73.

“It’s true. I really did have a reason.”

“……Yes. I understand. Of course I understand.”

Her reply, delivered with an expression that clearly showed she understood nothing, made anger surge within Rosetta. She clenched her teeth.

“Fine, let’s overlook the clothes you’re wearing—but after seeing the interior decoration of the carriage, can’t you at least tell whether it’s genuine or not? Huh?”

The look in her eyes almost seemed to add, “Are your eyes decorations too?” Melvin finally flinched. Yet, as if determined to have the last word, he defiantly opened his mouth.

“The kind of decoration on a carriage can be imitated by anyone with enough money…….”

“You truly suspect everything.”

Rosetta glared at Melvin for a long while, then gave up on trying to convince him. She knew that if his eccentric personality remained unchanged, once he started doubting, no matter what evidence she presented, he would persistently question her until fully satisfied.

It was clearer and more certain to simply show him once. Rosetta handed him over to her attendants. Then she ordered the coachman to return to Montrosa Castle at full speed.

Montrosa’s sturdy iron gates naturally swung wide open to welcome the return of the young marchioness. Gatekeepers and passing navy officers alike saluted sharply. It was a pity she couldn’t see Melvin’s expression at that very moment.

However, a noblewoman and a commoner returning home together in the same carriage could spark unpredictable scandals. At that moment, Rosetta firmly decided to firmly grasp one of Melvin’s wrists.

“Welcome back, my lady.”

The elderly butler personally opened the carriage door and bowed respectfully. Melvin, standing nearby, instantly turned to look at him. His eyes widened like those of a startled squirrel. Despite it not being his own authority, Rosetta felt a fleeting sense of smug pride. She straightened her back proudly.

“Yes.”

“Who is the person accompanying you, my lady?”

Noticing Melvin’s presence, the butler cautiously observed her reaction. Rosetta replied casually.

“I met him in the downtown of Ciclide. I accidentally broke his wrist. He needs a place to stay for now.”

At her words, Melvin quickly clutched his wrist and made a pained expression, quick to play along. The butler stared at Melvin with sharp eyes, as if regarding him as the greatest fraud in the world, yet bowed meekly before Rosetta.

“Shall I call a doctor then?”

Rosetta began to nod, then shook her head sideways. Calling a doctor would expose their clumsy lie.

“Not now—tomorrow morning.”

“Yes, I’ll make the arrangements. How long do you plan to have him stay at the estate?”

Rosetta pretended to ponder briefly.

“I’ll keep him as a servant once his arm heals.”

At that, Melvin forgot even to act, his mouth falling open. He looked deeply wronged, as if he’d never been told anything about this arrangement.

Yet now that her status as a high-ranking noble was confirmed, he couldn’t openly show reluctance. After all, a Montrosa marchioness could easily tear apart a commoner or two over a mere bad mood.

At that moment, recalling his own arrogant attitude just hours earlier, Melvin’s face rapidly turned pale. Rosetta calmly continued speaking, leisurely observing Melvin’s face alternately flushing and paling in real time.

“Are there any vacant positions? It doesn’t have to be in the mansion. Actually, that might be better.”

The experienced butler once again scrutinized Melvin from head to toe with piercing eyes, then coldly declared.

“There is an opening to assist the stablemaster.”

At that, Melvin’s face turned ashen—so pale it couldn’t possibly get any whiter. The stablemaster of such a vast castle was so busy he barely had time to sit during working hours. He changed horse feed several times a day, cleaned manure, managed horseshoes and hay……

It was clearly an arrangement meant to remove Melvin from the young marchioness’s sight permanently. Melvin desperately looked at Rosetta, but she immediately agreed.

“That’ll do.”

No, that won’t do at all……. Melvin raised his hand pitifully, but both ignored him.

“Where’s Cardier?”

“He sent word that he’ll arrive a bit late due to a delayed start.”

“Then call Anna. I want to bathe first.”

“Yes, my lady.”

“And send that boy up after giving him a quick wash and something to eat.”

“Yes, my lady.”

* * *

The moment Rosetta opened the bedroom door, maids who seemed to have been waiting impatiently stripped her of her clothes. Then she was promptly plunged into fragrant bathwater.

