62. A Stolen Kiss

Roselia wore a troubled expression, lost deep in thought.

After last night’s awkward dinner, she got the feeling Klaus was avoiding her.

Thinking back, she realized she’d been so hungry that she’d gobbled down her food without a second thought, while Klaus barely touched his meal.

Even if she’d been starving, she felt she’d been oblivious and rude.

Roselia had unceremoniously canceled on him, and he couldn’t have been pleased with that…

And to make things worse, her “brother” had just scarfed down his meal without a care…

A wave of embarrassment hit her.

I should really apologize for what happened with Roselia.

Just then, she noticed Klaus walking down the hallway.

Startled, Roselia, who had been tidying up the corridor, straightened up instinctively.

As he approached, she quickly tried to speak to him.

“Um, Your Grace. About last night…”

But Klaus brushed right past her, leaving Roselia frozen in place.

Did he not hear me? No, he definitely heard me…

Stunned, she could only stare at his retreating figure, her heart sinking.

He’s definitely angry.

—

After being ignored by him three times, Roselia’s frustration reached a boiling point.

What kind of man does this! If he’s angry, he should just say so! What’s with the sulking!

As Roselia fumed, eyes narrowed, Nadia, sitting across from her counting coins, looked up with a curious expression.

“What’s wrong now?”

At her words, Roselia snapped out of her thoughts and relaxed her face.

She’d come to Nadia’s house to give her the promised wage for yesterday’s performance as “Roselia.”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

Hearing Roselia’s sulky tone, Nadia pocketed the coins and spoke bluntly.

“Did he figure it out?”

Nadia was asking if Klaus had realized she’d been the one disguised as Roselia.

Roselia sighed heavily and shook her head.

“No, that’s not it…”

“Then what is it?”

At Nadia’s puzzled look, Roselia hesitated, frowning as she mumbled.

“I think His Grace is trying to avoid me.”

Nadia blinked, staring at Roselia’s serious expression, then let out a faint laugh and propped her chin up on her hand.

“Isn’t that a good thing? I thought you didn’t want to get involved with him.”

Nadia’s amused remark left Roselia wide-eyed.

Oh? She’s right. So why am I worrying about it?

Despite wanting to avoid Klaus, here she was, troubled over the fact that he was avoiding her…

She found herself feeling ridiculous.

Perhaps she was simply unaccustomed to Klaus suddenly erecting a wall where he’d previously acted so freely.

While lost in these nonsensical thoughts, Nadia suddenly broke into a harsh coughing fit.

“Hack! Hack!”

Seeing her doubled over and coughing, Roselia frowned in concern.

“Nadia, are you alright?”

When Roselia moved to approach her, Nadia raised a hand to stop her, covering her mouth with the other and shaking her head.

“I’m fine. Don’t worry about it. Hack, hack!”

“Are you sure? You’re still going to the doctor, right?”

The coughing eventually subsided, and Nadia pointed to a stack of medicine on the table with a faint smile.

“See all that? I’m keeping up with it. You, though—you’re busy serving the duke and looking after the count, aren’t you?”

Roselia had indeed planned to visit the count’s household later.

The old count insisted he was fine, but she couldn’t just ignore his condition, so she checked on him almost daily.

And with what she’d recently learned about the young count, her concerns had only deepened…

Feeling weighed down by her thoughts, Roselia frowned, then looked at Nadia and stood up.

“Well, I’ll be on my way now. Be sure to take your medicine, Nadia!”

Roselia put on a mock stern tone, causing Nadia to shake her head with a soft laugh, waving her off.

“Alright, alright, get going.”

After casting Nadia a final glance, Roselia made her way to the door.

Nadia followed her to see her off.

“I’ll be back soon with more funds for the support.”

As she stepped out, Nadia leaned against the door with a smooth smile.

“Sure. And try to smile more; you look prettiest when you’re smiling.”

Roselia, in her short black wig and servant attire, scratched her head in embarrassment at the compliment.

It felt awkward hearing such praise while dressed as a man.

Seeing her reaction, Nadia only smiled at her more sincerely, as if she meant every word.

* * *

In the dimly lit study, as though by design, a man sat at the desk within.

The Grand Duke Rubelio, with his neatly combed silver hair brushed back in casual elegance, was gazing out at the moonlit window.

“Your Grace, regarding tonight’s sleeping arrangements…”

A poised woman, standing upright beside him, inquired cautiously.

It was Hermia, the Grand Duchess, his wife.

Without sparing her a glance, the Grand Duke replied indifferently.

“There’s no need for a courtesan tonight.”

The Grand Duchess bowed her head respectfully at his words.

One might have thought it strange for a wife to be so indifferent about her husband’s choice to have a courtesan attend his bed, but for them, it was of no consequence.

