83. Shall we try that?

His unwavering gaze didn’t seem to hold a single lie.

The Duke of Valtazar, a man incapable of deceit or even empty pleasantries, had always been brutally straightforward with her.

Though she deemed their relationship dangerous, a small corner of her heart harbored a sliver of hope.

Could he truly be sincere with me?

Roselia shook her head vigorously.

If he were sincere… it would spell trouble for her, someone desperately trying to avoid the original storyline.

But the death she believed inevitable—at the hands of the Crown Prince according to the original—had already been averted.

Perhaps, if the future of the original could be changed…

Then maybe, just maybe, she was allowed a bit of greed?

While lost in her whirlwind of thoughts, the sudden voice of the Count pulled her back to reality.

“As one gets older, you see, wealth and honor lose their meaning.”

“Pardon?”

Roselia looked up, puzzled by the Count’s offhand comment as he sketched unseen landscapes with his brush.

Even as she questioned him, the Count continued to move his brush with an air of indifference.

“What truly matters is spending even a single day in love and happiness with those you cherish. That’s what I mean.”

Startled by his words, Roselia inadvertently connected them to herself and Klaus.

On second thought, it seemed likely the Count was reminiscing about the late Viscount.

The Count, who had always prioritized national honor and loyalty, probably shared only fleeting moments with his son.

“When I die, the Count title will pass on to you.”

“What? What are you saying…?”

Taken aback by his sudden declaration, Roselia stared at him in shock. But the Count quickly added.

“All my wealth will also go to you once I’m gone.”

“Grandfather!”

Roselia’s voice, tinged with alarm, didn’t faze the Count. He calmly moved his brush as he replied.

“Whether you accept or discard the title and fortune is entirely your choice. This just puts my heart at ease.”

Roselia’s face turned blank as she watched his back, bent over his painting.

“It doesn’t matter whether you’re truly my blood or not. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a man or a woman. The Antonio I know is you. This is my decision.”

Did he know she was a woman all along?

And yet, he never probed or questioned, simply choosing to believe in her?

“So, don’t feel burdened. The choices before you are entirely yours to make.”

A sudden wave of emotion made Roselia press her hand to her chest, clenching her lips tightly.

Yes, the choice is mine…

Before she realized it, the Count’s painting was nearing completion.

The image he painted, which she had assumed to be a simple landscape, depicted people enjoying a serene garden party.

It was a scene from the recent gathering in the Duke’s garden—a lively, harmonious moment.

The painting showed Claucet and Erlin playing, Johannes and Abello laughing together, all captured in warm tones.

A smile crept onto Roselia’s face as she took it all in.

Unlike in the original, where Count Bernas painted only scenes of war, this artwork was filled with warmth, laughter, and life.

* * *

With a determined expression, Roselia stood in front of the office door and knocked.

“Your Grace, it’s Antonio.”

“Come in.”

Klaus, lowering the documents he had been reviewing, tilted his head in curiosity as Roselia entered with a resolute demeanor.

“Come to think of it, is it time for your pheromone control training?”

“No, I came for a different matter.”

“A different matter?”

At his raised brow, Roselia approached decisively and quietly placed a pouch of money on the desk before him.

Klaus’s expression darkened as he looked at the pouch.

Roselia, ignoring his reaction, spoke calmly.

“This is the remaining debt I owe to the Duke’s household.”

Klaus, his face stiffening, hesitated before speaking through his tightened lips.

“Roselia… I told you, you didn’t need to repay the debt…”

“But I said I would repay it in full.”

Her resolute tone prompted Klaus to sigh and rake a hand through his hair.

“Ha… Right, you did. Still, it’s not the best time for me to accept it now.”

“Not the best time? What do you mean?”

At her puzzled question, Klaus hesitated, pressing his fingers to his temple before finally muttering.

“If I accept it… you’ll leave the Duke’s residence, won’t you?”

His voice held an unusual unease, making Roselia press her lips tightly together. Klaus, noticing her reaction, let out a self-deprecating chuckle.

“Since it was the debt that tied you here, of course you’d leave once it’s repaid.”

His bitter expression soon hardened with resolve.

“That’s why I can’t accept it. Call it petty, but I want to keep you here by any means.”

