22. The Duke at the Mercy of the Siblings

Roselia, back in her guise as Antonio, was in Claucet’s room, discussing the aftermath of the debutante ball.

Since discovering that she was actually a woman, Claucet had been treating her even more like a sister.

As they enjoyed some light refreshments in Claucet’s room after the successful ball, Claucet’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.

“So, how do you know the Crown Prince?”

“Uh… it’s not really knowing… more like just having seen him.”

“Just having seen him, yet he asked you to dance?”

“I know, right…”

The truth was, the Crown Prince would have danced with any woman at the ball if it served his purpose. His sole aim was to upset the Crown Princess.

Though, in the end, it seemed he hadn’t achieved his goal.

“So, did the Crown Prince meet you when you were a woman?”

Roselia had met him while disguised as a servant, but explaining that would only invite a barrage of questions, so she awkwardly laughed it off.

“Well, sort of…”

“The Crown Prince, really… no matter how pretty you are, he shouldn’t have done that with the Crown Princess right there.”

It was precisely because the Crown Princess was there that he had made a point of asking her to dance. Explaining the complicated motives of adults to the young Claucet was too difficult, so Roselia quickly gave up.

But Claucet had more questions, giving her no time to rest.

“Oh, right. Klaus was chasing after you like a predator after its prey. Did you get caught?”

Should she say she got caught or didn’t…?

“Well… it’s hard to explain, but in the end, the Duke doesn’t know I’m Roselia.”

“He really is clueless in some ways…”

Claucet clicked her tongue and shook her head, making Roselia put on a serious expression out of a sudden sense of unease.

“You’ll keep my secret from the Duke, right?”

“Of course! Unless you tell him yourself, I’ll keep it till I die. By the way… what should I call you from now on? Roselia or Antonio?”

“To avoid getting caught, please call me Antonio as usual.”

“Got it, Antonio.”

Claucet’s bright smile showed she was excited about having a secret with Roselia. Seeing her like that, Roselia sighed with a smile, like an older sibling.

“It’s getting late, so I’ll head back to my room.”

“Okay! Be careful of Klaus on your way! He moves around without making a sound.”

Claucet rubbed her arms as if talking about a ghost, making Roselia chuckle.

Despite her words, Roselia knew that Claucet had somewhat opened her heart to Klaus at today’s debutante ball.

After bowing to Claucet and stepping out of the room, Roselia walked down the dimly lit corridor.

Most of the servants, exhausted from the evening’s ball, had retired to their rooms early.

As she walked quietly down the slightly eerie hallway, a familiar and chilling voice reached her ears.

“Coming out of Claucet’s room, I see.”

Klaus, dressed casually and emerging from the study, was staring intently at her from the shadows.

Though she was startled enough to scream, Roselia maintained her composure and responded calmly.

“Yes… it seems the young lady is still excited from the debutante ball.”

After speaking, Roselia bowed her head and walked past him.

Just then, his low voice caught her by the ankles.

“I didn’t get a chance to say this during the hectic ball…”

Roselia turned to face him, tense and unsure of what to expect from his uncharacteristically hesitant tone.

Klaus, looking somewhat embarrassed, lowered his gaze and muttered quietly.

“Thank you for everything. For helping Claucet prepare for her debutante ball and for telling me what’s important to her…”

Roselia stared at him with wide eyes, wondering if she had heard correctly.

Seeing that even Klaus himself found these words unusual, he quickly composed himself and reverted to his usual cold demeanor.

“You disappeared during the middle of the ball. Where did you go?”

In reality, she had been right in front of him as Roselia, but she couldn’t let him find out. Nervously, she looked around and quickly answered.

“Well… they said they were short-handed. Since I’m also a servant of the Duke’s estate, I helped out for a while.”

“Is that so? Well… it did seem like there were more attendees than we had budgeted for.”

His mind seemed to accept this explanation, and he nodded in understanding.

“I saw Roselia de Hesingk among the guests at the ball… Did you know?”

Roselia’s shoulders stiffened involuntarily.

Though his tone was casual, Klaus’s eyes gleamed like those of a victor ready to negotiate.

Roselia struggled to remain composed and met his gaze.

“Yes, I knew.”

Klaus tilted his head, looking surprised as he continued to stare at her unwavering green eyes.

