Disguised as a Male Servant in the Duke's House - Chapter 36

Only then, as reality set in amidst this surreal situation, did Roselia become greatly flustered and extricate herself from being trapped between the terrace railing and his arms.

“Ah… I… I….”

Like a mute unable to speak, she couldn’t even utter proper words.

Rolling her green eyes in embarrassment, Roselia eventually lowered her head with a bright red face and fled the terrace as if escaping.

Even as she left the terrace, Klaus had to take rough breaths, still unable to escape the heat enveloping his entire body.

Only after the cool night breeze brushed past where she had disappeared did his reason slowly begin to return. Finally grasping the situation, Klaus roughly ran his hand over his face and leaned back against the railing.

“Damn it….”

His deep navy eyes, gazing at the wide open terrace door, trembled in confusion.

And someone was watching Klaus from the shadows on the opposite end of the corridor.

He too seemed to have just spent a heated moment on the opposite terrace, as his shirt was disheveled.

The man with silver hair exuding a dignified air smoothed his rumpled shirt and curled up the corners of his mouth as if he had witnessed a very interesting scene.

Entering the banquet hall, Roselia lowered her head to hide her flushed face and hastily grabbed a glass of champagne she saw, downing it.

As the cool, fizzy champagne went down her throat, she felt her mind clearing somewhat.

But as the heated face of Klaus and the feeling of his hot touch immediately came to mind, Roselia had to grab another fresh glass of champagne beside it and down that as well.

Closet, who spotted her doing this, approached in alarm.

“Roselia?”

At Closet’s familiar voice, Roselia’s shoulders stiffened in surprise.

She felt embarrassed to face Closet, Klaus’s younger sister.

But Closet, unaware of the circumstances, even put on a stern expression as she snatched the champagne glass from Roselia’s hand.

“What if you get drunk from drinking so hastily like that?”

Ironically, Roselia’s mind calmed at Closet’s protective behavior, even though she was much younger than Roselia.

“I was just a bit thirsty, I suppose.”

“Nothing happened, right? Do you know how surprised I was when you suddenly disappeared saying you were going to get some air?”

“I really just went to get some air.”

Though she replied with a natural smile, Roselia’s lips stiffened awkwardly as she felt guilty in a corner of her heart.

If Closet knew she had kissed Klaus, how would she react…?

Would she look at her like a bug?

No… knowing her, she might even label Klaus as a scoundrel…

As Roselia was thinking this, Closet, who had been worriedly examining her expression, looked around the banquet hall with a disinterested expression and continued speaking.

“I was expecting that handsome Lafelios envoy. It’s starting to get boring, should we leave? But where did Klaus go?”

No matter how bad the relationship between siblings, Klaus would worry if Closet disappeared without a word, so it seemed she intended to at least say goodbye before leaving.

But as Klaus was nowhere to be seen no matter how much she looked around, Closet wore a puzzled expression.

On the other hand, Roselia, who had much to feel guilty about, could only smile awkwardly with a face that looked like it might convulse.

“The Duke is always busy, after all.”

“Well, I guess… He could be stuck with the delegation talking about that money of his.”

At that moment, Jusid approached with languid steps, her red dress trailing behind her.

Closet and Roselia, who had been staring at Jusid with startled expressions at her sudden approach, froze at her voice that followed belatedly.

“I remembered. I thought I’d seen you somewhere before….”

Could it be… that she recognized her as Antonio?

Was Jusid that perceptive?

Considering she didn’t recognize her in male disguise and tried to pounce on her, she didn’t seem that perceptive….

As she was thinking all sorts of things while looking at Jusid, Jusid opened her mouth leisurely, lowering her eyes as if sneering.

“You’re not a noble, are you.”

“Pardon…?”

Roselia asked in bewilderment.

Then Jusid, lifting her chin arrogantly, continued speaking clearly as if for everyone around to hear.

“I saw you, you know. Coming out of a low-class tavern in shabby attire.”

At Jusid’s confident words, Roselia was dumbfounded.

It seemed… Jusid had seen her when she went to the tavern to get the painting from Nadia.

Should she be relieved that she wasn’t suspected of being Antonio…?

As Roselia stood there stupidly with a dazed expression, Closet, who had become quite angry instead, stepped forward with an aggressive stance.

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

Jusid, who had been thoroughly scolded by Closet before, flinched when Closet came at her with fire in her eyes, but soon straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin arrogantly.

