“Please, I told you not to come here on your own.”

In the midst of the nobles arriving in carriages to splendidly end the last of the spring social season,

Rose, with anxious eyes, led Nelson to a secluded, shadowy corner of the garden, away from people’s gaze.

Relieved that no one seemed to have seen them, she sighed, but Nelson began to chuckle and laugh flippantly.

“What’s the problem with a father wanting to see his daughter’s face?”

“Who decided you’re my father? I told you, I’ve never had a father like you.”

“Unfortunately, kinship isn’t something you can change just because you dislike it. The fact that we are father and daughter, bound by blood, will never change.”

Rose clenched her eyes shut, as if she couldn’t stand to look at Nelson’s face, tearing at her hair in frustration.

By now, she should have been leisurely preparing for the ball in the dressing room, attended by her maids.

But Nelson, somehow bribing a court servant or something, kept secretly leaving notes under the meal trays, summoning her out.

Even though he was just a temporary gamekeeper, such frequent, unhesitant visits to the residence of a foreign queen were bound to arouse suspicion.

“Just a few days ago, I gave you a diamond bracelet. What more do you want?”

“Ah, that. It came in handy. When I took it to the jeweler, his eyes widened, trembling, he exclaimed, ‘Oh, where did you acquire such a fine piece?'”

Rose scornfully scanned Nelson from head to toe, a man with no semblance of refinement, clumsily imitating nobility in expensive clothes.

She wanted to report him, but one thing troubled her.

How had this man managed to find and approach her?

Until recently, he claimed not to know her mother’s maiden name, and there had been no contact for a long time, indicating a recent perfect opportunity to gather information about her.

His position as a temporary gamekeeper, his bold approach without a moment’s hesitation.

She couldn’t shake off the thought that some untouchable force was watching over him.

“By the way, I saw your sister recently.”

“What?”

“Her name was Kasalyn, right? She was pretty. Definitely not a drop of your blood in her. There was something indescribable, a certain dignity flowing from her.”

He’s seen my sister?

Rose stared hard at Nelson, her eyes shaking violently, about to turn white with fear.

Her hand, turned cold and pale, desperately clung to the hem of Nelson’s clothes.

“You didn’t dare spout nonsense to my sister, did you!”

“I thought about tipping her off about your secret, but I held back. It’s no fun starting that early.”

“You damned bastard!”

“Hey, watch your language to your father like me! You don’t want to upset me. Do you think I’m here without any reliable backing? Sorry, but I’m not that foolish.”

Rose’s hands trembled as she clutched at her skirt, slightly staggering.

If Kasalyn heard the truth about her being the daughter of a lowly mercenary, everything would be over.

Kasalyn would surely rush to tell everything to His Highness Challen.

“Rose has deceived the royal family about her birth, she deserves not only dethronement but also a death sentence.”

“What’s troubling you so much, my daughter? If you just help your father a little, there will be no risk of your identity being revealed.”

You know what I mean, right?

Nelson smiled kindly, patting Rose’s shoulder.

Rose, unable to push away her father’s filthy hand, dropped her head.
Someone was shouting in her head.

No matter how servile or humiliating it was, she must not defy the man before her now.

“What do you want…”

“My dad still has some debts left to pay. Prepare a thousand gold coins by tomorrow.”

Rose’s eyes widened in shock, veins bulging.

Even for Rose, who had lived a life of plenty, it was an unimaginably large amount.

“There’s no way I can gather that much money immediately, even if I try!”

“Then I have no choice but to go meet your sister right now.”

“Wa, wait a minute!”

Rose desperately clutched at Nelson’s hem, as if holding on to her last lifeline.

A vile smile appeared on Nelson’s lips.

“Then wait at least until I return to the Khan Kingdom. This is the Rennel Empire. Such a large sum can’t be arranged immediately.”

“Fine. A father and daughter should show some kindness to each other. But at least give me a down payment.”

“What?”

Silently, Nelson pointed at Rose’s body with a nod.

The dazzlingly luxurious sapphire necklace, heavy rings, and the brooches dangling on her already extravagant dress were his targets.

Rose closed her eyes tight and handed over all the jewelry she was wearing.

“That’s good. It’s nice when you’re obedient. It’s good for a daughter to show filial piety, and it’s good for a father to pay off his debts. Mutual benefit, right?”

With this, Nelson, now free from his mountain of debt, bit into a sapphire with his back teeth.

Delighting in the hard, cold sensation, he shivered in ecstasy for a while.

“Use it well. Let’s meet next in the Khan Kingdom. I’ll secretly contact you using my people. Until then, impress His Majesty the King and get some pocket money.”