It’s not nothing…… I should have stayed at Nadia’s house after all……

Alejandro, unaware of Roselia’s inner thoughts, continued with a light smile as if he had completed his task.

“Well, I’ve delivered the message, so I’ll be going now.”

Roselia could only nod and blankly watch Alejandro’s back as he disappeared down the corridor.

It had been only a few hours since she, as Roselia, had done such things with him in the office.

Roselia was irritated by her body that reacted submissively to him like a trained dog.

Her true feelings wanted to ignore his summons and just sleep like the dead, but Roselia had no choice but to drag her unwilling feet towards his office.

Damn it, as a servant, I have to go when called. What power do I have?

Roselia stood in front of Klaus’ office, heaved a deep sigh, and then knocked on the door.

“It’s Antonio. I heard you called for me.”

“Come in.”

At the response that seemed to have been waiting, Roselia took a deep breath and opened the office door.

Unlike his usual self surrounded by documents at his desk, he was sitting on the sofa, tilting a glass of alcohol.

As Roselia looked at him curiously and hesitated, Klaus gestured for her to come closer.

“Did you meet Roselia?”

“No, we missed each other, so I couldn’t see her.”

“I see…… Something big happened today, so it’s probably best to let her rest.”

Klaus’ voice sounded self-deprecating, causing Roselia to look at him curiously.

“Antonio.”

Just as she was wondering about Klaus’ unusually gloomy expression, Roselia froze at the question he threw at her.

“By any chance, is Roselia’s lover…… Marquis Yukilliode?”

How could his thoughts reach there?

It was bewildering and absurd, but thinking about it, it seemed like a reasonable guess.

After all, she had initially said that Roselia’s lover was living far away.

The time when Roselia recently said she was with her lover coincided with the visit of the Rapelios delegation.

In a way, he might be the most suitable person to divert the Duke’s attention.

To remove the Duke’s interest, it had to be someone the Duke couldn’t easily touch, and such a person didn’t exist within the empire.

Well, there was the Crown Prince, but he was someone she wanted to decline.

On the other hand, Marquis Yukilliode, a pillar of the Rapelios Empire and the representative of the delegation, lacked nothing in ability, appearance, and position, and was someone the Duke couldn’t easily touch.

Having reached this thought, Roselia found herself speaking before she knew it.

“Yes, that’s right. He is Roselia’s lover.”

At Antonio’s words, Klaus’ expression hardened.

Even though he had already somewhat guessed this fact, hearing it directly made his heart ache, and he could barely speak.

Klaus, who had been looking at Antonio, turned his gaze away and made a bitter expression.

“I see……”

That expression made Roselia feel uncomfortable for no reason.

It didn’t feel good to tell a lie that even the person involved didn’t know about.

Moreover, such an unexpected expression from Klaus…….

As Roselia shook her head, feeling her heart waver for no reason, Klaus continued in a deeply sunken voice.

“Roselia was almost attacked today.”

It was a fact she knew very well.

But from Klaus’ perspective, he seemed to think that Antonio, Roselia’s brother, wouldn’t know.

While Roselia was pondering how to respond, Klaus spoke first.

“I’m sorry.”

“Pardon?”

Roselia’s eyes widened at Klaus’ sudden apology.

“I should have anticipated that those guys would be lurking near the mansion.”

Could it be that he thought this disaster happened because he called Roselia to the mansion?

Since Roselia had never thought that far, she awkwardly countered his words.

“You can’t monitor everyone outside the mansion. It’s fine as long as she’s safe. There’s no need to worry too much.”

Her words seemed to comfort him a little, but Klaus still looked as pitiful as a rain-soaked puppy.

“To Marquis Yukilliode…… No, I should properly apologize later.”

To think that the great Duke Baltazar would look so dejected.

Even if it was to make their relationship clear…… did she tell too big of a lie?

As he waved his hand for her to leave, Roselia had to exit the office with an inexplicably heavy heart.

[This is the timeline separator]

As usual, Roselia, in her Antonio state, visited the Bernas Count’s residence and entered the room where the Count was with a lively voice.

“Grandfather, I’m here.”

“……”

The Count, sitting on the sofa with a somewhat displeased look, glanced at her and then turned his head away indifferently.

Could it be that he’s upset because I haven’t visited for a while?

“Are you feeling better today?”

“When you get old, you should die.”

Seeing the Count make such a spiteful remark as if he was thoroughly upset, Roselia chuckled.

“You’re saying things you don’t mean. I’ll clean this room today, so stay put there.”

“……”

After saying that, Roselia rolled up her sleeves and headed to the other room.

The Count, who had been staring at her, soon began to gaze blankly out the window again.

After cleaning for a while, Roselia looked towards the door with a puzzled expression at the sudden sound of the doorbell.

“Grandfather, are we expecting any visitors at the Count’s residence today?”

“Don’t know.”

At the Count’s indifferent answer as he continued to stare blankly out the window, Roselia heaved a deep sigh and approached the door. The doorbell rang loudly again, unable to wait.

“Yes, I’m coming now!”

Roselia approached the door, opened it to check who it was, and her expression turned bewildered.