“I clearly saw her. I had briefly gotten out of my carriage when its wheel got stuck in a back alley, and I definitely saw this woman coming out of a seedy tavern nearby.”

Closet looked at Roselia as if to ask what this was about.

As it was true that she had gone to the tavern, Roselia silently gazed at Jusid without denying it.

It was truly despicable.

What did she hope to gain by putting her down like this?

Heaving a deep sigh, Roselia soon opened her mouth towards Jusid in a calm voice.

“I simply stopped by because I had some business to attend to.”

It was the truth, as she had visited the tavern because she had business with Nadia.

But Jusid, who had already made up her mind to crush her, protested with an expression full of venom.

“Lies! I clearly saw you wearing vulgar clothes like a tavern wench! How dare you sneak in here of all places with that background?”

“Are you done talking?”

As Closet, not Roselia, rushed forward excitedly, Roselia hurriedly blocked her path.

Seeing Closet looking ready to grab Jusid by the hair if left alone, Roselia heaved a deep sigh and gazed at Jusid with a cold expression.

“Lady Jusid.”

As the vulgar woman of unknown origin called her name in a tone that was calm to the point of composure, Jusid huffed with an expression full of anger.

“How dare you speak my name? You who work in a tavern?”

“Mind your words, my lady. Whatever work I do or clothes I wear, I have no reason to listen to your insults.”

“What…?”

“Even a shoe shiner polishing your shoes, or a servant cleaning the stables of your mansion, have no reason to hear such words from you. If anything, they are people living much more diligently and earnestly than you.”

At Roselia’s words, Jusid exhaled in disbelief.

“A-are you saying I’m worse than a servant who cleans up manure?”

Instead of explicitly affirming, Roselia expressed her agreement through silence.

Even the foolish Jusid seemed to understand that much, as her expression began to turn red and blue.

“How dare, how dare you insult me??”

As Jusid’s face turned bright red and her whole body trembled, Roselia looked at her contemptuously and said curtly.

“Maintain your dignity as a daughter of the Belmont viscounty. It doesn’t look good to speak informally to just anyone at such a public occasion.”

“You… you…! You who aren’t even a noble!”

“Are you saying you treat people roughly if they aren’t nobles? I can imagine the plight of the servants in the Belmont viscounty.”

“Eeek…!!”

Unable to hold back any longer, Jusid raised her hand high.

Roselia just glared at Jusid without any particular reaction.

Even if she were to be slapped now, it would only damage Jusid’s image in high society where dignity was valued.

Though her cheek would sting, thinking of Jusid falling from grace in high society made it much more advantageous.

Smack−!!

But Jusid’s hand, which was flying sharply, was blocked by someone.

Someone who had grabbed Jusid’s wrist growled in a voice full of sharp edges.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

Looking at the broad back blocking her view, Roselia instinctively knew it was Klaus.

“D-Duke?”

Jusid’s startled voice trembled.

Klaus, who had carelessly dropped the hateful hand that had been aimed at Roselia, lowered his voice threateningly.

“Lady Jusid, does the Belmont viscounty not teach manners?”

At Klaus’s cold words, Jusid, who seemed frightened and was stepping back, glanced at Roselia standing behind Klaus and narrowed her eyes sharply as if angered.

“That woman has no right to be here! She’s a filthy tavern wench!”

Klaus’s expression grew even colder at the sight of Jusid making an aggrieved face while meeting his eyes.

“Displaying courtesy selectively proves that you haven’t learned proper manners.”

“That’s not it, that woman is clearly…!”

“Lady Jusid, you seem to be gravely mistaken about something.”

At Klaus’s resolute gaze, Jusid closed her mouth and swallowed dryly.

Klaus stared coldly at Jusid as he continued speaking deliberately.

“The woman you claim to be a tavern wench is indeed a noble.”

For a moment, Roselia looked at Klaus with wide eyes.

He must surely be misunderstanding that she works at a tavern too…

“Th-that can’t be! I clearly saw her!”

“I don’t know what you saw, but I vouch for that woman’s identity. Surely you’re not taking the word of House Balthasar lightly?”

“That’s not it, but…”

“You’d do well to be careful from now on. That woman is a guest temporarily staying at the ducal residence. Remember that slandering a guest of Balthasar will be considered slandering the ducal house.”