“Yes. Sister, you’re actually a very capable and aggressive person.”

Rose smiled with hands neatly folded.

“I knew if I took your side instead of just running a small merchant group, you’d work me hard, so I didn’t. But you know? Just by maintaining neutrality, we were practically on your side.”

In politics, neutrality means not taking any successor’s side and only serving the Emperor’s commands. However, maintaining neutrality when the Emperor supported Vincent was practically the same as going against the Emperor’s wishes. Greta let out a groan.

She wasn’t unaware of the meaning behind such moves by Clematis.

“Oh my. You always make it impossible to get angry.”

In fact, Rose had won the fight from the moment she entered. Given that such a mature appearance still reminded her of the girl crying and fuming about losing her baby teeth in very early childhood. It was practically Greta’s defeat no matter what.

“So what do you want now, my actively supportive sister.”

“Ah, am I your only sibling now?”

Rose knew that despite appearances, Greta deeply loved her father the Emperor.

That’s probably why she lived quietly even when nobles who followed her protested. Thinking someday he would realize Vincent’s stupidity and acknowledge her.

“Yes. In fact, I’ve only had you as a sibling for a very long time.”

“……”

Greta smiled slowly but bitterly with very tired eyes.

“Seems I lost my father as of today too.”

Rose didn’t comfort her. Being like a strong old tree, comfort would only scratch her pride.

“What I want is one thing — I’ll soon give you all the evidence we’ve secured. Use it as you please.”

“And?”

“In exchange, I want you to leave the disposal of one person Vincent and I speak of to me.”

After a moment of silence, Greta soon said she understood.

Though Greta had been behaving quietly all this time, she likely wasn’t truly quiet, and probably always kept about three contingency plans in her heart for the worst case.

“Sister, your current position is the Minister of Foreign Affairs, right?”

“You’re not asking something you already know, what else do you need?”

“My dear sister is always so quick-witted.”

Rose’s mind recalled someone’s face. One of the faces she had never forgotten since regression.

“Could you investigate just one person I mention? The name is ‘Tony Gotfried’. It shouldn’t be difficult since he’s in the Foreign Affairs department.”

He was once her lover, who disgraced her in her final moments and made great contributions to her family’s downfall.

As Rose was about to leave after telling everything she wanted, Greta stopped her.

Then she removed the pair of earrings from her ears and placed them on the desk.

“Take these.”

Rose made a puzzled expression. Why suddenly give these?

Moreover, those earrings were Clematis family heirlooms that belonged to Greta’s mother, Rose’s aunt.

“It’s a wedding gift.”

“…But I got married 2 years ago, sister?”

“I know. And I have ears that hear.”

“……”

Greta smiled. The most enjoyable rumors she had heard recently were that Rose and her husband appeared in the park and that Rose even issued a duel challenge for her husband.

The Rose that Greta knew wasn’t someone who would go that far for a mere temporary lover. Above all, that child’s boundary for keeping people as her own was extremely narrow. Plus, her obsession was so strong that she never let go of people once they’re within her boundaries.

Greta knew all Clematis ducal family members were like that. Even how Duke Clematis subtly took her side by declaring neutrality because she resembled his younger sister more. The father and daughter were exactly the same.

So, it must mean that husband had entered her boundary and settled in.

“This is a wedding gift for my little sister who seems to have finally started real married life.”

* * *

In the running carriage, Rose held the earrings up to the window.

‘Blue, doesn’t suit me.’

The earrings decorated with sapphire and silver had a subtle charm. No matter how she looked at them, they didn’t suit Rose herself. Rather… they might suit Maverick.

‘I wonder if he’d get angry if I asked him to wear these?’

It would be awkward to ask someone who hasn’t even pierced their ears to wear earrings. But since they matched Maverick’s eye color exactly, her desire to see them on him grew rapidly.

Not just that, she simply missed Maverick. Though she had seen him this morning and would see him again if she went back now. Is this what it means to miss someone even while seeing them?

‘That makes me even more curious.’

