“Safe and sound, so there’s no need to worry.”

In Johannes’s calm voice, which unknowingly became lower, Klaus sternly responded.

“The incident of that day… let me apologize once again.”

“…”

To be honest, Johannes had forgotten Klaus’s actions that day when he attacked him.

However, as Klaus apologized so formally, Johannes’s lips tightened.

Misinterpreting his silence differently, Klaus, who gathered his eyebrows, added calmly.

“I was rude without knowing whether Roselia and I were related.”

For a moment, one of Johannes’s eyebrows tilted.

Such a relationship? What did Roselia say to Klaus about herself?

“I heard it’s an old acquaintance.”

At that moment, Johannes, who had been tilting his teacup, had to endure the urge to spew out the tea that was about to spray.
Could it be that Roselia lied to the duke, calling herself his old acquaintance?

Why?

Although doubts arose, Johannes, thinking that she must have her own reasons, decided to go along with her flow for now.

“Ah, yes…”

Johannes didn’t understand Roselia’s intentions, but rather than feeling uncomfortable or awkward, he was curious about her true feelings.

If she is truly Cecilia…

Perhaps she, too, instinctively felt something towards him? Of course, he was too young at the time to remember his face or memories well, but thinking of the small and precious Cecilia, Johannes unknowingly smiled warmly.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other. But I’ve been eagerly waiting for the day we meet again.”

Johannes was talking about Cecilia, but Klaus seemed to interpret it differently, as his eyebrows furrowed unintentionally.

“More than that, why did you ask to see me?”

Only now did Johannes recall the matter, and he cautiously took something out from his pocket and placed it on the table.

It was a badge with a black rose and a snake engraved on it, received from Lognun.

“It’s a badge found on the thugs who attacked Roselia last time. Do you happen to recognize the pattern?”

Klaus, holding up the badge, carefully examined the pattern.

“It’s not a noble family’s pattern.”

Having said that, Klaus looked seriously at Johannes.

“It’s likely an organization operating secretly, judging by the deliberate omission of a name.”

“Can you identify it? As someone from another country, I have limitations in investigating.”

Even the pillar of Raphaelios, Viscount Yucileord, who was renowned, might have limited influence in another country.

Moreover, Viscount Valentzar, who was investigating this side, would be more suitable for researching this information.

“I was already looking into it separately. I’ll gratefully accept the item.”

Klaus, with a cold expression, stared at Johannes and put the badge in his inner pocket.

It seemed like an action that drew a line, as if he were the one who would be helpful to Roselia in this investigation.

Despite the unexpectedly cute appearance of the duke, Johannes showed a relaxed smile without any impact.

“Antonio, get ready to leave!”

When the heavily adorned Closette appeared with an excited voice, Roselia, who was dressed as a maid, asked curiously.

“What’s going on?”

“I was invited to the Blimend Count’s party.”

Not feeling like attending the party, Roselia, who was not particularly excited like Closette, opened her mouth awkwardly.

“Can’t you go alone?”

At Roselia’s deflated voice, Closette raised her index finger with a strict expression.

“This party is not just an ordinary event. The party is just a formal name; the main event is an art auction.”
Closette’s words were accompanied by a meaningful smile.

“There might be hidden masterpieces in the underworld that could appear in the auction, you know?”

“Let’s go.”

Upon Closette’s words, Roselia immediately grabbed an outing bag and headed towards the door. As she did, Closette followed suit with a sly grin, as if she had expected Roselia’s response.

The auction at the Blimund Viscount’s party dealt with mostly obscure works rather than monumental pieces, emphasizing the significance of charity auctions. Roselia remembered that the artworks were mostly uninteresting during that time, but a noticeable masterpiece appeared in the auction.

It was a landscape painting of women enjoying a picnic. At that time, the piece seemed dull, but later it turned out to be the last work of a famous artist who had passed away, fetching thousands of verangs and becoming a masterpiece.

Although it was a bit hazy, recognizing the heart-shaped tree emphasized in the original work, Roselia quickly tapped Closette’s arm and whispered.

“Yes. I hope this piece finds a good owner as well. Let’s start with one verang.”

Even before the auctioneer’s commentary was finished, Closette, having received Roselia’s inquiry about the artwork, immediately raised her hand.

“10 verangs!”

“Oh, boldly offering 10 verangs.”

At that moment, a woman with red hair sitting in the back, covering her mouth with a fan, quietly raised her hand.

“15 verangs.”

Roselia and Closette simultaneously looked at the woman.

Despite hiding her mouth with the fan, Roselia could notice.

The woman was the one who had come to Klaus previously, revealing her ample chest attire.

Then, Closette, as if claiming dominance, swiftly raised her hand and shouted.

“30 verangs!”

“35 verangs.”

“60 verangs!”

In the situation that had turned into their competition, the red-haired woman, Clémence Jazak, gave an unpleasant glance towards Closette.

It seemed that the maid attending to her was whispering something continuously from the side.

At that moment, Clémence Jazak’s expression crumpled as she looked at the maid.

Wait, isn’t that maid Roselia’s brother from the Demestico?