“Anyway… there’s only one thing I want in return for accepting the duchess’s request.”

“If it’s about money, didn’t you already get that from my wife?”

“Do I look like someone who’s swayed by money?”

If Rosetta had heard this, she would’ve gone mad and flipped out, but Turner shamelessly retorted, acting as if he hadn’t received a single coin.At that meaningful remark, Cardier slightly tilted his head back, narrowing his eyes as if gauging the other’s true intentions.

“Not just money, then?”

“I heard you’re looking for a swordsmanship teacher for the lady.”

Cardier gave a cold smile.

“You expect me to let someone like you near my wife?”

“It’s not a bad choice, realistically speaking, is it? I’d have nothing to hide from you, little duke.”

“What a load of nonsense…”

“Staring at me like that doesn’t scare me. Everyone knows you can’t lift a finger against those you were close to back then.”

“…”

“If that were possible, you’d have grabbed that first mate, not me, and thrown them into a whale’s belly.”

Cardier’s lips twisted silently. The faint smile that lingered on his lips vanished in an instant.

“Talking so confidently about unconfirmed rumors.”

“What’s unconfirmed? The first mate’s betrayal? Or the fact that you can’t touch those you knew back then?”

“…”

“If it’s the latter, the fact that someone like me is still alive is proof enough. Our little duke isn’t exactly soft enough to overlook insubordination.”

“One day, I’ll twist that cheap neck of yours.”

“I keep telling you, it’s not cheap…”

Cardier waved his hand dismissively, as if annoyed by the feeble protest.

“Fine, whatever. Handle the lessons yourself.”

“You’re giving me permission?”

“Your way of handling a sword would suit my wife well. However…”

A deeply disdainful gaze scanned Turner’s face from bottom to top.

“That overly polished face of yours is irritating.”

…Who’s calling who out, exactly? Turner let out a hollow laugh.Since the age of five, he’d been called a divine creation, and by twenty-three, he was often praised as a masterpiece more than by his own name.It was only natural—his elegant, almost holy face could enchant even the most steadfast man.Especially now, when all human expression had been stripped away, it was even more so.

Turner let out a hearty, cheeky laugh.

“I’ll admit I’m a bit good-looking, but to hear that from you, little duke, is almost embarrassing.”

“…”

“If my face bothers you that much, it sounds like you plan to clear out every decent man from the lady’s side… Take it easy. What if the lady gets fed up with you?”

“If you’re done, get out.”

“Why so sudden…”

“Jenkins!”

There was no time to say more. The carriage door swung open, and Turner was yanked out by a burly sailor grabbing his collar.Ugh, how much is this outfit worth? Turner irritably shook off the sailor’s hand.Cardier, sitting in the carriage, looked down at him with disdain and crossed his long legs as he spoke.

“I’ll have a servant inform you of the lesson schedule.”

“Time’s no issue, whenever it is… Oh, one last thing.”

“…”

“I heard the lady lost her memories… but there’s something odd about it. For a noblewoman, she has a very unique air.”

“…”

“She called me Turner. Somehow, looking at her face-to-face, it reminds me of the red dawn, that woman…”

Before he could finish, the carriage door slammed shut with a bang.Turner, covered in dust, coughed and watched the carriage roll away with a wry expression.

…Nobles, honestly. Every single one of them has a filthy temper.

Rosetta flung open the bedroom door, panting.To make it back for Cardier’s return, she’d climbed the cliff so frantically that her body was drenched in sweat.She hurriedly stripped off her maid’s outfit and meticulously wiped her face and limbs with a wrung-out towel.After rinsing her mouth several times with water infused with orange blossoms and mint, she heard the sound of a carriage stopping downstairs.

“They just arrived. Hurry up.”

Anna, who’d been peering out the window, urged her on. Sure enough, the sound of hurried footsteps followed, and from the first floor, the faint voices of Cardier and the old butler could be heard.The sound grew closer, as if someone were climbing the stairs.

