85. The Duke is a sodomite.

At Klaus’s displeased tone, Roselia ignored her pounding heart and tried to speak calmly.

“I only stepped aside because you looked busy.”

“Roselia, whether I’m busy or not is for me to decide.”

Klaus’s gaze deepened as he said this.

“Right now, my top priority is you.”

Roselia’s face flushed for no reason at Klaus’s candid words.

“That doesn’t mean you need to postpone your prior engagements…”

“If I tried to handle everything first and then see you, it might be days before I can.”

Klaus spoke with a hint of disappointment, like a dejected puppy, and asked, “Aren’t we supposed to be dating?”

Although his tone was as blunt as usual, there was a tenderness in his gaze that left Roselia flustered. She averted her eyes in embarrassment.

“Yes… we are.”

“Isn’t it normal for lovers to want to spend the entire day together?”

“I suppose… but I think it depends on the situation.”

“For me, it’s not up for debate.”

At his firm voice, Roselia involuntarily turned her gaze toward him.

“What?”

“I want to spend the entire day with you.”

His unwavering gaze locked hers in place as if ensnaring her.

Her heart was already racing uncontrollably, and it was clear that her body was exuding an overwhelming pheromone scent.

As if sensing her inability to hide her feelings, Klaus reached out, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear, his lips curling into a soft smile.

“You smell good, Roselia.”

That evening, Klaus indulged endlessly in her sweet scent, his gaze darkening with desire.

As his lips slowly closed the distance, Roselia instinctively closed her eyes.

Ah, being entangled with him always made clear thought impossible.

At that moment, an unexpected voice echoed from the library entrance.

“Your Grace, the carriage is ready for your afternoon visit to Count Bleymond’s residence.”

It was Geoffrey, the head butler’s voice.

Thanks to the densely packed bookshelves, their figures were hidden, but Roselia’s face burned with embarrassment.

Unlike her, Klaus rested his forehead against her shoulder with an exasperated sigh, displeased by the interruption.

“This is why I wanted to spend more time with you.”

Klaus lifted his head, smoothing his hair back as his usual composed expression returned.

Unlike the dazed Roselia, Klaus returned to his usual self, flashing her a sly smile tinged with regret.

“It seems we’ll have to continue this later after my external duties are finished.”

Roselia’s already flushed face turned even redder.

Klaus buttoned his jacket and slowly made his way through the bookshelves, leaving Roselia to let out a deep sigh as if drained of energy.

Carrying two books, Roselia exited the shelves and noticed Geoffrey still standing at the library entrance.

She tilted her head in confusion as his stern gaze fixed on her, as if he knew exactly what had transpired between her and Klaus.

Feeling uneasy, Roselia gave him a small nod before hurriedly leaving the library.

As she walked down the corridor, unsettled, she overheard servants gossiping in hushed tones.

“Did you see how the Duke has been favoring Antonio lately?”

“Not to mention how he kicked Denver out before. It’s obvious what kind of relationship they have.”

“Goodness, can you believe the Empire’s only Duke might be a sodomite?”

Roselia’s expression hardened as she heard their words.

It was impossible for the staff not to notice Klaus’s increasingly bold displays of affection recently.

She felt uncomfortable, as if her presence was tarnishing Klaus’s status and reputation.

With her face stiffened, Roselia hurriedly escaped the scene.

* * *

Roselia, seated in the garden with Claucet, closed the book she couldn’t focus on and turned her attention to Claucet, who was busy sketching.

Would Claucet feel displeased if she knew Roselia had grown close to Klaus?

Roselia regretted her decision, feeling that choosing him without regard for his prestige or the scrutiny of others had been rash.

“Um… Lady Claucet.”

“Hm?”

“What do you think… if I were to get along well with the Duke?”

“What do you mean? ‘Get along well’ how?”

Claucet’s innocent gaze remained blunt as she questioned Roselia, who laughed awkwardly before explaining further.

“Well, I mean, like, dating… or something along those lines.”

Claucet’s expression instantly twisted in disapproval.

“You and Klaus?”

Even though Claucet liked Roselia, was it too much to accept her as her older brother’s lover?

But Claucet’s response was entirely unexpected.

“Why would you want to be with someone as cold-blooded as him?”

“Pardon? Oh, no, I mean… the Duke has his kind sides as well…”

“Sure, I’ve known Klaus has liked you for a while now, but if you’re asking me, I wouldn’t give someone like Roselia to a guy like Klaus.”

