88. The Duke’s Achilles’ heel

In a dimly lit study filled with deep mahogany furniture, a man slouched into a plush sofa, nervously tapping the rim of his glass with his fingertips.

“Damn it… who would have thought that woman masquerading as a man was actually of Raphelios bloodline…?”

Grand Duke Rubelio muttered coldly, his voice laced with irritation as he downed his drink in one swift motion.

“This just got even more troublesome.”

The shadowy figure standing silently before him, Rubelio’s right-hand man, bowed his head.

“From what I’ve heard, the imperial family of Raphelios is already under the control of the concubine factions…”

“What does that matter?”

The Grand Duke snapped impatiently. His aide continued in a calm tone, his head still bowed.

“While I’m unsure about the Empress’s faction, the concubine faction would see a bloodline woman as a threat rather than someone to protect.”

The Grand Duke’s hand froze mid-tap against the glass at this remark.

“Hmm… you’ve provided something useful for once.”

He set the glass down on the table and slowly stroked his chin, muttering under his breath.

“Of course… I didn’t think of that. If Raphelios finds out about a bloodline woman, they’d be desperate to exploit her.”

A sinister smile spread across his lips.

“If they learn that she’s actually a woman in disguise, this could turn into an excellent bargaining chip with the Raphelios scum.”

At his words, the aide bowed deeply.

Having organized his thoughts, the Grand Duke poured himself a fresh drink, his mood visibly lifting as he grinned.

“I’ll need to make contact with the Raphelios delegation, specifically with the nobles aligned with the concubine faction.”

“I’ll make the arrangements. However… revealing that the woman is female will require close access. With the Duke’s estate so tightly guarded, it won’t be easy to approach her.”

“Hmm…”

The Grand Duke fell silent, mulling over the challenge. Then, a wicked grin curved his lips.

“There’s a way to divert the Duke’s attention elsewhere.”

He sipped the amber liquid in his glass, savoring it before swallowing with satisfaction.

“And if it happens to sour his relationship with the Crown Prince in the process, all the better.”

* * *

Roselia watched Count Bernas and Claucet with a smile as they sat side by side in the garden of the Count’s estate, each working on their own painting.

Despite their frequent bickering, the way they admired and critiqued each other’s work felt heartwarming, almost like a grandfather and granddaughter sharing a moment.

“Look at this. How can a bird look like that? I’ve never seen such a plump canary in my life,” Count Bernas grumbled, his tone playful yet sharp.

Claucet puffed up her cheeks and glared at him sulkily.

“I was emphasizing Pipi’s cuteness!”

“Cuteness, my foot. It’s so chubby I’d question whether it could even fly.”

“That’s not fat, it’s feathers! And what about your painting, Grandfather? Isn’t that girl supposed to be me?”

Claucet pointed at the portrait Count Bernas was painting in an attempt to retaliate.

“You’ve got a keen eye. Yes, it’s you and Antonio.”

“And since when am I short and stubby like that?”

Claucet’s sharp retort was met with an indifferent response from the Count.

“I paint in hyperrealism.”

“Ugh! Grandfather!”

As Claucet flushed with indignation, both Count Bernas and Roselia burst into laughter.

In truth, Claucet’s painting of the canary was exquisite, despite the Count’s teasing. It was delicate and beautiful, with a slight touch of whimsy that made it more endearing than a real canary.

Roselia, who had developed a keen eye for art under Abel and Nadia’s guidance, found it impressive. Claucet’s rapid improvement in such a short time was remarkable.

Her skills now were nearly on par with Abel and Nadia, though perhaps not yet at Count Bernas’s level.

Why, then, hadn’t Claucet’s artistic talent been mentioned in the original story?

Was this another new twist in the narrative?

Aside from the mention of Klaus having a sister, there was hardly any information about Claucet in the original. Roselia couldn’t help but wonder if she had overlooked something important.

Lost in thought, she shook her head.

No, that couldn’t be it. After all, even Count Bernas, who had only painted war scenes in the original, now created serene, beautiful depictions of peaceful life.

Similarly, Nadia, who had left behind only one painting before her death in the original, now filled this world with dozens of her works depicting vast, open skies.

Perhaps Claucet’s newfound artistic talent was just another minor change, one that added richness to this altered version of the story.

Roselia was jolted from her thoughts by Claucet’s brusque voice.

“Antonio, what are you thinking about?”

“Oh… nothing much,” Roselia replied awkwardly, offering a sheepish smile.

Noticing her distracted state, Count Bernas gestured toward the easel in front of him.

“If you’ve got nothing to do, come sit here.”

“Pardon?”

“If you’re going to sit there daydreaming, you might as well model for us.”

“Oh… yes, sir.”

Carrying a chair hesitantly, Roselia approached the easels, her awkward demeanor drawing a mischievous grin from Claucet.

“I’ll draw you beautifully!” Claucet promised with a giggle.

Once Roselia settled into the chair, both the Count and Claucet turned serious, their focus entirely on their sketches.

