“When did you start caring about such things?”

In response to Rogelia’s assertive words, Claude’s pupils subtly stiffened.

Upon reflection, not only a moment ago but all his actions and words towards her had been forceful and straightforward.

As Claude, who belatedly realized this fact, fell into serious contemplation, Rogelia, observing him strangely, bluntly added, “Well then, I have an appointment with Lady Closet, so I’ll take my leave.”

Saying so, Rogelia turned around abruptly and walked away, leaving Claude standing there watching her back for a long time.

“Did Marquis Euclyod bring you here?”

Rogelia, wearing her fourth dress that the closet maids had prepared, casually answered.

“Yes.”

“Really. Does the Marquis, by any chance, have feelings for you?”

“I highly doubt it…”

For a moment, Johannes’s gentle smile crossed her mind, but Rogelia shook her head.

While being comfortable and feeling better when around him, it didn’t feel like romantic attraction.

Certainly, he might have some affection for her, but Rogelia thought it was somewhat different from romantic feelings.

Then, suddenly recalling Johannes’s words to Claude, Rogelia cautiously spoke to the closet.

“But there’s a problem.”

“What is it?”

“I lied to the Duke that Marquis Euclyod is my fiancé.”

“Goodness… Isn’t that too internationally deceptive?”

“But the problem is… somehow the Marquis also knows about it.”

“You told the Marquis that you mentioned him to Claude?”

“Yes.”

“What did he say?”

My words…

Normally, shouldn’t he feel upset and question the liar?

“Instead, he went along with it and deceived the Duke.”

“Ah… I see.”

At Rogelia’s words, Closet clasped her hands, displaying a meaningful expression.

“What is it?”

“As I said earlier, the Marquis likes you. So, it makes sense that he would go along with such a lie to support you.”

“That can’t be… He might just be teasing me…”

At that moment, a sudden knock was heard from the direction of the drawing-room where they were.

As Rogelia and Closet looked toward the door, Claude, with an indifferent expression, was standing there, the door slowly opening.

“Isn’t it still before dinner?”

In response to Claude’s unexpected question, Rogelia answered with a dumbfounded expression, “Yes, but…”

“Let’s have dinner together.”

Both Rogelia and Closet were surprised by the abrupt dinner invitation.

Glancing at Closet’s face, she was making a determined expression of refusal.

“I think I’ll pass…”

Just as Rogelia, who had made up her mind to express her rejection, was about to speak, her words were blocked as she met eyes with Claude standing there abruptly.
For some reason, Claude seemed to have agonized over uttering these words, and in his earnest gaze, Rogelia’s heart wavered. The thought crossed her mind that if the cold-blooded duke looked at her so desperately, it must be more than a simple meal. Come to think of it, she was feeling a bit hungry.

“Alright.”

Closet was taken aback by Rogelia’s response.

Rogelia tried to smile awkwardly at Closet.

However, it didn’t take long for her to regret that choice.

Sharing a meal with a sibling she had never eaten with before was truly awkward.

Amidst the awkward silence, Claude coughed repeatedly and sipped wine with each cough.

Whenever his glass emptied, the maids promptly refilled it.

What on earth prompted him to do something he had never done before?

Whether she realized Rogelia’s thoughts or not, Claude, after emptying his glass again, calmly spoke, “I just thought it might be nice for all of us to gather for a meal once in a while.”

In response to Claude’s calm words, Closet muttered softly.

“The sun will rise from the west.”

Upon Closet’s words, Klaus drank wine to his throat with a forced cough.

Amidst this awkward atmosphere, there was no room for the food to be enjoyed properly.

Seeing Rogelia not eating properly, Klaus, who had been observing her, spoke.

“Doesn’t the food suit your taste? If the food isn’t good, tell the chef to bring something else.”

Without waiting for an answer, in a kind tone, Klaus made Closet and even Rogelia, who had a puzzled expression, look.

“Hiccup, what?”

When Rogelia, surprised by the unfamiliar Klaus, hiccupped, Closet, who had never seen this side of Klaus, looked at him and said a word.

“Are you perhaps drunk?”

Not knowing how the meal ended, Rogelia, who was being led out of the restaurant, suddenly realized that she had left Antonio’s servant clothes in the dressing room.

Considering telling Closet, Rogelia thought it would be more comfortable to go and get it herself and cautiously spoke.

“I left something behind, so I’ll go to the dressing room for a moment.”

At Rogelia’s words, Closet nodded without much thought.

Rogelia turned around briskly and headed for the dressing room where she had changed into the dress.