I Became the Duke's Servant in Disguise

14. Incredible Coincidence!

In response to Roselia’s confident words, Melda muttered with a puzzled expression.

“Well… it’s more like a decoration than a mask…”

“That’s correct. Unlike the rustic masks that cover the entire face hiding the wearer’s face inside it like an iron one, the Raphelios-style masks are more like decorations that highlight the wearer’s features.”

Unlike the Lugbelljet-style masks that cover the entire face, the Raphelios-style masks only cover the eyes or one eye, adorned with splendid peacock feathers around them, adding elegance and glamour.

“And now is the perfect time to host a masquerade ball before the Raphelios-style masks become popular. Imagine a beautiful lady wearing a mask adorned with peacock feathers among the rustic masks.”

For a moment, Melda gazed into the air as if lost in imagination at Roselia’s words.

Observing Melda’s expression, which seemed to be captivated by her imagination, Claucet looked at Roselia with renewed admiration.

Once Melda snapped out of her trance, she stood up excitedly.

“I must tell Mr. Jeffrey right away! Let’s make the debutante ball theme a masquerade ball! We need to order Raphelios-style masks as soon as possible!”

Watching Melda enter the mansion happily, Claucet smiled lightly.

“It seems like Melda is over the moon.”

“I’m glad I could help.”

At Roselia’s matter-of-fact statement, Claucet narrowed her eyes.

“It’s really amazing… You seem to catch on to trends so quickly. Like with the updo hair fashion incident… How do you stay so up-to-date? While being a man at that.”

Although Roselia already knew this information from the novel, she just smiled casually.

“I guess I got lucky. I can’t however guarantee that this masquerade ball will also become a trend.”

In the original novel, masquerade balls became popular starting with the one hosted by the Crown Princess, but it was uncertain whether it would happen this time as well.

Watching Roselia closely, Claucet soon smiled meaningfully.

“Alright, I’ve decided. You’ll also participate in my debutante ball masquerade.”

“Excuse me…?”

Perplexed by Claucet’s serene smile, Roselia asked if she misheard.

“Are you suggesting that I assist at the party as a servant…?”

“No. I’m asking you to attend my masquerade ball.”

Roselia looked at Claucet with a puzzled expression.

Occasionally, there were nobles who attended parties with their domestic staff, disguised as accessories. However, such cases were mostly among noble ladies who had a certain standing in society.

As Claucet was now an inexperienced young lady debuting in society, if she were to bring her domestic staff to her debutante ball, it could cause rumors.

“It doesn’t seem like such a good idea…”

“I’m fine with it, so what? Besides, it’s a masquerade ball. If you wear a mask, hardly anyone will recognize you, right?”

Well… that was a valid point. As long as I don’t take off the mask, it shouldn’t be a big problem.

Plus, it might be reassuring to keep an eye on Claucet, who could wander off anywhere…

Roselia reluctantly nodded her head.

“Fine then. Just keep it a secret from the Duke.”

“Alright! Anyway, that cold-blooded guy doesn’t care about my debutante ball, does he?”

Despite the somewhat tangled relationship between the siblings, Roselia simply smiled awkwardly, knowing from previous experience that meddling would only cause trouble.

* * *

Since there was still about a month left until the debutante ball, during that time, Roselia decided to look for the next painting to sell to the Princess.

In the original work, the Princess becomes interested in the background of an unknown female artist.

In the original story, while disguised, the Princess rescues a woman who is being beaten by men. Unfortunately, the woman dies shortly afterward due to illness, but as a token of gratitude, she presents the painting she had created to the protagonist.

That painting becomes the second painting the Princess cherishes the most.

Timing-wise, the woman artist still had about two months left to live. The problem was… the location of the woman artist…

After checking her attire and adjusting her slightly oversized hat, Roselia approached a man who appeared to be the owner of the store. The man, who was wiping his glasses, glanced at her briefly.

“Is this your first time here?”

Trying not to appear too stiff, Roselia replied in a firm tone.

“Is there a woman named Nadia here?”

Upon hearing her immature voice, the man glanced down at her for a moment.

As someone who had seen countless naked women, Roselia couldn’t help but break out in a cold sweat, wondering if he had noticed anything.
(Pr note: what roselia means is that she’s scared of being exposed.)

But soon, the man casually spoke as if it was nothing unusual, as if he was used to seeing small men like her in a place like this.

“A customer looking for Nadia, you say?”

“Yes? Oh, um, yes…”

“Well, well, we have all sorts of customers looking for that weak little woman… Well, all sorts of men with different tastes come here, you know.”

It seemed like the man thought she was a customer looking for Nadia for the night.

Deciding to follow along instead of making excuses, Roselia obediently followed the man. If she had just said she wanted to see Nadia’s face and left, the rough man might have kicked her out the door.

Anyway, as long as they meet, Roselia thought, it doesn’t matter what happens.