“What kind of clothes are these again…… Our young lady constantly exceeds my wildest imagination.”

Anna grumbled while folding the discarded clothes. Regardless, Rosetta dabbed some scented oil, sniffed it, and rubbed it onto her skin. Only yesterday, her skin and hair were severely damaged from the salty seawater…… How deceitful the mind was, instinctively seeking comfort and luxury again. As Anna carefully rubbed the scented oil onto the parts Rosetta couldn’t reach, she asked.

“What about dinner? You didn’t eat outside, did you?”

“Not yet.”

“Then I’ll go to the kitchen and prepare it right away.”

“You? Not the head chef?”

Though the question sounded suspicious, Anna hesitated and stammered instead of answering immediately—so much so that Rosetta, who had asked casually, nearly felt embarrassed.

“What is it?”

“I—I can’t say.”

Rosetta studied Anna’s expression carefully, then twisted her lips.

“Is there poison in it?”

“What? How could you say something so terrible!”

“Fine, if not……”

“You have no idea how carefully I watch everything that goes into your body, miss—or rather, my lady!”

Anna looked so wronged she even snorted, like a tiny dragon puffing smoke. Rosetta backed down. Any suspicious matters could be calmly checked later. She subtly changed the subject while observing Anna’s mood.

“By the way, check the time. Is Melvin ready?”

“Well…… Ah, that boy.”

Melvin was certainly seventeen now—he had been thirteen four years ago. His build had grown much taller, and his face showed signs of manhood. Yet, objectively speaking, he still seemed like a naive youngster. However, Anna clearly believed Melvin was a sly fraud who only looked young.

“They said they’d send him up once ready, so he should be in the adjacent room by now.”

If the elderly butler was a shrewd man who never voiced opinions contrary to his master’s decisions, Anna was completely the opposite. She kept snorting indignantly for a while, then pursed her lips unhappily.

“Where and how did you bring him from?”

“Later.”

“Don’t give him money if he asks, using his wrist injury as an excuse. There might be pickpocket gangs behind kids like him.”

“You’re really worried. Alright, alright, I get it.”

“……Our young lady is far too naive. It’s troubling.”

Naive. Rosetta nearly burst out laughing at that word. A truly naive person wouldn’t have dragged someone here and crushed them with status.

Rosetta understood better than anyone the power nobles held. Because of that, she knew there was no need to be as hyper-vigilant as during her pirate days. Since vigilance wasn’t necessary, she simply didn’t behave as harshly as back then. Of course, physical limitations also played a role.

“That’s enough.”

Rosetta meticulously wiped off the last traces of soap and dried herself with a towel. After putting on the simple dress brought by the maids, a fierce hunger overwhelmed her. But Melvin came first. Cardier would return soon, and it wouldn’t be good for the two of them to meet.

“Ah…….”

When she entered the adjacent room, Melvin startled and awkwardly rose from his seat. Rosetta waved her hand dismissively.

“You’re injured—what are you doing? Sit down.”

“How could I possibly—”

Though half-scammed into being hired, Melvin bowed politely before asserting his grievances. He didn’t know where things had gone wrong, but noble whims usually struck like natural disasters. Years of reading the room had taught him it was best to remain as humble as possible. Moreover…… this woman was among the highest tier of nobility.

“Sit down, I said.”

The woman waved her hand, clearly annoyed. Then she gestured to the maid standing guard by the door.

“Anna, bring some tea.”

The maid retreated with a heavily suspicious look, as if facing a criminal. Melvin let out a nervous laugh, then met the marchioness’s gaze directly and quickly lowered his head.

“Umm, I wonder what business you could possibly have with someone like me…….”

“Just a moment.”

Rosetta silenced him with a hand gesture and alertly checked the surroundings. She waited until the maids’ footsteps faded away, then pulled a chair close to the tea table. Though no one was currently passing by, the parlor door was wide open—so anyone in the corridor could overhear their conversation with just a little attention.

Rosetta slid a sheet of parchment and a quill pen in front of him.

“I called you for a few questions. Please answer honestly. If you find it difficult to speak, you may write instead.”