“Didn’t you say it yourself? That she dropped food on the carpet. Anyone might make a mistake. But judging that mistake isn’t your job—it’s Lady Rosana’s, the mistress. Not only are you taking the side of the maid who did wrong, you’re throwing a fit refusing to accept the punishment. How pathetic. Didn’t that behavior lead to even harsher punishment?”

Celine clicked her tongue at the ducal family’s maids in disbelief.

“Ha… Are you saying expulsion was justified?!”

“There’s no reason to forgive. Of course, given Lady Rosana’s temperament, she clearly would have forgiven her.”

Celine showed unwavering faith. The others felt the same. The Duchess’s complexion visibly worsened as she watched the situation unfold calmly.

“…You really have changed.”

“Yes. It all happened after coming to Diovaha.”

“…”

A flash of stubbornness appeared in the Duchess’s eyes. Even while listening to Rosana’s words, she kept denying it.

Why has ‘Rosana’ changed like this? This shouldn’t be happening. Receiving people’s support? Hearing warm words?

No. She’s a villainess.

She was a villainess who wouldn’t stop her evil deeds despite receiving people’s contempt.

The book’s content was absolute to her. She’d won many people’s favor by following that book’s content. The book’s content was fate and inevitability. The original story was her guide.

“Rosana.”

“Yes, Mother.”

“I understand, so stop now. The maids must have been mistaken.”

“Mistaken… I suppose so.”

Rosana didn’t hide her mocking expression. She watched the Duchess’s constantly changing face. So that’s Mother’s true face. A face refusing to understand, unable to accept.

“The atmosphere got rather heated. Let’s end things here today. Ah, Mother. Does this outfit suit me well?”

“…Yes.”

Rosana delicately grasped the hem of her dress with her fingertips, lifting it slightly. The bright red fabric shimmered, adorned with jewels that sparkled brilliantly under the light. It was a dress that was difficult to wear with grace, yet Rosana carried it effortlessly.

“It’s an outfit befitting ‘Rosana,’ isn’t it? But it’s my outfit.”

Rosana said with a bright smile. The more smiles bloomed on Rosana’s face, the stiffer hers became.

‘That’s enough.’

It wasn’t completely satisfying, but she’d said what she most wanted to say to her. And she couldn’t pour out everything in one day after it had piled up so much. Rosana turned around.

“Please look forward to the wedding. I’m… going to start anew.”

Without looking back, Rosana stepped toward where the sunlight shone. She left the palace like that. Her eyes held the sun.

The Duchess stared at where Rosana had left with bloodshot eyes.

Crunch—

“M-Mother… what’s wrong?”

Amy stopped the Duchess, who was anxiously gnawing on her nails. Realizing there were others around, the Duchess smiled broadly. Everyone breathed sighs of relief at her usual smile.

“It’s nothing. More than that, I really wonder if Rosana is truly doing well…”

“What? Mother, what do you mean?”

“Well, think about what just happened. Wasn’t she hostile toward us? And her personality seems to have changed quite a bit.”

‘The Rosana I know isn’t like that.’

The Duchess deliberately steadied her voice.

“Rosana hated Diovaha terribly. But now she says she’s starting anew. Isn’t that strange?”

There shouldn’t be a new beginning. Only an ending awaits Rosana. A new beginning suits her instead. She folded away her impatience and fear, stuffing them deep in her heart.

But Amy couldn’t agree. She recalled what Rosana had said before leaving months ago. She couldn’t forget Rosana’s expression that had looked so relieved.

“Come to think of it, the young lady kicked me out after meeting the Emperor of Diovaha! There must be a reason her attitude suddenly changed!”

“That’s right. There must have been something that changed her.”

Emma raised her voice, seemingly furious thinking about that time. The maids also chimed in with the Duchess’s words.

“Amy, what do you think?”

“…I think you’re right, Mother.”

Amy, who’d been hesitating, agreed. Mother’s words were always right. Uncontrollable anger rippled in the Duchess’s coldly hardened eyes.

“I think I need to have another slow conversation with Rosana.”

Only the thought of having to turn things back circled in the Duchess’s mind.

* * *

As soon as they left the palace, Yuna fumed.

“Lady Rosana! What’s with those people? They’re your family, aren’t they? But why…! Why did they just watch?!”

Yuna thought her jaw would drop to the floor when the maids united to criticize Rosana. They dared criticize her, who would become empress. Moreover, they were maids who’d once served Rosana!

Yet they reproached and were disgusted by Rosana. It showed plainly in their gazes. She could guarantee they’d show warmer eyes to a passing dog. The family was the same. 

