The information he had promised to give if Rose’s feelings remained unchanged after three months.

Of course, Rose could have found out either by mobilizing her personal forces or by being stubborn in front of her father. But rather than that, she wanted to focus on Maverick’s heart. Even if there was cold-burning revenge in that chest, she wanted to wedge herself in there just a little.

“Everyone is looking at us.”

Rose held Maverick’s hand tightly and laughed softly.

“Is it strange that it excites me a little?”

Maverick said nothing. He just looked once at the delicate hand and wrist that gripped his hand as if determined not to let go.

“The wrist decoration.”

“Yes?”

His gaze swept over the lace decoration wrapped around her wrist.

“Did you wear it to hide the marks?”

Ah. There were indeed blue bruise marks under this lace decoration. They were traces from when Maverick had tied her hands with his tie recently.

“That’s right. Want to see?”

“No need.”

Maverick said this while gently releasing her hand and gripping her wrist. He held it carefully so as not to hurt her. Even supporting it, worried about straining Rose’s wrist. Rose blinked in surprise at this unfamiliarity before smiling gracefully.

“I like it rough but I also like when you’re careful like this, you bestow gentleness like you’re compensating after being fierce.”

“……”

“My, what does that look mean?”

“…It seems my wife completely lacks the talent for speaking properly.”

Rose laughed quietly. He said that because he didn’t know. Rose could do it but chose not to. Besides, he probably didn’t realize she enjoyed it because his reactions became more intense when she spoke this way.

The people watching Rose laugh showed various reactions.

“My goodness, is that really Lady Clematis and her husband? I heard Count Phlox avoided going out…”

“That’s not all, there were persistent rumors that they were distant to the point of Lady Clematis ignoring and neglecting him…”

The group of noble ladies watching the couple quietly exchanged glances.

“It seems those were false rumors.”

They probably weren’t false rumors. For the two years after marriage, Rose’s behavior could only be described as neglect. The last time the two had appeared at the same banquet was right after their marriage. Though Rose hadn’t taken other lovers or continued her pre-marriage dating wagers.

It was difficult to see them as a harmonious couple. So they could only guess that something must have happened between the two recently.

“What happens between husband and wife is only known to those two people involved.”

When an elderly noblewoman concluded thus, everyone nodded and didn’t add more comments. It wasn’t good to indulge in excessive gossip about Lady Clematis.

Meanwhile, the younger men and women felt various degrees of regret and envy watching Rose and Maverick. The men envied Maverick for Rose’s beauty and wealth, and those from minor families were jealous of him. The young ladies were busy admiring Maverick’s appearance, which had only been the subject of rumors since the marriage.

To think such a handsome man, such a jewel had been hidden in the Clematis ducal family!

Some secretly bit their handkerchiefs in regret. If only I knew him first!

Meanwhile, others quietly ground their teeth — particularly Lady Salematia, who was both part of Rose’s circle and close to being her rival.

‘Why is that b*tch here today?’

True to her nature of never being without romance and seeing multiple lovers simultaneously despite her pure and delicate appearance, she had a young man by her side today as well. Though he was certainly one of her most handsome lovers and she had been doting on him just 10 minutes ago, that feeling completely vanished upon seeing Rose appear with Maverick.

Brilliant golden hair shimmering in the sunlight, a noble and beautiful face, a masculine thick neck and large frame with a balanced body. Even his eyes were the blue color that nobles considered most noble.

Having skipped Rose’s wedding with the excuse of being sick because she found Rose annoying, this was Natalie Salematia’s first time seeing Maverick.

How unfair was this world, that someone who already had outstanding looks, wealth, family background and personal capability should also be given such a magnificent handsome husband to play with freely?

It was at that moment that Natalie, who had been grinding her teeth internally, walked over gracefully. Since they weren’t far apart, she reached Rose instantly.

“It’s been a while, Lady Clematis.”

Rose only looked at Natalie indifferently. Her expression was close to saying ‘Oh, you were here too?’

