100. Her Scent on a Stranger

Startled, Roselia turned her head in shock, her face a mixture of surprise and confusion.

Her eyes widened at the sight of Asif casually leaning against the wall with an air of nonchalance.

“I heard you were extremely busy, yet here you are, indulging in an oil massage,” he remarked.

“What are you—”

Roselia began, her expression frozen in shock, but quickly composed herself and responded firmly.

“This is not an appropriate time for a conversation. I must ask you to leave.”

Unlike her guarded demeanor, Asif replied lazily, his tone tinged with mockery.

“What’s the big deal? Among men, this is nothing. In Benuve, it’s common to chat while getting a massage. I’d like to experience this Raphelios-style oil massage myself.”

What kind of audacity was this?

Roselia knew that in the southern region of Benuve, where the climate was hot, it was normal for people to enjoy massages or baths together, often half-naked. But this was not Benuve.

And more importantly, she wasn’t a man.

As she glared at him, unsure how to respond, Asif glanced around the room like a relaxed cat and commented, “The room smells wonderful.”

Having just returned from the greenhouse after releasing her scent, the fragrance still lingered heavily in the air. With her body uncovered, the scent must have been even more pronounced.

Asif, as if reading her thoughts, muttered leisurely, “It doesn’t smell like any perfume I know.”

Roselia maintained her composure and replied coldly, “If you don’t return to the parlor immediately, I will call someone.”

Her sharp tone finally made Asif shrug with a disappointed expression.

“Hmph… So uptight…”

At that moment, Eva entered the room carrying an oil bottle, only to scream in shock upon seeing Asif.

“Ahh! Who are you?!”

“I’m a friend of the Viscountess,” Asif replied casually.

Confused, Eva turned to Roselia and asked, “My lady, do you have friends in Benuve?”

Roselia let out a deep sigh and spoke decisively.

“More importantly, Eva. Bring me a robe.”

“Right now?”

Making a fuss in front of Asif, who believed her to be a man, would only raise suspicion. She also refused to appear flustered in front of someone so brazen.

Catching Roselia’s pointed look, Eva quickly understood and brought over a folding screen to shield her.

Once behind the screen, Roselia calmly put on her robe, then stepped out confidently, walking straight toward Asif.

As she approached, the intensity of her scent hit Asif, causing him to avert his eyes instinctively.

Her fragrance stirred something within him, making his body inexplicably warm and his gaze unable to meet hers.

How could a man exude such allure?

Flustered, Asif covered his lower face with a large hand and turned his head away.

“Shall we continue our conversation here?” Roselia asked, her voice steady and composed.

Feeling that staying in this scent-filled room would put him at a disadvantage, Asif turned on his heel without thinking.

“I’ll wait in the parlor…”

His face was noticeably flushed as he left the room, walking quickly toward the parlor with a bewildered expression.

He couldn’t understand his body’s reaction. He was used to receiving massages from half-dressed maids in Benuve, yet here he was, blushing over someone simply wearing a robe.

Confused by his response, Asif frowned deeply.

* * *

“My apologies, Duke Valtazar, but the Viscountess Bernas is very busy today and may not be able to meet you,” Aven, the head butler, informed Klaus politely.

“I’ll wait.”

Hearing the same response as Asif’s earlier, Aven sighed.

When he noticed that Asif was no longer in the parlor, he assumed the prince had grown tired of waiting and left. Maintaining his composed demeanor, Aven replied, “I can’t guarantee anything, but I’ll pass on your message.”

With that, the butler left the parlor. Klaus sat on the sofa, crossing his legs in a relaxed posture, though inwardly he was restless.

The parlor door suddenly flew open, and Asif entered.

“Duke Valtazar?”

“Prince Asif, what are you doing here…?”

Klaus’s expression hardened upon seeing him.

A familiar scent wafted from Asif—Roselia’s scent.

As Klaus’s face turned grim, Asif, with an air of arrogance, tilted his chin and spoke.

“Why, you ask…? Isn’t it obvious? I have business here,” Asif replied smoothly.

“With the Marquess of Euciliod?” Klaus questioned coldly.

“No, with Viscountess Bernas.”

Klaus’s brows furrowed dangerously, his expression darkening. The lingering scent of Roselia that clung to Asif only served to aggravate him further.

“Did you meet with the Viscountess already?” Klaus pressed.

“I don’t believe I’m obligated to share that information with the Duke,” Asif replied, his tone sharp and defiant.

The tension between the two men grew palpable, sparks flying in the silent standoff as they glared at one another like two immovable statues.

Just then, Roselia entered the parlor, her eyes widening in surprise as she took in the scene.

“Duke Valtazar?” she exclaimed.

Klaus’s expression soured further at the sight of Roselia, her hair damp as if she had just bathed.

Unaware of Klaus’s reaction, Roselia tilted her head in confusion. “What brings you here?”

“I came to deliver something,” Klaus replied curtly.

Not to be outdone, Asif interjected, “I, too, have something to give you, Viscountess.”

The air between them grew even tenser as their gazes collided once more.

