60. The Duke’s Dangerous Invitation

Klaus set aside the documents he had been reviewing, letting out an exasperated sigh.

A headache seemed to be creeping in.

He couldn’t stop thinking about that night in the study—Antonio, trapped in his arms with those wide, innocent eyes.

This is madness. Why am I even bothered by this?

Misinterpreting Klaus’s irritation, Alejandro cautiously spoke up.

“The school construction budget has increased slightly more than expected, but it’s still within a manageable range.”

Despite Alejandro’s attempt to address the issue, Klaus continued to glare at the desk with a murderous intensity.

Feeling uncomfortable, Alejandro hastily added more to his explanation, as if trying to justify the expense.

“As you know, after that incident, the entire foundation collapsed, and we had to restart the construction from scratch. Thankfully, there were no casualties…”

Noticing Klaus’s continued silence, Alejandro hurried to continue.

“Considering labor costs and material expenses, it should have cost twice as much, but I managed to negotiate a better deal, so—”

“Proceed.”

“…Pardon?”

Alejandro’s babbling came to an abrupt halt when Klaus unexpectedly approved the project without any argument.

“What about the Grand Duke of Rubelio?”

Alejandro blinked at the sudden shift in topic but quickly responded.

“There’s been no unusual activity at the Grand Duke’s manor. However…”

Klaus’s sharp gaze cut into Alejandro, prompting him to lower his head and speak more carefully.

“As we expected, it seems the Grand Duke’s faction has assigned someone to watch over Antonio.”

Alejandro’s report caused Klaus’s expression to harden.

Even when discussing the delicate issue of finances, Klaus had remained calm, but the mention of Antonio immediately changed his demeanor, leaving Alejandro taken aback.

“Well, um… at least our shadow is keeping a close eye, so there shouldn’t be any problems.”

But Klaus’s scowl didn’t ease, clearly dissatisfied with the answer.

Alejandro, who had anticipated criticism regarding the construction budget, found himself more anxious over the unexpected turn of events.

After watching Alejandro for a moment, Klaus stood up abruptly, surprising him.

Alejandro watched, bewildered, as Klaus, who had been engrossed in paperwork moments ago, suddenly reached for his coat.

“W-where are you going, sir?”

“I have business at the Bernas estate. Organize the documents; I’ll review them when I return.”

With that, Klaus decisively left the study, leaving Alejandro stunned.

Why the sudden interest in the Bernas estate…?

Come to think of it, I believe our shadow mentioned that Antonio had visited the Bernas estate today.

Could it be… that’s the reason?

Alejandro stared blankly at the door through which Klaus had exited, lost in thought.

* * *

As usual, Roselia visited the Bernas estate and observed the count closely as he sat by the sunny window, playing a game of chess by himself.

According to the Crown Princess, the notice of the young count’s death had been sent to the Bernas estate six months ago…

Did the count truly not know of his son’s death, or was he deliberately blocking it from his memory?

“What are you staring at?”

“N-nothing.”

The count, noticing Roselia’s fixed gaze on him, frowned and asked sharply. Roselia quickly forced a smile.

“Grandfather, by any chance… did you see a letter from Esquivan that arrived about six months ago?”

“A letter? I think there might have been one…”

As I thought…

From what she had gathered by speaking with the former servants of the Bernas estate, the count’s symptoms of dementia had begun around six months ago.

They mentioned that he had suddenly collapsed, clutching the back of his neck, and had been in this state ever since.

Perhaps… the shock of learning about the young count’s death had caused him to collapse.

And that trauma might have triggered the onset of his dementia.

If that was the case, should she try to bring back his memories?

Her original plan was to mitigate his symptoms so that he could continue painting sooner, but…

She worried whether restoring his memories would truly be the right choice.

As Roselia mulled over these thoughts, the count continued playing chess, his gaze drifting lazily out the window as he spoke.

“It looks like that black carriage outside is here for you.”

“What?”

Roselia glanced out the window at the count’s words and spotted a pitch-black carriage.

A chill ran through her as she recalled the attackers who had ambushed her before.

Could it be… that the Grand Duke’s faction had already sent someone after her?

