112. Encountered the Prince while Disguised as a Woman

“The Duke of Valtazar also sensed the fragrance from that woman?”

At Johannes’s question, Roselia nodded.

Johannes, stroking his chin with a serious expression, soon let out a deep sigh.

“Is that why you went to the tavern where she works?”

“I’m sorry for making you worry…”

At Roselia’s subdued response, Johannes sighed and continued speaking.

“I won’t know for sure until I meet her myself… but don’t go looking for her again, Roselia.”

At his unusually serious words, Roselia looked puzzled.

Facing her, Johannes’s expression hardened firmly.

“Regardless of that woman, you are the last surviving bloodline of the Marquessate and the most legitimate heir. If you get caught up in something dangerous, nothing else will matter.”

At his calm words, Roselia’s expression darkened as she asked,

“Then what about her…?”

“If I get involved, it will only draw more attention from the concubines’ faction nobles. For now, we have no choice but to wait for her to come here on her own.”

Hearing his reasoning, Roselia silently nodded.

If it were revealed that Nora was of noble blood, her life might become even more complicated.

Of course, she wouldn’t have to worry about going hungry anymore…

But which future would be better for her? That was for Nora to decide.

Besides, the Lionel Ducal House had never had a good relationship with the Empress’s faction.

Trying to protect Nora might provoke opposition from the nobles within the Empress’s camp.

Feeling overwhelmed by the complicated situation, Roselia let out a deep sigh.

Seeing this, Johannes smiled gently at her.

“Don’t worry too much. While I can’t step forward personally, I’ll conduct my own investigation into that woman.”

At his reassurance, Roselia smiled back and nodded.

* * *

As Marquis Bellog visited the marquis’ estate to discuss trade business, Roselia walked him to the entrance after concluding their conversation.

“I am truly amazed by Viscount Bernas’ broad perspective on art! Once again, I am in awe! Haha! Well then, I shall see you at our next gathering.”

“It was a delightful time. Please take care, Marquis.”

As she escorted the cheerful Marquis Bellog to his carriage, a familiar carriage pulled up behind his.

It was a Valtazar Hotel carriage.

For a moment, Roselia stiffened, thinking of Klaus. But before she could dwell on it, the carriage door opened, revealing a familiar face.

“Antonio!”

Fortunately, the owner of the carriage was not Klaus but Claucet.

“Lady Roselia?”

While a surprised Roselia stared at her, Marquis Bellog widened his eyes in astonishment.

“Isn’t that Lady Valtazar?”

Claucet, who had already approached Roselia, beamed and pulled her into an embrace.

“I missed you!”

The one most taken aback by the sudden hug wasn’t Roselia, but rather Marquis Bellog.

Could it be that Viscount Bernas and Lady Valtazar were…?

The thought made Bellog quickly erase his initial confusion and replace it with an expectant smile.

So that’s why she seemed close to Duke Valtazar!

“Ahem, ahem! It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Valtazar.”

Offering a polite smile, Marquis Bellog greeted her warmly, only for Claucet to tilt her head in confusion.

“Who?”

At that moment, Roselia, having freed herself from Claucet’s embrace, chuckled and introduced him.

“This is Marquis Bellog, the head of Bellog Trading Company and the envoy from the Kingdom of Mule.”

“Oh! So you’re the marquis involved in Klaus’ trade route business?”

Recognizing the name, Claucet’s eyes lit up, and Bellog responded with a broad smile.

“Yes, and I am also currently staying at Valtazar Hotel. We exchanged greetings briefly at the banquet held there recently.”

“Oh, my apologies, Marquis. That day was so chaotic that I must have forgotten.”

With graceful ease, Claucet lifted the hem of her dress and curtsied, making Roselia smile.

Claucet now carried herself like the true lady of a ducal house, her expression poised and mature.

“Antonio, I hear you and Klaus are preparing a remarkable business endeavor together. I look forward to it.”

Claucet’s composed greeting brought a warm smile to the marquis’ face.

“It is I who should be grateful. Well then, I’ll take my leave and let you both enjoy your time together.”

As he spoke, he gave them a knowing smile.

Roselia, momentarily stunned, blinked at the marquis in confusion.

Claucet, however, had clearly picked up on the nuance of his words, and with an amused glint in her eyes, she grinned mischievously.

“Take care.”

As the marquis’s carriage gradually disappeared into the distance, Claucet cheerfully linked arms with Roselia.

“Marquis Bellog is adorable.”

“He certainly has a vivid imagination.”

Claucet burst into laughter at Roselia’s remark, then looked up at her with a playful smile.

“Antonio’s been hiding so much that I had to come in person… You wouldn’t throw me out, would you?”

Seeing Claucet’s mischievous grin, Roselia let out a quiet chuckle.

“Come inside first.”

With Roselia’s approval, Claucet, still clinging to her arm, happily stepped into the estate.

As they made their way to the terrace connected to the garden, Eva, Roselia’s maid, appeared.

“My lady, shall I prepare some tea?”

Since this was usually the time Roselia enjoyed tea with Eva, she smiled and responded.

“Why don’t you join us today?”

“M-me too?”

Eva glanced hesitantly at Claucet, unsure whether it was appropriate. Roselia turned to Claucet and asked,

“Would that be alright, my lady?”

“Of course! I’d love to get to know Antonio’s maid too!”

