“What? But what about the marriage proposal? It’s a direct order from Her Majesty the Queen. No matter what……”

Count Owen’s expression darkened. Before being a prince, Nigel was a ruler of a country belonging to the kingdom and had to follow the Queen’s orders. He wasn’t even in a position to have the right to refuse. If he left like this, they would surely hold him accountable, and it was obvious how the Crown Prince would torment Nigel. Public opinion about Nigel was already poor due to various issues. Count Owen was worried. He could clearly envision Nigel spending his entire life trapped in that narrow, gloomy grand ducal residence.

“It might not be bad, Your Highness. Couldn’t you think of it as contributing to a new world? You could get involved in business with the Southern Continent. The business that the Berthe viscounty failed at.”

Count Owen added persuasively. Nigel, who had already reached the outer garden, looked up at the brilliantly bright moon. Owen’s lips dried up as Nigel showed no reaction.

“Your Highness.”

“If you say one more word, I’ll dismiss you.”

Nigel turned to look at Count Owen with cold eyes. Count Owen quickly shut his mouth. Nigel’s eyes were serious. What to do about this. If only he had made the first move. The image of small, fragile Rosia flashed through Count Owen’s mind.

＊＊＊

When Rosia woke up, it was already well past noon the next day. She still felt weak, and her body was hot from head to toe. The ceiling seemed to be spinning.

“Rosie, Rosia. Are you conscious?”

A familiar voice echoed repeatedly in her ears. Rosia very slowly turned her head to look at the owner of the voice. Just blinking dazedly, Rosia barely managed to move her dry lips.

“Father?”

“Rosie, are you alright?”

Only then did Rosia smile slightly. It was undoubtedly her father’s face. Viscount Berthe was looking down at Rosia with eyes full of worry. A day must have passed already. Since Father had returned, that much time must have passed. Rosia barely managed to sit up. Viscount Berthe held her arm to support her.

“Father, welcome back……”

Rosia started to speak but broke into a fit of coughing. Viscount Berthe quickly offered her a warm teacup.

“Your throat must be dry from the fever. Drink some.”

Rosia nodded and took a sip of the tea. It had been brewed with herbs, so it wasn’t particularly pleasant to drink. However, Rosia was already used to drinking such medicine. When she weakly lowered the teacup, Viscount Berthe took it back.

“I heard you got caught in the rain at Lake Park, Rosia.”

“I’m sorry.”

Rosia mumbled quietly while rubbing her fever-flushed face with her palm. Having to lie to Father again made her feel uneasy even while sick. Viscount Berthe silently looked at Rosia before letting out a soft sigh.

“What exactly happened?”

“I went into the forest…… and got lost.”

Viscount Berthe didn’t pick at the flimsy lie. Rosia glanced at him furtively. Had Father not noticed? The Viscount’s face was just full of worry. He didn’t seem to think Rosia was lying. While that was fortunate, she felt like she might suffocate from guilt. Everything was lies, from working at Count Hess’s mansion to her relationship with Nigel.

Rosia had never deceived her father about so many things in her life. Perhaps that’s why her body couldn’t handle it anymore. Though she pretended to be fine on the outside, she was under considerable stress internally. She couldn’t keep deceiving Father forever. Though it might be too late to reveal everything now, wouldn’t it be better than him finding out through others?

“Father, I……”

Just as Rosia couldn’t hold back anymore and began to speak, Viscount Berthe cut in.

“I’m sorry I haven’t been able to pay attention to you lately because I’ve been busy, Rosia.”

Rosia looked at the Viscount with wide eyes. Viscount Berthe’s eyes were bloodshot. Despite being tired from a long journey, he had personally nursed Rosia. She chewed her lips nervously before shaking her head.

“It’s not your fault, Father.”

“With your brothers gone, I’m your only guardian. I should have tried harder.”

Viscount Berthe tightly closed his mouth as if choking up. Rosia fidgeted with her fingers, not knowing how to comfort him. Viscount Berthe patted her shoulder and stood up.

