87. Don’t even think about escaping from me.

Only then did Roselia, who had been staring at the table, lift her gaze to look curiously at Johannes.

Johannes’s expression, as he looked at Roselia, appeared somewhat forlorn.

Originally, he had no intention of taking her back to their homeland, even for her safety…

Yet, the fickleness of the human heart made Johannes yearn to bring her along, unable to bear the thought of being separated from his younger sister.

Roselia, meeting his wistful gaze, offered an awkward smile.

“I’m not a true member of this family, but there are people here who would miss me. I can’t bring myself to leave them behind to go there.”

Her gentle refusal darkened Johannes’s expression.

“I see…”

Lowering his head in disappointment, Johannes seemed as though he had more to say. He called her name.

“Roselia…”

The words rose to his throat: I am your only blood relative, your brother.

But he hesitated. He didn’t want to confuse her now, nor did he want to use the pretense of family to drag her into the dangerous battlefield he was bound for.

Perhaps, deep down, he hoped she would sever this lingering connection for him.

Even if they were apart, his feelings for her would remain steadfast. From afar, all he could do was hope for her happiness and safety.

Suppressing the words that threatened to escape, Johannes offered a bittersweet smile.

“If you ever change your mind, please contact me.”

At that moment, a familiar voice sounded from the drawing room entrance.

“That won’t happen.”

Leaning against the doorway with his arms crossed, Klaus gazed at them arrogantly.

“Because Roselia’s home is now here at the Duke’s estate.”

With the demeanor of a predator facing an intruder, Klaus approached with a calm yet threatening intensity.

Standing beside Roselia, Klaus fixed Johannes with an unwavering gaze and spoke.

“So, I suggest you say your goodbyes, Marquess of Euciliod.”

His tone was outwardly polite, but the hostility in his eyes betrayed his true feelings. Did he know Johannes had wanted to take Roselia away?

Johannes met Klaus’s venomous stare, but Roselia, sensing the tension, looked at Klaus uneasily before turning to Johannes with an awkward smile.

“This is farewell for now, but I hope we can meet again if the opportunity arises.”

At her words, Klaus’s brow furrowed deeply as he glared down at her.

Roselia silently nudged Klaus, standing up from her seat.

Johannes, too, rose with a bitter smile.

“It seems I’ve taken up too much of your time. I’ll be going now.”

Before leaving, Johannes gave Klaus a long, pointed look and left him with one final remark.

“Your Grace, I ask that you take good care of Lady Roselia,” Johannes said, as though he had some claim over her.

Klaus’s brow furrowed in displeasure at Johannes’s presumption.

“You needn’t worry, Marquess. I will, of course, take care of her,” Klaus replied confidently.

Johannes let out a small, deflating smile and gave a slight bow before leaving the room.

As he exited the drawing room in silence, Roselia couldn’t take her eyes off him for a while.

Although there were no romantic feelings, she had grown quite close to the Marquess of Euciliod.

Perhaps it was because she had received so much help from him…

Knowing she wouldn’t see him again left an odd emptiness in her chest.

As Roselia continued to watch Johannes disappear into the distance, Klaus, seemingly jealous, pulled her into his arms.

Wrapping an arm around her waist, he buried his nose against her neck, displaying an uncharacteristically disgruntled expression.

“Stop looking, Roselia,” he said firmly.

His behavior, reminiscent of a child sulking in jealousy, was unlike his usual mature and stoic demeanor. Roselia couldn’t help but chuckle softly as she stroked his hair.

“Are you jealous?”

Her teasing tone prompted Klaus to slowly lift his head.

Grasping her chin gently to make her meet his gaze, he let out a faint smile.

“Yes,” he admitted.

The small smile that tugged at his lips carried a warmth that made her chest tingle.

Still wrapped securely in his embrace, Roselia leaned her head against his broad chest, her laughter bubbling out.

Klaus, spinning her around to face him, spoke in a mock-stern tone.

“Just so we’re clear—don’t even dream of running away from me.”

The weight of his words carried a meaningful intensity, making Roselia smile. She wrapped her arms around his neck playfully.

“Unless Your Grace abandons me first, that will never happen.”

At her response, Klaus’s lips curled into a satisfied grin.

“Good. That’s one thing we’ll never have to worry about.”

With that, Klaus gently tilted her face up and captured her lips in a kiss.

Despite his blunt words, the touch of his lips was soft and featherlight, sending a shiver through Roselia as her eyes fluttered closed.

* * *

Roselia sat idly, as usual, watching Count Bernas and Claucet painting.

Claucet glanced at her while adding paint to her sketch of a canary and spoke up.

