Rosie stepped in to calm Jenny down, but before she could say anything, the red-haired actress spoke up, smiling easily and good-naturedly.

“Don’t be too angry. We Roma have a tradition, we always repay our benefactors.”

Rosie let out a quiet sigh and scanned the brothel district, unfazed.

Even in broad daylight, half-n*ked women were trying to seduce men passing by.

Starving children in ragged clothing, with hollow eyes and gaunt faces, wandered by.

No one looked truly alive.

A sharp, fishy stench mingled with the smell of decay in the air, and rats scurried in and out of view.

Some houses had collapsed partially, and others were patched with rotting planks through which their interiors were plainly visible.

And yet—

“People live here too. So why not?”

Callios had once lived in a place like this. His sister Ashley. And even his mother, long gone. So why should she not walk here?

“Let’s go.”

Rosie said firmly.

Jenny flailed in panic.

“My lady! You’re really going inside?”

“If you’re that frightened, go back on your own. I’ll stay longer.”

“Of course I wouldn’t let a noble lady be put in danger! Don’t worry so much.”

Natalie added, finally stepping in again.

Just then, the distant clatter of metal echoed through the alley. Several knights in gleaming armor approached, hooves striking the ground as they rode in.

The brothel district stirred uneasily.

“What are the knights doing here?”

“No idea. How would I know?”

“Ugh. Today’s business is ruined.”

The pickpockets eyeing Rosie’s valuables and the men lusting after her beauty all scattered at the sight of the knights’ cold, sharp presence.

A particularly broad-shouldered man rode at the front of the troop, giving short, sharp orders.

Rosie froze the moment she saw the man atop the largest black warhorse in pitch-black armour.

She had been watching quietly, but was startled and pulled her hood lower.

‘My god.’

Embroidered banners fluttered beneath the knights’ saddles, each bearing a golden lion.

The light shields they held in their hands bore the same symbol.

The golden lion was the crest of House Benedict.

Her heart pounded so violently that it felt as though it might burst.

‘Why is Callios here…?’

At that moment, Callios, who had been speaking to a knight some distance away, suddenly turned his head. His sharp black gaze landed directly on her. Exactly where Rosie stood.

Cold sweat trickled down her back at once. She clutched the hood lower, desperately hiding her face, but his stare seemed to pierce straight through her.

‘Did he recognize me?’

Rosie quickly turned away and slipped behind Ide’s large frame, hiding her body. Callios’s brow twitched—subtly, but unmistakably.

As he continued to stare with frightening persistence, a nearby knight spoke up.

“Shall we send a pursuit team to the hideout?”

Callios kept looking toward the place where Rosie hid, then finally turned his head.

“Send only three. The rest follow me.”

He tugged on the reins and the black warhorse turned in the opposite direction.

It was only when she saw him leave that Rosie let out a long, shaky breath.

Jenny, who had only just realized that Callios and his knights had arrived, started to fuss.

“Why would the Duke come all the way here?”

“What does it matter? We’re here to do what we came for.”

Right. Why he was here, she had no interest in knowing.

When Rosie spoke indifferently, the actress’s eyes brightened again.

“Then… you’re really coming to my house?”

Rosie nodded. She’d accomplished what she came for, spreading word of the upcoming quake among the people most at risk.

Now she could leave with an easier heart.

‘And if something happens, the Duke’s knights are here anyway…’

Satisfied with her own assessment, Rosie walked with Natalie through the disorderly street.

Natalie, excited, looked up at her and asked:

“But how did you know? I’ve been a little unsure myself lately. I’m nowhere near my teacher’s level, so I couldn’t be certain…”

“I learned it by chance.”

Rosie replied with a gentle smile, giving nothing more.

Natalie stared at her, eyes wide.

“I honestly thought you’d refuse.”

“Refuse what?”

“My invitation. I said it without expecting anything. I can’t believe an actual noble lady would really come to a poor place like mine… Oh heavens.”

She cupped her cheeks with both hands, still overwhelmed.

Watching her, Rosie let out a faint laugh.

‘So this is what the famous Natalie was like.’

Natalie of Fire was a gifted singer and performer who moved hearts with her acting. She would later catch the Emperor’s eye and rise even higher, striding boldly across the imperial stage without shrinking before the Emperor or Empress.

Rosie only knew her as that fearless, dazzling figure.

But she suddenly remembered how badly injured Natalie had been last time.

Rosie’s smile faded as she asked seriously:

“Does your troupe leader treat you like that often?”

