Nigel tapped the window rhythmically with his fingertip.

“Did you find Betty Odor?”

“Ah, Leo Palena personally escorted her home, they say.”

Such needless worry. Nigel wanted to sneer like that if Rosia were here. What was so important about one friend that she had to make such a fuss? She was truly an incomprehensible woman. He didn’t want to understand her either. Anyway, once he returned to the principality, his connection with that woman would end too.

End, huh.

What was he ending when it hadn’t even begun? Nigel frowned while looking out at the now pitch-dark streets. The image was vivid of her stubbornly standing in the pouring rain, refusing to go back. Such a stupid, foolish woman. The type Nigel hated most. Yet why did she keep coming to mind?

“Your Highness, what should we do with the clothes Lady Berthe left behind?”

Count Owen, who had been standing blankly staring at Nigel, carefully posed the question. Only then did Nigel slowly turn to look at him. More precisely, at the dirty dress he was holding. It was the dress Rosia had left behind like a shed skin. The rain-soaked, mud-covered dress looked just like Rosia from earlier that day. Nigel soon answered with what sounded like a sigh.

“Throw it away.”

＊＊＊

When she returned to the mansion, everyone was in an uproar. The servants who thought Rosia had disappeared were preparing to go look for her at Lake Park. They were gathered in front of the entrance and looked shocked when Rosia returned.

“Oh my, Miss!”

“Miss has returned!”

“Where have you been?”

The servants spoke up with worried voices all at once, making Rosia even more confused in her already bewildered state. Fortunately, the quick-witted nanny sent them back to their places. Thanks to that, Rosia was able to return safely to her room. She collapsed into a chair with an exhausted face. The nanny firmly closed the door and came in before starting to make a fuss.

“What in the world happened, Miss! The Baroness caused quite a scene before leaving. I heard you suddenly disappeared, where did you go? Hm? You definitely weren’t wearing this dress when you left. Don’t tell me that Grand Duke again……”

“Nanny, calm down.”

Rosia said while pressing her throbbing temples with her fingers. Now her head was ringing. Moreover, perhaps from being in the rain so much, her body shivered. Upon arriving at the mansion, all the pain she hadn’t noticed until now rushed in at once as the tension released. It felt like someone had lifted her up and was spinning her round and round in the air. She felt nauseous.

“Miss, are you alright? You don’t look well.”

Only then did the nanny feel Rosia’s forehead with her hand. And she cried out in shock.

“You’re burning up! You must have caught a cold, oh dear.”

Only after hearing those words did Rosia realize she had a fever. She had been pushing herself too much lately, just going by the doctor’s words that her health had improved. Fear swept over her that she might end up spending another four seasons bedridden at this rate. The family’s financial situation was also worrying. The money spent on Rosia’s treatment alone was endless if calculated. One reason her father and brothers had jumped into risky business ventures was to fill that hole. Rosia felt a little sorrowful. She didn’t want to be sick. She didn’t want to add more burden on her family’s shoulders. Whether knowing Rosia’s anguish or not, the nanny spoke kindly.

“We should call the doctor. Don’t worry too much Miss, the Viscount will return tomorrow.”

“I’ll get better soon, nanny. It’s just a cold after all.”

Rosia shook her heavy head side to side. Though she hadn’t eaten properly, her stomach was churning terribly. She barely opened her mouth, trying to hold onto her fading consciousness.

“You said Father is returning?”

“Yes, he said he’ll be back sometime tomorrow. Miss, you should lie down and rest first. Have you eaten?”

The nanny’s voice seemed to buzz and spread from far away. Rosia blinked her heavy eyelids slowly. Though she chose words and formed sentences, her lips wouldn’t move. Only the words that Father would return tomorrow repeatedly knocked inside her head. Still, it’s fortunate, when Father returns……

“Miss!”

A single scream brushed past her ear. Rosia tried to part her lips to answer, but only hot breath came out. Like a puppet with cut strings, her thoughts stopped abruptly.