“Why the sudden formality? Just speak normally. Natalie.”

“……”

“Like you always did in all the places we spent time together.”

Natalie’s eyebrows shot up. Though the two had certainly played around in the same circles, Natalie was reluctant to mention it in public settings while Rose was always bold about it. That was another thing she really disliked about her.

“Ah, I’m not classless enough to discuss vulgar matters in public places.”

“Saying that makes it sound like you also played around vulgarly.”

“…Maybe you did, but I didn’t, Rose.”

Natalie smiled sweetly. It was a harmless smile that weaponized her pure face.

“Who doesn’t know that you’re the most famous for playing around in our circle? Ah, right, your husband here must know too. You did marry him knowing about your past, right?”

Rose considered for a moment. She had immediately noticed what kind of story would follow from that pretty face’s chattering mouth of destruction. It didn’t take her long to deliberate on what would clearly become insults or mockery.

Today’s purpose was dating Maverick, and furthermore showing off and imprinting their relationship to people. If the fight with Natalie dragged on, people would likely focus more on the conflict between Clematis and Salematia.

“Maverick, have you seen the fountain here?”

“This is my first time here.”

“Ah, that’s perfect then.”

Rose took Maverick’s hand and led him away. Surprisingly, Maverick allowed himself to be pulled along. Witnessing the couple moving away like this, a blade finally landed on Natalie’s tongue.

“This is why it’s so pitiful being a married-in husband. How many stories must he pretend not to hear?”

Her voice held no trace of sarcasm. But the meaning in her words was clearly mocking in a way no one could miss.

“So that’s why you chose an easy target that won’t give you trouble? If I’d known it would be like this, I should have gone to your wedding. How fun it would have been.”

“……”

“How much did it cost to bring him in?”

For someone who said not to discuss vulgar things, she was the one readily showing such behavior. All expression disappeared from Rose’s face. At her perfect blank expression showing not even anger, Natalie internally flinched.

“The wedding must have been fun?”

But Natalie didn’t want to back down here. Having been born around the same age as a daughter of an influential family, how many comparisons had she endured with Rose? Even if it wasn’t Rose’s fault, the inferiority complex that had grown in Natalie’s mind and heart through puberty had long since ripened and fermented thoroughly. She had grown used to blaming everything on Rose.

She has everything anyway. She’ll never experience frustration, the feeling of hitting rock bottom, or falling into the abyss in her life. So what’s wrong with me speaking like this?

“A toy you can play with however you want for the rest of your life… ack!”

Natalie sensed something different from Rose’s usual demeanor as she remained silent. Just as she felt the thrill of victory for the first time, thinking Rose had run out of responses, something slapped against her face and fell.

“Why must one only throw one glove?”

“You, you…”

“I feel like throwing both my shoes at you.”

One of Rose’s gloves had disappeared somehow. Rose took the remaining glove with her mouth to remove it, then spat it to the ground. It was ironic that even this action appeared elegant.

“As you well know, this is a duel challenge, Natalie Salematia.”

Natalie flinched. The observers were surprised by this unexpected turn while becoming even more interested.

“D-do you know who I am when you’re challenging me?”

Indeed. The Salematia marquis family was a renowned martial house. Though Natalie hadn’t been knighted, she had been famous since childhood as a fencing prodigy. This talent, contrasting with her pure face, had helped spread her name even further.

“Of course. I know you have many grievances against me?”

Rose smiled sweetly. Her eyes weren’t smiling at all.

“This sticky inferiority complex of yours, how many years has it been now? Ten years would rot your brain completely.”

“……”

“Come and hit me. I’ll arrange the venue.”

She was so confident that even Natalie momentarily wondered if Rose had some hidden talent for the sword. If Natalie was confused, the observers were equally stirred up.

However, no matter how Natalie thought about it, Rose had always been just a delicate lady since childhood, never once known for physical abilities. Moreover, judging as a swordswoman, that hand and wrist structure couldn’t possibly have sword talent.