She squinted suspiciously at the carriage, only to find a familiar figure pacing back and forth beside it, scowling.

Klaus.

Seeing him with such a stern expression, Roselia’s face twisted in confusion as she peered out at him.

The count, noticing her expression, muttered dismissively.

“That’s enough for today. Go on, now.”

Roselia hesitated, her gaze lingering worriedly on the count’s face.

Though he seemed stable now, there were times when he struggled to navigate the sprawling mansion, unable even to find the kitchen.

Most of the estate had been abandoned, with only a few rooms in use, mainly the count’s quarters.

“Are you sure you’ll be all right with dinner on your own, Grandfather?”

“Do I look like I’ve broken an arm or a leg? Just go on home!”

She knew well that the count’s irritation was his way of hiding his vulnerabilities.

Not wanting to expose the parts of him he preferred to keep hidden, Roselia bowed her head quietly and forced her reluctant feet to carry her away.

As Roselia exited the room, her eyes lingered on the hunched figure of the Count, still sitting by the window, playing chess alone. The image of his lonely back tugged at her heart, making her resolve not to mention the young count’s death for the time being.

Stepping out of the Bernas estate with a heavy heart, she saw Klaus standing stiffly by the carriage, just as she expected.

“Your Grace, what brings you here?” Roselia asked, her expression one of mild confusion.

Klaus responded in his usual detached tone, “I was passing by and thought I’d give you a ride.”

Roselia glanced at the carriage, her brow furrowing. It had been at least 30 minutes since she’d seen the carriage from the window…

She caught sight of the coachman, yawning heavily as if he had been waiting for quite some time. Though it felt like Klaus had been waiting for longer than he let on, Roselia decided not to dwell on it and replied with slight annoyance.

“There was no need for that, but I’ll accept the offer, thank you.”

She climbed into the carriage, and Klaus followed, his expression still unreadable. As anticipated, the air inside the carriage was thick with silence.

Roselia’s mind drifted back to the strange tension from the other night in the study. The quiet only seemed to amplify the memory of that unsettling moment.

Perhaps I should’ve declined and gone separately… she thought, feeling uneasy as she stared out the window.

Surprisingly, it was Klaus who broke the silence first.

“You’ve been visiting the Bernas estate almost every day.”

He gazed intently at Roselia as he continued, “Even a real son wouldn’t visit that much.”

Klaus, too, seemed to feel the awkwardness of the situation, and his comment came out harsher than intended.

Not understanding his meaning, Roselia’s brows knitted in irritation.

“I’ve fulfilled every responsibility I have for the Duke’s estate,” she retorted sharply.

Klaus fell silent, uncertain of why his words had carried such an edge.

Was it the idea that the Count might take Antonio away from the Duke’s estate that annoyed him?

That thought only unsettled Klaus further. Why should it matter where Antonio went, as long as the debts were paid?

True, Antonio was a valuable asset, given how efficiently he was repaying the debts. But that was all. He was only interested in Antonio as a competent worker—nothing more.

At least, that’s what he kept telling himself.

The ridiculous emotions that flared up when it came to Antonio had to be a misunderstanding.

Though Klaus had never indulged in romantic or physical relationships with women, deeming such things a waste of time, he was still a man.

Once he saw Roselia again, everything would become clear. He would confirm the feelings he had for her, the emotions he had always accepted.

Surely, everything would make sense once he met Roselia again.

“How is Roselia doing?”

Klaus’s sudden question caught Roselia off guard, and she found herself momentarily flustered.

“Roselia…? Yes, she’s… fine.”

Avoiding Klaus’s gaze, Roselia kept her eyes fixed on the passing scenery outside.

After a brief, awkward cough, Klaus spoke again, though his tone was unusually hesitant.

“You and Roselia have both worked hard. You’ve been diligent in repaying the debts… so I thought…”

Roselia turned to look at Klaus, surprised by the roundabout way he was speaking. It was so unlike him.

Noticing her curious gaze, Klaus looked away, clearly uncomfortable, before finally getting to the point.

“I thought we could have a meal together. The three of us.”

“…What?”

Roselia blinked, stunned by Klaus’s unexpected suggestion.