Roselia, feeling a bit embarrassed, averted her eyes from Closet’s sparkling gaze right in front of her and changed the subject.

“Is this enough now?”

“No way! I want to call a painter right now to capture this moment in a painting!”

It’s not that big of a deal…

Unlike Closet who was always well-groomed, Roselia had been neglecting her appearance even more since disguising as a man. Perhaps that’s why Closet’s praise felt exaggerated and burdensome.

“This mask seems to suit Antonio’s black hair so well too… I feel like putting a wig on you right now.”

Sensing danger from Closet’s somewhat dreamy expression, Roselia cleared her throat and turned her head away.

“I think this is enough.”

As Roselia was about to take off the mask, Closet made a disappointed face and drawled her words.

“Just a little longer, please? Melda said beautiful things are best appreciated over time.”

“How much longer…”

Suddenly, Roselia swallowed her words before finishing the sentence.

It was because Klaus, who was just entering the mansion, passed by the reception room and their eyes met.

“Your Grace, you’re back. I’ll inform the staff to prepare dinner right away, as you must be hungry.”

Melda hastily stood up and bowed politely. Klaus nodded and then looked back at Roselia and Closet.

When Roselia’s eyes met his navy blue ones, she felt her face flush as she recalled what happened that night in the private room of the tavern.

Because of this, Roselia forgot she was still wearing the mask and had to snap back to attention at Klaus’s words.

“The mask suits you well, Antonio.”

Only then realizing she was still wearing the mask, Roselia startled and quickly removed it.

A sense of shame washed over her, as if she had been caught secretly trying on a dress above her station.

In contrast to Roselia’s reddening face, Klaus maintained his usual cold expression.

While she lowered her head in embarrassment, Klaus’s gaze shifted to her green eyes.

“Do you have anything to say to me?”

A chilling sense of déjà vu ran down her spine.

It was clearly about their encounter at the tavern.

Roselia tried to maintain a gruff expression and asked with feigned confusion.

“No… Do you have any tasks for me?”

As she asked nonchalantly, Klaus stared at her intently for a while.

Klaus opened his mouth as if to say something, but then seemed to change his mind and closed it with an impassive expression.

“Never mind. Carry on with your duties.”

With those words, Klaus gave her a piercing look as if seeing right through her, then left the room.

Watching him leave, Closet rubbed her arms as if getting goosebumps.

“Ugh, look at that gaze. It’s like he wants to strip you to the bone. Did someone not repay a debt? Don’t worry, Antonio! When I come of age, I’ll have my own lands and mansion, so I’ll lend you money at a low interest rate!”

“Are you suggesting I borrow money from you, Young Lady, to repay the Duke’s debt…?”

“It’s better than owing Klaus, isn’t it?”

She really is that brother’s sister, Roselia thought.

As Roselia looked at her with an exasperated expression, Closet cleared her throat and changed the subject.

“Anyway, Antonio, do you have a tailcoat for my debutante ball?”

As if I would have such a thing…

“Can’t I just wear what I usually wear?”

“What are you talking about? You’re attending as my partner, not as a servant! This won’t do. Melda!”

At Closet’s call, Melda, who seemed to have anticipated this, sighed deeply and approached Roselia with a measuring tape.

Roselia, suddenly finding herself at their mercy, looked at Closet with a troubled expression.

But Closet didn’t budge, seemingly enjoying the situation.

Glancing at her, Melda spoke with concern.

“Miss Closet… Um… Is it alright not to have the Duke’s tailcoat specially made?”

Closet’s expression suddenly hardened.

Usually, when a family member has a debutante ball, it’s common to have coordinated tailcoats made to some extent.

But Closet and Klaus were far from being a typical sibling pair.

“Why are you asking me about that man’s tailcoat?”

It was a completely opposite reaction to how she had rushed to have Roselia’s tailcoat made.

The temperature difference was so stark that one might believe Roselia was Closet’s sibling instead.

“But… It’s a once-in-a-lifetime debutante ball. It’s also your birthday celebration, so if we ask the Duke nicely…”

“I said no!”

Melda had difficultly brought it up out of consideration for Closet, but it only seemed to upset Closet more.

Closet lowered her head with a deeply furrowed expression, clenching her fists tightly.

“Klaus is too busy to come anyway, so what’s the point.”

As if this wasn’t the first time, Closet’s expression was full of resignation and resentment.

It was understandable. The Duke had likely used the excuse of being busy to send money or gifts instead of attending Closet’s birthdays until now.

But this birthday was her sister’s debutante ball, and he still wasn’t planning to show up.

Seeing Closet’s darkened mood, Roselia tried to lighten the atmosphere.

