While Closet responded irritably, suddenly, in Roselia’s mind, the memory of finding a Wolfsbane plant on the school grounds came to the surface.

Could it have been a means to divert attention?

She thought that someone targeting the Duke might intentionally be trying to distract his attention, waiting for him to let his guard down.

But if the person were of that level, they wouldn’t have been absent from the original work…

What am I missing from the original?

Although Klaus appeared as a black sheep threatening the Empire and the royal family, in reality, Roselia didn’t know if Klaus was not involved.

Someone who framed the Duke, using the Duke’s power to bring down the royal family and gain an advantage.

In an instant, something flashed in Roselia’s mind, and she stiffened, staring into space.

Returning from the Viscount’s estate, Roselia went straight to Klaus’s study.

When Roselia reached the study, she didn’t hesitate and knocked on the door.

“It’s Antonio!”

Upon Roselia’s urgent voice, permission to enter was immediately granted from inside.

Seeing her somewhat anxious appearance, Klaus, putting down his documents, asked curiously, “What’s the matter?”

Without averting her gaze from Klaus, Roselia firmly spoke, “It’s about the pattern I told you about. Could it be the emblem of a certain family?”

She was referring to the pattern she had drawn.

Similar to the badge worn by those targeting Roselia—the emblem…

Klaus, unimpressed, responded with a cold tone, “I told you not to care about that matter.”

Even with Klaus drawing a line, Roselia did not step back and continued speaking, “It might be the emblem of a specific family. Please look into it more closely.”

Sensing that Roselia wouldn’t easily back off, Klaus sighed deeply and spoke coldly, “That pattern was investigated a while ago. It’s not a family emblem.”

After a moment of silence following Klaus’s words, Roselia, with a determined expression, spoke, “Then… Could you investigate the organization under Duke Rubellio?”

Klaus frowned at Roselia’s words, “Duke Rubellio?”

Even though Klaus looked puzzled, Roselia met his gaze with a resolute look.

Although not properly introduced in the original work, she knew of his existence through the setting.

Duke Rubellio, the next in line after the Crown Prince, the successor to the throne.

He was the younger brother of the former Emperor and the uncle of the current Crown Prince.

According to the plan, after the Emperor’s death, the Crown Prince was supposed to ascend to the throne. However, due to the nobility council deeming the Crown Prince still lacking in qualities, the coronation ceremony was delayed.

And in secret, the talk about the recognized heir to the throne spread—Duke Rubellio. If there were a clash between the Imperial family and the Valtazar Duchy, the one who would benefit the most would be Duke Rubellio.
Having the power to check a Marquis, wielding influence beyond the Duke’s estate within the aristocratic class, and, with luck, even being able to handle the thorny Crown Prince—this could be a jackpot.

Even if the Marquis’s rebellion were to fail, Duke Rubellio would suffer no losses. Instead, it might turn out to be a situation where the Crown Prince, who had been overshadowed by the Marquis within the aristocratic class, would take care of him.

With a composed face, Roselia addressed Klaus in a measured tone.

“Please thoroughly investigate the organization under Duke Rubellio. There might be an organization related to that emblem.”

“Antonio, do you understand what you’re talking about?”

“Yes.”

The Duke’s estate was still firmly within the royal class. Roselia’s statement was at the level of insulting or conspiring against the royal class.

“Do you understand what it means to suspect the Duke’s estate?”

“I believe it’s better to be prepared in advance than to find out late and be caught off guard.”

“Ha…”

Whether it was Roselia or Antonio, they were like unpredictable siblings.

But even while thinking that way, there was no way not to be concerned.

Moreover, what Antonio just said was a significant statement, whether it was true or not. A single mistake in words could lead to an unnoticed murder.

“Let me say it again; don’t get involved in this matter.”

Klaus warned firmly, his voice growling like a warning.

“Don’t ask questions. Don’t utter those words anywhere else, ever again.”

Frustrated by Klaus’s attempts to avoid the topic, Roselia countered impatiently.

“If Duke Rubellio is the culprit, just staying like this will only play into their hands!”

Suddenly, a sound was heard outside the window, as if something had collided with the glass.

Before Roselia could react, Klaus swiftly approached her, muffling her mouth, and stared outside the window.

“Darn it, Antonio. Not even a Marquis’s mansion is completely safe. So, please…”

Roselia felt Klaus’s rough breath for a moment as he desperately covered her mouth.

In the urgency of blocking her mouth, their bodies were unnaturally close.

Suddenly, the incident on the terrace of the Imperial banquet hall, where Klaus covered Roselia’s mouth to avoid the Crown Prince, came to mind.

She couldn’t understand why that incident from back then was resurfacing now while she was with Antonio.

The intense emotions and tingling sensation from back then… Everything felt so similar.

Why did she feel a similar emotion to back then with Antonio, her brother…

Klaus, feeling an odd sensation in his palm, furrowed his eyebrows and looked down at Roselia.

Roselia, too, gazed up at him with eyes full of uncertainty.