His sincere gaze that didn’t seem to be telling lies.

Duke Baltazar, who couldn’t speak empty words even in lies, always expressed himself directly to her…

Although she considered her relationship with him dangerous, deep down in her heart, she felt this anticipation.

Could he really be sincere with me?

Roselia soon vigorously nodded.

If it’s sincere… as someone who should avoid the original work, it wasn’t a favorable situation.

But her death, which was expected to happen to the Crown Prince in the original, had already been avoided once.

Perhaps… if she could change the future of the original work…

If so, wouldn’t it be okay to be a bit greedy?

While she was absorbed in confusing thoughts, the count’s voice suddenly rang out.

“As you get older, you realize. Money and honor are all useless.”

“What?”

The count, who was drawing an invisible landscape, casually muttered words that made Roselia curious.

Even with her question, the count continued to speak while moving his brush.

“Loving and living happily with the person you cherish for even one more day. That’s the best.”

Thinking of the count’s words, Roselia, associating him with Klaus, was suddenly surprised.

Thinking about it quietly, it seemed that the count was thinking of his deceased spouse.

The count and the deceased countess, who prioritized the honor and loyalty of the country, probably couldn’t spend much time together as a wealthy couple.

“When I die, the succession of the Count’s title will go to you.”

“What? What is that…”

In response to Roselia’s sudden question, the count immediately continued his words.

“My property will also go to you when I die.”

“Grandfather!”

Even to Roselia’s surprised voice, the count casually responded while playing with his brush.

“Whether you accept the title or the property is up to you. It’s just that my mind would be at ease this way.”

Roselia’s expression looking at the back of the count drawing was dumbfounded.

“Whether you’re my biological child or not doesn’t matter. Whether you’re a man or a woman, the Antonio I know is you. This is a choice I made.”

Did she notice that she was a woman? While doing that, did he trust her without asking or questioning?

“So you don’t need to feel burdened. The choice in front of you is also your responsibility.”

Roselia, whose chest inexplicably ached, pressed her chest tightly and bit her lip.

Yes, the choice is my responsibility…

Unbeknownst to her, the count’s painting was approaching completion.

In his seemingly simple landscape, people enjoying a party in a peaceful garden were drawn.

It was a party held in the duke’s garden just a while ago.

Looking at the painting with Closet and Eileen frolicking, Johannes and Abel laughing, a smile unconsciously appeared on Roselia’s lips.
In the original work, the painting of Count Bernas, who used to depict only war, was filled with warm individuals and laughter rather than war and death.

With a resolute expression, Roselia, standing in front of the office, knocked on the door.

“Duke, it’s Antonio.”

“Come in.”

As Roselia walked in with a determined expression, Klaus, who had an expression of curiosity as he lowered the documents, tilted his head and asked.

“Come to think of it, is it time for the pheromone scent control training?”

“No, I came for another matter.”

“Another matter?”

Saying that, Roselia approached with a firm expression, quietly placing a pouch of money on Klaus’s desk.

Looking down at the pouch, Klaus’s expression crumpled.

Ignoring Klaus’s expression, Roselia nonchalantly spoke.

“The remaining debt to be repaid to the Duke.”

Klaus, with a sternly fixed expression, moistened his lips that wouldn’t loosen.

“Roselia… I told you it’s unnecessary to repay the debt…”

“I said I will repay it.”

To Klaus’s firm words, he sighed and swept his bangs back.

“Ha… right, I see. Anyway, it’s a bit difficult to accept it now.”

“Difficult to accept?”

At her puzzled question, he hesitated for a long time, touching his forehead, before he quietly opened his mouth.

“If I accept, won’t you leave the Duke’s residence?”

At his voice that seemed somewhat uneasy, Roselia tightly closed her lips. A self-deprecating smile appeared on Klaus’s lips as he gazed at her.

“I tied you up with the debt, so you’d leave, right?”

Klaus, who had a bitter expression, soon hardened his expression firmly.

“So, I can’t accept it. It might sound petty, but I want to keep you even if it’s with something like this.”

While she still had her lips tightly closed, Klaus, who seemed to be trying to say something in frustration, when he was about to open his mouth, Roselia calmly spoke.

“The Duke’s debt has all been repaid. So, please treat me as an equal partner from now on, not as a maid.”

“So the debt is repaid later… what?”

Thinking that Roselia would leave the mansion, Klaus, who belatedly understood her words, stared at her blankly.

Ignoring his expression, Roselia casually continued.