“Lady Closet……?”

“My goodness. What’s with that appearance?”

Closet frowned as she looked at Roselia and suddenly brushed past her to enter.

Roselia followed behind Closet, flustered, as Closet looked around, seemingly unable to believe the state of the mansion.

“What brings you here?”

“Antonio hasn’t been playing with me lately, so I came myself.”

After saying that, Closet looked at Roselia with a sulky expression.

Then, as she peeked into various rooms as if looking for something, Roselia made a troubled expression.

“Where’s the Count? Let me greet him first.”

No sooner had she finished speaking than Closet smiled brightly, having apparently found the room where the Count was.

However, the Count’s expression as he looked at Closet was indifferent.

“Not buying anything!”

Closet was taken aback by the Count’s sudden outburst.

“Pardon? I’m not selling anything……”

Equally surprised, Roselia stepped between Closet and the Count and hastily added.

“This is Lady Closet from the Baltazar Duke’s family.”

“Lady or not, I’m not buying anything!”

Grandfather, there’s no way a noble lady would be selling things……

While Roselia was giving an awkward smile, Closet came close and asked in a low voice, covering her mouth with her hand.

“What’s wrong with him?”

“He has dementia, and his condition has worsened lately.”

At Roselia’s words, spoken with an awkward smile, Closet’s eyes widened.

“Don’t tell me, this demented grandfather is the painter you’re looking for?”

“Yes…… As you can see, he’s in this state, so I haven’t even been able to see the paintings.”

At Roselia’s complaint-like words, Closet suddenly curled up the corners of her mouth.

Seeing Closet’s mischievous smile that appeared when she had something up her sleeve, Roselia had to smile back uneasily.

[This is the timeline separator]

“Grandfather, what do you think of my painting?”

Closet, who had set up an easel and painted with paints she had Melda bring in abundance, asked energetically.

The Count glanced at the painting and replied grumpily.

“Even if I painted with my feet, it would be better than that.”

Although it was a strategy prepared to provoke the Count, Closet, who seemed to have become immersed at some point, protested with genuine irritation.

“Then why don’t you try painting, Grandfather?”

“Why should I?”

“Then don’t criticize!”

Despite Closet’s loud complaints, the Count only responded with a calm expression.

“Then don’t paint where I can see it.”

“Eek……”

Roselia, who had been watching the two bicker, involuntarily let out a chuckle.

As she was watching Closet and the Count’s exchange with an amused look, Roselia suddenly noticed the sun setting through the window and approached the two.

“It seems we’ve finished tidying up, so we should leave, Lady Closet.”

At Roselia’s words, the Count, who had been sitting indifferently, looked at them and spoke.

“Leaving already?”

Despite pretending to be indifferent, the Count’s voice sounded regretful at their departure, and Roselia smiled brightly as she continued.

“I’ll come again soon.”

The Count turned his head away again with an indifferent expression as if he had never acted otherwise, but Roselia, knowing his true feelings were regretful, smiled brightly.

After leaving the Count’s mansion, Closet, who had gotten into the waiting carriage, asked grumpily.

“Is that grandfather really the painter?”

“I’m certain.”

In the original story, it was clearly explained that Count Klaus was the painter. There was a possibility it could be his son, the young count, but…… as an active military man, the young count wouldn’t have much time to paint. Despite the problems caused by dementia, the Count was more likely to be the artist.

While Roselia was thinking this, Closet, who didn’t seem to dislike today’s time at the Count’s residence, spoke in a deliberately grumpy tone.

“Can’t be helped. I guess I’ll have to come help occasionally.”

It seems like she’s just bored……

Roselia looked at Closet with an amused expression and smiled with a slight sigh.

[This is the timeline separator]

In the Lugvelzet Imperial Palace, Johannes, who was staying in a separate palace building used for hosting delegations, entered the study and saw Rognan entering. He spoke calmly.

“Did you investigate?”

At Johannes’ question, Rognan nodded as if he had been waiting.

“Her name is Roselia de Hesink. She’s the young lady of a fallen baron’s family.”

Was she a noble of Lugvelzet?

But judging from her attire and lack of a carriage, she didn’t seem like a noble……

As if noticing Johannes’ doubt, Rognan immediately added.

“It seems that Baron Hesink died while in debt to the Duke’s family, and currently the Hesink siblings are paying off the debt.”

Debt…… So that’s why she was acquainted with the Duke.

Johannes felt inexplicably uncomfortable at the rumors he had heard about the Duke who would stop at nothing for money.

It was clear without seeing how that cold-blooded Duke, as he was rumored to be, would treat an indebted debtor.

Trying to push away the unpleasant feeling, Johannes looked at Rognan and asked.

“Are there siblings?”

“Yes, she has an older brother. But it doesn’t seem to be her biological brother.”

After saying this, Rognan looked curiously at Johannes, who was showing an unusual level of interest, and continued.

“It appears that Baron Hesink remarried and registered Lady Roselia’s mother and Lady Roselia into the baron’s family.”

“Her mother and she were registered into the baron’s family……? When was this?”

“It seems to be about 19 years ago.”