“Well… it was faint when we met before, so others might not have noticed. But now, the scent is stronger, and soon others will recognize it too.”

Roselia looked at the Crown Prince as if she was hearing a foreign language, completely baffled.

“Did you have any parents or ancestors from the Rapelios bloodline?”

“…No.”

As far as she knew from the original story, that was the case.

Precisely, it was hardly mentioned as she was just an extra maid in the background.

Roselia was entrusted to the Hesingk Baron’s family at the age of four after her mother remarried.

Since her mother died from a chronic illness when Roselia was only six, before entering the Baron’s family, there was nothing known about her past.

But even so, an extra maid being from the Rapelios bloodline…

After a moment’s contemplation, Roselia shook her head as if it was absurd to even consider it.

“The scent will probably grow stronger over time. If you can’t control it, it might cause you trouble, so consider this a friendly advice.”

Roselia frowned, wondering if the Crown Prince was mocking her.

Fragrance, my foot. She could smell her own sweat from carrying paintings, not any fragrance.

Even the Crown Princess, whom she was with just before, didn’t mention any scent.

Either the Crown Prince’s nose was strange, or he was definitely trying to mock her.

“As for the records about the scent… never mind. Believe it or not, it’s up to you.”

“Yes, Your Highness. Thank you for the advice. I must go now, I’m busy…”

Seizing the opportunity, Roselia started to move away.

Or, she would have, had the Crown Prince not suddenly stretched his arm in front of her face to block her path.

As Roselia looked at him quizzically, tilting an eyebrow, the Crown Prince’s gaze on her turned sharper than before.

“It seems you met with the Crown Princess today.”

His eyes, which had previously discussed the Crown Princess, had now turned cold.

Roselia turned her head away, feigning indifference.

“It was an errand for the young lady.”

“What could a newly debuted young lady possibly have so much to discuss with the Crown Princess? If there’s so much to talk about, why not meet her directly?”

“…I don’t know the details.”

As Roselia said this and tried to quickly slip under the Crown Prince’s arm, he suddenly grabbed her wrist and stopped her.
Roselia frowned and glared at the Crown Prince in a déjà vu-like situation.

“Please let go.”

“I believe I did something similar here before. Next time, you will have to answer my questions properly.”

Why is he so sharp when it comes to the Crown Princess, especially after talking about friendship just moments ago?

Roselia knew about his trauma regarding the nobility and the Herden Duke’s family from the original story, but facing his coldness in person was a different story.

That’s when it happened.

Suddenly, someone emerged from the palace building, blocking their way.

As Roselia gazed at the towering figure with wide eyes, a familiar voice came from the man.

“Let go of her hand.”

Realizing the man’s identity, Roselia’s eyes widened even more.

“Duke Balthazar. I am having an important conversation, so I would appreciate it if you would leave.”

Despite the Crown Prince’s icy voice, Klaus responded coolly without any intimidation.

“She belongs to the Duke’s estate. Only I have the authority to command Antonio.”

His words were merely stating the master-servant relationship, but for some reason, Roselia’s heart started racing unexpectedly.

Confused by the sudden fluttering in her chest, Roselia shifted her gaze.

The Crown Prince, paying no heed to her, glared at Klaus and spoke.

“Feeling guilty about something?”

“You are hardly in a position to interrogate the Crown Princess, Your Highness.”

It was a pointed remark about the Crown Prince dancing with Roselia at the closet debutante ball, ignoring the Crown Princess.

The Crown Prince, taken aback by Klaus’s assertive response, released Roselia’s wrist, brushed back his hair irritably, and retorted.

“Duke Balthazar. Remember that such undue interference only arouses more suspicion.”

“…….”

After saying that, the Crown Prince turned and left irritably.

In the tense atmosphere, Roselia looked at Klaus and bowed her head cautiously.

“Thank you for helping me, Duke…”

Although Klaus had indeed helped her out of a difficult situation, he remained looking in the direction where the Crown Prince had disappeared.

Thinking that Klaus was upset because of the Crown Prince, Roselia was about to quietly leave when she heard his low, stern voice.

“I told you to stay away from the Crown Princess.”

Hovering around… it sounded like she was pestering the Crown Princess, which could easily be misunderstood by others.

Feeling unjustly accused, Roselia furrowed her brow to protest but then composed herself and spoke calmly.

“That’s… I am entangled in a contract with the Crown Princess.”

Only then did Klaus’s cold gaze fall sharply on Roselia.

“Then end that contract relationship.”

“No, as I said before… how I pay off my debts is my business…”

“Damn it!”

Roselia stared at Klaus in shock as he suddenly cursed.