“What?”

“Maybe if he were a hundred, no, a thousand times better, I’d consider it.”

Roselia was left dumbfounded at Claucet’s unanticipated remark, delivered like a possessive younger sibling protecting her older sister. She couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle.

Claucet, noticing Roselia’s reaction, tilted her head and spoke brusquely.

“More importantly, don’t you feel a bit hungry?”

“I’ll go get some refreshments.”

Leaving the garden, Roselia walked toward the mansion’s kitchen.

As she made her way, a stern voice halted her in her tracks.

“Antonio.”

It was Geoffrey, the head butler.

Roselia involuntarily stiffened and turned to face him.

“Yes, Butler Geoffrey?”

Geoffrey approached slowly, glanced around to ensure no other staff were present, and began speaking in a heavy tone.

“Are you aware of the rumors circulating in the Duke’s residence recently?”

Roselia, realizing what he was referring to, hung her head, feeling as though she were a guilty party.

“Ah… yes…”

“I have never interfered in the Duke’s affairs before. He has always been a strict man who tolerates no gossip that could harm the Duke’s household. I trusted and followed him because of that. But the Duke seems to make an exception for Antonio.”

Understanding the implication of his words, Roselia’s expression hardened.

“So I ask you, please, to maintain proper boundaries. The Duke is the sole head of the Rubeljet Duchy. He leads not only his household but also a business empire that impacts thousands, even tens of thousands of lives.”

Roselia’s mouth tasted bitter. The weight of knowing that her relationship with Klaus could be seen as improper by others made her uneasy.

“So, I ask you to conduct yourself properly to ensure no further rumors detrimental to the Duke arise,” Geoffrey concluded.

It was natural for the butler to worry about her behavior, given her status as a man.

But would the situation have been any different if they knew she was a woman?

Would anyone acknowledge her, a fallen baron’s daughter who had entered the Duke’s household as collateral to pay off a debt, as a suitable match for Klaus?

The bitterness in her mouth grew.

As Roselia stood frozen, unable to lift her head in front of Geoffrey, a familiar voice cut through the tension.

“Geoffrey, who told you to meddle in such pointless matters?”

Emerging from the mansion’s entrance with light at his back, Klaus stood tall like an imposing wall.

“Your Grace…!”

With measured steps, Klaus approached them, his presence casting a shadow over the butler.

“I’ll handle my own affairs.”

His cold words made Geoffrey hesitate before he reluctantly spoke.

“But troubling rumors are already spreading within the estate!”

“Troubling rumors?”

Klaus, now standing just a few steps away, looked displeased, his eyebrows furrowing. His haughty and confident gaze bore down on Geoffrey.

“Are you referring to the rumor that I like Antonio?”

The bluntness of his words startled Roselia, causing her to hiccup.

“Your Grace!” Geoffrey exclaimed, visibly flustered.

Just then, Klaus’s carriage arrived, and the gathered servants began murmuring among themselves at his bold statement.

Unbothered by the growing commotion, Klaus calmly surveyed the crowd.

“Everyone here, listen carefully and don’t miss a single word.”

His icy tone silenced the murmurs instantly.

“Antonio is no longer a servant of the Duke’s household. From now on, he is to be treated with the utmost respect as a guest of the Duke. Furthermore, whatever I think of him or how I treat him is a personal matter, and I don’t want any further discussions of it within the estate.”

His declaration stirred another wave of murmurs among the servants.

Klaus’s sharp gaze swept across the crowd, sealing his words with a final warning.

“If Antonio hears any more talk like today’s, know that I, as the Duke, will not let it slide.”

His chilling glare silenced the servants once again.

Amidst the subdued crowd, Klaus turned his attention to Roselia, who stood frozen in shock. Without a word, he grabbed her wrist and strode off.

“Your Grace!” Roselia called out in confusion.

Klaus continued to lead her briskly to his office, ignoring her protests.

“Your Grace!!” she called again, more forcefully this time.

It was only then that Klaus seemed to realize he was gripping her wrist too tightly. Startled, he loosened his hold.

“Ah, my apologies. Did I hurt you?”

“No, it’s not that. What were you thinking, exactly?”

“What do you mean?” he asked bluntly.

Roselia sighed in frustration. “The servants still think I’m a man!”

“Does it matter what they think? As long as we know the truth, that’s enough.”

“Then maybe I should just reveal that I’m a woman!”

TL/N: Sodomite a person who engages in anal sexual intercourse.

 

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