Klaus put down the documents he had been skimming through and let out an irritated sigh.

He felt a headache coming on.

He couldn’t get Antonio out of his mind, with his round eyes rolling as he was trapped in his arms that night in the study.

This is insane. What could possibly be lacking?

Misinterpreting his expression, Alejandro cautiously opened his mouth.

“The school construction budget has increased a bit more than expected, but it’s still at an acceptable level.”

Despite Alejandro’s words, Klaus remained silent, glaring at the desk with a fierce gaze.

Feeling needlessly guilty, Alejandro hurriedly added an excuse-like follow-up.

“As you know, due to the previous incident, all the framework we had built collapsed, so we have to start construction from scratch. Fortunately, there were no casualties, but…”

Trailing off, Alejandro quickly continued while gauging Klaus’s reaction.

“Considering labor costs and material prices, it should actually be twice as much, but I managed to convey the situation well and got a good price…”

“Proceed.”

“Pardon…?”

Alejandro was momentarily stunned by Klaus’s immediate approval, which made his elaborate explanation seem pointless.

“The Grand Duke of Rubellio.”

Momentarily taken aback by the question unrelated to the documents, Alejandro spoke without hesitation.

“There doesn’t seem to be any notable movement from the Grand Duke’s residence. However…”

As Alejandro hesitated to continue, Klaus’s gaze sharpened towards him.

Under Klaus’s intense stare, Alejandro bowed deeply and carefully continued.

“As expected, it seems the Grand Duke’s family has also assigned someone to keep an eye on young Antonio.”

Klaus’s expression crumpled at Alejandro’s report.

Alejandro was flustered to see Klaus’s face, which had remained impassive even during the discussion of the most sensitive money matters, change so suddenly at the mention of Antonio.

“Well… but since our shadows are reporting promptly, there shouldn’t be any significant problems.”

Klaus’s expression remained displeased, apparently unsatisfied with Alejandro’s answer.

Alejandro grew restless, having unexpectedly encountered a stumbling block on an issue he thought would pass without incident, rather than the construction site matter he had expected to be scolded for.

Klaus, who had been quietly observing him, soon silently rose to his feet.

Alejandro’s eyes widened as he watched Klaus suddenly stop reviewing the documents, stand up, and put on his coat.

“Where… where are you going?”

“Something came up at Count Bernas’s estate. I’ll review the documents when I return, so organize them.”

With those words, Klaus resolutely left the study, leaving Alejandro frozen in bewilderment.

Why suddenly to Count Bernas’s estate…?

Come to think of it, he seemed to have heard from the shadow’s report that young Antonio had gone to Count Bernas’s estate today.

Could it be because of that…?

Alejandro found himself staring blankly at the study door Klaus had exited for a while.

Roselia, who had visited the Count’s mansion without fail, carefully observed the Count playing chess alone by a sunny window.

According to the Crown Princess, the notice of the young Count’s death had been sent to the Count’s family half a year ago…

She couldn’t tell if the Count was unaware of the young Count’s death or if he had deliberately erased it from his memory.

“What are you looking at?”

“Ah, nothing.”

The Count frowned and asked, perhaps because she had been staring at his face too intently. Roselia looked at him and smiled awkwardly.

“Grandfather, did you perhaps… not see a letter from Eskivan about half a year ago?”

“A letter? I think there might have been one…”

As I thought…

From what she had heard from inquiring with the Count’s former servants, the Count had started showing symptoms of dementia about half a year ago.

They said he had suddenly collapsed, clutching the back of his neck, and had been in this state ever since…

Perhaps… the Count had collapsed from the shock of learning about the young Count’s death.

And dementia had set in as an aftereffect…

If so, would it be right to tell the Count the truth?

Originally, she had planned to alleviate the dementia symptoms to enable the Count to paint a little sooner, but…

She became worried about whether it was right to bring back his memories.

As Roselia pondered this, the Count, who had been absently looking out the window while playing chess, spoke.

“That black carriage outside seems to be waiting for you.”

“Pardon?”

At the Count’s words, Roselia looked out the window and saw a black carriage.

Suddenly, she was reminded of the assailants who had tried to attack her before.

Could it be… had the Grand Duke’s family already assigned someone?

As Roselia suspiciously peered out the window, she had to widen her eyes at the sight of a familiar figure pacing in front of the carriage.