Though they looked alike, neither stopped the maids’ words. Rather, they just watched blankly, acting like it was natural. Rosana laughed, saying it was nothing.

“They’re that kind of people.”

“Lady Rosana’s family is no longer the Arcadi Ducal Family, but the Diovaha Imperial Family here.”

“That’s right!”

“I think so too.”

“Sir Fel. Will you tell Jade everything as it happened?”

“That’s my role. I’ll be reprimanded later.”

“Can’t be helped.”

She’d sensed it when Fel didn’t leave with the other knights and guarded Rosana’s back. Jade found the situation of her meeting her family unpleasant. And an incident occurred that he would find unpleasant.

“I can’t stop you from going to meet your family, but I strongly recommend taking Baron with you.”

Fel also felt it was very different from a normal family atmosphere. That’s why he emphasized Baron’s accompaniment.

“I’ll protect you.”

“I have no intention of meeting them alone.”

She could no longer see that triumphant appearance. She’d resolved never to be swayed.

‘How will Mother act?’

Contrary to Rosana’s expectations, the Duchess moved quickly. She even took steps and came directly to Rosana’s palace.

“…What business brings you here?”

She doubted her ears when told the Duchess and Amy had come. But the Duchess had walked here on her own feet. She showed she wasn’t an easy person.

Rosana jumped up from her seat thinking they should meet separately, but Jade ordered them brought here. She glanced at Jade, who’d put down his utensils and was watching the Duchess and Amy with sharp eyes.

“Since the person who invited us didn’t come to meet us, I came directly. Wasn’t our last conversation just us one-sidedly listing what we wanted to say because we met after so long? I came because I was curious about how you’ve been living here and why you made such a decision. I wanted to have a cozy family meal together after so long…”

The Duchess swallowed seeing a man already occupying the opposite side.

“I greet His Majesty the Emperor.”

“I, I greet His Majesty the Emperor.”

The Duchess greeted first, and Amy followed belatedly.

“I’m truly sorry for the late greeting.”

“It doesn’t matter. I just didn’t want to see you.”

The Duchess looked at Jade. It was her first time seeing him. Amy had already gotten scared and fidgeted behind. 

Amy wanted to look at him properly too, but she was afraid to meet his eyes due to his sharp aura. His golden eyes flashed and watched—it sent chills down her spine.

‘Sister is marrying someone like that?’

He was scarier than when she’d heard about him from maids and others. She’d heard he mercilessly cut down anyone who got in his way. The persistently following gaze was fierce.

“Jade…”

Jade openly showed his hostility. She understood his feelings, but wanted him to treat them as guests, not unwelcome visitors. Knowing this too, he clicked his tongue slightly and said:

“If there’s anything uncomfortable, say so anytime. Rosana’s family becomes my family too.”

“Thank you for those words. I came to visit without knowing Your Majesty was here. Rosana, can you make time later?”

Rosana nodded slightly. Having finished her business, the Duchess left well-wishes to have a good meal and departed. She maintained her smile until the end. Her mask that had shattered became even more solid.

Jade followed them with his eyes until they disappeared.

“You don’t resemble her at all.”

“What? You mean Mother?”

“That one obviously doesn’t resemble you. I mean your sister. I heard you were twins.”

“Ah, you mean Amy.”

Rosana recalled Amy. Perhaps because she’d heard nicknames like murderer and warmonger, she was strangely terrified. She couldn’t even properly meet Jade’s eyes and just looked down at the ground.

‘…Even at a glance, you can tell he’s not a cold person.’

It’s an absurd nickname. He only fought wars to protect the country and stopped invaders who swarmed in. Jade suddenly spoke.

“They call her a saint in Astrot, but she doesn’t even qualify. She’s so scared of my nickname she can’t even meet my eyes. Isn’t she being swayed by people’s words? She doesn’t have a speck of compassion or kindness. You, who didn’t avoid me and faced me, are far kinder.”

It was true he’d scared Amy, but seeing her unable to even meet his eyes after scaring her a little, even the fingertip’s worth of interest he’d had evaporated.

“Are you comforting me?”

“I’m stating facts.”

“But Jade, please refrain from behavior like just now. I also want you to be known as a kind person, not with nicknames like murderer or warmonger.”

“Is there a need? They’re connections that will pass anyway.”

“Just like you wanted me to be accepted by the nobles, I want to tell them that the person I’m marrying, the person I’ll spend my life with, is this wonderful, kind person.”

“…I’ll do my best.”

“Thank you.”