Only Klaus, with an intensely cold gaze, silently faced the messenger.

“If you ignore this and attempt to leave Valtezar Manor or any suspicious movements are detected, be aware that you may be executed immediately on charges of treason.”

Closet, unable to bear the unheard-of accusation, took a step forward.

“What, treason? What is this nonsense…!”

“Calm down, Closet. If you stay quiet, the truth of the royal suspicion will be revealed.”

Ignoring Klaus’s advice, Closet glared at the messenger with simmering anger.

On the other hand, Klaus, without any wavering, maintained his composure and coldly addressed the messenger.

“I don’t know on what grounds you are accusing me of treason, but you should be aware that you are wasting your efforts.”
At the cool Duke’s warning, the messenger twisted his lips in a smirk.

“Today, a servant from the Valtezar Manor was caught trying to steal the royal seal in the palace. Could it be that the servant, intending to use the royal seal, attempted theft?”

A servant of the Valtezar Manor…

In an instant, Klaus’s entire body stiffened at the face that came to mind.

The atmosphere had completely changed from the calmness a moment ago, and Klaus, with furrowed brows, uttered a deeply lowered voice.

“Could it be that the servant’s name is Antonio?”

In a mood that chilled even with just his voice, the messenger swallowed hard and promptly replied.

“Indeed, you seem to know who the servant you ordered is.”

At the messenger’s words, Klaus’s eyes sparked.

As Klaus, in a sudden move towards the messenger, seemed to be about to leap, the knights, who had been on edge, were alarmed, brandishing their swords in front of him.

Closet and the servants of the Valtezar Manor were equally surprised by his abrupt actions.

“Klaus!”

As the knights raised their swords, Closet, shocked, called out to Klaus like a scream.

As other knights rushed to restrain him, Klaus shouted like a roar.

“Damn it, this is a set-up! Let go of me!”

The composed and calm Duke Valtezar, who had lost his composure, spoke with a raised eyebrow, opening his mouth.

“Duke Valtezar, did you forget the message I delivered a while ago? If the Duke continues to act, it will be considered acknowledging treason, and both the Duke and the imprisoned servant will be executed immediately.”

Only then did Klaus’s rebellion come to a sudden halt.

His demeanor, which not only affected himself but also hinted at the possibility of Roselia’s death due to his actions, made his expression turn cold.

Relinquishing his resistance with a sudden loss of strength, Klaus, with his arms forcefully restrained, snarled in anger and humiliation.

“Grrr…!”

As Klaus, in this pitiful state, glared numbly at the messenger, the Duke, who had remained composed and cold, addressed the messenger with a flat gaze.

“It is clear that someone framed Antonio.”

“The truth will be revealed at the royal trial tomorrow.”

After the messenger said so, the knights, who had restrained Klaus, stepped back behind the messenger.

In the frustrating situation where Klaus’s words seemed to have no effect, someone suddenly grabbed his sleeve as he tried to step forward.

As Klaus, shaking with weak strength, turned his gaze, Closet’s frightened face was visible as she shook her head.

In the current situation where the word “execution” was floating around, it must be an extremely terrifying situation for Closet, who had trauma related to the death of her family.

With a frightened expression on Closet’s face, Klaus, who had stiffened his shoulders, could only let out a sigh as if he had resigned himself to the situation.

Moonlight seeped through the small crack in the dark and damp royal prison window, casting a pitiful glow on the stone floor.
Under that dim light, a small figure huddled with their knees wrapped around, revealing the small shadow.

Roselia, who had buried her face in her knees, slowly raised her head to gaze down at the moonlight caught in her shackles.

Did the original Roselia feel this way with death looming before her?

The injustice, anger up to her throat, and the emptiness that cooled even that anger overwhelmed her.

Was this the same feeling the original Roselia, who had faced immediate execution, experienced?

Being the one who knew Prince Esteban from the original work the best…

At this time, she doubted and questioned everything, not trusting anyone’s words, especially during the royal trial.

A royal trial… Was it any better than the original where she was summarily executed?

A self-deprecating smile appeared on Roselia’s lips at the absurd thought.

Oddly enough, at this worst moment, she found herself hoping that Klaus wouldn’t intervene in this matter.

Had he developed some affection during this time?

Or… perhaps, like the original Roselia…

Just as she was breaking free from those thoughts, a sudden black shadow cast itself over her.

Thinking it might be a soldier guarding the prison, Roselia, with little energy, slowly raised her head to see a mysterious figure draped in a black robe.

Could it be a shadow sent by Klaus?

Anxiety flashed in Roselia’s eyes as she looked up at the man.

If there’s a mistake, not only she but also Klaus could be in danger.

The shadowy figure, meeting her anxious gaze, silently looked down at her.

“Is it the shadow sent by the Duke? It’s dangerous. If the soldiers catch you…”

In an instant, the figure slowly pushed back the hood of the black robe it wore.

And as the figure’s face was revealed, Roselia’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Duke…?”

Klaus, looking at Roselia crouched on the cold stone floor, had a pained expression on his face.

“Roselia…”