The one pacing around the carriage with a frown was none other than Klaus.

As Roselia looked out the window with a puzzled expression, the Count glanced at her and spoke indifferently.

“That’s enough for today, so you can go.”

At the Count’s words, Roselia worriedly examined his face.

Although he was in a good state now, when he was unwell, the Count could barely find the kitchen in the vast mansion.

That’s why most of the rooms in the mansion were abandoned, and only the Count’s room was being used.

“Grandfather, will you be alright having dinner alone?”

“Do you think I’ve broken my arms and legs? Hurry up and go home!”

Roselia knew well that the Count’s irritable response was just an act of pretending to be strong so as not to worry her.

Thinking there was no need to expose the Count’s weakness that he didn’t want revealed, Roselia simply bowed her head and reluctantly took her leave.

The hunched back of the Count, sitting indifferently playing chess whether she left or not, weighed on her mind unnecessarily.

Looking at that somewhat lonely figure, Roselia thought she should refrain from mentioning the young Count’s matter for the time being as she left the room.

As she exited the Count’s mansion with a heavy heart, she saw Klaus, who had been in front of the carriage as expected, stiffen visibly.

“Your Grace, what brings you here?”

When Roselia asked with a puzzled expression, Klaus answered in a nonchalant tone.

“I was just passing by and thought I’d give you a ride on my way.”

At Klaus’s words, Roselia looked at the carriage suspiciously.

It seemed like it had been about 30 minutes since she had seen the carriage from the window…

Glancing at the front of the carriage, she saw the coachman yawning lazily, looking tired.

She had a feeling that the carriage had been waiting for quite a while, but Roselia tried not to think too deeply about it and replied curtly.

“There was no need for you to do so, but I’ll accept the ride gratefully.”

With those words, Roselia boarded the carriage, and Klaus followed with a dry expression.

As expected, the inside of the carriage was filled with only silence.

Suddenly, she was reminded of the situation in the study a few days ago.

As the awkward silence continued, she felt like the strange atmosphere from that time was resurfacing.

Maybe I should have just said I’d go separately…

As she was looking out the window, feeling awkward, Klaus unexpectedly spoke first.

“You’ve been going to the Count’s mansion almost every day lately.”

After saying that, Klaus stared at Roselia’s face and continued.

“Even a biological son wouldn’t do that much.”

It seemed Klaus had also recalled that atmosphere and was trying to break the ice awkwardly.

Of course, regardless of his intention, given his personality, pleasant words wouldn’t come out…

Unaware of Klaus’s thoughts, Roselia frowned unpleasantly.

“I’m completing all the tasks assigned by the Duke’s family without fail, aren’t I?”

At Roselia’s curt words, Klaus, left with nothing to say, closed his mouth.

Even he didn’t understand why his words had come out tinged with irritation.

Perhaps it was because of the thought that Antonio might leave the Duke’s family for the Count’s family, now that the Count had become his guardian?

As that thought occurred to him, Klaus frowned, feeling even more uncomfortable.

What did it matter where he went as long as he paid off all his debts?

Of course, considering his ability to pay off debts so far, he was a desirable talent, but this was merely a view of coveting talent.

It had to be.

Yes. That inexplicable emotion that suddenly arose towards Antonio was just an illusion.

Although he had avoided getting close to women, thinking that sharing emotions and bodies with them was a waste of time, he was still a healthy man.

It would become clear when he met Roselia. He was certainly acknowledging the feelings he had felt for her.

Everything would become clear once he faced Roselia, Antonio’s younger sister, again.

“How is Roselia doing?”

Momentarily taken aback by Klaus’s sudden question, Roselia was at a loss for words.

“Roselia…? Well, um…”

Unable to meet his gaze for some reason, Roselia just looked out the window.

At that moment, Klaus cleared his throat and continued impassively.

“Considering all the hardships you and Roselia have been through, and how diligently you’ve been paying off the Duke family’s debt, I was thinking…”

Puzzled by Klaus’s uncharacteristically long-winded speech, Roselia looked at him again curiously.

Seemingly uncomfortable with her questioning gaze, Klaus averted his eyes and finally uttered the words he had been considering.

“I’d like the three of us to have a meal together sometime.”

“Pardon…??”