40.The Raphelios Delegation

Roselia, after a heated exchange with Count Bernas who accused her of being a thief, had to leave the mansion quickly.

If she could get hold of one of his paintings, she could pay off her debts instantly. But with his dementia, he seemed to have forgotten about his art entirely.

According to the original timeline, Count Bernas’s paintings would gain royal attention a year from now.

A year? I’d be dead from exhaustion in the Duke’s mansion by then.

Determined to find a way to make Count Bernas paint sooner, Roselia walked back to the Duke’s estate.

“I told you to stay out of trouble for a while.”

Startled by the familiar voice, Roselia looked up to see Klaus leaning against the estate’s entrance, staring intently at her.

Suppressing her surprise, Roselia met his gaze with a glare.

Does he think I enjoy roaming around? I need to pay off the debt he’s harassing me for.

“When have I harassed you about it?”

Who else has kept me and as servants, even dragging my sister into it?

Roselia had much to say but decided against it, sighing instead.

“I returned without any issues, so please don’t make a fuss.”

“You can say that after what happened recently?”

What is he, my father or my brother?

Annoyed by Klaus’s patronizing tone, Roselia frowned and retorted.

“It’s still broad daylight. You think I didn’t consider the risks before going out? Surely, you don’t expect me to stay cooped up in the mansion all day?”

“…”

Klaus’s silence suggested he did expect that, making Roselia exhale in exasperation.

Ignoring her reaction, Klaus spoke again, his tone calm.

“Where is Roselia staying?”

Why, so you can lock her up too?

“She’s fine, so don’t worry.”

“Those men might have targeted her. She should stay at the estate for her safety.”

Roselia sighed, frustrated by Klaus’s persistence. “I told you, she’s fine. Why are you being so stubborn?”

“Because I’m worried.”

Roselia blinked, momentarily dumbfounded by his unexpected response.

“What?”

Klaus repeated calmly.

“I said, I’m worried.”

“Worried… right.”

Hearing Klaus express worry felt surreal and left her feeling strange.

“Am I not allowed to worry?”

It’s not that, but… you don’t seem like the type to say such things casually.

Roselia’s heart started to beat faster, caught off guard by his words.

Seeing her confused state, Klaus pushed off from the wall and approached her.

“Since we’re on the topic, I have a request. I’d like to meet Roselia, even just once.”

What’s with him today?

Roselia, instinctively stepping back, asked.

“Why?”

“I told you, because I’m worried.”

So, he wants to meet her out of concern?

That sincere look on his face, asking to see her “even just once,” felt too dangerous. And her heart, responding without her permission, only made it worse.

“No, you can’t meet Roselia right now!” she blurted out.

“Why not?”

Because meeting him as Roselia might lead to something uncontrollable. Even if she resisted, it felt like something inevitable might happen.

Get a grip, Roselia. Do you want to end up on a path of no return?

Taking a deep breath, she hastily replied, “She’s with someone important.”

“Who is that?”

Seriously, he doesn’t take a hint.

Struggling to come up with an excuse, Roselia finally snapped, “That’s a family matter!”

Leaving those words, she fled into the mansion, leaving Klaus watching her retreat with a perplexed expression.

* * *

Klaus had been at the palace, seeking approval for school construction funding.

Walking down the polished hallway, his expression was serious.

Perhaps the approval process wasn’t going well?

Those who passed him hesitated at his severe expression, but Klaus was deep in thought.

Did he say it was a family matter?

Could it be… Is it the lover Antonio mentioned before? Is Roselia with him?

The thought of Roselia being with her lover made Klaus inexplicably uncomfortable, like a thorn was stuck in his throat.

“Your Grace, it’s been a while.”

Klaus was so lost in thought that he hadn’t noticed the Crown Princess approaching until she was right in front of him. He quickly bowed.

“Greetings, Your Highness.”

“You seem to have a lot on your mind.”

Normally, Klaus would have noticed her from across the hall. He would have checked to see if she was comfortable, if anyone was causing her trouble, and if she needed anything. His excessive attentiveness always left the Crown Princess feeling awkward.

But now, Klaus seemed remarkably distracted, and the Crown Princess found his behavior intriguing.

Klaus, not noticing her expression, spoke formally. “I understand you’re here to negotiate the third agreement with the Raphelios delegation today.”

“Yes, I am on my way to meet them now.”

Noticing the absence of the Grand Duke, who was supposed to assist in the negotiations, Klaus asked.

“But where is Grand Duke Rubelio?”

“The Grand Duke has entrusted the negotiations entirely to me.”

Grand Duke Rubelio, the late emperor’s brother and Crown Prince Esteban’s uncle, was a seasoned noble with significant support among the aristocracy, despite being lower in the line of succession.

“I see. It seems the Grand Duke holds Your Highness in high regard.”

“Do you think so?”

The Crown Princess replied with a meaningful smile, then continued

“I must be going.”

Leaving Klaus behind, she walked with a firm expression. She couldn’t afford to show any weakness, especially when meeting the representatives from Raphelios, led by the renowned Marquess Johannes von Euciliod.

The Marquess had arrived at the royal palace a few days ago, though he had missed the welcoming banquet. Today’s meeting was crucial for the negotiations between the two empires.

As the Crown Princess entered the spacious conference room, she wore a graceful smile.

“Thank you for waiting.”

A pleasant fragrance filled the room, and soon a melodious voice responded.

“Not at all. We’ve just arrived.”

Turning towards the source of the voice, the Crown Princess was momentarily stunned.

Antonio…?

A handsome young man with dark hair and emerald green eyes stood before her, resembling Antonio in many ways but taller and with a broader build.

While the resemblance was striking, there was something different about him. The man, noticing her surprise, smiled and introduced himself formally.

“Greetings, Your Highness. I am Johannes von Euciliod, representative of the Raphelios delegation.”

The Crown Princess quickly regained her composure, smiling gracefully.

“It is a pleasure to meet the famous Marquess Euciliod.”

Despite her brief shock, she quickly regained her calm, and the Marquess smiled back.

“It is an honor to meet the renowned Crown Princess of Lugbelljet.”

His smile, so reminiscent of Antonio’s, left the Crown Princess feeling a strange sense of déjà vu.

After a moment of contemplation, Eveline cautiously asked, “Do you have a younger brother, by any chance?”

The Marquess, surprised by her question, smiled kindly. “I do not, but it would be nice if I did. I could use an extra pair of hands these days.”

“I see… Let us proceed with the negotiations.”

Setting aside her curiosity, the Crown Princess led the discussion with her usual elegance.

Marquess Euciliod, impressed by her diplomatic skills, soon engaged in the negotiations with a composed demeanor.

The meeting centered around the opening of the Verdan port in southern Lugbelljet to Raphelios, and both sides fiercely defended their interests.

After about three hours, no definite conclusion was reached, but this was expected. The delegation was usually required to stay for at least a month or two to finalize such agreements.

“Until our next meeting,” the Marquess said, his tone as smooth as ever.

“Thank you for your efforts, Marquess. I will take my leave,” the Crown Princess replied, maintaining her poise as she left the room.

Watching her leave, the Marquess couldn’t help but admire her. Despite his subtle attempts to use his pheromones, she hadn’t shown the slightest reaction. Truly, she was as formidable as her reputation suggested.

He recalled her earlier question about a younger brother. A strange question, perhaps intended to build rapport before the negotiations.

A younger brother… Though he did have a younger sister who went missing along with his mother years ago.

He had searched for them for over a decade before resigning himself to the possibility that they were gone. The last time he saw his sister, she was a toddler. If she were alive, she’d be an adult by now.