Watching them, Roselia felt a smile creep onto her lips.

The Count, noticing her expression, spoke without lifting his gaze from his work.

“If you’re going to smile, keep smiling. Stop changing your expression.”

“Yes… understood,” Roselia replied softly.

Claucet, unable to contain herself, burst into laughter at the Count’s curt remark.

Her bright laughter was infectious, and soon Roselia couldn’t hold back her own laughter either.

* * *

Returning from her visit to the Count’s estate, Roselia made her way, as usual, to the Duke’s study.

She stacked a collection of history books about Raphelios and Lugbeljet on the table and sat down, immediately diving into her reading.

The books contained far more detailed accounts and histories than the sparse information she had known from the original work.

As she immersed herself in the intricacies of the world’s history, a strange sense of dissonance crept over her.

Was this truly the same world that had once existed only in a book?

Did the original author really conceive such an expansive history and lore, or… had this new world built itself as she studied its previously untold details?

Her thoughts were interrupted by a peculiar sensation, like a prickling warmth against her cheek. She glanced to the side, startled to find Klaus leaning casually against the bookshelf, gazing down at her.

“Oh my goodness! When did you get here?”

“Just now,” he replied with a soft smile.

“I won’t disturb you. Keep reading.”

Roselia frowned, feeling more flustered than comforted.

His very presence was distracting enough. His lingering gaze ignited a warmth that reminded her of his lips from the previous night, leaving her feeling flushed all over again.

“Um… Your Grace…”

“Yes?”

“Don’t you have work to do?”

“Of course,” Klaus replied nonchalantly, his lips curving into a mischievous grin.

His casual tone and refusal to leave made Roselia feel self-conscious as he sat across from her, deliberately invading her space.

“Even when I’m busy, I make time to see you,” he added.

His unreserved gaze made Roselia avert her eyes, fixing them back on her book.

But his piercing stare seemed to trace her every move, from the way she turned the pages to the small gestures of her hands.

His intense attention made her body tingle with an almost unbearable tension, a lingering memory of the night before when he had left his mark on her.

Her lips tightened in an effort to hold herself together as Klaus spoke in a low voice.

“Antonio.”

Roselia jumped, startled out of her thoughts.

“Y-yes?”

“You smell good.”

His sly smile sent her face ablaze as she stammered, “You’re being playful again.”

Finding even her flustered reaction endearing, Klaus replied with a tone of mock innocence.

“I’m just stating a fact.”

“I’ll… tone it down,” Roselia muttered, trying to mask her embarrassment with a sharp tone.

But Klaus’s grin widened, his voice lowering to a velvet-like murmur.

“I like your scent.”

“I’m well aware,” she replied curtly, pretending to stay focused on her book.

Klaus chuckled softly. “Good. I’m glad you know.”

Roselia, realizing she couldn’t concentrate with him around, narrowed her eyes.

“If you don’t have any specific business with me, wouldn’t it be more efficient for you to return to your office and handle your work?”

“I can work efficiently anywhere, Antonio.”

“Of course, Your Grace,” she muttered dryly, rolling her eyes.

Her muscles still ached from his relentless antics the previous night, and his casual demeanor only made him seem more exasperating.

Noticing her frustrated glance, Klaus casually picked up one of the books she’d brought.

“Raphelios history… Are you regretting not going with the Marquess?”

Startled, Roselia’s expression faltered before she replied evenly, “I’m just gathering information in case they reach out. It’s better to be prepared.”

Her blunt response made Klaus’s brow furrow deeply.

“If they target you or try to contact you, I won’t sit idly by, no matter who they are—even if it’s the Empire of Raphelios.”

“You’re overreacting again,” Roselia sighed. “I’m only studying in case of a hypothetical scenario.”

Klaus softened his expression, though his voice remained steady.

“If you’re curious about your family in Raphelios, I could look into it for you.”

His unexpected offer left Roselia wide-eyed.

Klaus cleared his throat awkwardly and continued, “Bloodline records are highly secretive, but if you want, I’ll investigate further.”

Her sharp gaze narrowed. “You’ve already tried, haven’t you?”

Caught off guard, Klaus avoided her eyes. Roselia sighed, shaking her head.

“They’re strangers to me. I don’t feel any attachment or longing for them. As I said, I’m just studying to prepare for the unknown. There’s no need to concern yourself.”

Klaus’s expression finally relaxed, reassured by her words.

Roselia caught his relieved look and couldn’t help but smile faintly.

Just then, the study door burst open, and Alejandro hurried inside, looking panicked.

“Your Grace!”

Klaus’s brow furrowed as he asked sharply, “What’s the matter?”

“It’s… a message from the imperial palace…”

Alejandro hesitated, glancing nervously at Klaus before continuing.

“The Crown Princess has gone missing while traveling to the southern region.”

The sudden news shocked Roselia, making her stiffen in place.

Her uneasy gaze instinctively turned to Klaus.

He stood frozen, his face pale as a statue, completely immobilized by the revelation.

 

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