Joanne, the auburn-haired maid who had introduced herself earlier, stepped forward with a reassuring smile.
“It’s alright. We’ll just prepare everything for you and wait outside the screen.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Lady Isabel does the same.”
“Lady Isab— I mean, Sister does?”
“Yes.”
Encouraged, Rosette took a small step forward.
“Okay.”
Thanks to that, Rosette managed to bathe without much trouble. It was a little awkward knowing the three maids were waiting just beyond the screen, but this was something she’d have to get used to now that she was here.
After finishing her bath on her own, the maids helped her change into fresh clothes. The three of them fussed over her the moment she was dressed.
“Oh my, you look absolutely lovely, my lady!”
“Like an angel.”
“How can anyone be this adorable?”
Rosette assumed they were just exaggerating to please her.
‘I know I’m not pretty.’
Elisha, the beloved youngest daughter of Marquis Dallas, had always made sure to remind her:
“I’ve never seen anyone as ugly as you. How can someone be this hideous? Even your hair is that dull pink color.”
Elisha tore her down daily, and Rosette had internalized those words. Of course, she believed she was unsightly.
“Look in the mirror, my lady. You’re so precious!”
“No. I don’t want to.”
Rosette desperately covered her face, avoiding the mirror. Joan, who had been about to hand her a hand mirror, was taken aback by the strong refusal but didn’t show it, quietly putting the mirror away.
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine.”
“Shall we go down for breakfast, then? Everyone must be waiting.”
“Okay.”
Following Joanne’s guidance, Rosette headed to the first-floor dining hall. True to Joanne’s words, the other children were already there.
Her cheeks burned at the thought of being late. The only saving grace was that Duke Adrian hadn’t arrived yet.
“I’m sorry.”
She hurriedly took the seat a servant pulled out for her. Lucas was the first to respond.
“Nah! We just came early.”
Unlike a typical noble child, he rubbed his stomach with exaggerated motions.
“We trained hard this morning, so I was starving and rushed here.”
“Lucas.”
Isabel chided her brother.
“Stop being so undignified.”
Despite the scolding, Lucas just laughed. Rosette thought he reminded her of a puppy she often saw at the orphanage—a white one that wagged its tail and followed the children around no matter what.
“Pfft.”
The involuntary laugh drew everyone’s attention. Realizing the stares, Rosette quickly schooled her expression.
“It’s nothing.”
“I don’t know what you were thinking, but it’s nice to see you smile.”
Daniel, seated across from her, smiled warmly.
“Did you like your room?”
“Yes, so much!”
She was about to answer excitedly when she caught Isabel’s gaze and lowered her voice.
“I… I really like it.”
“Good.”
Just then, Duke Adrian entered the dining hall. As soon as he took his seat at the head of the table, the first course was served.
Rosette bit her lip slightly as she stared at the salad in front of her.
‘Shrimp…’
She was allergic to shrimp. It wasn’t life-threatening—she wouldn’t stop breathing—but every time she ate it, her entire body would itch unbearably.
She’d only learned about her shrimp allergy after coming to the Dallas household. The orphanage where she’d grown up was far from the coast, so seafood had been rare.
‘I got scolded if I refused to eat it.’
Marquis Dallas had known about her allergy but forced her to eat shrimp anyway. Would she be punished here too if she didn’t eat it?
Misreading her hesitation, Lucas, seated diagonally across from her, chimed in.
“Table manners still confusing? Just start with the fork on the outside! It’s super easy!”
He seemed to think she was unsure which fork to use.
‘I know table manners…’
She’d learned them at the Dallas household—every mistake met with a cane to the back of her hand. By now, she could dine as flawlessly as any noble.
But as she hesitated, Isabel, seated beside her, picked up the salad fork and placed it firmly in Rosette’s right hand.
“Didn’t you hear him? Use this one.”
“Ah, okay.”
If I don’t eat it, they’ll scold me for being picky. She hated being scolded. She really hated the thought of being sent away.
Her grip on the fork tightened until her already pale fingers turned whiter. She speared a shrimp and put it in her mouth.
She chewed hard, grinding it between her molars. It tasted good—she didn’t *dislike* shrimp, despite the allergy.
When Rosette finished the salad (shrimp included), Daniel smiled from across the table.
“You eat your veggies well. Cute.”
Her cheeks flushed slightly as she popped the last shrimp into her mouth without hesitation.
‘Good job.’
She praised herself silently.
The rest of the meal passed without issue—thankfully, her allergic reaction didn’t kick in immediately.
It was a little unusual to have meat served so early in the morning, but then again, everyone had just returned from training.
Rosette blinked at the steak larger than her palm. This time, Isabel handed her the knife and fork herself.
