there a visitor coming to the mansion today?”
“I don’t know.”
At the Count’s indifferent reply, Roselia let out a deep sigh and approached the door. The doorbell rang again, more insistently.
“Yes, I’m coming!”
Roselia opened the door to check the visitor and went wide-eyed.
“Young Lady…?”
“My goodness. What kind of state is that?”
Closette frowned as she looked at Roselia, then brushed past her into the house. At the sight of Closette looking around in disbelief at the state of the mansion, Roselia followed her in a panic.
“What brings you here?”
“Antonio hasn’t been playing with me lately, so I came here myself.”
Having said that, Closette gave Roselia a cheeky look. She began to peek into one room after another as if looking for something, which made Roselia feel troubled.
“Where is the Count? I should greet him first.”
No sooner had she finished speaking, Closette smiled brightly, as if she had found the correct room. However, the Count’s expression toward her remained indifferent.
“I’m not buying anything!”
At the Count’s sudden outburst, Closette was taken aback.
“Pardon? I’m not a merchant…”
Roselia, equally flustered, stepped between them and added quickly.
“She is the Young Lady of the Duke Baltezar family.”
“I don’t care if she’s a Young Lady or whatever, I’m not buying!”
Grandfather, there’s no way a Young Lady would go around selling things… As Roselia let out a troubled smile, Closette leaned in close and whispered, covering her mouth with her hand.
“Why is he like that?”
“He has dementia, and his condition has been worse lately.”
At Roselia’s awkward smile, Closette’s eyes widened.
“Don’t tell me that demented old man is the painter you’ve been looking for?”
“Yes… as you can see, he’s in that state, so I haven’t even been able to see his paintings.”
At Roselia’s complaint, Closette curled the corners of her mouth upward. Roselia had to force a smile in return at the mischievous grin that appeared whenever Closette was up to something.
* * *
“Grandfather, how is my painting?”
Closette had set up an easel with paints she had forced Madeline to bring over in abundance. The Count glanced at the canvas and replied bluntly.
“A painting done with your feet would be better than that.”
It was a tactic intended to provoke him, but perhaps Closette had become immersed in it, as she protested with genuine annoyance.
“Then why don’t you paint it yourself!”
“Why should I?”
“Then stop saying such things!”
Even though Closette was shouting, the Count only replied with a calm expression.
“Then don’t paint where I can see it.”
“Ugh…”
Watching the two bickering, Roselia let out a giggle. She watched the sparring between Closette and the Count, finding it somewhat cute, until she noticed the sun setting and approached them.
“It seems the tidying up is mostly done, so let us be going, Young Lady.”
At her words, the Count, who had been sitting indifferently, opened his mouth while looking at them.
“Leaving already?”
Seeing the disappointment in his voice—as if he were sad to see them go despite acting aloof—Roselia smiled gently.
“I will come again soon.”
The Count turned his head back, but Roselia, knowing the truth of his feelings, smiled softly.
After leaving the mansion and boarding the waiting carriage, Closette asked bluntly.
“Is that old man really the painter?”
“I am certain.”
In the original work, it had clearly been explained that Count Klaus was the painter. Although there was a possibility it could be his son, the young Count, he was an active soldier and likely wouldn’t have much time to paint. Given the Count’s dementia, the probability of him being the author remained higher.
As Roselia thought this, Closette, seemingly not finding the time spent at the mansion entirely unpleasant, remarked, “Can’t be helped. I’ll just have to come and help out occasionally.”
It seems like she’s just bored… Roselia watched Closette, thinking her cute, and let out a soft, airy smile.
* * *
Johannes, who was staying in the detached palace to entertain the delegation, opened his mouth calmly upon seeing Rognan enter the study.
“Did you investigate?”
At Johannes’s question, Rognan nodded.
“Her name is Roselia De Hessink. She is the daughter of a fallen Barony.”
Was she a noble of Rugvelzet? But judging by her attire and the fact that she moved around without a carriage, she didn’t appear to be a lady of status… As if noticing his suspicion, Rognan added immediately.
“Because Baron Hessink died with debts to the Duchy, the Hessink siblings are currently paying off the debt.”
Debt… so that was why she was acquainted with the Duke. Hearing rumors that the Duke would do anything for money, Johannes felt inexplicably uncomfortable. It was clear how that cold-blooded man would treat a debtor. Johannes pushed away the unpleasant feeling and asked, “Are there siblings?”
“Yes, there is one older brother. However, it seems he is not her biological brother.”
Rognan, watching Johannes, who showed an inexplicably curious interest, continued.
“It appears that when Baron Hessink remarried, he entered Ms. Roselia’s mother and Ms. Roselia into the family register.”
“Her mother and she were entered into the family register…? When was that?”
“It seems to have been about 19 years ago.”