“Hah…”

“Your Majesty… what do you think?”

“Don’t ask me. I already have enough of a headache…”

Jade pressed his forehead with a furrowed brow. The merchants’ words were a spectacle. It wasn’t Rosana’s doing—it was all Emma’s. 

Not one of them had received orders directly from Rosana. Most hadn’t even heard her voice.

When he asked why they had written it was Rosana’s doing, they questioned back—wasn’t it the Lady’s doing? He was so dumbfounded he couldn’t speak further.

The words written in the petitions were based on facts. Only, it was Emma wearing Rosana’s name who had done it all. Even just listening to the merchants made it clear Rosana had nothing to do with it.

Something suddenly came to mind. When he had gone to Rosana’s quarters with the budget report, her attire had been too plain. 

Rosana Arcadi, who supposedly loved flashy things. Yet she wasn’t wearing any of the dresses or accessories she had supposedly bought.

He had seen Emma bring a flashy dress at the end, but based on the evidence, he couldn’t confirm that was Rosana’s will.

‘There were enough hints.’

Why hadn’t he realized sooner? 

Only deep sighs kept escaping. Jade leaned back in his chair. Then why hadn’t she spoken up earlier… And he realized. 

The true meaning of Rosana’s words. Having seen the merchants’ behavior, he could understand. He had been exactly the same.

If Rosana had made excuses when he visited, saying it wasn’t her doing, he would have clearly brought up the petitions and said, “You really didn’t do it? When the evidence is this clear?” 

And hadn’t he admitted it then? That he had already reached a conclusion in his heart.

“Even if she spoke, there’s no guarantee it would get through… So it was definitely a misunderstanding.”

Doubts still remained. Rosana was the Lady of the Arcadi ducal family. And Emma was merely her maid. Then why couldn’t she stop her behavior?

Too much information had come in. The existing information clashed with the newly learned information, contradicting each other.

“Come to think of it, there were more strange things about Lady Arcadi.”

When Jade looked at Malek, he continued slowly.

“Her initial attitude was strange when you think about it. According to Sir Fel, she was proactive about sending the Astrot knights away, and she didn’t raise even a small objection to Your Majesty’s words about driving out the maids. Same with the statement about disposing of all the dresses. The quarters too—though they said they paid attention to the interior, it was a place that had been abandoned, so it was desolate.”

“But she didn’t say anything.”

“Yes.”

Malek nodded. Jade fell into thought. Rather than rashly visiting her, he needed to organize his thoughts somewhat.

He picked up the documents Malek had investigated about Rosana. He read carefully, like he couldn’t miss a single letter. 

However, the answer he sought wasn’t there. Everyone only evaluated Rosana as extravagant, tyrannical, and cold-hearted.

On the lighter side, there was testimony that she went to auction houses and gathered jewels that caught her eye without caring about price. 

Also, if there was a dress she liked, she would try to solve it with money even if it was already reserved. It only detailed how she would whip and drive out maids if they made even small mistakes. Jade handed the documents to Malek.

“These materials investigating Rosana Arcadi. Is this really correct?”

“…”

Malek remained silent. Even he was wavering at the truth being revealed the more he dug. He muttered quietly.

“I’ll investigate again.”

“Yes. Not rumors or people’s words. Investigate whether there’s anyone who suffered harm di.rect.ly from Lady Arcadi. Make sure to emphasize and ask. Whether she personally did it.”

“Understood.”

* * *

Rosana quietly sighed.

‘Was provoking him not good…’

Rosana slyly turned her head. Around her, Emma and Jane were standing guard. Even Emma didn’t run her mouth freely since Jane was present.

Jade showed no signs of visiting after that, but instead Jane was staring intently like she wouldn’t miss even trivial actions. Though her head was bowed, she felt like everything was visible.

Celine was no longer seen, perhaps having been scolded by Jane and told to restrain herself. 

Her head gradually started aching from the various matters at hand. At the ringing tinnitus, Rosana gently pressed her forehead with her hand.

“Does your head hurt?”

Jane immediately asked. When Rosana pressed her head with her hand and frowned, Jane approached with concern.

“…Just a little.”

Rosana rolled her eyes and avoided her gaze. This situation of someone approaching with concern was just awkward.

Jane looked at Rosana with fresh eyes. 

Following Jade’s orders, she had always observed while staying one step back. However, after the previous incident, she decided to actively monitor Rosana and learned an unexpected fact.

‘She’s weak to kindness.’

It was a fact she realized while watching Rosana slightly avert her gaze. She seemed a bit awkward. She needed to erase the figure of ‘Rosana’ she had heard from people’s mouths. 

Jane bowed politely and said, “I’ll have the physician prepare headache medicine. And how about taking a walk? Fresh air helps clear headaches.”

Jane subtly suggested a walk. Emma immediately shot back.

“There has to be something to see. What fun is walking through a desolate garden?”

“There’s a well-maintained small garden a short walk away.”

Rosana was also aware she had been inside too much.

“Miss? Will you go?”

“Yes. Jane, is the timing alright?”

“Of course.”

Rosana followed Jane. Emma, who had hesitated briefly, also hurriedly followed behind Rosana.

As Jane said, walking just a bit further revealed a decent garden. Trees and flowers harmoniously blended with elegant charm. Being a small garden, it wasn’t very large.

The refreshing air improved Rosana’s mood. Like Jane said, her throbbing head also cleared. 