Before long, the three of them were seated at the terrace table, engaged in lively conversation.

Though Claucet and Eva did most of the talking, Roselia found it enjoyable just to listen.

“It’s such a shame, really. My lady would look absolutely stunning if properly dressed up…”

Now fully comfortable with each other, the two had even shared Roselia’s secret identity and were happily singing praises about her beauty.

“Right? Antonio in a dress is truly breathtaking! Especially in a green one—it suits so well! If we brought you to a banquet like that, you’d steal all the attention!”

“Oh my… I want to see it too! My lady in a dress!”

The irony of discussing dresses while calling her ‘Antonio’ and referring to her as a young master wasn’t lost on Roselia, who could only smile awkwardly.

Just then, Claucet suddenly jumped to her feet.

“Alright! Let’s go today!”

Startled by the abrupt declaration, Roselia widened her eyes.

“W-where?”

“To try on dresses!”

“That’s reckless!”

Eva, who had excitedly stood up, suddenly remembered Johannes’s warning and sank back into her seat with a deflated expression.

“But… if the marquis finds out, he won’t be pleased…”

At Eva’s hesitation, Claucet clicked her tongue and raised a finger confidently.

“Don’t worry about that. The dress shop I go to has an exclusive contract with Valtazar Hotel. Without a recommendation from the hotel, no one can enter.”

Reassured by Claucet’s confidence, Eva suddenly sprang back to her feet, ready to go.

“Let’s go!”

* * *

“Oh my… You look absolutely stunning… I have no regrets in life now.”

Eva was on the verge of tears, covering her mouth in awe, while Roselia awkwardly scratched her cheek.

It had been a long time since she had worn a dress, and the unfamiliar sensation made her feel uneasy.

Unlike Roselia, however, Claucet, who was admiring her in an elegant green silk dress adorned with black lace, looked utterly pleased.

Claucet stood with her shoulders squared as if to say, “See? I was right, wasn’t I?” to Eva, making Roselia let out a small, breathy chuckle.

“But where did you get that wig?”

Eva, wiping her tears, asked curiously. Claucet lifted her chin triumphantly.

“I had it custom-made just for Roselia. It looks flawless, doesn’t it?”

Instead of the blonde wig she had worn in Rugbeljet, it was a black wig identical to Roselia’s natural hair.

Just like before she had cut her hair, her thick, wavy black locks cascaded down to her waist. As she looked at herself in the mirror, Roselia’s expression grew nostalgic.

“It’s beautiful…”

Her voice carried a faint melancholy, making Claucet and Eva exchange glances.

Then, as if struck by an idea, Claucet clapped her hands together.

“Since you’re all dressed up, why don’t we go out for a ladies’ outing?”

Eva’s eyes sparkled as she enthusiastically clapped her hands in agreement.

“That sounds amazing! A ladies’ outing!”

“Eva…”

Roselia looked at her, feeling a bit overwhelmed, but Eva clasped her hands together in earnest pleading.

“My lady—no, miss, just this once, please?”

According to Johannes, Eva’s family had served the marquisate for generations, undergoing rigorous training from childhood to become the perfect attendants.

She had likely grown up confined to the estate, never having a chance to have friends her age.

Roselia’s resolve wavered at the thought.

And then there was Claucet, who was also giving her an equally pleading look—her greatest weakness.

With a deep sigh, Roselia surrendered to them both.

After strolling through the bustling marketplace, buying a few accessories, gloves, and even some special cosmetics from Benuve, Roselia was eventually led to a dessert café by the two excited girls.

It was a well-known dessert shop in Pelton Port, and the inside was packed with young noble ladies.

They managed to find a table on the terrace outside, where they enjoyed tea and desserts that Eva had ordered, basking in the relaxed atmosphere.

“So this… is what a ladies’ outing feels like…”

Sipping her tea, Eva murmured dreamily, while Claucet smiled.

“We should make this a regular thing, just the three of us.”

Eva’s face lit up, but then she hesitated, recalling Roselia’s earlier reluctance. She glanced at her nervously.

Noticing her expression, Roselia let out a soft chuckle and spoke calmly.

“As long as I’m Antonio, I don’t mind us going out together often.”

It would be difficult for them to see Roselia in her true form, but even this seemed to satisfy Eva, who smiled brightly.

At that moment, a familiar figure came to a stop near their terrace.

As Roselia turned her head in curiosity, her expression stiffened.

It was none other than Prince Asif, staring blankly at their table.

His gaze flickered uncertainly between them before his expression shifted to one of suspicion, and he began approaching.

Sensing Roselia’s sudden rigidity, Eva and Claucet also noticed Asif and immediately tensed.

When he finally reached them, Asif’s gaze lingered on Roselia before turning to Claucet with a polite smile.

“Lady Valtazar, what a pleasant surprise to meet you here.”

After greeting Claucet, Asif once again looked Roselia up and down.

He didn’t know that she was a woman.

Letting a foreign prince discover her secret was the last thing Roselia needed.

As she swallowed dryly, Asif turned to glance between her and Eva with curiosity.

“This lady… looks very familiar. Now that I think about it, the maid beside her seems to be Antonio’s attendant…”

Recognizing Eva’s face, Asif’s tone sharpened slightly, making Eva’s complexion pale.

 

 

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