“But this birthday is your debutante ball, Young Lady, so he might make time even if it’s difficult, don’t you think?”

At Roselia’s words, Closet made a face as if she had heard something unbelievable.

“You’re saying that even after experiencing what Klaus is like?”

She sighed so deeply that she looked more like a middle-aged woman who had given up on life rather than a young lady about to have her debutante ball.

“Oh Antonio, you still have a lot to learn. You clearly don’t know Klaus yet. That man doesn’t show up for my birthdays, let alone our parents’ death anniversaries.”

Closet’s expression twisted, revealing years of pent-up emotions.

“That cold-blooded man doesn’t care about family at all. He’s obsessed with work and money.”

As she spoke, Closet’s expression showed more hurt and sorrow than anger.

Watching her, Roselia felt a heaviness in her chest.

She couldn’t understand.

In the original story, Klaus treated the female protagonist, the Crown Princess, like a sister, and after she got married, those feelings became strangely distorted, turning into a mix of love and hate, and obsession.

How could he be so caring and devoted to the Crown Princess, who was essentially a stranger, yet so indifferent to his own sister?

She felt irritated as she recalled the Duke’s face when he coldly dismissed her in front of the Crown Princess.

And that misplaced emotion ended up making her blurt out unnecessary words.

“I’ll talk to him about it.”

“What?”

Closet was surprised, and so was Roselia herself.

Are you crazy! What did you just say?!

She should be avoiding the Duke, not volunteering for this!

“It’s fine… Don’t waste your effort…”

Contrary to her inner thoughts, seeing Closet’s gloomy expression made Roselia sigh.

Damn it, if only Closet were a little less cute…

“I’ll just try talking to him. Maybe he’s already preparing to attend your debutante ball.”

“…”

When Roselia went this far, Closet didn’t object any further.

Perhaps deep down, she was hoping for it too.

Looking at Closet’s dejected face despite her attempts to act nonchalant, Roselia set off with a determined expression.

The moment she knocked on the office door, Roselia belatedly regretted her decision.

This must be what they mean by walking straight into the tiger’s mouth.

She deeply regretted it, but a voice had already come from inside the room.

“Who is it?”

Roselia swallowed hard and answered in a tense voice.

“It’s Antonio.”

“…”

A moment of silence passed.

The brief moment of stillness felt painfully slow to Roselia.

Then Klaus’s cold voice was heard.

“Come in.”

Opening the door and entering the office, Roselia carefully observed him.

Klaus was busy reviewing and signing the documents piled on his desk, regardless of her entrance.

He seemed quite busy, not even lifting his head despite her entry. As she hesitated, Klaus put down his papers and looked at her quizzically.

“Do you have something to say?”

Klaus’s question caught her off guard.

In fact, she had been mentally preparing herself for some mention of their encounter at the tavern.

She was ready to deny everything, whether he suspected her of being Roselia or of spiriting away his sister, but his calm, almost indifferent reaction momentarily threw her off balance.

“Are you going to keep standing there?”

Startled by Klaus’s irritated question, Roselia’s shoulders tensed as she reflexively spoke.

“Do you… know that the Young Lady’s debutante ball is in a week?”

At Roselia’s question, he lowered his gaze to his documents as if it was a trivial matter and replied.

“How could I not know about the event that’s draining the largest portion of this year’s ducal budget?”

Encouraged a bit by his matter-of-fact tone, Roselia continued.

“You also know that it’s the Young Lady’s birthday, right?”

The Duke’s gaze, which had been scanning the documents, lifted to Roselia.

“What are you trying to say?”

Roselia swallowed dryly and carefully opened her mouth.

“It’s your only sister’s birthday and debutante ball… Surely you’re attending, right?”

At Roselia’s question, Klaus put down the document he was holding and looked at her with a chilling gaze.

“Can’t you see all these documents piled up here?”

“Yes… I know you’re extremely busy, but… it’s still your only sister’s birthday…”

Seeing Roselia cautiously yet persistently making her point, Klaus irritably ran his hand through his bangs.

“Every year, I’ve sent the most expensive gifts in the empire for Closet’s birthday. Where do you think that money comes from?”

“That… The Young Lady cares more about…”

“Antonio.”

At Klaus’s low, almost growling voice, Roselia had to clamp her mouth shut.

He stared at her intently with his navy blue eyes that seemed to radiate an icy chill.

“I believe I told you before, for your own sake, not to meddle in unnecessary matters.”

“…”

Klaus’s forceful tone, clearly drawing the line in their hierarchical relationship, twisted Roselia’s mood.

“If you showed half the interest you show to Her Highness the Crown Princess to Closet, your relationship wouldn’t be this strained.”