Rosetta quickly slipped into the nightgown Anna handed her and kicked her muddy shoes under the bed.Just as she barely managed to lie down and rest her head on the pillow, the bedroom door opened.

The door, which had opened without a knock, closed carefully, mindful of the quiet scene inside.Rosetta, pretending to be asleep, mumbled and pulled the blanket up to her chest, which she hadn’t fully covered.Despite her pale face, her heart was pounding wildly.

Feigning soft snores, Rosetta strained her ears to catch any movement.The rustle of a coat being removed reached her, followed by the sound of Anna quietly leaving the room.The sound of muffled footsteps grew closer. Then, with the sensation of the bed dipping, Cardier reached out with a cool hand and touched her forehead.

“Rosetta.”

Only then did she groggily open her eyes, as if just waking up.It was far too late to convincingly claim she’d been sleeping, but Rosetta yawned dramatically and stretched.

“You’re back already? Wow, I slept all day.”

“Did you sleep well?”

Cardier gently brushed her eyelids, as if wiping away nonexistent sleep crust, and asked softly.His large hand enveloped both her cheeks and neck at once.Their foreheads gently touched, as one might check a child’s temperature.His striking face, filling her entire view, was creased with worry.

“You’re soaked in sweat… You’re not sick, are you?”

Only then did Rosetta realize her body was warm.Her heart was beating too fast for someone who’d supposedly been sleeping.It was because she’d rushed back, climbing the near-cliff-like stairs without rest.Feeling guilty, she pushed Cardier’s hand away.

“No… it’s just, a bit hot, that’s all.”

“Then it’d be good to open the window.”

Rosetta wondered if Cardier had noticed anything suspicious, but he seemed completely unaware.His clear, trusting expression as he pulled back the curtains and opened the window almost stirred a pang of guilt in her.Though, admittedly, it was faint.

The cool breeze felt truly refreshing.Rosetta, like a soggy paper doll, slumped back onto the bed.Thinking she’d narrowly escaped, a fierce hunger suddenly hit her.Her stomach growled loudly.Cardier chuckled and loosened his cravat.

“You must be hungry after sleeping all day. I’ll have the butler prepare some food.”

“What about you? Have you eaten?”

“I need to wash up first.”

Despite saying he’d wash up, he sat back down on the bed.Combing through Rosetta’s disheveled hair with his fingers, he leaned down and lightly kissed her neck.Then, as if savoring her scent, he buried his face there.

“Just for a moment, let me stay like this.”

“…”

“To feel that you’re really here.”

His voice, lowered as it always was when they were alone, was achingly tender.There were moments like this that pierced her heart.Even though they slept skin-to-skin every night, sometimes he’d tightly embrace her waist, breathing a sigh of relief.Or sometimes, his eyes would hold a desperate glint, as if looking at someone who might vanish at any moment.In those moments, Rosetta felt anxious, as if everything was her fault.

“Cardier.”

Rosetta grabbed the loosely hanging cravat at his chest like a leash and pulled.It was a rough gesture, but he obediently lowered his head.Their breaths scattered across each other’s cheeks.Their noses brushed as they drew closer, and their lips met, fitting together perfectly.

Soft, moist flesh teased the root of her tongue.He nibbled gently on Rosetta’s flushed lips, moving his tongue to control her breathing.Through the narrow gap, her breath came in thin streams, and she clung to his lips, gasping.For just a kiss, it was an intense pleasure.Her lower abdomen warmed, and the tips of her breasts ached.She moaned with their lips still pressed together.

“Mm…”

The gentle plunderer sucked, bit, licked, and savored her thoroughly, melting her down to her spine before reluctantly pulling away.A thin thread of saliva connected them before snapping.Rosetta, panting, clung tightly to his neck.Cardier, with a sly smile, pressed his thumb against her lips.

“Sometimes I worry. That one day you’ll suddenly disappear.”

“I’m… ha… not going anywhere.”

“…Good.”

Cardier straightened up and sat silently for a moment.Just as Rosetta was starting to grow bored with the silence, he spoke.

“I’ve found you a swordsmanship teacher.”