37.

The man’s appearance was dramatic, but Rosetta remained wary, like a cat clinging to a wall.

The first thing she noticed was his attire. He looked like someone from a wealthy household, dressed in an expensive frock coat and cravat. His facial features were… at least properly in place. Brown hair, green eyes, and narrow eyes that tapered like a snake’s tail.

“Oh, you don’t recognize me? Rea, it’s me.”

Then suddenly he acted as if he knew her. Ros crouched slightly higher atop the wall.

“Who are you?”

“Owen. Owen Cainbriggs. Good heavens, don’t you remember?”

“…”

Of course she didn’t remember. As she scrutinized him up and down with that expression, the man suddenly let out a short exclamation, as if just realizing something.

“Now that I think of it, I did hear rumors you’d lost your memory.”

“…”

Ros remained silent, watching him with suspicion. She could feel his gaze lingering on her perched form against the wall and her maid’s outfit. Then, as if reaching a conclusion, he burst into cheerful laughter.

“Are you running away because you don’t want to marry Cardier?”

Hearing it put that way made her firm resolve seem utterly trivial. Ros wrinkled her nose.

“What’s so funny?”

“Oh, if that’s really the case, I’d be happy to help.”

Ros raised one eyebrow skeptically. Accepting help from a complete stranger felt uneasy. Especially one who acted as if he knew her well. Of course, she was cornered enough at this point to grab even a starfish if it offered help.

“Come down first. I’ll hold your hand.”

She stared at the man’s hand like a suspicious old cat. But aside from his hand, she had no other viable options. Either return quietly to the garden of Valdemore, swarming with guards, or take that hand and gain freedom.

But then again, was this guy really trustworthy?

Ros was no stranger to the hardships women faced. Having lived among pirates, she’d seen how many women were swallowed whole by the world like soft cream. Handsome men betrayed their partners in secret, and seemingly innocent boys turned around and drew knives.

She’d climbed up the wall in frustration, but honestly, finding a reliable bodyguard was already a difficult task.

Never thought she’d be racking her brain over something like this. ‘Rosetta’ was known for her swift swordsmanship and strength rivaling that of ordinary men. She hadn’t been raised delicately enough to need escorts, and was accustomed to moving alone without any followers.

It wasn’t as if no one had ever tried to force her by strength, but in those cases, she never hesitated to get her hands bloody. That was how she carved her existence firmly into the messy heads of pirate crews, from Kirgos’s daughter to Kirgos’s sole heir.

But Rea, the cherished daughter of a ducal house, a canary among canaries.

With such a fragile body, it was only a matter of time before she’d be devoured to the bone. Even without money, her overly beautiful face would be a problem—let alone if she started spending jewels recklessly. So Ros had carefully packed a dress to wear later in her bag. It was safer to be seen as a runaway, reckless noble girl. That way, no one would dare touch her, fearing retaliation from her family’s knights. Of course, the downside was that her whereabouts would be easier to trace.

Anyway, having climbed the wall, she couldn’t just back down now. As Rosetta clenched her fist decisively, as if all her doubts were resolved, the man stretched his hand a little higher.

“If you’re done thinking, take my hand. My arm’s going to fall off.”

“If you drop me, I’ll kill you.”

Rosetta glared threateningly at the man, then swung one leg over the wall and sat perched on the edge. Just the thought of something solid to catch her in an emergency made everything feel a bit easier.

Ros slowly slid her seated hips forward along the edge until she dropped abruptly from the precarious tip. Contrary to her initial distrust, the man caught her quite firmly.

Finally!

Ros had successfully escaped from Valdemore’s mansion. She looked up at the tall wall with strange emotions. On the other side, guards were scrambling and shouting in surprise, apparently not expecting she’d actually jump.

Ikik. Now was the time to vanish quickly. Ros brushed off her maid’s dress and smiled at her accomplice.

“Thanks for helping.”

“Not at all.”

Thanks to her diligent observations during previous carriage rides, she naturally pictured in her mind which direction to go. The city market was her first destination—fences always gathered near jewelers frequented by nobles.

She set her goal and prepared to dash off like a released arrow. But then—

Somehow, despite vigorously swinging her arms and legs forward, she felt as if she weren’t moving at all. And this wasn’t just a feeling—someone was strongly pulling back on her sleeve from behind.

Ros turned around in disbelief. And met the shameless face gripping her collar.

“…What… exactly… do you think you’re doing?”

She spat each word with venom. But Owen just grinned, showing his teeth.

“I meant I’d help you down—not that I’d ignore your elopement.”

“…”

“I’m scared of Cardier too, you know.”

Ros rolled her eyes and looked him up and down. This fraud—what was he saying?

“You bastard, what did you just—”

“Miss!”

“Are you alright, miss!”

Before she could say more, the main gate of Valdemore’s mansion opened, and guards burst out, quickly surrounding her. Amid the chaotic crowd, Owen stood there with a smug look, even waving his hand casually.

Ros hurled every curse she knew while being dragged away by the guards.

* * *

Ros walked down the corridor with a sullen expression. She had to go—she’d received a stern order from the Duchess to report immediately to the reception room upon hearing of her garden incident.

Getting scolded was routine… but why on earth was Owen following her like a shadow? Rosetta finally spun around sharply, her face twisted in annoyance.

“You’re not a duckling. Why are you following me?”

Owen shrugged.

“I have business there too.”

Rosetta snorted dismissively. People really were defined by first impressions. He’d reeked of trouble from the start, and sure enough, he was the type to toy with others like this.

Rosetta decided to completely ignore his presence. She hastily wiped her sniffling nose with her hand, leaving wall dust smeared across her face like soot.

Owen nearly burst out laughing, but barely held it in. No need to provoke her further when she already looked irritable.

“They’re waiting inside.”

As they approached the door to the reception room, a servant bowed and announced.

Rosetta tilted her head. Normally, servants specified exactly who was waiting—either the Duchess or Blair, the young lord. But saying nothing at all meant…

“Come in, dear. Oh, Lord Cainbriggs too? How timely, you’ve both arrived together.”

…something ominous was definitely inside.

Ros’s gaze passed from the Duchess, who welcomed her with a bright face, to the figure beside her. Cardier, seated at the table, turned his head at the sound. His expression softened gently upon seeing her, but hardened menacingly when he noticed Owen standing beside her.

Facing him again made her stomach churn. Her heart was beating strangely, unlike usual. Ros placed a hand quietly on her chest. Could it be that Rea’s body was unusually weak—perhaps she had a preexisting heart condition?

While Ros puzzled over this, Cardier uncrossed his legs and asked. His voice was calm and composed, but his eyes were sharp, measuring the two of them.

“So… you two know each other?”

“Oh, we just met in front of the mansion.”

“Front?”

Cardier’s eyes narrowed slightly. Beside him, the Duchess did the same.

“Ohoho…”

Rosetta flashed an artificial smile and stepped close to the man, then quickly jabbed his side with her elbow.

Say the right things, will you?! But the man merely chuckled and cheerfully replied,

“She was clinging to the wall.”

“…”

“Cardier, she said she’s running away because she doesn’t want to marry you.”