“Quit staring and eat.”
“Huh? Oh, right.”
When Rosette struggled to cut the meat with her child-sized utensils, Daniel simply took her plate.
“I’ll cut it for you.”
He sliced the steak into bite-sized pieces before returning it. Rosette swallowed as she eyed the pink, juicy center.
“Eat up already!” Lucas urged, clearly eager to see her reaction.
Rosette resolutely speared a piece and took a bite. The moment her teeth sank in, rich juices flooded her mouth. The meat melted effortlessly, tender beyond belief.
Even after a decade at the Dallas household, she’d never had steak this soft and delicious. The meat she’d eaten had always been tough and chewy.
‘I… was being discriminated against.’
The belated realization hit her. No wonder she’d never understood when Elisha praised the chef for steak that “melted in your mouth.”
Whether it was the delayed frustration or the sheer emotional impact of the meat, Rosette felt a tear slip out.
Lucas burst out laughing.
“It’s that good?”
“Y-yes…”
Rosette continued to eat the steak, savoring each bite.
But her happiness didn’t last long.
By the time dessert was served, her allergic reaction had begun. At first, her arms itched, then her throat started to feel scratchy.
Under the table, she furiously scratched her arms. The stinging sensation told her she’d likely broken skin.
“What’s wrong?”
Duke Adrian, sharp-eyed, noticed her discomfort immediately. Rosette shook her head rapidly.
“It’s nothing.”
“Then why aren’t you eating dessert? The custard pudding is our head chef’s specialty!” Lucas tilted his head in confusion.
“I…”
If she raised her arms to reach for the dessert, the angry red hives would be visible. And then they’d find out about her shrimp allergy.
Just then, Duke Adrian strode over, his expression stern. Kneeling beside her, he carefully took her arm.
“…!”
Seeing the hives and raw scratches, he turned to Sebastian, who was waiting nearby, and spoke in a low voice.
“Call the physician. Now.”
—
The Adrian family physician—his hair as silver as Sebastian’s—examined Rosette. Duke Adrian stood back, watching them with a hardened expression.
The three Adrian siblings, sensing their father’s anger, had wisely retreated to their rooms.
Rosette hung her head like a condemned criminal. Even so, she could feel the Duke’s piercing gaze burning into her.
“It appears to be an allergic reaction,” the physician concluded.
“An allergy?”
“Yes. I understand shrimp was served as the first course. Shrimp allergies are more common in the empire than one might think. However, given her previous environment—where seafood was scarce—it’s likely she never realized she had one.”
“…”
“Antihistamines will relieve the hives quickly. Though the scratches on her arms may leave marks.”
“Understood. You may go.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Even after the physician left, the Duke’s expression remained unreadable. Rosette shrank back as she took the allergy medicine he handed her.
Only after she’d drained a full glass of water did he finally speak.
“I’m sorry.”
“…?”
“I should have checked for allergies beforehand. This was my oversight.”
Rosette couldn’t understand why he was apologizing.
Marquis Dallas had always blamed her for the allergy.
Elisha, his beloved youngest daughter, had mocked her:
“This is what happens when you’re born lowly. If you’d grown up eating proper food like me, you wouldn’t have these pathetic allergies.”
If anyone should apologize, it was her.
So why was Duke Adrian saying sorry?
She wanted to ask. But when her lips finally parted, what came out was entirely different.
“I’m sorry.”
The Duke’s expression softened at last. Kneeling before her where she sat on the edge of the bed, he took her hands in his.
“You have nothing to apologize for.”
“But I do. I’m… flawed. I shouldn’t have allergies like this…”
The Duke’s sharp mind caught the strangeness in her words immediately.
Not only did this child accept her allergy as a simple fact—she genuinely believed it was a failing.
Which could only mean…
“You already knew about the allergy.”
“…”
“Did someone tell you it was wrong to have one?”
Rosette remained silent.
“Did the orphanage director tell you that?”
She shook her head vigorously.
“No.”
“Then who did?”
“……”
Rosette clamped her mouth shut like a clam. Sensing her resistance, the Duke changed his question.
“You knew about your allergy. Why did you eat it anyway?”
“……”
“Rosette.”
“……”
“Rosette Adrian.”
She could tell she was being scolded—but she didn’t understand why.
She had endured the pain to avoid punishment, yet here she was, punished anyway. It wasn’t unfair, exactly. Just terrifying.
Marquis Dallas had been a mage, but Duke Adrian was a knight. The difference in their physiques was stark, and the disparity in strength even more so. How much would it hurt if he struck her?
Clutching her hands together, Rosette finally mumbled,
“…Because.”
“Hm?”
“Picky eating is bad.”
