Back as Antonio, Roselia was sharing stories of the debutante ball with Clozet in her room.

Clozet had become even more comfortable around her, treating her like a sister, since she found out Roselia was a woman.

While enjoying a light refreshment in Clozet’s room after the successful party, Clozet suddenly asked with wide, curious eyes, “But how do you know the crown prince?”

“Uh… it’s more like… I only know his face.”

“You only know his face, and he asked you to dance?”

“Yes…”

The truth was the crown prince would have danced with any woman in the ballroom. His sole purpose was to distort the crown princess’s expression.

It seemed like he failed to achieve that, though.

“So, the crown prince met you when you were a woman?”

She had met him as a servant, but revealing that would only lead to more questions. So, Roselia awkwardly smiled it off.

“Yes, well…”

“Even though you’re pretty, it’s surprising the crown prince asked you to dance, especially with the crown princess right there.”

He did it precisely because the crown princess was there, but Roselia gave up explaining the adults’ complicated matters to the still-young Clozet.

However, Clozet’s relentless questions continued.

“Ah, right. Klaus chased you down like he was hunting prey. Were you caught?”

Should she say she was caught or not…

“Um… it’s complicated… but, essentially, Duke Klaus doesn’t know I am Roselia.”

“He can be quite oblivious in such matters…”

Clozet rolled her eyes, and Roselia, feeling a bit anxious, put on a serious face.

“You’ll keep the secret from the duke, right?”

“Of course! Unless Roselia herself says otherwise, I’ll keep it a secret until death. Oh, but… how should I call you? Roselia? Antonio?”

“Please call me Antonio, just like before, so we don’t get caught.”

“Okay, Antonio.”

Clozet smiled brightly, clearly delighted at sharing a secret with Roselia.

Watching her, Roselia let out a sighing smile, looking at her like a sister. Then, she slowly stood up.

“I think it’s late; I should head back to my room.”

“Okay! Be careful of Klaus on your way back. He moves silently like a ghost.”

Clozet shivered as if telling a ghost story, and Roselia chuckled.

Knowing that Clozet had opened up a bit more to Klaus at the debutante ball today, Roselia bid farewell and stepped out of the room into the dark hallway.

The servants, exhausted from the evening’s festivities, had apparently retired to their rooms early.

As she quietly walked down the eerily quiet corridor, a familiar and chilling voice reached her ears.

“Leaving Clozet’s room, I see.”

Klaus, apparently just coming from the study in casual attire, was watching her intently from the shadows.

Though startled enough to scream, Roselia maintained her composure and calmly replied.

“Yes… Miss seems to be still excited from her debutante ball.”

Having said that, Roselia bowed her head and walked past him. But then, his low voice stopped her in her tracks.

“I didn’t get to say this during the party because it was so hectic…”

His uncharacteristically trailing voice made Roselia turn around, tensely.

Looking intently at her, Klaus seemed embarrassed and mumbled softly.
“Thank you for various reasons. For helping prepare Clozet’s debutante ball and for telling me what’s important to her…”

Hearing his unexpected words, Roselia looked at him with wide eyes, wondering if she had heard wrong.

Klaus himself seemed unfamiliar with saying such things, quickly composing himself and returning to his usual cold demeanor.

“You suddenly disappeared during the party, where did you go?”

At that time, she was already before him as Roselia, but she couldn’t risk revealing that, so she quickly replied with a bit of panic.

“Well… they said they were short-handed, and since I am a servant of the ducal house, I helped out for a while.”

“Is that so? There seemed to be more attendees than the budget allowed.”

His face lit up with understanding as he thought about the financial aspect.

“The party guest list included Roselia de Hesingk. Were you aware of that?”

Roselia’s shoulders tensed involuntarily at his question.

Despite his casual tone, the look Klaus gave her was sharp, like a victor about to close a deal.

“Yes, I was aware of it.”

Staring straight into his steely blue eyes, she replied confidently.

“Really? You hide your sister from me, but let her walk into the lion’s den and just watch?”

“I don’t have the right to stop her choices.”

Responding confidently, Roselia met Klaus’s gaze, which now curved up slightly at the corners.

“One thing is certain.”

She looked at him, puzzled.

“Your lies to me.”

His penetrating gaze made Roselia avert her eyes slightly.

“And even using a fake death certificate in those lies.”

She couldn’t deny it, but she quickly retorted, not wanting to give him complete control.

“I had no choice at that time. I couldn’t trust what kind of person you were.”

Klaus touched his chin thoughtfully at her calm response.

“Fine. I won’t pry into the past any further.”