As I looked up curiously, I saw a black-haired man wearing a robe.

The man who had been glaring ahead quickly stepped forward towards the approaching thug.

The charging thug was kicked in the stomach and fell backwards with a thud.

Then, as if waiting for that moment, a soldier-like man began beating the fallen thug with his scabbard like a dog.

“Aaagh! Aagh!!”

Roselia, who had been staring blankly at the scene, soon looked up at the man holding her.

Their eyes met, as if the man had already been looking down at her.

The man’s green eyes were wide open, as if he had seen something extremely surprising.

Roselia’s green eyes were also wide open in the same way.

Johannes looked down at the woman in his arms in disbelief.

The facial features and atmosphere so surprisingly similar to his own, and even the clear green eyes…

Could it be…

“Cecilia…?”

“Pardon?”

But Cecilia… his younger sister was born with black hair like him, as a member of the Yukilliode bloodline.

Moreover, it was impossible for her, who had gone missing in Raphellios, to be in the opposite empire, not even a neighboring kingdom.

Johannes, who had quickly collected his thoughts, spoke in a calm voice.

“I’m sorry, I mistook you for someone else. Are you hurt anywhere?”

“Ah… no…”

On the other hand, Roselia was in a daze at the sight of the man who looked so much like herself as Antonio.

Though he was half-covered in a robe, his dazzling appearance and presence could not be hidden.

Could there really be someone who looks this similar in the world?

Just as Roselia was pondering this question.

While Johannes’ aide was busy cleaning up the surroundings, someone suddenly rushed towards Johannes and Roselia.

“Roselia!!!”

Roselia’s head turned at the familiar voice. Her eyes widened at the sight of Klaus charging with his sword drawn and a fierce aura.

Even Johannes, whose swordsmanship was exceptional, stiffened and failed to react properly to the sudden burst of killing intent.

Johannes reflexively raised his sword to block Klaus’ sword while holding Roselia.

That sight seemed to further upset Klaus, who immediately kicked Johannes in the stomach and snatched Roselia away.

Roselia was left gaping as she saw the black-haired man who had saved her fly far away.

Staring blankly at Johannes, who had fallen after flying at least 3 meters, Roselia belatedly cried out in shock.

“What are you doing?!”

Klaus, who had rushed over after receiving a report from the shadow he had placed on Roselia, frowned as he looked at Roselia who was angry at the one who had saved her instead.

“What am I doing? I’m saving you.”

At Klaus’ nonchalant words, Roselia, who had been dumbfounded, suddenly came to her senses and shouted.

“No, why are you kicking an innocent person?!”

“Wasn’t that man trying to kidnap you?”

“That person was saving me from being kidnapped?!”

Only then did Klaus realize his mistake and looked at Johannes with an awkward expression.

At that moment, Johannes’ aide, Rognan, blocked Klaus’ path with his sword raised.

“Who are you to attack the Duke?!”

At Rognan’s sharp voice, Johannes, who had fallen behind, got up and said bitterly.

“You’re quite late to block. Can’t you see the crest on that man’s clothes? It’s the crest of the Balthazar ducal family.”

“That means…”

As Rognan looked back and forth between Johannes and Klaus in disbelief, Klaus, who had frowned unpleasantly, looked at the robed Johannes behind him and spoke.

“It seems I made a mistake earlier. But if you know my identity, isn’t it courteous to reveal yours as well?”

At Klaus’ cold words, the man with a bitter smile slowly pulled back the hood of his robe.

Klaus’ eyes began to widen as he watched the scene leisurely.

“Antonio…?”

While Klaus was frozen, Rognan, who had frowned unpleasantly, answered instead.

“This is Duke Yukilliode, who has come as the representative of the Raphellios delegation.”

“Duke Yukilliode…?”

Only then did Klaus’ confused gaze calmly scan Johannes.

Different. He was taller and more built than Antonio, and upon closer inspection, he seemed more mature.

Still, it’s amazing how similar they look.

As Klaus was thinking this, Johannes smiled slightly and bowed his head.

“I didn’t expect to greet you like this, but given the situation, let’s skip the formal introductions.”

“Why is the representative of the Raphellios delegation here?”

“I sent a letter saying I would visit today. Haven’t you seen it yet?”

Only then did Klaus remember the letter he had received from Alejandro. He had placed the letter on his desk without reading its contents, thinking only of meeting Roselia.

Klaus, who was rubbing his forehead and sighing, looked at Johannes and Roselia alternately with suspicious eyes.

“First, let me thank you for saving Roselia.”

Having said that, Klaus blocked Roselia’s view of Johannes and spoke firmly.

“Let’s go back to the mansion.”

Roselia’s brows furrowed at Klaus’ words.