She became increasingly curious about Maverick’s reasons that she had planned to look into much later. Why did he agree to marry the daughter of the duke who destroyed his family? If he had a reason for accepting that besides simple revenge, what was it? What made him have to accept her father’s words?

“I can’t stand it.”

Her patience reached its limit. She decided to visit Duke Clematis and hear everything about what happened with Maverick.

‘For that…’

There was somewhere she needed to stop by. Today’s destination wasn’t just the Imperial Palace.

Soon Rose’s carriage stopped at a quiet place.

In the capital, masquerade balls were held constantly regardless of day or night. The host who held the masquerade balls deeply loved parties and pleasure. Even during the day, one could enjoy it like night under thick blackout curtains.

“My, Miss. It’s been so long since we’ve seen you.”

The host of the masquerade hall, commonly known as ‘Madam Hailey’, welcomed Rose warmly.

“What brings you here alone?”

“I have my reasons.”

“Hmm, I see. The usual room?”

“Yes.”

Rose was soon guided to a room.

‘Oh, was that Natalie?’

She thought she saw Natalie Salematia while passing by, but couldn’t be certain since it was so quick. Well, since she was also a regular here, it wouldn’t be strange if she had seen her.

Rose entered the familiar room she always used.

She immediately removed her mask. How strange that it felt suffocating despite not having worn it for long. Even though it was a mask she used to wear as naturally as breathing before.

Soon Madam Hailey entered personally.

“I came myself since I wasn’t sure what menu you’d want today.”

“How wise. As expected of you, Madam. I would have been displeased if a servant had come today.”

Rose smiled sweetly. However, the Madam also easily noticed that her eyes weren’t smiling. Cold sweat ran down.

Here, servants and maids sometimes spent the night with guests. Of course, this was a place that fundamentally blocked such acts since there were quite a few guests like Rose who detested coercive acts, and many in Rose’s group also happily spent nights with servants.

“I showed my face personally today because I have something to discuss.”

“Of course, I’ll listen carefully to anything you have to say, Miss.”

“Tony Gotfried.”

Hearing the name Rose uttered, Hailey flinched for a moment. Though it was a very brief change that disappeared faster than it appeared, Rose noticed.

You can’t get the information you want by suddenly pressuring seasoned people like Hailey. She felt the need to test the waters appropriately.

“What’s he up to these days? I get curious sometimes.”

Rose asked halfheartedly while looking at her nails.

“He was the best looking among my lovers.”

“Ah, aah! Is that so. But not as handsome as your husband who’s the talk of the town these days, right? Hohoho…”

“Ah, that’s true, but. You know how even when eating staple food, sometimes you crave different flavors? I think the Madam understands well.”

“Mmm, that’s true.”

Hailey responded smoothly. As the conversation continued, Hailey was able to calm her initial agitation at hearing Tony’s name. Ah, she’s just asking about something trivial.

“Now that I’ve settled into married life, I’m thinking of keeping someone on the side.”

“…My la-, I mean, Miss?”

“Yes. So tell me, where is Tony these days? What’s he up to?”

“…Well. We can’t reveal all our guests’…”

Rose’s eyes narrowed as her voice took on an amused tone.

“Surely the Madam won’t give me a disappointing answer.”

Rose elegantly tapped the table.

“When I was twenty, I provided quite a foundation here. Right?”

“……”

“Think carefully, Madam. Taking away is easier than giving.”

At the time, Rose had been interested in the fact that a year-round masquerade hall was opening, and invested without conditions. Simply out of curiosity alone.

She knew better than anyone that the unconditional favor of someone like herself would have value to exploit someday.

“Ho, hoho. Were you cu-curious about Count Gotfried’s whereabouts?”

“Yes. Since you’re wise, you won’t make me ask twice. Right?”

“…Count Gotfried.”

Hailey closed her eyes while firmly gripping her slightly trembling hands. The emotional composure lasted only briefly. She soon spoke with a resolved face.

“He’s in the capital. Probably at townhouse number 32 on 12th Street rather than his family’s mansion.”

“Really? That’s strange.”

Rose remembered conversations between the ladies in her group before regression.