Before Klaus could even open his mouth, Roselia interrupted him with a firm voice.

“From now on, I’ll make sure to send the money through my brother Antonio. I’d rather not have any more unpleasant encounters like this.”

With that, Roselia turned sharply and walked out.

Klaus, furrowing his brow, watched her leave but couldn’t bring himself to stop her.

Bang! Roselia slammed the door as she left.

For a while, Klaus stared at the door through which she had disappeared, then silently looked down at the money pouch.

Sleep with me… What was he thinking, spouting such nonsense that was so unlike him?

Moreover, he was someone who detested the idea of paying for a woman’s company.

He had blurted out something absurd and ridiculous, probably because his nerves were frayed by the school construction issue and Antonio being held up by the crown prince earlier.

Exhaling deeply, Klaus slumped onto the sofa, looking exhausted.

Back as Antonio, Roselia, a servant in the duke’s house and a domestic in the closet, stared blankly at the sky.

She was lost in thought, her gaze fixed on nothing in particular, suddenly ruffling her short black hair with both hands.

The oppressive feeling and the strange tension she felt when she was trapped in his arms the previous evening kept haunting her, making her head feel like it was about to explode.

‘Sleep with me,’ indeed…! How could that money-obsessed duke say such a thing!

She oscillated between anger and disbelief, resentment and astonishment.

She had thought the duke, preoccupied with money and work, had no interest in women, but was he still a man in that regard?

Roselia, who had been dazed, suddenly started fussing, attracting the attention of Closet, who was munching on cookies.

“Antonio, is something bothering you?”

Caught off guard by Closet’s sudden question, Roselia, who had just remembered she was in the middle of tea time with Closet, smiled awkwardly.

“Worried? Why would I be?”

As Roselia tried to brush it off, Closet looked at her suspiciously.

“You entered the mansion dressed as a woman yesterday… Did something happen with Klaus?”

At Closet’s mention of ‘something happening,’ Roselia, suddenly reminded of her encounter with Klaus, blushed and recoiled.

“Nothing happened! Wh-What could possibly happen? The duke only cares about money and work!”

Closet, taken aback by Roselia’s overreaction, responded with a surprised expression.

“I was just asking if Klaus suspected your identity.”

Realizing she had jumped to conclusions, Roselia awkwardly laughed and rolled her eyes.

“Ah… No, nothing like that. I just gave him the money and left.”

At least for now…

Trying to avoid Closet’s gaze, Roselia forced an awkward smile.

Suddenly, Closet stood up with excitement.

“Great! Let’s go for a picnic by the lake!”

“What??”

Startled by Closet’s sudden picnic idea, Roselia wore a bewildered expression, to which Closet responded with a mischievous smile and a wink.

“I actually have something I want to share with you in private.”

It was already quiet and private here…

In truth, the nanny Melda, who was serving them, was completely loyal to Closet, practically like a wall.

Confused, Roselia agreed, seeing Closet’s excitement, and nodded.

Reaching the giant lake within the duke’s estate, Roselia stood dumbfounded.

On the edge of the lake was an intricately decorated boat, complete with frills and lace.

“What are you waiting for? Hurry up and get in!”

As Roselia stood there, dazed, an excited Closet lightly stepped onto the boat.
Roselia, realizing only belatedly that the picnic was to be held on a boat, asked in alarm.

“Get on, you say?”

“Hurry up!”

Closet, already on board and comfortably seated, waved her hand, beckoning Roselia to join.

Then, Melda, who had quietly approached, handed Roselia a picnic basket.

It was a signal to board with it.

Resigned, Roselia took the basket and climbed onto the boat, sitting opposite Closet.

The boat had already begun to smoothly glide over the lake.

“Why a boat all of a sudden?”

As Roselia asked curiously, Closet, trying to be festive, took off her flower-decorated hat and handed it to Roselia.

She meant for Roselia to hold it.

Roselia smiled wryly and placed Closet’s hat neatly on her lap.

“We have something important to discuss, just between us.”

Closet’s voice lowered as if they were sharing state secrets in the middle of the lake, prompting Roselia to smile wryly in response.

“What is it?”

“A letter arrived from Her Highness the crown princess today.”

“The crown princess?”

Surprised by the unexpected topic, Roselia’s expression turned bewildered as Closet placed a finger over her lips and frowned.

“Shh!”

As if someone could hear them in the middle of the lake…

“The crown princess invited you and me to dinner tomorrow evening.”

“You and me?”

It was unexpected, but not entirely unforeseen.

Roselia had been meeting the crown princess quietly but with the crown prince’s ongoing suspicion, it made sense to include Closet for safety.