Currently, with Johannes leading Viscount Yucileod, the Empress faction had somewhat stabilized its position. Still, the concubine factions were always waiting for an opportunity to weaken the vulnerable Viscount Yucileod.

It seemed safer to leave Cecilia here until he became stronger, solidified Viscount Yucileod’s position, and uprooted those factions.

This thought was evident in Johannes’s expression.

⭐⭐⭐

Claude was glaring at the door with a displeased expression.

Antonio, who was summoned by him, opened the library door and entered.

Called at a late hour, Antonio, dressed neatly as a servant, stood still, unsure.

Seeing Claude silently glare without saying a word, Antonio cautiously spoke up.

“Uh… Duke Valtazar… sir?”

Even with Antonio’s voice, Claude continued to glare in silence.
Claude learned about today’s events through the shadow attached to Antonio.

“Damn, found another imperial palace,” he said, and, of all places, he met Duke Rubellios at that location.

He had explicitly told Antonio not to go to the imperial palace and not to get involved with Duke Rubellios. Why on earth did this stubborn servant not heed his warning?

“Uh… Did you summon me because you have something to order?”

Antonio’s question, spoken in a tone of ignorance, elicited a hollow laughter from Claude, unaware of the burning anger within.

“An order…? Ha… Yeah, there is.”

Having said that, Claude approached Antonio menacingly.

Before he knew it, a wall had touched the back of Antonio, who reflexively took a step back.

Touching the wall beside Antonio’s head, Claude looked down at him dangerously.

It was incomprehensible.

How did Antonio know about Duke Rubellios? How did a mere fallen viscount’s son know about the emblem of Rubellios’ organization?

To what extent did he know about the Duke’s activities?

And why was he so anxious and restless about this seemingly misguided person?

“I need to check.”

“What do you mean by checking…?”

It was inexplicable why he felt such a wicked desire from Antonio’s round eyes that widened like a frightened rabbit.

Antonio swallowed dryly as he gazed at Claude’s dangerous bluish eyes.

“Antonio de Hesing.”

Claude’s voice calling him had a deeply buried tone.

Contrary to his initial intention of making a strong statement, when the familiar scent of Antonio touched his nose, Claude’s head became murky.

Moreover, the fragrance seemed to touch upon a lurid desire deep within him.

“I told you not to wear that damn perfume, didn’t I?”

“I never said I wouldn’t wear anything like perfume.”

Claude felt unjustly accused by Antonio, but his resentment grew as he stared at him with sparkling green eyes.

Claude, who finished speaking calmly, felt more agitated by Antonio’s accusing gaze.

Despite feeling the danger in Claude’s shining indigo eyes, Antonio looked at him with a mixture of embarrassment and awkwardness.

However, even for a moment, Claude sensed a faint warmth in those fearful eyes.

Damn, it’s dangerous…

“Your Grace…?”

Claude tried to suppress his boiling emotions and took a deep breath without revealing the boiling emotions.

He had intended to question Antonio firmly, but he had no idea why the situation had turned into this.

Why did his gaze and voice alone make him so restless?

Perhaps it was because Antonio resembled Roselia, he tried to convince himself and justify, but damn, his body wouldn’t listen.

This must be because the siblings were shrouded in mystery.

Even though he thought he knew everything on paper, the more he knew about them, the more secretive they became.
The mystery stimulated and intrigued him even more.

Yes, that’s it.

“I told you, Antonio, I find hidden things like a ghost.”

Contrary to his intention, his voice was excessively husky and fragmented.

Well, whatever. If he learns everything about Antonio, perhaps these incomprehensible desires and emotions will fade away.

It has to be that way.

“I need to know what you’re hiding.”

At Klaus’s meaningful words, confusion flickered in Roselia’s eyes.

It was dangerous.

She had thought she had avoided his gaze so far, but now the fear arose that he might know everything.

Despite denying it several times, Roselia was no fool; she knew what this undercurrent meant.

He is too close.

She keenly felt the stiffness in his muscles.

His breath felt like it was descending upon her ear, reaching the edge of her neck.

Startled by the wind, Roselia reflexively pushed Klaus away.

Klaus, who stepped back a few paces, looked at her with as much confusion as she felt.

Then, belatedly realizing, Klaus, with a rough motion, swept his bangs upwards and uttered a raspy voice.

“Don’t try to hide from my gaze. The more you do, the more I want to uncover.”

To understand his meaning, Roselia’s gaze shook with confusion.

Klaus also knew well how his words might sound in the current atmosphere.

He, too, was still uncertain about his own emotions.

Finally, Klaus, wearing a self-deprecating smile, continued his words.

“I hope you never recklessly wander into the royal palace again and encounter the Grand Duke. Regardless of what you know or what you’re hiding about the Grand Duke, it doesn’t matter.”

Only then did Roselia realize that he called her to address the royal affairs.

Although it might have seemed that way initially, Klaus’s eyes contained a different meaning.