After all, theirs had never been a marriage in the truest sense…

At that moment, a knock echoed from beyond the study door.

With a gesture from the Grand Duke, the Duchess recognized his intent and, bowing her head, silently moved toward the door.

When she opened it and exited, a man cloaked in a dark robe stepped in as if he’d been waiting.

The Grand Duke, still seated, swirled a glass of honey-colored liquid and then spoke languidly.

“Did you look into Antonio?”

The man lowered his head in acknowledgment, replying in a low, shadowy voice.

“On paper, everything is spotless.”

The Grand Duke frowned slightly, seemingly unsatisfied, and took a sip from his glass.

“However, there is one peculiar detail… Rumor has it that Antonio was quite the scoundrel, a good-for-nothing, just a few months ago.”

The Duke lowered his glass, arching an eyebrow.

“…Continue.”

“His reputation in the back alleys was abysmal. He was known as a noble brat who loved to squander and revel in excess.”

The Duke raised his glass again, tilting it to his lips. Once he emptied the glass, the faint clinking of ice echoed in the study.

“For such a man to suddenly change… strange indeed.”

The Grand Duke smirked slightly.

“People don’t change so easily. Not unless the sky itself turns upside down.”

The man remained silent, his head bowed as if considering the Duke’s weighty words.

The Grand Duke gave him a dispassionate glance and spoke flatly.

“Is there anything more to report?”

The man hesitated briefly before speaking cautiously.

“While investigating the back alleys, I discovered a suspicious individual.”

“A suspicious individual?”

The Duke’s golden eyes glimmered with interest.

Noticing the Duke’s intrigue, the man bowed his head, his voice steady as he continued.

“I thought it best for Your Grace to judge for yourself, so I brought him along.”

The Duke nodded briefly, indicating his willingness to see the matter firsthand.

The man turned toward the study door and murmured softly.

“Enter.”

At his command, a man with a shabby appearance entered the study, looking akin to a drunkard or even a slave from the back streets. His right sleeve hung empty, as though missing a hand, and he shuffled forward hesitantly.

* * *

Klaus, who was reviewing documents about the Grand Ducal family that Alejandro had gathered, suddenly recalled Antonio’s downcast figure from that morning, prompting him to toss the papers aside irritably.

He’d thought that avoiding Antonio would make things easier, but the more he tried to ignore him, the more Antonio’s image lingered in his mind.

Though he was making a conscious effort to disregard the thoughts, they persisted unconsciously, leaving Klaus on the brink of a headache.

Klaus pressed a hand to his throbbing forehead and sighed deeply.

No matter how hard he tried, it was impossible to focus on anything in this state.

Deciding he needed some fresh air, Klaus left his office.

He initially considered a walk in the garden, but soon found his steps leading him toward the lake instead.

Although it was located within the ducal grounds, the lake was vast, stretching beyond the estate. Walking its perimeter would take nearly an hour at a leisurely pace.

As Klaus strolled along the lake’s edge, he remembered saving Antonio from drowning there just a month prior.

Antonio, drenched and frightened, had shed tears openly, declaring his fear.

Perhaps that was when it all began…

It might have been the moment that indescribable, delicate emotion began to take root…

As he pondered, a cool breeze from the lakeside washed over him.

Carried by the breeze was a faintly familiar scent.

Klaus turned his head reflexively and froze in his tracks.

There, near the lake, Antonio lay fast asleep on the grass.

Klaus initially thought to turn and walk away, but found himself hesitantly glancing back.

Bathed in warm sunlight, Antonio slept, oblivious to the world.

To think he could fall asleep so unguardedly after dropping such a weighty bombshell about the Grand Ducal family.

If the Grand Ducal family had truly harbored ill intentions and sent an assassin, what would he do then?

Klaus’s brow furrowed unconsciously.

Perhaps it would be wise to wake him, he thought, and he began to approach Antonio.

Yet, as he drew closer, his steps grew quieter, cautious not to disturb him.

Klaus eventually stopped in front of Antonio, gazing down at him for a long moment before sighing and sitting beside him.

Perhaps a little longer wouldn’t hurt.

As he turned his gaze to the lake, he saw the sunlight glinting off its surface, shimmering like scales.

He found the lake unexpectedly beautiful.

Before he realized it, his eyes drifted back to Antonio.

He took in the way Antonio’s long lashes lay against his eyelids, the fullness of his lips.

A gentle breeze stirred, passing over Klaus and Antonio.

The wind ruffled Antonio’s bangs across his forehead, and Klaus, almost reflexively, reached out to smooth them away.

Antonio’s face, serene in slumber, was close now, his calm features and the soft scent around him alluring Klaus further.

And, before he knew it, Klaus found himself leaning in, drawn magnetically toward Antonio’s peaceful, sleeping face.

If only you knew.

The thoughts running through my mind as I gaze at you now.