Here we go again. The habit of ordering around without any regard for others’ thoughts.

Roselia glared at Klaus unpleasantly, then approached Johannes’ side.

“I’m sorry, but could you give me a ride?”

Johannes’ expression widened at Roselia’s sudden request.

Glancing at Klaus, Johannes looked at the familiar-faced woman gazing at him earnestly and found himself nodding without realizing it.

Taking that as affirmation, Roselia boarded the carriage the Duke had arrived in without even looking at Klaus.

As a result, only Klaus was left frozen with a dumbfounded expression.

Breaking the silence, Johannes smiled awkwardly.

“It seems the lady’s well-being takes priority, so I’ll have to reschedule my appointment with the Duke.”

Having said that, Johannes bowed politely to the frozen Klaus and boarded the carriage where Roselia was seated.

Rognan, also surprised by the sudden turn of events, glanced at Klaus before bowing his head and boarding the carriage.

The carriage soon left Klaus behind with a clamorous sound. As Klaus watched the carriage disappear in bewilderment, an uneasy thought suddenly crossed his mind.

Could it be… that man…

No, the man acted as if he was seeing Roselia for the first time.

But his gaze seemed very affectionate…

With his mind growing more complicated, Klaus ran his hand through his hair irritably.

Whatever the case, for her to choose that man over him was more shocking than when an investment failed.

As Klaus held his forehead and sighed deeply, one fact suddenly struck him.

Could it be… that Roselia’s type is men who resemble her brother Antonio?

Having reached that thought, Klaus rubbed his face irritably.

“Thank you for your help. Please drop me off up ahead.”

Johannes looked at Roselia with a puzzled expression at her calm voice.

“I’ll take you home. After what just happened…”

The thought of going to Nadia’s house had long since disappeared. The remaining thugs could be lurking in the alleys…

Now she just wanted to lie down in her room and rest her tired body.

“You can stop there. My home is nearby.”

At Roselia’s firm words, Johannes reluctantly nodded and relayed the message to the coachman.

While Roselia was preparing to get off, Johannes, who seemed to be hesitating as he observed her expression, spoke with difficulty.

“By the way, don’t you think we look quite alike?”

Roselia stared at Johannes, who was saying the same thing she had been thinking, and smiled with a sigh.

“Well, they say there’s always one or two lookalikes in the world.”

At Roselia’s light words, Johannes, who seemed lost in thought for a moment, soon smiled brightly.

“I suppose since I appear to be older, it would be more accurate to say that the lady resembles me.”

Roselia couldn’t help but laugh at the man’s light joke.

Johannes, who was looking at Roselia with a warm smile, suddenly continued speaking.

“By the way, why were those suspicious men after you earlier?”

Roselia’s expression darkened at Johannes’ question. It was likely related to the rumors involving the Duke or the Crown Prince, but she couldn’t tell such circumstances to an outside guest.

“I’m not sure myself…”

At her hesitant answer, Johannes smiled as if he had no intention of prying further.

“You must be a lady with many stories.”

Roselia realized that the carriage had already stopped and quickly bowed her head with a startled expression.

“Then I’ll be going now. Thank you so much for today.”

Johannes gently curved his lips as he looked at Roselia bowing politely.

“I look forward to meeting again.”

Roselia couldn’t help but smile back at his warm smile.

Johannes didn’t start the carriage until Roselia had disappeared into the alley after getting off.

Rognan, who had been sitting quietly next to him, spoke up.

“They really do look amazingly alike. I would believe it if someone said they were siblings with Your Grace.”

“…”

Unlike when he was smiling kindly in front of Roselia, Johannes was lost in thought with all traces of a smile gone from his face.

“What is the relationship between that woman and the Duke?”

“Pardon? Even if you ask me…”

“Investigate it.”

“The Duke?”

Johannes sighed as he looked at Rognan, who was asking obvious questions.

“That woman, I mean.”

Rognan’s expression widened at Johannes’ instruction.

“Are you thinking of chasing after a woman at this busy time?”

“It’s not like that, just investigate and bring me the information first.”

Having said that, Johannes seemed to be thinking for a moment before continuing.

“Also find out about the mastermind who tried to kidnap that woman.”

Rognan, who had no knowledge of the Yukilliode ducal family’s circumstances, simply nodded, assuming that his superior must have taken a liking to the woman.

Roselia, dressed as Antonio, quietly entered the mansion and headed to her room.

Spotting Alejandro standing in front of Antonio’s room, Roselia called out to him curiously.

“Mr. Alejandro?”

“Oh, I thought you were inside, but it seems you’ve gone out and come back.”

“Is something the matter?”

“The Duke wishes to see you for a moment.”

Roselia’s expression involuntarily hardened for a moment.