“You two said you were friends.”

At Rosana’s words, Veronica couldn’t respond like a mute who’d eaten honey.

“Only we who are here know about this anyway. So let’s move past it. Let’s say I’m giving this to her. The idea that she stole it……”

“You believe her?!”

Watching Veronica speak in an agitated voice, Rosana said calmly.

“If I don’t believe her, who will? Creating false charges is extremely easy. A maid’s room? Anyone can come and go, it’s perfect for framing someone. Put an accessory in a drawer, then have someone find it—there’s no way to deny it.”

“Th-there’s no way someone would do such a thing……”

“There are many. Quite a few.”

Rosana smirked. The young ladies who strutted through high society disliked Rosana and devised various schemes. All the tricks they pulled became things Rosana had done.

“That’s enough now.”

It was a clear order to leave.

Perhaps realizing the strange turn of events, the other maids didn’t know what to do. Veronica’s face turned red and blue.

“There’s clear evidence, yet you’re covering for her? This is making fools of the other maids. We can’t work with a maid who steals!”

“Do you know who Lady Rosana is showing consideration to?!”

When Celine shouted, Veronica’s body flinched. Now the maids who’d been beside Veronica tugged at her clothes, saying they should leave.

“L-Lady Rosana, you believe me?”

Yuna asked in a trembling voice. Even though she was a personal maid, she hadn’t been serving long. Yet moved by Rosana believing her, tears welled up in her eyes. Rosana lightly patted Yuna’s shoulder.

“There are quite a few people wearing the mask of friendship. I’ve been in this situation many times, so it was easy to identify the real culprit.”

At Rosana’s words, Veronica’s body visibly trembled.

All the arrows of evidence pointed to Yuna. But Yuna stole it? She knew Yuna wasn’t someone who would touch her master’s belongings. 

There was no way such a person would have been assigned to her in the first place. By him, no less. More than anything, no matter how much others shouted otherwise, she wanted to believe. 

Because she wanted to believe in Yuna.

She knew better than anyone the meaning behind Veronica’s gaze. Eyes of contempt. They weren’t directed at Rosana but at Yuna.

Rosana had no one she could call a friend. However, she was certain no one would look at a friend with such eyes.

“Oh, and I’d prefer not to see you from now on.”

It was a clear rejection and words informing her of her future.

At Rosana’s cold words, Veronica’s face turned deathly pale as she slowly backed away. Then she rushed out. Once the maids left the room, only Yuna, Celine, and Rosana remained.

“Were you being bullied?”

“N-no……”

“Really?”

The weakly drooping words lacked sincerity. No matter how much she hid it, she’d suspected from the time bruises appeared on the inside of her sleeves or dirt got on her uniform that should have been kept clean. 

That’s why she’d asked. Whether something was wrong. But Yuna hadn’t answered. So she watched where Yuna’s gaze was directed.

“Yuna, if you don’t speak, I won’t know. I might misunderstand.”

Rosana smiled slightly at the sense of déjà vu. She was saying the words he had said. Rosana decided to wait. Words don’t come out easily. That was a problem Rosana understood best.

“Yuna. Will you tell me someday?”

“Lady Rosana……”

Yuna opened her mouth. Perhaps the accumulated resentment until now exploded, as tears welled up. Celine held her forehead and sighed, while Rosana, not knowing what to do, gently stroked Yuna’s head. She knew from experience that this made one feel better.

“Thank you for…… believing in me. But Veronica will definitely spread rumors. It will have a bad influence on you too, Lady Rosana……”

“Ah, that’s fine. I’m used to it.”

When you repeatedly experience the same thing, you roughly predict the pattern.

“I’ve taken measures.”

It would have been difficult if Rosana were alone, but……

“What?”

Unable to understand Rosana’s words, Yuna tilted her head in confusion. Celine retorted, asking if she didn’t understand.

“Why do you think Lady Rosana entrusted the jewelry box to me?”

She’d anticipated it when Veronica asked if it was a gift from His Majesty. The momentarily flashing gaze was hard to overlook. Precisely the smile of someone thinking up a scheme to torment another. 

After thinking briefly, Yuna clapped her fist and palm together.

“Ah! Come to think of it, I haven’t touched the jewelry box recently!”

She grumbled that she’d been disheartened by that and wished they’d told her the truth from the start. Perhaps relieved, her mouth became lighter. That was like Yuna.

“Celine, the other maids saw well enough that Yuna didn’t touch the jewelry box, right?”

“Of course. I deliberately made sure to show what jewels were in the jewelry box when other maids were present. Rather than Yuna, they’d suspect me or the other maids who touched the accessories.”

“……You’ll be unnecessarily harmed.”

‘I didn’t anticipate harm to Celine.’

Celine said without any sign that it didn’t matter.

“Yuna doesn’t have the nerve to steal in the first place. Because of Yuna’s actions, the other maids probably won’t believe it much either. Conversely, Veronica had many problems.”

“But they all seemed to get along well.”

“They pretend to. That’s what nobility is.”

“……I don’t want to be a noble.”

Yuna hung her head, saying she couldn’t smile when it wasn’t enjoyable. The three exchanged words casually, treating the recent incident like a small happening. For Rosana, it was a scene she’d grown accustomed to and a sight she’d dreamed of.

‘Has it changed a little from back then?’

Rosana looked down at her hands. It was an incident she’d resolved herself.

“It might have helped Lady Rosana’s reputation.”

“For Lady Rosana?”

“Plenty of maids saw Veronica’s group visit Lady Rosana’s room. Also me rushing out to bring Yuna. Given Veronica’s temperament, she clearly came making a fuss, yet she was the one who rushed out, so it’s quite an interesting incident. This is the imperial palace, after all.”

