Klaus clenched his fist as he looked at Roselia’s slightly parted red lips. How could he have thought of this woman as a man? Her soft body, those lips, and every expression looking down at him spoke of a woman… How could this woman deceive herself into thinking she was a man in such a defenseless state?

Suddenly, a sinister intention arose in Klaus, and he leaned in, bringing his lips close to hers, whispering quietly, “Still won’t talk?”

Startled by his provocation, Roselia turned her head with a start and calmly replied, concealing her trembling voice, “I… have nothing to hide.”

He could feel her body trembling as they stood close together. He recalled her from just a while ago, moaning and shivering on top of him that night.

In response to her small gesture reminiscent of that moment, Klaus felt tension running through his whole body. Menacingly, he whispered, “Unlike that filthy mouth of yours, your body is quite honest, isn’t it?”

It was then.

Amidst the thickening tension, a knock on the door accompanied a familiar voice.

“Your Grace, it’s Alejandro.”

The air, which had grown tense, dissipated in an instant. Klaus, glancing disapprovingly at the door, seized the opportunity. Roselia quickly slipped out of Klaus’s arms.

“I, I will leave now.”

Klaus, who was staring at the retreating Roselia with dissatisfaction, called her in a subdued voice, “Antonio.”

Turning toward the door, Roselia, responding to his call, subtly turned her head. Klaus spoke with a bitter tone as he gazed at her.

“I hope you don’t keep me waiting for too long.”

Gazing at her, who seemed somewhat forlorn, Klaus whispered to himself.

Alejandro, who had been watching her with dissatisfaction, entered through the open door. Klaus, paying no attention to whether he entered or not, slumped tiredly on the sofa in the study.

Approaching him, Alejandro asked inquisitively, “Are you alright?”

“What?”

“Your expression seems as if you’ve just circled the entire mansion.”

Seeing Klaus soaked in sweat, he inquired. Annoyed, Klaus furrowed his brow and replied coldly, “Just finished my rounds.”

At his icy voice, Alejandro quietly spoke about his assigned tasks. “It seems the shadows of the Grand Duke’s household have withdrawn. It looks like even the painter Abelora has evacuated from the Marquis’s house.”

“Suddenly?”

“They withdrew several days ago, but we continued surveillance as someone was still lingering around the Grand Duke’s vicinity.”

“Just one person?”
“It seems the shadows of the Grand Duke’s household have withdrawn. It looks like even the houses of the Marquis and the painter Abelora have evacuated.”

“Suddenly?”

“They withdrew a few days ago, but we’ve been monitoring someone lurking around the Grand Duke’s vicinity. Well-trained shadows do not seem to be, but they have been circling the Grand Duke for the past two weeks. Oh… the man you contacted about two weeks ago, Antonio, was the same person.”

Klaus, chin in hand, immersed himself in thought.

Is he the one they called an old friend?

Now that Antonio knows about Roselia, Klaus doubted whether the man she mentioned was a genuine friend.

“Look into more about him.”

As the closet, filled with dresses for the autumn, was being examined, Klaus, glancing at several dresses set aside, sighed regretfully.

“It’s a pity. I prepared plenty of dresses for Roselia along with mine, but…”

At the closet’s murmur, Roselia awkwardly smiled.

“I’ll gratefully accept your feelings.”

Watching Roselia sipping her tea nonchalantly, Klaus, rubbing his chin, murmured with a face full of suspicion.

“Isn’t it uncomfortable being in a male disguise?”

At the unexpected question from Klaus, Roselia, who was being looked at strangely, smiled brightly.

“Now, this feels comfortable.”

Raising both hands as if to surrender, Klaus sighed deeply, conceding defeat.

“If you need anything other than dresses, just let me know.”

Anything she needs… Suddenly, the unreasonable threat from Antonio came to mind.

To retrieve 2,000 Vellans… It wasn’t an amount that could be obtained overnight. The promised deadline was today. However, Klaus had no intention of yielding to Antonio’s absurd threats.

The debt Roselia paid off was 2,000 Vellans to the Marquis. It was ridiculous for Antonio to demand 2,000 Vellans, an amount that couldn’t be earned overnight.

Moreover, if she revealed the role-playing of Antonio, there was no guarantee that the current Antonio would remain unharmed.

If she knew Klaus, the man who had one hand missing, she was someone who could catch Antonio and settle the remaining debt.

Yes, revealing her true identity might not ensure her safety, considering she was the one who helped a drowning person and then demanded their bag.

Thinking about such things, Roselia wore a serious expression. In the meantime, Klaus, looking at the clock, hastily exclaimed.

“Oh, it’s time to visit Grandfather.”

Lately, it had become a routine for Klaus to visit Viscount Bernas once a day for condolences.