37. A Bolt from the Blue

Klaus’s murderous glare made it clear he wouldn’t go easy on Jusid just because she was a woman. Finally, Jusid left, looking like she was about to cry.

With the Duke involved, Jusid probably wouldn’t show herself in front of Claucet or Roselia again.

As Claucet gave Klaus an unexpected look, Roselia felt a whirl of emotions. Part of her was grateful and happy, but another part was growing increasingly anxious.

‘Could he have developed feelings for me from that kiss earlier?’ she wondered.

If so, it wouldn’t be a welcome development. She had worked so hard to avoid deviating from the original story, and a single kiss couldn’t be allowed to change everything.

Roselia steeled herself, her face set in determination, and bowed her head to Klaus as he turned towards her.

“Thank you for your help. But it was something I could have handled on my own. There was no need for you to fabricate anything on my behalf.”

Klaus frowned at her attempt to distance herself.

“I didn’t fabricate anything. Antonio and you are affiliated with the Duke’s estate, aren’t you? Although you’ve been stubborn about not moving in.”

Roselia blinked, taken aback by his matter-of-fact tone, then bowed her head again.

“Thank you nonetheless. I will take my leave now.”

As she turned to leave, Claucet quickly followed her. She felt an urgent need to get away from Klaus, whose gaze seemed to pull her in against her will.

Klaus watched her retreat with a complicated expression but didn’t attempt to stop her.

“Roselia? Are you okay?”

Claucet asked, worry lacing her voice.

Roselia gave a small smile.

“I’m just tired. Let’s go back.”

“Okay, I’ll get the carriage. Wait here for a moment.”

As Claucet went to fetch a servant, Roselia let out a long sigh and looked around. Klaus didn’t seem to be following them, thankfully.

He probably had a lot on his mind too. Who would have thought that their antagonism would flare up in such a way?

Despite her denial and attempts to avoid it, was the attraction between them inevitable?

While waiting for Claucet, Roselia heard a familiar voice.

“You ran off quite quickly.”

Startled, Roselia turned to see the Crown Prince, Esteban, leaning against a pillar with his arms crossed.

Her face hardened, prompting Esteban to let out a hollow laugh.

“Do I look like I’ve committed a mortal sin?”

“Please stay with the Crown Princess. That’s best for everyone,” Roselia replied.

Esteban’s lips twisted into a smirk. “Is it really? Perhaps my absence would make Eveline more comfortable.”

‘Then act like it! Stop doing strange things!’ Roselia wanted to shout but held her tongue.

Seeming to read her thoughts, Esteban chuckled and straightened up.

“Consider this a piece of advice from an old acquaintance. You’re stuck at the Duke’s estate, but try not to get too involved with Klaus.”

‘What on earth is he talking about now?’ Roselia thought, baffled. She had no intention of getting close to Klaus, so why was Esteban giving her this advice?

“I don’t want to have to deal with you personally.”

He added before turning and walking back into the banquet hall.

Roselia was left puzzled by his words. ‘What did he mean by that?’

Then she remembered the plot of the original story. Klaus staged a rebellion to win Eveline’s love, and Esteban suppressed the rebellion to reclaim her.

Though the rebellion was sparked by Eveline, it was part of a larger conflict involving the survival of the state and interference from other empires.

‘Could it be that this storyline is still in play? Despite all the changes…?’

“Roselia! The carriage is ready!”

Claucet called, breaking her reverie.

Shaking off her thoughts, Roselia walked towards Claucet, unaware that someone was watching her from a balcony on the second floor.

A man with silver hair swirled his wine glass leisurely, watching her retreat.

“This is getting interesting,” he murmured.

* * *

As Antonio, Roselia enjoyed a peaceful tea time with Claucet, listening to her chatter with a smile. The stormy events of the recent royal banquet felt like a distant dream.

The unpredictable Crown Prince’s interest, Jusid’s territorial behavior, and the incident on the balcony with Klaus… Thinking about it made Roselia shake her head vigorously.

Claucet gave her a curious look, but as usual, Melda arrived with the weekly society paper.

“The weekly paper arrived earlier than usual today. Would you like to read it?” Melda asked.

Claucet eagerly reached out. She had no particular interest in society, but the rumors and gossip were perfect for passing the time.

As Claucet took the paper and began to read, her eyes widened in shock. She opened her mouth as if to speak but couldn’t find the words.

“Uh… Antonio. You need to see this,” she finally managed to say.

Roselia looked at her in confusion.

Claucet, unable to tear her eyes from the paper, just pointed at it. Wondering what could be so important, Roselia moved closer and read the headline.

‘The Temptress Ensnaring the Crown Prince and the Duke. Who is She?’

“What on earth…”

Roselia, in shock, snatched the paper and read the sensational headline again.

<Is the Crown Prince Straying from the Crown Princess?>

<Many remember the masquerade ball at the Valtazar estate. Do you recall the young lady the Crown Prince danced with? She is suspected to be the Duke of Valtazar’s lover. The Duke, known for never dancing at social events, was seen dancing with the mystery woman at the recent Raphelios welcoming banquet. Rumor has it that the Duke introduced her as a guest staying at the Duke’s estate. I assert that this woman is not merely a guest. Some say she works in a tavern in a back alley. The truth is known only to those involved. Though her family or origins are unknown, it’s clear she has captivated both the famously cold Duke and the Crown Prince, leaving them spellbound. Such a woman deserves to be called the greatest temptress of our time. One can’t help but pity the Crown Princess, who is likely arguing with the Chancellor even now.>

<- Lugvela under the Quiet Sunset>

Lugvela… The journalist notorious for dealing in rumors and gossip about high society. They remained anonymous, using a pseudonym to avoid charges of royal defamation. Many nobles exposed by Lugvela’s sharp tongue would gladly see them dead.

Lugvela’s choice of Roselia as the latest gossip target was clear. The article was ostensibly about denouncing the Crown Prince and the Duke, but she was the one taking the hit.

Roselia, her hands trembling, couldn’t contain her anger and stormed out of the drawing room, crumpling the paper in her fist.

“Antonio?” Claucet called out in surprise, but Roselia, furious, headed straight for Klaus’s office with the weekly paper.

She burst through the door without knocking, causing Klaus to frown as he looked up.

“What’s the meaning of this?”

Roselia slammed the paper onto his desk.

Smack!

Klaus looked down at the paper thrown on top of his documents, then raised his gaze to meet Roselia’s.

“What is this about?”

Roselia glared at him. “You knew about this.”

“About what?”

“The gossip article about Roselia. You could have stopped it before it circulated.”

“……”

She didn’t know who Lugvela was, but there were only so many printing presses. Lugvela cleverly switched newspapers, making it hard to predict which would publish her articles, but the printing presses were limited. Klaus could have stopped the weekly paper before it circulated if he had wanted to.

Especially with the resources and influence of the Valtazar estate.

If nothing else, he could have bribed the printing press to burn all copies of today’s paper.

The fact that the paper was circulating meant Klaus had allowed it to happen.

“You didn’t think I wouldn’t figure it out, did you?”

Roselia’s sharp words made Klaus sigh deeply. He placed his interlaced fingers against his lips and spoke softly.