“……Right.”

A place where people hide their true feelings with smiling faces. Veronica’s expulsion could be seen as an opportunity by someone. Celine looked at Rosana.

“You resolved it well without major commotion.”

She could have told Jade. She’d even been caught looking worried. However, she deliberately didn’t mention it. It might have been stubbornness and obstinacy.

It might be arrogance, but she wanted to resolve it herself. She wanted to show she’d changed and obtain confirmation. She wanted to overcome it alone.

‘I want to see him.’

Like a child, she wanted to boast to him about what she’d accomplished.

* * *

Knock knock—

“Come in.”

The door opened and a familiar person appeared. Rosana jumped up.

“Jade?”

“I’m sorry. I was a step too late.”

Rosana tilted her head in confusion. Jade pressed Rosana’s shoulder, expressing that she should sit. His expression was crumpled.

Jade had rushed over as soon as he heard from Jane that there’d been an incident. 

He thought he’d dawdled unnecessarily. If something could be stolen without anyone knowing, conversely something could be left behind without anyone knowing. 

Though he knew all the maids’ personal information, there was no telling where a traitor might appear.

“I need to quickly replace the knights in the palace.”

“The knights? There wasn’t really any danger.”

Jade’s eyebrow rose crookedly.

“It was dangerous. Someone touched your belongings, didn’t they? The very fact that something proceeded without anyone knowing is the problem. If poison had been secretly applied to the accessory, you could have been poisoned immediately from being pricked by a sharp surface.”

“……That’s just a possibility.”

“We must prepare for dangerous situations in advance. You don’t even have an escort. I’ll assign you a guard knight and completely replace the palace knights with trustworthy people. I won’t accept objections.”

Rosana felt reluctant thinking of the knights who’d be dismissed overnight. However, Jade was serious. She felt her heart warm at his concern and consideration. Jade said irritably.

“To dare touch something I gave you—they have some nerve. You said you’re sending the maid away? You have the authority over personnel. Daring to covet the Empress’s belongings—they have nothing to say even if expelled.”

“Though they weren’t coveting mine.”

Jade was surprised by Rosana’s unexpectedly calm attitude. Since she disliked ‘Rosana’s’ actions, he’d worried she might be trembling in anxiety after dismissing the maid.

“I worried you’d be dejected.”

Rosana just smiled.

“I did the right thing.”

There wasn’t the slightest waver in her tone. 

Words were spreading here and there because of the expelled Veronica’s group. However, it was a commotion that would settle with time. Like Celine said, maids who’d observed Veronica’s behavior whispered. 

Additionally, Yuna seemed determined to actively publicize this incident, going around spreading the heroic tale of how Rosana had saved her.

“……There was no need to worry. You’re no longer someone who’ll be easily taken advantage of.”

“Being constantly taken advantage of hurts one’s pride. I’ve decided to change now, so I won’t be taken advantage of.”

“Still, I’d like a little heads-up. To find out after everything’s over…… What were you planning to do if bad words came out?”

At the sulking tone, Rosana burst into laughter.

“Of course that could have happened, but…… I wasn’t worried. His Majesty, Jade, said you’d believe in me. I decided not to care about what other people say. One person is enough for me.”

“……”

Even if everyone else whispered otherwise, there was someone who believed. Someone who said they would believe. Perhaps that’s why. She wasn’t particularly afraid or scared.

‘Because I have someone on my side.’ 

A smile bloomed on Rosana’s lips.

‘That’s why I wanted to believe too. I wanted to take someone’s side. I wanted to help Yuna, whom I’d known much better than Veronica. Her, who always gave strength with a bright smile. I too believed in someone so uprightly. I wanted to try believing.’

“So…… you asked. Back then.”

“Yes. Because I wanted to believe, I could gather courage from the words of belief. The dissonance was visible. Yuna isn’t that kind of child. There’s no way a child you assigned would be like that in the first place.”

At the blue eyes full of trust, Jade’s heart made a small sound.

“Did I do well?”

It was what she’d wanted to ask since he appeared. Unlike Emma’s matter, it was an incident she’d resolved herself without receiving his help. Though clumsy, wasn’t it successful in its own way? Didn’t she help someone too?

Jade, who’d been captivated by the uprightly shining blue eyes, finally opened his mouth. He let out a deflating laugh.

“Really. You surprise me every time.”

Jade felt his body tremble. He’d thought she’d barely taken one step. Yet she’d already run far ahead, leisurely turning back and gesturing to follow. When Jade laughed heartily and swept back his hair, Rosana blinked in bewilderment.

‘Did I say something wrong?’

Then a large hand was placed on her head. If she raised her head just a little, their eyes would meet directly. When she actually raised her head slightly, their eyes met. 

They were close enough to hear each other’s breathing nakedly. His golden eyes formed a beautiful arc.

“You did well.”

Rosana giggled softly.

She didn’t seem concerned about the rumors. He could see she’d gained peace of mind. He was glad the maid named Yuna seemed to have influenced her positively. 

Though unintended, it had become good groundwork. Jade lightly tapped Rosana’s forehead so it wouldn’t hurt.

“Still, don’t overdo it too much.”

“I wonder if this is what it would feel like if Father were here?”

“What?”

He was momentarily stunned. Rosana also hadn’t realized the words she’d been thinking inwardly had come out. Taking a short breath, Rosana waved her hands. But Jade had already heard.

“Father?”

“I-I don’t mean it badly! I just thought you seemed dependable, supporting me……”