Rosana sat on the bench located in the garden’s center while Emma and Jane stood behind. Then the rustling sound of grass being stepped on was heard.

The owners of the footsteps were maids. The garden was their shortcut. The maids carrying large baskets were talking. The baskets were full of various laundry, blocking their view. 

Because of this, they didn’t see Rosana’s group. Perhaps letting their guard down since no one usually came to this garden, they freely chattered about rumors.

“I heard last time… that rumor is real!”

“What rumor? There are so many rumors in the imperial palace.”

One maid lowered her voice like telling a secret, but her voice was loud. She seemed to be enjoying having heard an interesting rumor.

“The story that His Majesty t*rtures people! I heard from a maid who’s worked here long—sometimes screams are heard in the middle of the night. People’s screams and also somewhat beast-like cries.”

“What? I thought it was completely a rumor… His Majesty even defeats Monsters…”

The maid beside her was shocked. Her expression showed she hadn’t thought it was true.

“I guess the rumor about not forgetting blood is true. Even knights guard so they can’t come out… That’s why there’s a rumor the knight order is in on it too. Honestly, if people’s screams are heard in the imperial palace, would His Majesty just stay still for no reason? It’s because he’s involved.”

The maids’ chatter clearly reached Rosana’s ears as she enjoyed a peaceful rest. She gently opened her tightly closed eyes. Rosana also knew from hearing about it. 

Emma looked that way and sneered like she was enjoying it.

“The maids’ education needs to be redone, Head Maid. How can they badmouth the master they serve?”

“…”

Conversely, Jane remained silent.

“Isn’t that right? Miss?”

Rosana quietly watched Emma smiling viciously. She wanted to ask if Emma herself didn’t badmouth the master she served. Rosana had seen Emma gossip about her several times. 

Of course, on the negative side.

‘What kind of answer does she expect from me? Words of agreement?’

She had no intention of giving a half-hearted answer. The maids’ chatter didn’t end.

“You know the other rumor? Lady Arcadi wasted the budget buying dresses, accessories, and decorations. She just sent the bills straight to the Emperor’s palace, right?”

“Right. That’s why His Majesty personally went there.”

“Really? How shameless. Or is it brazen?”

“Old habits die hard.”

“Really… it’s the affairs of high-ranking people, but why Lady Arcadi of all people?”

“Exactly. Let’s just quietly do our work.”

After thoroughly gossiping and tasting it, perhaps their interest waned—they returned to their original duties and grumbled looking at the full baskets.

Emma let out a short sigh of disbelief. It was a different reaction from when insulting Jade. Rather, her face turned red and blue like she herself had been insulted.

Everything the maids said was essentially Emma’s doing. In a way, Emma’s anger was natural.

“Wasn’t she just exercising her rightful privileges? But to have to hear such things… Should I go bring them? Miss?”

Emma stamped her feet in anger. She glared coldly at the departing maids’ backs.

“I’m resting right now.”

Rosana had no desire to have her rare rest time disturbed. However, Emma seemed to have heard Rosana’s words with one ear, fuming. Then she soon dashed out like an arrow.

“I’ll bring them right away!”

Rosana let out a small sigh. Like the maids just said, old habits die hard. Despite Jane being right there, she ran wild like an unbridled colt and went alone to catch the maids. 

Jane and Rosana could only watch Emma’s back as she rushed out alone.

“Won’t you stop her?”

“…Stop what?”

“Emma.”

Rosana turned her head toward Jane. Her eyes were sharply glinting.

‘She resembles him.’

It was a sudden thought. Rosana stared intently at Emma’s distant back. Jane looked at Rosana with eyes similar to his. Rosana remained silent.

“…”

It wasn’t Rosana who controlled Emma’s actions. Rosana’s language didn’t reach Emma. However Jane interpreted Rosana’s silence, she only nodded.

“Lady Rosana is a profound person. What do you think about His Majesty’s rumors?”

“Do you need my opinion?”

“I’m just asking.”

Rosana simply looked ahead. At the garden where trees and flowers bloomed.

“I don’t care either way.”

“Even about Lady Rosana’s rumors?”

Rosana looked at Jane, who spoke calmly, with wide eyes. But soon lowered them. Rosana thought not about Jade’s rumors but her own. The rumors about herself that the maids had mentioned after gossiping about Jade.

She smiled sadly. She had long since let rumors flow as they would. Rosana’s dry, withered laughter reached Jane’s ears.

Rosana had decided not to be swayed by rumors.

‘If even I am swayed by rumors, I feel like I’ll truly become “Rosana”…’

She chose to maintain her center without being swayed by people’s words and just observe. 

Incidents she saw with her own eyes, incidents she directly felt. She decided to judge people by those. If she misjudged, that was her responsibility—blaming others only diminished herself further.

A small sneer formed on Rosana’s lips. Old memories came to mind for no reason. The finger-pointing that complete strangers had done based solely on rumors, people’s malicious gazes. Many believed rumors. 

She was too tired to hate and detest all those people.

Even blaming rumors on others changed nothing. Rather, she was only pointed at more for being arrogant. Then let’s engrave it as my fault. If I insist it’s my fault so I’m being scolded, it’s easier.

There was no more conversation after that. Jane didn’t ask further, and Rosana didn’t answer. 

Jane sent back the maids Emma had brought. Of course, after making them pay the price for running their mouths freely.