Roselia sighed deeply, exasperated by their behavior. “Duke Valtazar, I already have a guest today. If you have something to give me, please do so now or return later.”

Her firm words caused Asif’s expression to shift into one of triumph. Klaus, meanwhile, narrowed his eyes in frustration.

At that moment, Claucet entered the parlor, her cheerful voice breaking the charged atmosphere. “What’s this strange tableau I’ve walked into while I was gone?”

Klaus’s lips curled slightly in triumph, his demeanor shifting to one of smug confidence. He knew well how Roselia’s demeanor softened around Claucet, and he wasn’t above using that to his advantage.

Roselia’s expression turned resigned as she sighed heavily. “Please wait here with Lady Claucet for a moment. I’ll finish my business with the first guest and return shortly.”

At her change of plans, Asif’s face twisted with displeasure, his frustration evident. Klaus, however, maintained a leisurely smile as he settled comfortably onto the sofa, the picture of ease.

Unaware of the subtle power plays between the men, Claucet spoke innocently. “Oh, a guest from Benuve? Alright, we’ll wait here.”

Offering Claucet a polite smile, Roselia glanced briefly at Klaus before turning to lead Asif out of the parlor. As she left, Klaus’s self-satisfied expression remained firmly in place, while Asif followed Roselia, his irritation simmering just below the surface.

* * *

Roselia guided Asif to another parlor nearby, where she seated herself at the table and got straight to the point.

“What brings you here?”

Her cold and detached tone caused Asif to feign a wounded expression.

“I went through a lot of trouble to get that painting you wanted…”

“You mean the one that was supposed to go to the imperial collection?”

“It took some effort,” Asif replied smugly, his expression brimming with pride.

Roselia, visibly uncomfortable, hesitated before speaking. “You didn’t have to go to such lengths…”

“Of course, I’m not giving it to you for free,” he interjected.

Bringing something unasked for and then expecting compensation—what an audacious move.

Roselia frowned, her gaze sharpening with suspicion. Asif met her eyes with an enigmatic expression.

“You… You’re part of the Raphelios bloodline, aren’t you?”

He spoke in a serious tone, his demeanor shifting.

“I’ve heard that some members of the Raphelios bloodline emit a unique scent. But among the ones I’ve met, none had it—not even when I met the Marquess of Euciliod.”

It was natural. The pheromonal scent of the bloodline was something only the opposite sex could detect.

Judging by Asif’s expression, he seemed unaware of the specific effects of the scent, beyond simply noticing it. That likely explained why he still thought of her as a man.

There was no benefit to revealing her connection to the bloodline, so Roselia maintained her composure.

“You must have mistaken it for a perfume,” she replied calmly.

“What about the scent that filled the room earlier?”

“That would be the fragrance of the oil I applied.”

Asif mulled over her curt response before adopting a cryptic smile. “Fine. In that case, I’ll share a secret of my own.”

Uninterested, Roselia thought to herself, No need, really.

“As the Raphelios bloodline has its scent and Rugbeljet’s royals possess heightened senses, the Benuve royal family also has an inherited ability,” he explained.

Roselia’s curiosity was piqued, and she studied him attentively.

“Though the current royal family has lost much of this ability, I still have it to some extent.”

“What is it?”

“The ability to read people’s hearts.”

“…What?”

“That’s how I know you lied to me just now.”

“If you can read minds, why bother asking me questions in the first place?” Roselia countered, her expression skeptical.

Asif, momentarily silenced, grinned and shrugged. “I told you, my ability isn’t perfect.”

Roselia’s distrustful gaze didn’t waver, prompting Asif to elaborate further.

“Those with a strong grasp of the ability can read minds just by looking into someone’s eyes. I’m not there yet. For now, I only see people’s emotions as colors.”

“Colors?”

“If someone’s heart races or they’re angry, I see red. If they’re sad or melancholic, it appears blue. Positive or affectionate emotions are a bright orange, something like that.”

Roselia’s skepticism deepened, her expression showing even more doubt.

Trying to prove his point, Asif clapped his hands dramatically and announced, “I can guess what you’re thinking right now. You don’t trust me.”

That’s obvious from my face, Roselia thought, staring at him with exasperation.

Sighing deeply, Asif adopted a more earnest tone. “Please. I need help from someone with the bloodline’s scent.”

“What kind of help?”

“I’ve heard that the scent of the Raphelios bloodline is so powerful it can awaken even the dead. It’s not just a smell; it stimulates all the senses.”

Asif’s expression darkened as he continued.

“My younger sibling, only eight years old, started losing their sight and smell a few years ago. Now, they’re losing their hearing, and eventually, they’ll lose all their senses.”

Roselia deduced he was referring to the youngest prince of the Benuve royal family.

“I want to give them a chance to experience even a moment of joy through their senses. The scent of the bloodline might reach them, even if nothing else can.”

Listening quietly, Roselia finally asked, “Even if I had such a scent, how do you intend to bring it to Benuve?”

“I’ll take you there myself,” Asif replied without hesitation.

“What…?”

“If you agree, I’d like to invite you to Benuve.”

 

 

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