Knock knock!

“It’s Ventus.”

When permission to enter was granted, Ventus opened the door and stepped into Ranke’s waiting room.

Roen, who had changed from her dancer’s outfit into a dress, nodded to Esther, who then stepped aside.

“Are you alright?”

Roen raised her head at Ventus’s urgent question.

Ventus, having lost his usual composure, wore a worried expression.

He seemed concerned about her impulsive actions during the recent performance.

“I know what you’re worried about. But there’s no need, Ventus. I planned this from the moment I stepped on stage as a dancer.”

It wasn’t entirely a lie.

When she first took the stage with Ranke’s Peirasmos, she had no intention of seducing Jean.

Much less giving him her fan.

But the moment their eyes met, she put her hesitant plan into action.

It was an impulsive decision, but she didn’t regret it. It had been on her mind all along.

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Despite Roen’s answer, Ventus remained silent for a moment, as if lost in thought.

Then he stared at Roen sitting before him. His eyes held an unfamiliar look, different from before. They seemed dazed, as if with some strange realization.

“You seem to distrust me.”

“Not at all. What concerns me is Duke Reushden. From the rumors I’ve heard, the Emperor doesn’t seem to favor him.”

Ventus’s expression darkened.

She had become Ranke’s owner at the tender age of ten.

At first, her face and body had been covered in scars.

Though the blood poison had removed her physical scars, she had to live with the rumors of being a monster for the rest of her life.

Ventus had felt sympathy for his young mistress, who sat silently bearing the sadness and curse of her family.

As a retainer who had served the Roxburgh duchy for nearly 200 years, that was one reason for his loyalty to Roen.

But over time, Ventus realized that Roen was the wisest and most rational among all the masters of the Roxburgh duchy throughout history.

Thanks to her, Ranke had been able to maintain its standing until now.

‘My mistress always makes the right choices, but if she were to be blinded by love…’

Would she still make wise decisions? What if…

“If by chance you have feelings for Duke Reushden, shall I make some arrangements?”

Ventus asked a question he would never normally ask, as if trying to gauge Roen’s intentions.

Though she surely understood his intent, Roen’s expression showed no change.

“I don’t know what actions of mine have led to your misunderstanding, but I gave the fan to Duke Reushden for reasons other than what you’re thinking.”

“Please forgive me if I’ve misunderstood. I was simply being impertinent because I felt it needed to be clarified.”

“Ventus, there’s an important fact I haven’t told you yet. I’ll tell you when the time comes, but for now, please trust me and wait.”

Ventus raised his head to look into Roen’s emerald eyes.

But his mind was filled with the scene of Roen descending from the stage to face Duke Jean Reushden.

Especially the palpable tension between them was not something easily ignored.

“Duke Reushden is dangerous. As long as he doesn’t renounce his right to succession, you could be in danger too, my lady.”

Roen agreed with Ventus’s thoughts.

Particularly if it became known that Jean had swallowed a dragon’s heart and survived, he would be branded a traitor and executed.

“I have something in mind. Instead, find out if there are nobles who have recently begun making contact with the Emperor.”

“Is there anything specific I should focus on?”

“It would be good to thoroughly investigate which noble houses the mercenaries participating in today’s gladiatorial match at Ranke end up joining. Also, prepare a detailed list of the mercenaries participating in the match.”

“Do you think war might break out again, my lady?”

“No, that’s not it.”

“Then perhaps…”

Rebellion.

“Am I thinking correctly?”

“I always keep that possibility open. Additionally, I must find out who was behind the last assassination attempt on me. Something doesn’t feel right about it.”

Ventus frowned with a serious expression.

If his mistress was truly concerned about rebellion, the matter was extremely serious.

“So we need to move with the utmost caution. More than ever, we must ensure our existence remains hidden.”

“Understood. Also, I received a message from Lycan. It seems the task you assigned him is starting to take shape. He said he would report the details in person when he returns.”

“When will he be back?”

“He’s in Gerpion now, so he should arrive in about two weeks.”

“Contact me as soon as Lycan returns. I have more than a few questions for him.”

“Understood.”

After Ventus left the waiting room, Esther, who had been organizing things, approached.

“Please close your eyes now. I’ll remove your makeup.”

Roen closed her eyes and leaned back comfortably in the chair.

The soft cotton pad touched her face. Perhaps Esther had mixed it with aromatherapy oils, as her tense nerves gradually relaxed.

“If you have something to ask, go ahead.”