The man who arrived at the shabby door pointed to it with his chin and reached out his hand.

Since she had never been to a place like this before, she couldn’t gauge how much to give. Hesitating, Roselia took out roughly one verang and placed it on the man’s hand. It was part of the income she earned from assisting Claucet with her domestic work, aside from the money from selling paintings.

The man looked down at the one verang in his hand, his eyes squinting, and then he chuckled softly before disappearing down the corridor.

Is it more than I thought?

Roselia shrugged her shoulders and, soon after, opened the door guided by the man.

Inside, a scantily clad woman was sitting listlessly by the bed with a vacant expression.

The woman showed a somewhat surprised expression, as if it was unexpected for someone to enter her room.

“It’s been a while since I had a customer like you…”

Saying that, the woman’s smile lacked vitality.

Despite her thin and emaciated appearance, with disheveled hair, she seemed to have been quite a beauty, with features that appeared refined under the dim bluish light.

However, her sunken eyes, saggy skin, and frail arms and legs indicated that her illness had significantly worsened.

“Are you Miss Nadia?”

“A rather polite customer you are.”

The woman, smiling leisurely, approached Roselia slowly with a puzzled expression.

“I didn’t expect a customer like you…”

Smiling sweetly, the woman seemed indifferent.

Though her silk undergarments peeked through her gown, it didn’t give off a seductive vibe but rather revealed bony shoulders and ribs, making Roselia feel uneasy.

“Miss Nadia, right? Do you draw paintings?”

Nadia, who seemed to be misunderstanding something, slowly approached Roselia, erasing the smile she had been wearing formally.

“Drawing? Where did you hear such strange things?”

Strange. It should be the woman named Nadia…

It was highly likely that the woman was lying.

“Why hide the fact that you draw paintings? I’m here to buy that painting.”

“The little lady is saying funny things… What kind of painting would a busy bar woman like me draw?”

Nadia, after saying so, crossed her legs and sat on the edge of the bed.

“Are you going to do it? Or not?”

“What?”

“I only make money by selling that here. If you don’t like it, then leave.”

Roselia found herself speechless at the woman’s resigned gaze.

“Why… do you go to such lengths?”

At Roselia’s bitter question, Nadia gave a bitter smile.

“This is how I’ve been living so far, what can I do? If you’re just going to waste time like this, then please leave. I need to entertain other customers.”

Roselia had no choice but to leave the room.

She realized early on that trying to convince Nadia further was futile. Nadia may have been smiling since the moment Roselia entered as a guest, but she was drawing a line.

Whether it was a man or a guest who entered the room, the result would be the same.

But… if it was another woman. Or a woman in the same line of work, the response might be different.

With a determined expression, Roselia stepped out of the bar.

* * *

Roselia, with her blonde hair flowing, stood confidently in front of the bar owner.

The bar owner, holding a purse, looked puzzled, wondering if he had misheard.

“So… you’re giving me this money in exchange for pretending to work here for the day?”

The man’s expression showed that he didn’t quite understand.

Doing work means actually doing work, what does it mean to pretend to work?

Usually, the women here work and get paid by the hour, so he was confused when this woman said she would pay instead.

“Yes, just pretending to work here. Please don’t assign any guests to me. That’s why I’m giving you the money.”

The man’s gaze swept over Roselia as she spoke.

With a healthy and graceful figure, translucent fair skin that seemed to glow from within, and jewel-like green eyes, she exuded a freshness and an indescribable air of confidence that was rare among women in this profession!

As a woman, her allure was overflowing to the point of being irresistibly tempting.

The man, unconsciously swallowing his saliva, spoke hesitantly.

“Don’t say that. We’ll pay you a good hourly rate, so why not work officially…?”

“Listen. What do you think the money I gave you is for?”

Under her somewhat imposing demeanor, the plump man quickly lowered his tail and spoke.

He had assumed she was a wealthy merchant’s daughter just visiting the bar out of curiosity, but now he decided to let it go.

“But, Miss… If you’re going to work here, or at least pretend to work, you should change your clothes first…”

Roselia, puzzled by the man’s words, looked around.

All the women here, clinging to the guests, were dressed in tight-fitting outfits that revealed half of their chests.

Roselia’s expression turned slightly sour, but she thought it wouldn’t hurt to be a little more perfect to approach Nadia.

Since she would only be here for a moment and had no intention of serving guests, she didn’t mind much.

Roselia awkwardly walked out into the corridor, wearing the thin dress the owner handed her.

The dress clung tightly to her waist revealing the curves of her chest, making her feel exposed. The thin skirt stuck to her legs, awkwardly exposing her hip and leg lines.

Deciding to just go straight to Nadia’s room, Roselia briskly walked down the corridor. But her steps abruptly stopped as she saw a familiar man walking towards her from the opposite end of the corridor.

He wore a displeased expression, clearly uncomfortable, and seemed to be in a hurry.

Why is Duke Valtazar here?!