Finally, as the sense of reality flooded into this surreal situation, Roselia, greatly bewildered, withdrew herself from the terrace railing and Klaus’s arms that had confined her.

“Ah… Th-that…”

Like a mute, not a single proper word came out of her mouth.

Roselia, rolling her green eyes in embarrassment, finally lowered her head with a flushed face and, as if escaping, left the terrace.

Even as she left the terrace, Klaus remained trapped in the heat enveloping his entire body, gasping for breath.

Only after the cool night breeze passed by the place where she disappeared did Klaus slowly regain his composure. Realizing the situation, Klaus wiped his face roughly and leaned against the railing.

“Damn it…”

His deep navy eyes, staring at the wide-open terrace door, shook perplexedly.

Meanwhile, in the shadow on the opposite side of the corridor, someone was watching Klaus. That person seemed to have just spent a passionate time on the opposite terrace, judging by the disheveled shirt.

A man exuding an air of sophistication with silver hair approached, casually straightening his disheveled shirt. He lifted the corners of his mouth, seemingly amused by the scene he witnessed.

Entering the ballroom, Roselia, trying not to reveal her flushed face, lowered her head and grabbed a visible champagne glass.

Feeling refreshed as the cool and fizzy champagne passed through her throat, she began to regain her senses.

However, the image of the flushed Klaus and the warmth of his touch quickly came to mind again, and Roselia found herself grabbing another champagne glass next to it.

In her agitated state, the closet, who had noticed her, approached her in surprise.

“Roselia?”

Startled by the familiar voice of the closet, Roselia stiffened her shoulders.

It was awkward to face Klaus’s sister, Closet. However, without knowing the circumstances, Closet, with an expression of stern concern, snatched the champagne glass from Roselia’s hand.

“Why are you drinking so hastily? What if you get drunk?”

Unexpectedly, Closet’s protective behavior, seemingly younger than Roselia, ironically calmed Roselia’s heart.

“I guess I was a bit thirsty.”

“Nothing happened, right? You suddenly said you were going out for some fresh air and disappeared. Do you know how worried I was?”

“I really just went out for some fresh air.”

Although she answered naturally with a smile, a corner of Roselia’s heart felt uneasy, and her response felt awkward.

What would Closet’s reaction be if she knew about the kiss with Klaus?

Would she treat her like a bug?

No, she might rather lead Klaus astray with her playful attitude…
While Roselia was lost in such thoughts, Closet, who had been anxiously observing her expression, looked around the ballroom with a puzzled expression and spoke.

“I was expecting that handsome envoy Rafaelios. It’s getting a bit boring. Should I go out? But where did Klaus go without saying anything?”

Even if they were siblings with a strained relationship, it seemed that Closet, who was worried about Klaus disappearing without a word, was considering making some excuse to leave first.

However, no matter how she looked around, Klaus’s figure was nowhere to be seen, making Closet wear a perplexed expression.

On the other hand, Roselia, feeling pricked with numerous thoughts, awkwardly smiled with a face that seemed to be convulsing.

“Since the Duke is always busy.”

“Well, yeah… He might be stuck with the diplomatic corps, discussing the damn money.”

At that moment, Jucide, in a flowing red dress, approached leisurely.

Both Closet and Roselia, who were looking at her with wary expressions, stiffened at her belated voice.

“I remembered something. I think I’ve seen you somewhere…”

Could it be… did she recognize Antonio? Was Jucide that perceptive?

Considering how she couldn’t even recognize herself in disguise and tried to overpower her, it didn’t seem like Jucide was particularly perceptive…

While contemplating various thoughts, when Roselia looked at Jucide, who was lowering her eyes disdainfully, she nonchalantly opened her mouth.

“You’re not a noble.”

“Yes…?”

Roselia asked in confusion.

Then, with an arrogant gesture, Jucide spoke as if telling everyone around, rhythmically.

“I saw you. Coming out of a back-alley pub in shabby clothes.”

Roselia was dumbfounded by Jucide’s confident words.

It seemed that Jucide had seen her when she went to the pub to get a painting from Nadia.

Should she be relieved that she wasn’t suspected as Antonio?

In the midst of Roselia’s dazed expression, Closet, who was rather angry, took an aggressive stance.

“What nonsense is that?”

Although Jucide, who had experienced a setback from Closet, seemed momentarily taken aback when Closet glared at her, she soon straightened her shoulders and arrogantly lifted her chin.

“I saw it clearly. While passing through an alley, the wheel of the carriage fell off for a moment, and near that shabby pub, that woman definitely came out.”