“The Marquess of Euciliod is returning to Raphelios, isn’t he?”

It seemed she had already heard about Johannes. Roselia nodded calmly at Claucet’s attempt to make conversation.

“He was originally an envoy sent for the treaty with Lugbeljet.”

Claucet put down her brush and stared at Roselia intently.

“The Marquess seems oddly fond of Antonio. Don’t you find it a bit disappointing?”

“Fond? It’s just that we’re related… distant relatives, perhaps. That’s probably why he’s been so attentive.”

“Don’t you think you look too much alike for distant relatives? Even your hair color and eye color are identical.”

Claucet’s sudden observation left Roselia wide-eyed.

Of course, she had noticed the resemblance when she first met him… but she had long forgotten about it.

Roselia let out a small, deflating laugh and redirected the conversation smoothly.

“Black hair and green eyes must be common in Raphelios.”

Claucet shrugged at her casual comment and turned her gaze back to her easel.

“Well, maybe you’re closer relatives than you think.”

Then, as if something occurred to her, Claucet whipped her head around, narrowing her eyes at Roselia.

“Just don’t think about following the Marquess, okay?”

Roselia smiled faintly at Claucet’s endearing reaction.

Bernas, observing Claucet with a hint of exasperation, clicked his tongue and resumed painting.

“If she wants to go, she should be allowed to,” he said nonchalantly.

Claucet spun around, shocked, and shouted, “Grandfather!”

She puffed up her cheeks indignantly, as if to scold him for such a statement. Bernas merely shook his head in exasperation.

“Humans have a natural tendency to seek out their roots. Even if it’s not now, the pull will come eventually.”

“Antonio is practically family! Grandfather, do you want him to leave?”

At her petulant outburst, Bernas adjusted his slipping glasses and looked at Roselia for a moment before returning to his painting.

“Distance doesn’t make someone less of a family member. Whatever happens, we should trust Antonio’s choice and support it.”

Bernas’s calm statement only made Claucet’s face flush redder, her frustration escalating.

Finally, tears welled up in her eyes as she shouted, “No! I won’t let Antonio leave!”

But… it’s not like Roselia had said she was going to Raphelios…

Feeling the atmosphere take an odd turn, Roselia laughed awkwardly and tried to reassure Claucet.

“No, really, I said I’m not going anywhere!”

“Grandfather, I hate you!”

Claucet, thoroughly upset, stomped away from her easel and stormed out of the room.

Roselia, caught off guard, quickly scrambled to follow her.

“My lady! You need to take off your apron first!” she called after her.

* * *

“Pfft! Claucet said that?”

In Klaus’s study, Roselia, who had brought an armful of history books to read, sighed deeply after recounting the events that took place at Count Bernas’s residence earlier that day.

“The Count was being mischievous. It’s not like I had any intention of leaving in the first place.”

Hearing her complaint, Klaus, perched on the armrest of the sofa where she sat, leaned down and pressed a kiss to her hair.

“Well, it’s been a while since Claucet said something that adorable.”

Saying this, Klaus slid into the seat beside her, pulling her onto his lap with ease.

Caught off guard, Roselia ended up sitting with her legs together on his lap, her face flushing as she tried to climb off.

“I’m dressed as a man right now,” she protested.

“So what? It’s just the two of us here.”

With that, Klaus tightened his arm around her waist to keep her from escaping.

Roselia sighed in exasperation, but the corners of her lips twitched with a faint, resigned smile.

“I feel the same way as Claucet. Even if you wanted to go, I’d never let you. No, I wouldn’t allow it at all.”

Klaus’s voice carried a mischievous undertone as he leaned in to nuzzle the back of her neck, his lips brushing against her skin.

A tingling sensation shot through her, and Roselia instinctively shrank away, her face heating up.

Klaus murmured softly, his lips and nose pressed against her neck, as if enjoying her reaction.

“Roselia… your scent is already wafting out again.”

“And whose fault do you think that is?”

Roselia managed to stifle her trembling voice, glaring at him with a mix of frustration and embarrassment.

Klaus, finding even her glare adorable, cradled the back of her neck with his hand and brought his lips to hers.

Roselia’s eyes widened in surprise before fluttering closed as she surrendered to him.

As she melted into his embrace, Klaus suddenly broke the kiss and stood, scooping her up in his arms with one arm supporting her back and the other under her knees.

Startled, Roselia let out a small yelp.

“Wh-what are you doing all of a sudden…?”

Now cradled in his arms in a princess carry, Roselia’s wide eyes darted around nervously. Klaus’s voice was steady, but his tone carried a hint of urgency.

“We’re going to the bedroom.”

 

 

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