58. Encounter Between the Adopted and Blood Brothers

Klaus frowned at the Crown Prince’s question.

“What exactly are you implying?”

The Crown Prince’s lips curled into a knowing smile as he studied Klaus’s seemingly clueless expression.

“Oh, nothing much. I just thought of it when I saw the Raphelios delegation.”

With that, the Crown Prince rose from his seat, casually adding as he moved to leave.

“Be sure to give Antonio my regards.”

The Crown Prince’s departure left Klaus with a lingering sense of irritation.

The smile, as if hinting at some unknown connection between him and Antonio, grated on his nerves.

Klaus resolved that he would personally continue delivering reports to the Crown Prince from now on, not allowing any more chances for interference.

* * *

Roselia, once again in her guise as Antonio, had come to the imperial palace after a long while.

Her purpose was to sell a painting she had recently acquired at an art auction to the Crown Princess.

As usual, guided by an attendant, Roselia arrived at the Crown Princess’s audience chamber and greeted her with a slightly awkward smile in response to the Princess’s welcoming expression.

“It’s been a while, Antonio.”

“I hope Your Highness has been well.”

“I was wondering where you’d disappeared to. I see you’ve brought another painting today.”

Seeing the anticipation in the Crown Princess’s eyes, Roselia silently unwrapped the painting and placed it on the table.

The Crown Princess examined the artwork with a curious gaze, then exclaimed in admiration.

“For a piece by an unknown artist, the brushstrokes are bold and distinctive.”

Since Roselia usually brought pieces by unknown artists, the Crown Princess had assumed it was the same this time.

Roselia cleared her throat and spoke with a serious tone.

“While it still needs to be appraised, this could very well be the last painting of the late artist Vermandy.”

The Crown Princess’s eyes widened in astonishment at Roselia’s words.

“Are you referring to Ante Vermandy, the genius painter who passed away 50 years ago?”

“Yes, that’s correct. It will need to be authenticated, so you can provide the payment once the appraisal is complete.”

Roselia’s confident statement brought a smile to the Crown Princess’s face.

“I trust your judgment, Antonio.”

With that, the Crown Princess pulled a checkbook from a box on the table, filled in the amount, signed it, and handed it over as she usually did.

It was a check for 1,000 berangs.

After giving half to Claucet and using the remainder to settle some of the Duke’s debts, Roselia would only have 500 berangs left to repay.

And if the work from Count Bernas, soon to be celebrated as a great artist, sold well, she could expect at least 2,000 berangs.

That would be enough to clear her debts and live comfortably, even if it wasn’t enough to maintain a grand estate with servants.

Of course, that was assuming the count would get his act together soon…

At that moment, she remembered the count’s face, who had been silently disappointed by the lack of news from his son.

Perhaps the Crown Princess, with her keen interest in political affairs, might know something about the young count.

“Your Highness, do you happen to know anything about the young Count of Bernas?”

The Crown Princess smiled lightly and replied immediately.

“The Bernas family has always been an honorable house, contributing greatly to the Empire in every war. I have heard that the young count is currently serving as a naval captain in Esquivan. And I believe Count Bernas has taken it upon himself to be your patron, Antonio? That’s wonderful.”

“Would it be possible for you to find out any news about him? It seems Count Bernas hasn’t been able to contact him for almost half a year.”

After a moment of contemplation, the Crown Princess nodded with a reassuring smile.

“It’s not a difficult task. I’ll look into it for you.”

Just then, there was a sudden knock at the door of the audience chamber.

“Your Highness, the Grand Duke wishes to speak with you urgently. What should I tell him?”

The attendant’s voice from beyond the door made the Crown Princess’s expression falter slightly.

Wait, the Grand Duke—could it be the Grand Duke Rubelio?

Roselia’s shoulders tensed unconsciously at the thought.

Oblivious to Roselia’s reaction, the Crown Princess hesitated for a moment before giving her permission to the attendant.

Soon, the door to the audience chamber opened, and a tall, middle-aged man with silver hair and golden eyes entered.

“Greetings to Your Highness, the Crown Princess.”

“What brings you here, Your Grace?”

“I came to discuss the terms of the Raphelios treaty. And this one is…?”

The Grand Duke’s curious gaze swept over Roselia.

It felt like the look of someone examining an object they had long been curious about.

“A guest from the Duke of Valtazar’s estate.”

“Could this be the one that Count Bernas took under his wing?”

Roselia couldn’t shake the feeling that the Grand Duke knew more than he let on, especially given the way he showed up so suddenly. Perhaps he had known she would be visiting the Crown Princess today and had come specifically to cross paths with her.

As this thought crossed her mind, Roselia’s expression tensed, and the Grand Duke let out a hearty laugh.