＊＊＊

The interior of the royal palace dining room was very quiet. Queen Gragford sat at the head of the large table, with Nigel and Davion seated facing each other before her. Greta sat beside Davion, occasionally glancing at Nigel while barely touching her food.

Though servants stood lined up around them ready to serve at any moment, no one asked for anything to be brought. The silence had continued for over 30 minutes already. The Queen was angry at Nigel who had suddenly disappeared from Lake Park, and Nigel had no desire to soothe that anger.

After a few more minutes passed, Davion Gragford, feeling frustrated, spoke first.

“You’re unusually quiet today, Nigel.”

“As I recall, His Highness the Crown Prince was always the noisy one.”

Nigel stabbed a piece of meat with his fork and pressed it down, retorting rather stiffly. The Queen seemed accustomed to their exchange, showing no reaction. Instead, Greta eagerly jumped into the conversation.

“When will you visit the kingdom again after returning, Nigel?”

“Well, whenever Her Majesty summons me.”

Nigel responded with a businesslike smile. Greta lost her words and looked down at her plate. The cold and stern Queen Gragford was a difficult person even for the sociable Greta. Though they would soon become family, since it was a relationship formed for benefit, it was hard to expect much change. Nigel knew this better than anyone, which was clearly why he answered that way. Greta’s pale cheeks turned slightly pink.

Queen Gragford glanced at Greta Leblanc before questioning Nigel.

“What do you plan to do about Lady Berthe, Grand Duke?”

Greta’s shoulders jerked noticeably. Davion, sitting right next to her, couldn’t have missed it. His eyes narrowed slightly as he looked down at Greta. She always shows her feelings so obviously. Davion placed his used napkin in front of her. Though nothing was stained on it, its roughly crumpled appearance evoked an uncomfortable feeling. It was a warning. A warning not to think unnecessary thoughts. Greta stiffly moved her hand to nibble at her salad. Still, she could hardly wait to hear how Nigel would answer. Nigel took an extremely long time to respond. Only when the Queen’s brow slightly furrowed did he speak.

“It was nothing at all, Your Majesty.”

Greta released the breath she was holding. Right, Nigel Gragford couldn’t possibly love anyone. He was someone who couldn’t even properly love himself.

“That’s a relief then. I was worried when the two of you disappeared together at Lake Park.”

The Queen continued as if she had been waiting for this moment.

“We’ve received a marriage proposal from the Egon Kingdom. I only have two children, and with the Crown Prince’s bride already decided, the Grand Duke is the only one remaining.”

The unexpected words froze the dining room’s atmosphere. Nigel unconsciously frowned. His mother’s attitude of treating him like a child only at times like this was obvious. Only the Queen and Davion remained composed. Not just Greta, but even the servants couldn’t hide their surprise. The worst affected was Nigel. A marriage proposal with desert royalty, not even nobility within the kingdom.

“Is this a proposal I can refuse?”

“Would you refuse if it were?”

The response came not from the Queen but from Davion. Nigel turned his head sharply to stare at him with a smile.

“I wasn’t asking you, brother.”

“I answered because I was worried Mother might be troubled, Nigel.”

“I meant don’t interfere.”

“How could I just watch when it’s about my beloved family?”

Nigel almost threw his fork at Davion’s face. It must be Davion’s idea. Or perhaps Mother’s plan? Nigel forcefully swallowed his rising irritation. Neither option was pleasant. If it had been nobility from the kingdom, he might have tried to accept it. Meeting a decent noblewoman could help him build his influence within the kingdom. But marriage to a desert woman he’d never even met was a different story. They were trying to eliminate any chance for Nigel to gain a foothold in the kingdom.

Queen Gragford dabbed her mouth with her napkin and said firmly.

“There are things you must accept as royalty, Grand Duke.”

Nigel abruptly stood up. Though his mind knew it was improper, his body wouldn’t comply. He threw down his unused napkin on the table and left the dining room. He ignored the intense stares from the Queen, Davion, and Greta boring into the back of his head.

He walked and walked along the corridor, trying somehow to calm his anger-filled heart. Count Owen hurriedly followed behind.

“Your Highness, are you alright?”

“I’m returning to the principality tomorrow.”