Chapter 16

The letter she’d dismissed as a crude prank kept arriving every day for several days.

Rosie opened the envelope with trembling hands.

<It hurts my heart to see you wilted after returning from the ducal residence. Why? Is your lower body empty because the Young Master won’t hold you? Should I hold you and comfort you instead? I want to tear off that cumbersome dress and taste your soft skin. If I spread your hips and thr*st myself inside, you’d cry under me, right? Ah, I want to see that sight as soon as possible.>

Goosebumps ran down her spine. The obscene letters, detailing her every move, were getting worse by the day.

“What should we do, My Lady?”

Mia stomped her feet anxiously beside her.

“I think we should tell the Earl.”

Rosie held the letter with a dark expression. She couldn’t show such letters to her father, not even to Mia.

Besides, the writer seemed to know everything about her and Theo.

She folded the letter with shaking hands and put it back in the envelope.

Knock knock.

The door opened with the knock. Rosie, startled, dropped the envelope.

“Theo!”

She ran and hugged him tightly. She felt his solid chest against her cheek.

Her arms couldn’t fully wrap around him, but she hugged him with all her strength. His warmth and familiar scent tickled her nose.

‘Theo, it’s really Theo.’

“Why did it take so long? I waited forever.”

She grumbled, glad but a little upset. Theo laughed quietly and patted her back.

“Sorry. There were fires one after another, so I had to handle them. I heard you visited the ducal residence several times.”

“Yeah, I went almost every day.”

Rosie pouted, resting her chin on his chest as she spoke.

Theo almost leaned in to kiss her, but stopped when he saw Mia blinking behind Rosie.

Mia quickly bowed her head, startled by his gaze.

“I’ll leave you two alone.”

Rosie, realizing Mia was there, quickly stepped back from Theo.

As the door closed, a brief silence fell.

She cleared her throat to break the awkwardness.

Then Theo noticed the envelope on the floor and bent to pick it up.

“What’s this?”

“Oh, that……”

Rosie bit her lip, watching him hold the envelope.

‘Should I tell Theo?’

She couldn’t show the letter to her father, but she could to Theo.

Theo frowned, watching her hesitate.

“Is this why you kept visiting the ducal residence?”

“It’s not just that…… but it’s part of it.”

“Can I see?”

“Yeah.”

Even as he took the letter from the envelope, his gaze scanned Rosie.

Theo’s face turned grim as he read.

Rosie quietly took out the letters she’d collected and placed them on the table.

“I thought it was just a joke at first, so I burned it, but it’s been coming every day for days now.”

He grabbed the letters on the table and read them roughly.

They arrived every day at noon, describing what Rosie had done the day before, threats, or obscene language.

<I think the pale yellow dress you picked first suits you better than the purple you chose at the tailor today. I’d like to see you lying under me in that dress, crying. But you’ll probably wag your hips like a sl*t and go meet that Young Master again?>

Theo’s hand gripped the letter so tightly his knuckles turned white.

“Since when?”

“The day after Count Keplan’s party.”

Theo read every letter without missing a single one.

“What’s this?”

He picked up a different envelope and handed it to her.

“Oh, that’s a telegram from Calvin.”

<Sorry for causing such a scene yesterday, Rosie. But I hope you know how much I care for you. I want to clear things up right away, but I got word my cousin is gravely ill. He’s like a brother to me, so I have to go see him. I’ll contact you as soon as I return.>

“So you haven’t seen that guy since then?”

“Yeah, he went to the countryside.”

Theo fell silent, stroking his chin with his long fingers, lost in thought.

Just being together made Rosie’s lips curl up in a smile.

Seeing her grinning, Theo laughed quietly.

“What’s so funny? This isn’t a normal situation.”

“Just. I’m happy to see you.”

Theo put down the letter and approached her. He stroked Rosie’s cheek, then wrapped her in his arms and kissed her.

‘Such a slow guy.’

Theo felt the same way. He hadn’t slept for days, fighting fires, and had rushed straight to Rosie after hearing from the butler. He’d spent days feeling bitter that she’d run to Calvin first.

Her small, red lips were sweet like candy. He never got tired of tasting them. As he sucked her lower lip, Rosie let out a soft m*an.

His tongue gently swept inside her mouth, skillfully coaxing her shy tongue.

He was the only one who could hold her like this. Only he could kiss her deeply and reach further inside.

The letter’s contents flashed in his mind, and his brows furrowed.

‘Who is this bastard……’

This wasn’t the time to linger. The letters seemed to know not only her life outside but also everything inside the mansion.

He reluctantly let go of her lips, and Rosie’s golden lashes slowly lifted. Her blushing face, looking up at him, was so lovely he couldn’t help but smile. He gently stroked her cheek with his thumb.

‘My precious Rosie.’

No one could harm her as long as he was here.

“Rosie, pack your things. You need to stay somewhere else for a while.”

“My things?”

He nodded and called Mia.

“I’ll explain everything to the Earl and Countess. You pack your things with Mia. There must be someone leaking information inside the mansion.”

“Wait.”

Rosie grabbed his sleeve as he tried to leave.

“I don’t want Mom and Dad to know too much about the letters. The contents are……”

He nodded seriously.

When Mia entered, he told her not to mention anything to anyone, then left the room.

Rosie headed to the dressing room and started packing a small bag. Even though she was leaving because of threatening letters, the thought of going with Theo made her feel better.

“My Lady.”

Mia spoke cautiously as Rosie hummed and packed.

“Yeah?”

“You and Young Master Theo… did you finally become that?”

Rosie turned to her, startled.

“Huh?!”

“I mean, the way you two look at each other is no joke.”

Rosie swallowed and smiled awkwardly.

“No, it’s not like that. We’re just close.”

“That’s not how it looked. It was like Young Master Theo had returned from three years of war.”

Rosie’s face turned bright red. She was so happy to see Theo, she hadn’t even noticed Mia.

“No, really. Don’t be silly—just help me pack.”

She handed Mia whatever she grabbed, hiding her embarrassment. Mia hurried to pack, and Rosie bit her lip.

She couldn’t deny how happy she’d been to see him. Her heart had raced.

‘Did I say I missed him earlier?’

“My Lady, are you okay? Your face is suddenly so red.”

“Yeah, I’m fine. Don’t worry.”

Theo returned as the door opened.

“You don’t need to pack too much.”

His deep voice made her turn. Seeing his sharp, sculpted face made her heart beat even harder.

‘This isn’t……’

This wasn’t something you’d feel for a childhood friend. Rosie clutched her chest and sat down.

“Rosie?”

His neat black brows twitched.

“Are you okay? Are you sick?”

He stepped forward, but Rosie stopped him with both hands. If he got any closer, her heart might burst.

“No, it’s nothing. I’m fine. Really, I am.”

Between the two, Mia hesitated, then spoke.

“Um, everything’s packed.”

Theo’s gray eyes turned to Mia.

“Go get a set of your clothes that Rosie can wear. And from now on, Rosie is sick. I’ve told the Earl, so only you can come into this room. Got it?”

Mia swallowed nervously and nodded solemnly.

Once Mia left, Theo gently helped Rosie stand.

“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of everything. You just need to stay safe for a few days.”

His big hand stroked her arm. Even that light touch made her heart race.

‘Please, just stay still. He’ll hear my heart beating at this rate.’

Rosie closed her eyes and bowed her head, flustered.

Theo misunderstood and whispered in a low, deep voice,

“It’s okay. I’ll hold you tight.”