A day had passed since Julius arrived.

Rose had no intention of leaving her office.

She had decided to quietly comply with the Duke’s words not to touch Princess Mederion.

Of course, it wasn’t exactly a prohibition, but Rose had already firmly misunderstood.

Rose didn’t want to give any room for misunderstanding to Princess Mederion or the Duke.

Today, she didn’t even go to the dining room.

Although it had become customary to have meals with the Duke every day, there was no need to do so uncomfortably now.

‘Because we’ll have a three-way meal together.’

Princess Mederion, the Duke, and Rose herself.

Imagining the three of them having a meal together was terribly horrifying.

Was it because Rose hadn’t eaten? The Duke knocked on Rose’s office door.

Knock, knock.

“Rose.”

Rose, who was busy with her pen, paused for a moment.

She couldn’t chase away the Duke who had come all the way to her office….

Rose answered slowly, “Yes.”

To welcome the Duke, she stood up from her seat.

Looking at Rose’s pale face, the Duke was worried.

“Your condition still doesn’t seem good?”

Meeting eyes with the Duke, Rose maintained an expressionless face and turned her head.

“No, I’m fine.”

Judging by Rose’s complexion, it was clear that her complexion was better than yesterday.

“I thought you were sick because you skipped the meal.”

“I just don’t have an appetite.”

Rose’s voice without a trace of laughter felt quite awkward.

In the different atmosphere than usual, the Duke was considerably taken aback.

The Duke looked at the documents covering Rose’s desk and thought.

‘It seems like she’s working hard to prepare for the upcoming conference.’

It was entirely Rose’s responsibility.

Although the Duke attended together, he was just an investor.

‘It must be tough for her.’

He thought that Rose might be sharp, given the weight on her shoulders.

“Still, don’t skip meals. I’m worried.”

He wanted to hug her tightly to cheer her up.

But now, if he acted like that in his current sensitive state, it might backfire.

With these words, the Duke quietly stepped aside.

Rose stared at the Duke’s departing back. She only moved after he was completely gone.

“Is it because of what I said yesterday that I feel sorry for not eating and staying in the office?”

She thought that he might have visited, feeling sorry for her staying in the office due to the warning she gave.

The Duke’s last words lingered in her mind.

‘But don’t skip meals. I’m worried.’

Rose let out a low sigh and muttered to herself.

“Excessive kindness is declined….”

Muttering to herself, Rose soon returned to her desk.

The presentation she would give in front of the CEOs was already complete.
Rose checked for any missing parts and reviewed whether there were any new additions.

After finishing the review, Rose suddenly became worried about Gwyn, whom she hadn’t contacted for a while.

It had been quite some time since she sent a letter.

Normally, she would receive a reply within three days, but this time, the lack of communication was unusual.

“This is not someone who wouldn’t keep in touch… Could something have happened?”

Rose couldn’t hide her uneasy feelings.

“I should probably ask Seren for a favor.”

Seren and Jane were still staying in the capital.

Seren played the role of a double agent for the Wentz Viscount, and Jane was enjoying a sweet break.

Jane, who had been working tirelessly for several years, took advantage of this opportunity to take a good rest.

Rose had managed to persuade her to come to the Artem Territory along with Seren.

She was warned about the department store job, saying there would be no time to blink once it started, but Jane seemed to be enjoying her break.

While Rose was writing a letter to Seren, she hastily put away the letter as she heard someone knocking on the door.

It wasn’t appropriate to show a letter meant for Wentz Viscount’s knights.

“Yes?”

But there was no one else coming.

Did the Duke send a meal to Rose’s office?

“The Duke has sent food as per his instructions.”

As expected, it was just that.

A cheerful voice could be heard from outside the door.

Rose answered without much thought, asking the servant to come in.

Then, she pretended to review documents.

As the maid who brought the food entered, Rose naturally raised her head and spoke.

“Yeah, just put it on the table… P-Princess?”

“Ugh, should I leave it here?”

The one who brought the food was not a maid but Julius.

Rose was dumbfounded by Julius’s unexpected appearance.

“How did you come here?”

Rose stood up from her seat with a puzzled expression.

Julius placed the tray on the table and smiled brightly.

“I came to bring food.”

“So why… Princess, why did you…?”

The words were trailing off, and Rose raised her eyebrows.

‘There’s no way the Duke would ask her to bring it.’

Seemingly catching Rose’s inner thoughts, Julius spoke gently.

“The maid was bringing the food, so I intercepted her. I wanted to play with Yeongae.”

“Yes?”

Julius’s words were perplexing.