Looking puzzled at the owner of the shadow, Rogelia and Closet frowned when they saw Klaus coughing.

“Today is a nice day.”

After saying that, Klaus, who met eyes with Rogelia, made her involuntarily avert her gaze, feeling as if she had been caught.

Stupid. What are you going to do if you avoid him in the state of Antonio?

As Rogelia blamed herself inwardly, Klaus approached without suspicion and placed something on the table between Closet and Rogelia, covered with a cloth.

It was impossible to discern the identity of the object under the cloth.

“What is this?”

At Closet’s suspicious question, Klaus, who cleared his throat, calmly replied.

“I bought it because it reminded me of you.”
At Klaus’s unexpectedly gruff and uncharacteristically warm words, Closet’s eyes twinkled like lanterns. While Klaus had given presents to Closet before, it was mostly through the servants, and the items sent were often without much thought, making this gesture quite surprising.

“What’s the occasion that you didn’t send a servant?”

After saying so, Closet glanced at Klaus and slowly uncovered the cloth.

“Huh…?”

Inside was a birdcage, and within it, a small bird with snowy white feathers and curious eyes was looking at Closet.

“It seems to be a canary.”

At Rogelia’s explanation, Closet, still unable to take her eyes off the canary, murmured to herself.

“So cute…”

Then, realizing that she was too openly spaced out, Closet abruptly regained her composure, blushed while coughing, and thanked Klaus.

“Uh, well… Thank you.”

Responding to Closet’s gratitude, Klaus, who seemed momentarily surprised, raised the corners of his mouth gently.

Rogelia, who unintentionally gazed at Klaus’s face, once again felt her heart flutter at Klaus’s warm smile that she had never seen before.

When Klaus turned his head, sensing Rogelia’s gaze, she quickly had to avert her eyes.

“Antonio, would you like to have a cup of tea alone with me for a moment?”

Rogelia’s eyes widened at Klaus’s sudden words.

Tea? Did he just say tea now?

Usually, when there was business, Klaus would bluntly tell her to come to the study, and that was it. It was quite surprising for him to mention tea…

Rogelia, perplexed and even embarrassed, quickly regained her composure and responded firmly.

“Yes, understood.”

After Rogelia’s response, Klaus left, leaving a message that the butler would guide her to the room.

Closet, absorbed in observing the canary, seemed disinterested in anything else.

Rogelia took a deep breath to steady her agitated heart.

Rogelia, you’re Antonio now. Don’t indulge in unnecessary fantasies.

In the sunlit room, the tea table prepared was neat and devoid of excess, giving off a feeling similar to Klaus’s taste, unlike Closet’s preferences.

Sitting across from Klaus at the center of the table, Rogelia swallowed nervously due to the tension.

“Now, about the debt, there’s only about a thousand Verangs left, right?”

Suddenly talking about the debt, Rogelia, who was momentarily lost in thought, quickly nodded.

“Yes, that’s about right.”

In fact, after dealing with the paintings obtained from the auction, Rogelia’s share was expected to increase by about 500 Verangs more. After covering that, there would be barely 500 Verangs left.

“It’s been less than three months, and it’s quite impressive. Initially, I thought you wouldn’t be able to pay even half of it.”

As Klaus spoke, Rogelia, feeling impressed, avoided his gaze again as he smiled slyly.
Claus, who was looking at her strangely, casually crossed his firm and long legs.

“What do you plan to do after paying off the debt?”

Unexpectedly questioned, Rogelia couldn’t respond immediately. In fact, she had never thought about it. Her only focus was on repaying the debt quickly and getting away from the Duke.

Claus, who observed her intently, opened his mouth with a serious expression.

“Even after paying off the debt, you’ll need income for a while to secure funds to live with. You’re welcome to stay at my mansion. Since you seem to have an eye for art, you could actively support that aspect too. If you want, I can also find a mansion near the Duke’s estate for you to stay.”

Rogelia, facing his words that seemed like he wanted to keep her close, stiffened her expression and firmly responded.

“No.”

For a moment, Claus’s expression froze.

“After paying off the debt, I plan to leave.”

“Where to?”

She had never thought about where to go. Any place with a view of the sea would be fine.

As Rogelia was lost in such thoughts, Claus, with a stern expression, asked bluntly.

“Are you planning to go to Raphaelios with Rogelia?”

At the sudden mention of Raphaelios, Rogelia’s expression turned bewildered.

Does he think I’m going with the Marquis?

Caught off guard by his penetrating gaze, Rogelia, in her confusion, slipped and dropped the teacup she was holding.

“Oops, I’m sorry.”

Surprised, Rogelia quickly took out a handkerchief and approached Claus.

Fortunately, it seemed that only a little tea had spilled onto his knee, and Claus didn’t react much.

Rogelia, alarmed, conscientiously avoided Klaus’s gaze and diligently wiped his pants with the handkerchief.

However, at that moment…

Observing Rogelia’s actions without any reaction, Claus suddenly took hold of her wrist, removing the handkerchief from his pants himself.

Was he uncomfortable with her touching his body?

As Rogelia, surprised and bewildered, looked at Claus with a confused expression, he suddenly pulled her arm, lowering his head over her shoulder.

While Rogelia was frozen in place due to the sensation of soft feathers on her neck, he, with a subdued voice, asked.

“Do you use the same perfume as Rogelia?”