“Really? You hid your sister from me but watched as she walked into the lion’s den?”

“I don’t have the right to stop her choices.”

At Roselia’s confident words, Klaus’s lips curled into a slight smile.

“One thing is certain.”

Roselia looked at him, puzzled.

His dark navy eyes glinted like those of someone who had found the upper hand.

“You lied to me.”

Roselia’s gaze shifted slightly away from his relentless stare.

“You even lied about a death certificate.”

Roselia knew she couldn’t contradict herself, but if she didn’t act quickly, she would end up giving Klaus the reins. She spoke hurriedly.

“At that time, I had no choice. I couldn’t trust what kind of person you were.”

Klaus, slowly stroking his chin, seemed to ponder her calm response.

“Fine. I won’t delve into the past any further.”

After a moment of contemplation, Klaus looked down at her with a cold expression.

“But she should come to the Duke’s estate. Didn’t you say before that it would be better for your sister to stay here rather than in a rough environment outside?”

Damn it, he remembered what I said when he asked about my sister’s whereabouts.

Sweating nervously, Roselia forced a smile.

“Well, that was my opinion, of course, but my sister’s wishes are more important.”

At her response, Klaus frowned slightly and spoke coldly.

“Do you know where your sister is staying now?”

It seemed he assumed she was staying at a tavern, trying to confirm his suspicion. Perhaps, as someone with a similar situation of having a younger sibling, he felt a pang of concern.

“Yes, I do. But there’s no need to worry. She’s not doing any rough work; I’ve heard she’s just serving and running errands.”

“Still, isn’t it inappropriate to let her stay in such a place?”

Why does he care so much when both her brother and she are okay with it?

Does he really want to keep two hostages to ensure the debt is paid off?

Frowning, Roselia responded coldly, as if to drive the point home.

“That’s her choice. I trust my sister. I’d appreciate it if you trusted her too. We will pay off the debt. Without fail.”

Klaus remained silent, staring at her reaction.

Roselia, standing tall, bowed confidently and briskly walked past him down the corridor.

Watching her for a moment, Klaus sighed and brushed his hair back with a self-deprecating smile.

“Worrying about unnecessary things, unlike myself.”

Getting involved in the affairs of the Hesingk siblings always seemed to throw his plans into disarray, leaving him confused.

* * *

Roselia, once again dressed as a woman, headed to the back alley for her previously unsuccessful meeting with Nadia.

The tavern was tucked away in a secluded alley in the Valtazar Dukedom.

Last time, she had visited as a customer and been turned away. She had returned, disguised as a woman, only to flee in panic because of Klaus.

Determined to buy the painting from Nadia this time, Roselia approached the alley when sudden commotion erupted on the street.

“Stop right there!”

“You worthless scum!”

Amid the rough shouts of men, the frantic sound of someone running echoed through the alley.

Curiously peering into the alley, Roselia saw Nadia being chased by three or four men, her frail body stumbling as she ran.

Before Roselia could think, Nadia, fleeing the men, tripped and fell to the ground.

“Ah!”

Unable to get up from the shock, Nadia’s eyes were filled with fear.

Roselia couldn’t stand by any longer and rushed to help Nadia to her feet.

The men, now close, surrounded them.

“Who’s this woman?”

“If she’s lurking in this alley, she must be in the same situation.”

“Let’s sell them both.”

Overhearing the men’s lecherous conversation, Roselia quickly searched her memory. She recalled a similar scene from the original novel.

The heroine saved Nadia from men chasing her. In the novel, Nadia was beaten by the men before the heroine rescued her. However, this event was supposed to occur two months later in the original timeline.

Could her interference have altered the original story’s timeline?

There was no time to dwell on it. As the men closed in, Roselia gritted her teeth, still supporting Nadia.

The heroine, the Crown Princess, had a hidden bodyguard, but as an extra maid, Roselia had no such protection.

“Resisting will do you no good. Just stay quiet,” said the large man with a sinister grin.

Beside Roselia, Nadia spoke in a heavy voice.

“I’m sorry, miss. This is all my fault…”

One of the men, lean and lanky, sauntered forward.

“This one looks much healthier than that sickly woman,” he said, reaching out to touch her hair.

Roselia grabbed his wrist firmly.