“Men who are worth nothing always behave that way. If things don’t go the way they want, they try to force it with their hands—”

Natalie bit off her words abruptly, flinching.

“Sorry. There’s no reason for a noble lady to hear things like that.”

“No. I want to know.”

Hesitating, Natalie lowered her voice.

“Actually, I’ve been meaning to ask you something since last time…”

“What is it…?”

“The troupe leader’s been bragging everywhere. He claims he’s personally sponsored by House Benedict. I thought you’d know….”

“Is that so? I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

Isabella or perhaps Pante. It had to be one of them.

‘Whoever it is, they’re the one bleeding those sponsorship funds dry.’

House Benedict spent vast sums on sponsorships. In the Empire, this translated into influence and direct leverage over prominent figures and circles.

Given that Rosie had already started investigating the flow of funds, this information was highly relevant.

‘I should cut off those sponsorships too. And track where that money’s been going.’

Was she always capable of handling this much?

These days, Rosie found herself surprised by… herself.

‘I’m capable of more than I thought.’

The version of her who had once lived like a ghost in the ducal estate now felt distant—almost unreal.

Just then, Rosie felt someone’s eyes on her and lifted her head.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“It’s strange, that’s all. A duchess speaking politely to someone like me.”

“It’s just… comfortable for me. It’s a habit.”

Aside from the servants who needed firm direction, Rosie spoke politely to almost everyone. It was something she’d learned from her mother back in House Moavis.

“The world is changing now, my dear. Be kind to everyone you meet.”

Although their society was still centered around the aristocracy, it was no longer uncommon for people to earn titles through military accomplishments or exceptional talent.

Her manner of speaking had also made an impression when she first met Callios.

Callios had stared at her and said:

“Everyone else talks down to me without hesitation. You’re… curious.”

In those pitch-black, glass-like eyes, a glimmer of interest had flashed and the cold, doll-like face had come to life for a moment.

Perhaps that was why a man who had looked like a wild, bramble-crushing ruffian suddenly seemed human.

‘Why am I thinking about him again?’

Probably because she’d seen him earlier.

Rosie gave her head a small shake, pushing the memory away. She glanced around, then turned to Natalie with a puzzled expression.

“People here… are they afraid of the knights?”

“Well… they’ve been poking around this area. Everyone’s nervous. And with them stomping around like that, business has been awful.”

“This place? The duke’s knights?”

“Yes. They seem to be searching for something….”

If Callios had mobilized his knights, there was only one reason right now.

‘Don’t tell me the forbidden ritual ingredients were here all along…?’
‘I didn’t know the exact location…’

Since his sister had nearly been harmed, Callios would never let it go lightly. Still, she hadn’t expected him to personally come to the slums of Islan.

Just then…

Crash!

The shattering noise made Rosie flinch and turn around.

A shabby-looking man was screaming and rampaging around with a bottle of liquor in his hand. Jenny huddled close to Rosie in fright, while Ide stepped forward protectively.

Natalie, on the other hand, looked bored, as if this were nothing new.

Rosie gently patted Jenny’s trembling arm as she stared at the drunkard. One of his arms appeared to be missing.

‘I’ve seen him somewhere before…’

She narrowed her eyes, trying to get a better look.

“That b*stard—”

Natalie clicked her tongue, hastily softening her language for Rosie’s sake.

“That guy lost an arm and came back half-dead one day. Ever since then he makes a scene like this every time.”

An arm gone.

In that moment, a single scene flashed vividly in Rosie’s mind.

‘Ah. That rude man.’

The one Callios had cut down right in front of her.

“I’ll spare your neck.”
“You should thank my wife for the rest of your life for letting that filthy mouth of yours stay attached.”

Callios’s cold voice still felt as if it were echoing right beside her.

Rosie forced the memory of the blood spurting out to the back of her mind. Even so, Natalie’s sharp tongue didn’t stop.

“That b*stard used to cause trouble everywhere, always chasing after women. Now he can’t even do that.”

“What do you mean?”

“It wasn’t just his arm. That is gone too.”

“That…?”

Rosie stopped mid-sentence, covering her mouth with her hand.

‘So Callios had ordered him taken away afterward…’
‘They must have punished him severely.’

Given he’d drunkenly harassed a noblewoman and even tried to humiliate her, it wasn’t undeserved. But still…

“What are you looking at, you bi— Hrk!”

The drunkard who had been shouting obscenities froze when he saw Rosie. His face turned as white as chalk as he stumbled backwards and collapsed to the ground.

Panicking, he flailed his remaining hand.

“I—I—I’m s-s-sorry! Forgive me!”