“Fortunately, they say your heart hasn’t gotten worse. They say you just overdid it, so get some more sleep. You’ll feel better soon.”

Then he laid Rosia down and pulled the blanket up to her neck. And so Rosia missed her chance to tell the truth. Viscount Berthe must have had urgent business, as he left the room immediately. Rosia tightly closed her eyes as she watched the door close. Yes, let’s reveal the truth after receiving the weekly pay. If I explain well that I just wanted to be helpful, he’ll forgive me. Rosia fell into a deep sleep while repeating these thoughts to herself.

The next day, her body felt a bit lighter. Perhaps because she had slept so deeply, some color returned to Rosia’s pale face. But since it was still too much to have a proper meal, she decided to just have some soup made with potatoes and goat’s milk, and then read the book she would read to Rey first.

It wasn’t until this morning that Rosia could send a letter to the Count’s mansion through her nanny. It was an apology saying she couldn’t come to work because she had caught a severe cold. Fortunately, the Count sent a reply saying it was fine to rest for a few more days.

Of course, she had no intention of resting longer. She planned to go to the Count’s mansion tomorrow depending on her condition. She had already missed two days, so it would impact her weekly pay. Rosia needed to save as much money as possible. She wanted to show her father that she could do something on her own. It was also her determination not to let her life just flow along like others’. Or perhaps she simply didn’t want to be pushed into marriage.

As Rosia was turning the pages while thinking about various things, Betty came to visit.

“Rosia! Are you feeling better?”

“Betty?”

Only then did Rosia recall where all this had started. Leo Palena, and Betty Odor. Rosia put down her book and stood up. Betty strode in and hugged Rosia tightly.

“How sick are you? Hm? How did you end up sick again?”

“I’m fine now, Betty. But how are you?”

Rosia patted Betty’s back awkwardly as she asked back. Betty released the hug with a puzzled expression.

“Me? I’m perfectly fine!”

“I mean about young Lord Palena.”

“Ah! Of course, I’m getting along well with him.”

Betty took Rosia’s hand gently with a peculiar smile. It was somehow an unsettling smile. Before Rosia could ask why, Betty spoke first.

“I’m so glad you’re better, Rosie. You don’t know how scared I was when I heard you were sick.”

Betty’s smile disappeared and quickly turned into a tearful expression. Rosia understood her feelings well and gave her a gentle smile. As Nigel had said, there didn’t seem to be any major issues between Leo Palena and Betty. Rosia felt pathetic for wasting her time and health on needless worry. But surely she could spare that much for her only friend. Coming to that conclusion made her feel a bit better. Until Betty dropped a sudden revelation.

“Lord Leo proposed to me.”

“Proposed? But you haven’t known each other long.”

“Not long? It’s already been a month, Rosie!”

Betty burst out laughing as if Rosia had said something incredibly amusing. Rosia reflexively looked out the window. It was a full spring. Time had passed so quickly without notice. Even so, it was too fast. Rosia found it difficult to imagine Betty as a married woman. Trying not to show her disappointment, she asked slowly.

“The proposal, will you accept it?”

“I’m still thinking about it.”

It was an unexpected answer. Rosia had thought she would have accepted on the spot, being so smitten with Leo Palena. When Rosia showed a puzzled expression, Betty smiled shyly and said.

“I just delayed my answer a bit because I don’t want to seem like a frivolous bride. Of course I’ll accept. I’m going to be the wife of the future Minister of Finance, Rosia.”

Rosia barely managed to nod. Betty’s words weren’t wrong at all. Still, having to let go of her only friend so soon left Rosia feeling dazed. Marriage, marriage of all things… Rosia wanted to avoid marriage until she met someone she truly loved and connected with. Looking at Betty’s face, she clearly seemed to love Leo Palena, but why did it feel so unsettling? However, she couldn’t bring herself to suggest that Betty think about it more. As a friend, she had to respect Betty’s choice.

“Betty, congratulations, truly. I hope you’ll be happy.”

Rosia whispered as she gave Betty a light hug. It was sincere without a trace of falsehood. If Betty was satisfied, Rosia had no choice but to accept it.