Montrosa. How could one forget that name? The name that commands both the reluctant admiration and curses, reverence and fear of all pirates.
The Montrosa family had not suffered a single defeat in naval battles for the past fifteen years, a lineage of eastern admirals and one of the three ducal houses upholding the empire. And as far as Rosetta knew, there was only one young duke in the Montrosa family.
Cardier, the young pup who used to follow her.
She had thought they might cross paths someday, but this was far too soon. Confound it. Except for Calypso, who could see souls, Cardier was likely the only one who could recognize her as Rosetta. Dogs, after all, tend to have sharp instincts. Rosetta bit her lip.
The problem was that she had no idea how he would react if he recognized her. Based on the temperament she remembered, he might try to protect her… but there was no guarantee he wouldn’t tighten a leash around her neck and hand her over to the navy. Or perhaps brand her a witch and throw her onto a pyre.
In truth, four years was more than enough time for a person to change. Nick, that rogue, had changed overnight, hadn’t he?
“Good heavens! He’s just arrived! A black carriage with a golden anchor, the crest of the Montrosa ducal house!”
Anna, who had been pressing her face against the window, eagerly awaiting the young duke’s arrival, shouted with a flushed face.
“He’s stepping out of the carriage. How can someone be so perfect! The gods must have been in love when they crafted him!”
“…….”
“He’s climbing the first step now. He’s handed his coat to the butler! Oh my! Did he just smile? His lips moved slightly, ah…!”
Her gaze was the epitome of someone devouring with their eyes. Judging by the overlapping gasps echoing through the corridor, Rosetta would have bet the Toulon that every maid in the mansion had their noses pressed against the windows.
“……Did he hear us? He hasn’t glanced this way, so maybe, thankfully, he didn’t. Oh, he’s fully entered the mansion now.”
Anna, who had been narrating the young duke’s every move, reluctantly peeled herself away from the window, her nose slightly red from pressing against it.
“He’ll be in the drawing room soon.”
“……This won’t do.”
“Indeed, that beauty is simply too much… My lady?”
Rosetta leapt to her feet.
“Tell them I’m not here.”
“What?”
Anna’s response was less a question and more a gasp of shock. Rosetta grabbed the trailing hem of her dress with both hands and bolted out of the drawing room. A few suitors standing in the corridor looked at her in surprise, but she didn’t care. Escaping this place as quickly as possible was far more important.
“Or say I’m sick!”
It was hard to find any trace of illness in her spirited dash up the stairs. The voice of the lady, already halfway up a flight, echoed like a distant shout. Anna, with a bewildered expression, cried out pitifully.
“……My lady? Where are you going? My lady!”
Rosetta’s escape didn’t last long. The duchess, having grasped the situation, practically dragged her back to the drawing room by the scruff of her neck. It was baffling how such strength came from that delicate frame.
“You mustn’t make a scene twice. Lea, you are Valdemore’s daughter before you are mine. Think of the duties you bear.”
“…….”
“Now, go back in.”
The duchess smiled elegantly, pushing her daughter’s back. Though she was clearly smiling, a fierce aura radiated from her entire being. Rosetta learned for the first time that a person could be so gracefully furious.
Rosetta could spit in the face of someone holding a gun to her head without flinching, but she had no defenses against those who wielded fans and spoke in refined circles. Thus, being dragged back to the drawing room without a single proper retort was, for her, an unavoidable fate.
Her mind knew she couldn’t push further. If word reached the duke, she might not just be dragged to the drawing room but to a convent. For the sake of a hundred steps forward, retreating one step was the best course. Her mind knew that. Truly, her mind did.
Anna cautiously called out to her.
“My lady, it’s been well over forty minutes…”
Rosetta nervously fidgeted with the doorknob. She had no idea what face to wear or how to confront him. It would have been easier if they’d told her to cut Cardier’s throat. A match with that boy… she was done for.
Rosetta took a deep breath. She obsessively thought about the impression she needed to make on him. To go unnoticed, unremarkable, dull, and boring. In short, she had to ensure Cardier found no reason to take an interest in her.
Right. Whatever happens, let’s just get it over with.
“……Fine. I’m going in.”
The moment Rosetta steeled herself and gripped the doorknob, it happened.
“……Ah!”
The door suddenly swung open from the other side. Caught off guard, Rosetta, still holding the knob, stumbled forward ungracefully. Had the other person not reflexively caught her by the waist, she would surely have planted her face on the drawing room floor.
“Are you alright?”
At first, it was the fresh scent of sea breeze. Not so different from her memories. Overwhelmed by an indescribable emotion, Rosetta tilted her head back and looked at Cardier’s face.
His voice was slightly deeper than she remembered, his height strikingly tall, and the cheeks, once soft with youth, now carved a refined line. His shadowed eyes and flawless jawline were no longer those of a boy.
The firm muscles felt beneath his pristine white uniform… Even four years ago, he had begun to carry the air of a man, so it wasn’t surprising that he had ripened so perfectly now.
Almost comically, Lea’s frame was so small that her head barely reached Cardier’s chest. Rosetta belatedly realized she was reflexively touching his solid frame. Awkwardly pulling her hands from his chest, she said,
“Well, what an unfortunate mishap…”
“I asked if you’re alright.”
“Of course I’m fi—”
Before she could finish, a cold remark cut her off from above.
“Then would you mind stepping back.”
His tone carried a subtle edge. Even his initial concern seemed merely a matter of public courtesy. His gaze was cool, his voice openly irritated. Rosetta instinctively took two steps back.
Looking down at her, he spoke as if it were obvious.
“I heard you were ill, but you seem remarkably well.”
“…….”
“Or perhaps, like everyone else, you suddenly recovered due to a change of heart.”
Rosetta’s jaw dropped. The Cardier in her memory was a young man like a spring breeze. Oblivious to sarcasm, a purebred retriever-like innocence… persistent like waves that kept coming no matter how much she pushed him away, and a naivety she didn’t know what to do with. That was the harmless, guileless impression she had of Cardier.
But this insolent attitude, as if she were feigning illness… Rosetta grew increasingly confused about whether the youth in her memory and this man were the same person. Did Cardier have a twin brother? Could the same face carry such different expressions and tones?
At the sight of Rosetta’s bewildered expression, Cardier clicked his tongue.
“I understand this betrothal is unwelcome to us both. So let’s keep the waste of time to a minimum.”
“What kind of nonsense—I mean, what are you saying?”
Cardier paused, tilting his head slightly before continuing.
“I’m saying my intentions were not involved in the least when that proposal was sent. Just as you were dragged here, my lady.”
“…….”
“So let’s pretend this never happened and…”
“Young Duke Montrosa.”
The one who interrupted was the Duchess of Valdemore. Cardier, as if only now noticing her presence, furrowed his perfect brow slightly. With utmost elegance, the duchess gracefully inserted herself between them.
“……Duchess Valdemore.”
Cardier reluctantly took the hand she offered and kissed it. The duchess gave a gentle smile, unable to fully conceal the predatory glint in her eyes as she regarded her splendid catch—er, prospective son-in-law.
“Thank you for coming. Our Lea has been so looking forward to this day.”
“…….”
“Even while ill, she insisted on seeing you, my lord.”
Turns Out He’s Been Secretly in Love with Me
One-line summary: He acts like he doesn’t like her but is actually playing hard to get.
Synopsis:
Xu Muzhou like her. He has liked her for a very long time, and through repeated schemes, he finally closed the distance with her.
But this is still far from enough.
He wants to be the one who stands out among her many suitors, to fight for her attention, and to make her take the initiative to pursue him.
_____
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