Moreover, it became more potent as it was influenced by emotions such as joy, sadness, and love.
Previously, perhaps because there hadn’t been any significant emotional changes, a noticeable scent did not emanate.

Thus, the certainty that Rogelia was, in fact, Cecilia became almost undeniable.

Johannes’s gaze, as he looked at Rogelia, now carried a subtle light mixed with affection, longing, and joy.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

Rogelia, not aware of his speed, tilted her head with a puzzled expression.

Even that appearance made Johannes’s chest swell with tenderness, reminiscent of young Cecilia.

And in a corner of his heart, another worry arose.

With this level of scent now… there might not be much time left until blooming.

If she hadn’t learned how to control the fragrance, it could be dangerous during the blooming period.

When she blooms, he must be by her side without fail.

While Johannes was making such determination, a petal carried by the wind landed on Rogelia’s head.

Watching this lovely sight, Johannes, who had been looking at her lovingly, slowly reached out his hand.

“Miss Rogelia, may I excuse myself for a moment?”

In his hand, touching Rogelia’s head as if caressing her, was a petal.

“There’s a petal stuck to your hair.”

Saying so, Johannes, with a gentle smile, made Rogelia also laugh, seemingly embarrassed.

Just by looking at his smile, there was a warm feeling in some corner of her heart.

Perhaps it’s because of the smile of a handsome person…

As the two of them were lost in thought, there was someone else having similar thoughts in another place.

Claus, who had just reported the school site construction situation to the Crown Prince, stood in the colonnade passing through the garden, watching Rogelia and Johannes closely.

Seeing the two smiling at each other, a feeling of annoyance surged, and his stomach twisted.

At the sight of her smiling with a sunny smile that she had never shown to him, an inexplicable emotion gripped him, and anger flared.

What is this filthy feeling, exactly?

In his hand, clenched into a fist, the veins popped out as the inexplicable emotion, incomprehensible even to himself, exerted force.

Antonio’s state once again, as usual, visited Viscount Bernas that day. Rogelia, along with the viscount, was having tea time.

Pouring tea into the viscount’s cup, Rogelia carefully observed his face.

“Grandfather, you said you would become my guardian…”

Having carefully picked her words, Rogelia put down the teapot and opened her mouth with a worried expression.

“Did you ask for the sub-viscount’s opinion?”

At Rogelia’s question, the viscount frowned as if displeased.

“Why would I need that guy’s permission?”

“But you are the sub-viscount’s successor.”

In response to Rogelia’s words, the viscount sneered, and with an annoyed expression, he sipped his tea.

“If he doesn’t show up at the mansion within three months, I plan to cut that guy off as my successor.”

His words sounded harsh, but Rogelia knew that it was only his talk, aware that he didn’t really mean it so menacingly.
Deep down, the Marquis, who had a strong military temperament, didn’t show it, but he was secretly proud of the busy Sub-Viscount, who, from the bone, had a strong soldierly quality due to his duties for the nation.

Of course, since he was a naval officer who spent the majority of the year at sea, he seemed to be inwardly lonely, but…

At that moment, Closet, who had now made it a daily routine to accompany the Marquis, opened his mouth with a triumphant voice.

“Look at this! Isn’t this one better than last time?”

The plan, which was initially to stimulate Viscount Klaus to draw, seemed to have turned drawing into Closet’s hobby.

In one corner of the reception room, Closet unfolded an easel and started drawing. His drawing skills seemed to be growing as the days went by.

It hadn’t even been two weeks since he started drawing, and his growth rate was truly remarkable.

Could it be… that Closet has talent in this area?

While Rogelia marveled at Closet’s drawing, the Marquis, looking at the painting from a distance, muttered under his breath.

“He’s moved from drawing with his feet to drawing with his hands.”

At the Marquis’s picky words, Closet puffed up his cheeks.

“Grandpa…”

As Closet stared at the easel, looking dumbfounded, the Marquis, rising leisurely, approached with a limping gait.

“You’ve used too much paint here. And doesn’t the vase stand out more than the flowers right now? You should use more color on the flowers to make the focus more concentrated.”

Unbeknownst to Closet, the Marquis, taking the brush from him, began tapping it lightly as if casually.

Then, the drawing that was quite acceptable before had changed beyond recognition.

While Closet, lost in admiration, looked at the Marquis with eyes full of wonder, he exclaimed with awe.

“Wow… Grandpa, you’re good at drawing!”

As Closet admired the extraordinary brushstrokes of the Marquis, the Marquis, for a moment, wore an expression that seemed to indicate he had just realized something new.

“Me?”

“Yes! It’s much better when Grandpa touches it.”

“…”

At Closet’s words, the Marquis fell silent as if lost in thought.

Then, suddenly, with an irritated voice, as if annoyed by something that didn’t come to mind, he said.

“I’m hungry, so prepare a meal.”

“Grandpa! Antonio is not the Marquis’s servant!”

Ignoring Closet’s complaint, the Marquis, nonchalantly sitting back on the sofa, suddenly glanced at Rogelia with a scrutinizing gaze.

It was as if he was looking at Rogelia for the first time, with a gaze that seemed to convey a new realization.

“But why are you wearing men’s clothes?”

Both Rogelia and Closet froze simultaneously at the Marquis’s sudden question.