Just as Klaus seemed ready to say more, frustrated by her silence, Roselia spoke calmly.

“The debt to the Duke’s household is settled. So, from now on, please treat me as an equal partner, not a servant.”

“Then we can postpone the debt until… What?”

Klaus, who had been assuming she would leave, finally registered her words and stared at her blankly.

Ignoring his confusion, Roselia continued nonchalantly.

“I’ll continue to assist with Lady Claucet’s domestic affairs when time permits. I’ll also keep mediating and sourcing works by unknown artists—it’s quite profitable, after all.”

“Ah, yes… That makes sense,” Klaus replied, nodding absentmindedly, still trying to process the situation.

Clearing her throat, Roselia’s gaze turned more serious as she spoke again, her words carrying an air of significance.

“And as equals—not as a debtor and creditor—I have a question for you.”

At her pause, Klaus’s expression shifted to one of curiosity.

Roselia, avoiding his intense gaze, hesitated for a moment before finally parting her lips to speak.

“Shall we… try that?”

Klaus stared at Roselia with a dazed expression, utterly unable to grasp the meaning of her words.

When his gaze wandered in confusion, Roselia cleared her throat and continued.

“Dating… I mean.”

The moment her words registered, Klaus’s entire body stiffened.

Realizing that the situation wasn’t a dream, he suddenly pulled her wrist and embraced her tightly.

Overwhelmed by emotion, his arms wrapped around her with undeniable strength.

Roselia, buried in his broad chest, blushed as her face pressed against his solid frame.

Klaus looked down at her, a seductive smile curling his lips.

“You’re driving me crazy.”

His breath, warm and ticklish, brushed against her forehead.

“Roselia…”

The way he called her name was tender and filled with longing. His voice carried raw emotion, with a hint of a laugh at the end.

“You have a knack for making someone lose their mind.”

With that, Klaus gently lifted her chin, making her meet his gaze.

“Are you prepared to take responsibility for what you just said?”

Their eyes locked, his gaze intense, and Roselia’s breath caught.

“Responsibility…?”

Before she could finish her hesitant question, her lips were swallowed by his.

Startled, Roselia tensed, her shoulders rigid. But soon, she clutched at the fabric of his chest, awkwardly responding to his kiss.

Their mingling breaths and the warmth of their closeness made the air between them grow heated.

Unable to restrain himself any longer, Klaus swept her into his arms and strode toward the sofa.

When he sat down, Roselia found herself straddling his lap, a compromising position that made her face turn crimson.

Realizing the situation, she stammered, her cheeks aflame.

“Is this making you shy all of a sudden?”

Klaus, finding her adorable, kissed her forehead.

As Roselia fidgeted, trying to slide off his lap, Klaus firmly gripped her waist, holding her in place.

His lips hovered just above hers as he murmured a warning.

“You reached out to me first, so don’t even think about running away.”

His firm grasp on her waist made her blush deepen, and she muttered in embarrassment.

“This isn’t what I meant when I reached out…”

The confident Roselia, who had been passionately returning his kiss moments ago, was now shy and flustered. Klaus kissed her jawline and chuckled softly.

“It’s the same thing.”

Then, with a firm yet gentle motion, he caught her lips again. Roselia had no choice but to surrender to the sensations he stirred within her.

Klaus’s embrace was so tight it felt suffocating, yet it also ignited something thrilling within her. Like a parched wanderer finding an oasis, his fervent hold heightened her excitement.

As he eagerly sought her lips, his hands slid beneath her shirt, exploring her soft skin.

His large, warm hands traced her slender waist with a tender touch, his movements both careful and possessive.

But when his hand brushed against the tightly wrapped bandages over her chest, he paused as if searching for the knot.

Startled by his touch, Roselia quickly grabbed his hand.

“W-Wait…!”

Her face flushed as she struggled to steady her breathing under his piercing gaze.

“Just wait a moment…”

At her firm tone, Klaus buried his head against her shoulder, letting out a restrained groan.

“Please… I hope you’re not about to tell me to stop…”

His voice, tinged with desperation, made Roselia hesitate. Finally, in a barely audible whisper, she spoke.

“Not here… Let’s go to the bedroom.”

 

 

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