“Haha, there’s no need to be so guarded. I only know because I happened to be present at the Count of Bleymond’s soirée that time.”

He grinned widely, his smile as smooth and charming as someone much younger. But that disarming smile only made Roselia feel more uneasy.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. Ah, I suppose I should start calling you ‘Young Count’ soon?” he said jovially.

Roselia’s brow furrowed at the Grand Duke’s comment. The Bernas family already had a rightful young count, so why would he imply she was one? His intentions were unclear.

“I merely share a connection with the count. I have no intention of joining the family.”

Her discomfort must have shown through her voice, as the Grand Duke quickly chuckled and added.

“Oh dear, it seems I may have offended you. My apologies if I overstepped.”

Despite the difference in their ranks, with him being a grand duke and her a mere guest, he treated her with unusual politeness, which only made Roselia feel more uneasy.

Sensing the tension, the Crown Princess interjected to break up their conversation.

“Antonio, perhaps it’s best if you take your leave for today.”

It seemed the Crown Princess, too, had found the Grand Duke’s interest in Antonio suspicious.

Relieved, Roselia bowed to both the Crown Princess and the Grand Duke.

“Then, if you’ll excuse me.”

The Grand Duke continued to smile as he watched her go, but that smile lingered unpleasantly in her mind.

Could he possibly know that she had mentioned the Grand Duke Rubelio’s name to the Duke?

Even with the Grand Duke’s extensive network of information, it would be nearly impossible to know that unless he had a spy within the Duke’s household.

Lost in these thoughts, Roselia walked down the corridor with a serious expression until someone stepped in front of her.

She glanced up absentmindedly and froze in surprise.

“Roselia…?”

It was the Marquess of Euciliod, staring at her with a look of shock.

Roselia swallowed the instinct to respond in her normal voice and forced a casual smile.

“Oh, haha… I often hear that I resemble her. Are you, by chance, the Marquess of Euciliod?”

“…”

Johannes, frozen like a statue, stared at her intently. Roselia tried to keep her smile steady as she continued.

“Roselia has spoken of you often. I am Antonio, her adopted brother.”

Johannes narrowed his eyes, suspicion in his voice as he asked.

“You’re Roselia’s adopted brother?”

“Yes, I’ve heard that you’ve been very helpful to her. Thank you, on behalf of my sister. Haha…”

Johannes scanned Roselia from head to toe, clearly conflicted. Her appearance might have differed slightly, but her scent—something only those of the Raphelios bloodline could perceive—was unmistakably hers.

And that black hair… Now that he looked closer, it reminded him of Cecilia’s dark locks.

Why is Roselia pretending to be her adopted brother, Antonio?

She was convincingly disguised, from her masculine attire to the slight change in her voice and demeanor. If it hadn’t been for her scent, he might have believed she was merely a man who resembled Roselia.

Though curious, Johannes decided that Roselia must have a reason for maintaining this act, so he resolved to feign ignorance.

“I’ve missed seeing Miss Roselia around recently. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Antonio.”

He extended his hand toward her. Taken aback, Roselia awkwardly grasped it, scratching her head with an uneasy smile.

“Oh, haha… Roselia has been busy lately. Haha…”

Johannes found her awkward smile rather endearing.

Does she not realize that those of the Raphelios bloodline can identify each other by scent?

Perhaps there was no one to teach her, and she genuinely didn’t know. Thinking about the difficulties Cecilia must have faced, Johannes’s heart felt heavy.

Is she playing this dual role to avoid the Duke’s scrutiny?

The thought made his chest ache.

Don’t worry, Cecilia. Whatever happens, I’m on your side.

When the time comes for you to reveal yourself as the daughter of Euciliod, I’ll give you everything I have.

Until then… just wait a little longer…

Until I’ve solidified your place enough to ensure that we don’t lose each other again like before…

“It’s fine. If Roselia is too busy, I’d be happy to see you from time to time, Antonio.”

“…Pardon?”

‘Why would you…’

Roselia bit back the words that nearly escaped her lips.

Something about the Marquess’s sad smile made her feel like she needed to hold back.

* * *

Roselia was on her way to Claucet’s room after being summoned.

She thought Claucet might want her to help tie her hair again, so she entered the drawing room without much thought and spoke casually.

“Did you call for me, Lady Claucet?”

“Antonio, Her Highness the Crown Princess has sent you a letter.”

“Her Highness?”

Could it be about the young count that she had asked the Crown Princess to look into?

She could have delivered the information in person, so why send a letter instead?

As she pondered this, Roselia accepted the letter from Claucet, slowly breaking the seal and opening the envelope.

But as she read through its contents, her eyes widened.

The unexpected news left her mind reeling.

What in the world…

The young count was reported to have died six months ago?? And the notification of his death was sent to the Bernas family half a year ago??