Escorted by knights who quickly cleared the surroundings, the carriage carrying Roselia and Johannes arrived at an inn located on the outskirts of the city.

Knowing that news of her return to the Duke’s residence would reach the Duke’s associates, Johannes seemed to deliberately take care of her.

After securing the largest room at the inn, Johannes entered first and promptly prepared warm tea for her.

“Have you calmed down a bit?”

Sitting blankly at the table like a statue, Roselia finally accepted the warm tea he offered.

“Thank you…”

Concerned, Johannes, who had been watching her absentminded state, cautiously spoke, “Roselia… I’ve mentioned this before, but if there’s anything you need, feel free to tell me anytime.”

In response to his warm words, Roselia, looking down at the cup from which the warmth emanated, slowly spoke.

“Marquis.”

“Yes?”

“Is the offer you made before still valid?”

At Roselia’s calm inquiry, Johannes looked at her with a mixture of surprise and confusion.

Raising her head decisively toward him, Roselia spoke with a determined expression.

“To go together to Raphelios.”

Johannes showed a surprised and bewildered expression in response to Roselia’s unexpected statement.

“Are you serious?”

As Klaus’s face flashed in her mind for a moment, Roselia, closing her eyes tightly, firmly continued speaking.

“Yes. As soon as possible, please.”

Upon hearing the news of Klaus’s return, a sense of relief had taken over, but more than that, anxiety had firmly taken root.

Despite her efforts to avoid the original plot, events drawing closer to the original and fateful connections were unfolding.

Now that Klaus was back, there was no escaping the unavoidable, unfortunate events that would come as they got closer to each other.

Unable to change the original work, unable to choose Klaus over Prince Hugo, resentment and bitterness for Klaus, who nearly died because she chose otherwise…

All the fears of getting entangled in the original plot were becoming more pronounced.

She couldn’t bear it anymore.

With a sorrowful expression, Roselia closed her eyes as if hiding her emotions.

Watching her with concern, Johannes cautiously spoke.

“Anyway, since we were planning to leave tomorrow, we can head to Raphelios directly from here…”

Saying so, Johannes, looking at her reaction, awkwardly continued, “Is it really… okay to go like this?”

In response to Johannes’s worried voice, Roselia, gently opening her eyes, faced him with a resolute gaze.

“Yes… it doesn’t matter.”

In the face of her determined expression, Johannes nodded silently without pressing further.

“Let’s rest here for tonight and leave tomorrow. How about that?”

“Such a damned woman. She’s like a little mouse. She slipped away again, didn’t she?”
In response to the irritable voice of Duke Rubellio, a shadowy figure clad in a robe lowered its head.

“It couldn’t be helped. Marquis Yukiliode appeared with the knights…”

“Did that damned Marquis mention the Queen’s faction?”

“Yes. It seems he intercepted our confidential letter sent to the nobles of the Queen’s faction and took the initiative.”

Upon the man’s words, the Duke grumbled involuntarily.

“Why the hell can’t the scoundrels of Raphelios manage even a single letter!”

Unable to endure, the Duke threw a glass, took a deep breath, and adjusted his attire while calming his breath.

“So, what about that woman?”

“It seems she is still with Marquis Yukiliode.”

“That guy, even at the royal trial, spread rumors… I really don’t like him.”

At that moment, outside the study door where they were, along with a knocking sound, came the voice of the Duchess.

“My Lord Duke.”

Annoyed, the Duke directed a sharp gaze at the door and asked in an irritable tone, “What’s the matter?”

“What is happening?”

“Marquis Valtesar has come to visit.”

Unexpected news caused the Duke and the shadowy figure to lock eyes.

Immediately, the Duke, with a hardened expression, signaled to the man and issued his final command.

“Keep a shadow on Marquis Yukiliode as well.”

“Yes.”
Simultaneously with the response, the Duke, confirming the man hiding in the study’s back door, calmly opened the study door.

At his appearance, the Duchess, tilting her head, displayed an irritated expression.

“Marquis Valtesar has come?”

“I have escorted him to the reception room for now.”

Following the guidance of the Duchess, the Duke, with crossed legs, observed Marquis Valtesar, who was sitting comfortably, and furrowed his brows with a displeased expression.

As Valtesar walked to the opposite side of Klaus and took a seat, Klaus’s chilly gaze was directed at him.

Ignoring Klaus’s stern look, the Duke naturally assumed a knowing demeanor with a relaxed smile.

“It’s been a while! Haha. But, without any notice, what brings you here, Marquis?”

In response to the Duke’s leisurely smile, Klaus, releasing his crossed legs, leaned on his elbows on his knees and spoke seriously.

“Let’s skip the superficial greetings. Where is Antonio?”