Chapter 24 – That Man’s House 

“You’re worked up. Calm down and talk.”

Creak, the doorknob turned and the door opened. His firm chest, hidden by his shirt, rippled.

“It’s been almost two days since I’ve stayed here. By now, my brother should have visited or sent a letter—why haven’t you told me anything?”

“We’re not talking now.”

No, she didn’t want him to leave her alone again. Rosalie felt she had to say something and took a breath.

“Stop crying.”

With gentle strength, Hystein pushed her back into the bedroom. Their eyes met, and he wiped her dry, tear-stained cheek with his thumb before disappearing.

After that, Hystein did not return. Even when Bibi came in later to clear the dishes, she only smiled awkwardly when asked.

If he was going to keep her locked up all day, he should just let her go home. Rosalie spent the day in her nightgown, gazing out the window.

***

Then, after a sleepless night, the next morning arrived.

“Good morning, My Lady.”

“What about the Duke of Vallière?”

Rosalie asked Bibi, who brought in an extravagant breakfast. A croissant and a cup of coffee would have been enough, but did Hystein always eat like this?

She looked with tired eyes at the table overflowing with bacon, egg dishes, and toast dusted with white sugar powder.

“Um… The master is out. Are you getting bored? If you’d like, I’ve been given permission to show you around the mansion.”

“No, I don’t really…”

She didn’t want to, but it was better than being forced to stay in the bedroom. Rosalie picked at the egg tart and then stood up.

“Oh, you’re done already? Please have another bite, My Lady. Otherwise, I’ll get scolded by the master.”

“Why?”

“Pardon? Well, I was ordered to treat the guest with utmost care.”

“Then why? Why does the Duke treat me so coldly?”

Muttering to herself, she reluctantly picked up a piece of sandwich. Bibi poured her a glass of fresh fruit juice.

“What kind of person is your master?”

“Hmm, I’m not sure. He’s so busy, he’s hardly ever at the mansion. All I know is that he’s very, very handsome.”

“But you said you’d get scolded if I don’t finish my meal. Doesn’t that mean you interact with him?”

“That was the butler who told me that. By the way, My Lady, would you like to try on the dress that arrived yesterday?”

Rosalie brushed the crumbs from her hands. This wasn’t the time for playing princess. She should have checked with Hystein yesterday.

It was already the third day. She was still trapped in the Duke’s mansion, with no word from Gérard.

“It’s a brand-new design by Madame Retel herself. She’s famous—you must know her, right?”

How could she not? Madame Retel was the owner of the boutique Rosalie had to visit as soon as she arrived in Rodin. Countess Aloua had her clothes made there, and it was where she’d reunited with Hystein after ten years.

“Bibi, could I see the butler?”

She couldn’t go out in her nightgown, so she waited quietly as Bibi fetched the dress. Bibi brought a new white and green dress, with a slightly open neckline and shoulders, perfectly in fashion.

“The butler is probably downstairs. But My Lady, this dress suits you so well!”

“Why does a single man’s house have things like this?”

“The master ordered it urgently just for you!”

Bibi’s eyes sparkled. Rosalie was confused again. Yesterday, he rejected her, and now this.

Once again, Bibi showed her impressive skills. Her tangled hair became soft waves under Bibi’s touch, and her pale cheeks and lips bloomed with rosy color.

“If you braid the top and tie it with a green ribbon, it’ll look so pretty.”

“No, it’s not like I’m going to a party.”

Rosalie tried to stop Bibi from adding even more decorations, even though she was already dressed up. She needed to find the butler to ask about any news from home—something Hystein had never answered.

“But this silk matches your dress so well…”

“Bibi.”

“Yes, My Lady.”

Bibi looked crestfallen and put down the brush. Rosalie slipped on green shoes that matched the dress and left the bedroom.

“Where’s the butler?”

“Probably at the entrance… Oh, My Lady, the weather is wonderful today! I was worried it might rain again, but look at that sky!”

As they walked down the corridor, sunlight streamed through the long, arched windows. Rosalie shaded her eyes and looked up at the clear sky Bibi pointed out.

“It really is. So clear.”

“After you see the butler, a walk in the garden wouldn’t be bad. What do you think?”

“No, I…”

“Oh! My Lady, it’s this way, not that way.”

As she tried to turn at the end of the corridor, Bibi quickly guided her in the opposite direction. Rosalie nodded and followed, but then felt someone’s presence and turned around.

Click, the door opened and someone appeared.

“Oh, butler?”

It was a middle-aged man dressed neatly in a black suit. Rosalie stared at him, then straightened up at the sound of Bibi’s voice.

“Miss Rosalie? Good morning.”

“Bibi said you’d be downstairs.”

“I had something to bring separately.”

Recognizing Rosalie, the butler bowed and quickly pulled white gloves from his pocket. Rosalie was startled to see something like bright red ink on his fingers.

“Wait, are you hurt?”

“Oh, no. I must have gotten something on me while cleaning.”

“What could stain so red, like blood?”

It wasn’t even near the study. Rosalie stepped closer, curious, but the butler quickly put on his gloves and stepped back.

“Thank you for your kindness, My Lady. Did you need me for something?”

“Oh, right. I was wondering if any letters had arrived for me.”

“Letters… There weren’t any among the deliveries from the morning postman.”

“That can’t be. What about yesterday or the day before?”

“Same as before. Are you expecting something important?”

“…That’s odd. I heard the Duke told my family I was here.

Now that she thought about it, Hystein never answered when she asked about a reply from her brother.

Of course, their relationship was very bad, and Rosalie knew that, but this was an exceptional situation.

While she was lost in thought, Bibi and the butler exchanged awkward looks. The butler spoke first.

“Wouldn’t it be best to ask the master once he returns? By the way, you look beautiful today. I’m glad to see you up and about.”

“I’ve been fine since yesterday. But has the Earl of Malève visited since I arrived?”

“I’m sorry, but no.”

Why? If Gérard knew Hystein was keeping her here, he wouldn’t just ignore it.

Could it be that Gérard was purposely avoiding her because he didn’t like her staying at Hystein’s mansion?

No, Gérard wasn’t like that. Especially during this crucial time when marriage talks with the Aloua family were happening—he would never leave her with Hystein for three whole days.

So why had there been no word all this time? Surely Hystein hadn’t failed to inform Gérard.

“…When is the Duke expected back?”

This was something she had to ask Hystein directly. Asking the butler whether Hystein had written to Gérard wouldn’t get her a real answer.

“As far as I know, it’ll be around midnight.”

How was she supposed to wait until then? As she swallowed her frustration, Bibi suddenly chimed in.

“My Lady, you don’t look well. Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. I’ll just go back to my room.”

“But we were going to walk in the garden. The glass greenhouse in the center is beautiful.”

“That’s a great idea. The master wanted you to see the mansion. The greenhouse is especially filled with exotic flowers he brought from the southern continent.”