Feeling Esther’s gaze on her cheek, Roen sighed softly and spoke.

“Have you reconsidered? I heard from the dancers who performed with you that sparks were flying between you and the Duke.”

Roen’s response to Esther’s question was different from before.

“Actually, I’m thinking about it. About what to do with him. Esther, if I said I needed help, would you assist me?”

“Don’t worry. No one knows more ways to seduce a man than I do.”

Roen burst into laughter.

“Not yet. I’ll tell you when I’ve made a definite decision.”

“Yes. Call me whenever you need me. But before that, shouldn’t you make things clear to the Peirasmos?”

“What do you mean?”

“Actually, there are quite a few Peirasmos who have fallen head over heels for Duke Reushden. If you don’t make it clear, some might approach the Duke, unable to control their emotions.”

“It doesn’t matter. Tell them they’re free to try seducing him as they wish. If anyone can get their hands on Duke Reushden, it would be beneficial for us.”

“Are you serious?”

At Esther’s questioning expression, Roen’s lips tightened subtly.

“Of course it’s fine. I told you. Anyone who can get information from him…”

“Doesn’t it bother you? Don’t you feel any possessiveness?”

Roen was about to ask ‘Toward whom?’ but closed her mouth.

It was strange. The moment Esther voiced the question aloud, feelings of displeasure and unfamiliar possessiveness welled up inside her.

She was bewildered, astonished by the sudden rush of emotion.

Had this feeling already taken root within her without her noticing?

She should immediately deny it, say there was no way she could feel such emotions.

But her lips wouldn’t move.

Seeing Roen’s reaction, a smile finally appeared on Esther’s face.

“Don’t worry, my lady. Above all, you’re the only one whose fan the Duke accepted.”

Roen frowned at Esther’s words.

“‘Even if rejected, a fan received from a Peirasmos is never returned on the spot.’ Isn’t that Ranke’s unwritten rule?”

“That’s true. But Duke Reushden, visiting Ranke for the first time today, didn’t seem to know such rules.”

“What do you mean?”

“Exactly what I said. It seems the dancers who performed on stage today, as well as other Peirasmos, approached Duke Reushden and offered their fans.”

“That happened?”

She tried to appear nonchalant, but couldn’t help her lips tightening subtly.

In truth, she could have guessed this without Esther telling her.

Not just Ranke’s Peirasmos, but most ladies in the Adrian Empire were completely captivated by Jean Reushden’s appearance.

She felt uneasy.

It was even unpleasant, as if someone was coveting what was hers.

For a moment, she almost laughed mockingly.

What was hers?

She couldn’t understand why such thoughts had crossed her mind.

“But it seems they were all rejected. Duke Reushden returned all the fans on the spot.”

“He returned the fans?”

“Yes. It seems the gentleman beside him informed him about Ranke’s rules at some point, but the result was the same. In short, the only fan remaining in the Duke’s hand is yours.”

“Ah…”

Her earlobes felt hot.

Strangely, upon hearing that he had only accepted hers, her unpleasant feelings instantly subsided.

“This clearly means the Duke has taken a liking to you, what else could it be?”

Esther looked at Roen with an excited expression.

Feeling embarrassed and afraid her face might redden, Roen stood up.

“Well, I should get going now. It’s getting late.”

“You’re leaving now? Wouldn’t it be better to wait for the Duke?”

Esther rose with a slightly surprised expression.

“It’s too late. I need to go home now.”

“But the Duke hasn’t come to return the fan yet. I think you should wait and—”

“No, it’s better not to meet today.”

“Could this be what they call playing hard to get? A technique to make the other person yearn for you?”

That wasn’t her intention at all.

She simply didn’t trust herself to face Jean calmly with these bewildering emotions.

Above all, she was tired.

Roen hurriedly put on her coat.

Before leaving the waiting room, she covered her face with a shawl in case she encountered nobles visiting Ranke. She felt reassured once her face was fully covered.

As she opened the door to leave, she looked back as if remembering something.

“Esther, if…”

“If the Duke comes looking for you with the fan, I’ll keep it safe. Should I arrange another appointment?”

It seemed Esther had read her thoughts.

“No, don’t set up another appointment. I’ll handle it myself.”

“Yes, I’ll do that.”

Esther seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the situation.

Leaving Esther behind, Roen began walking down the dark corridor.

She felt confused. The unfamiliar emotions that had suddenly appeared kept clinging to her heart, shaking her.