Chapter 25 

There was a sense of pride in the butler’s tone. For a moment, Rosalie felt curious, but at the same time wondered if spending time so leisurely was really right.

While she hesitated, Bibi pulled her by the hand.

“Servants like us can’t enter the greenhouse unless we’re gardeners. I’ve never even seen it myself.”

“So you want to use me as an excuse to see the greenhouse?”

“Hehe, that’s right. Did you catch me?”

“Then I’ll prepare a tea set in the greenhouse.”

“Wait, I haven’t…”

She hadn’t said she would go, yet her schedule was decided for her. Rosalie considered pointing out Bibi’s affectionately pushy, but oddly overstepping attitude, but quickly gave up.

After all, going back to her bedroom would only make her thoughts more tangled.

“Wow, My Lady! Look at this. The colors of the flowers are so vivid!”

Dragged along by Bibi, Rosalie arrived at the greenhouse, which was so beautiful she wondered why it wasn’t more famous.

There were nameless red flowers blooming explosively, a pure white fountain visible between them, and a gazebo wrapped in dense lilac vines—just like a scene from a fairy tale.

“Really. I can’t believe this place exists.”

“What do you think, My Lady? Do you like it?”

“There’s not a woman in Ipelda who wouldn’t like scenery like this.”

Rosalie answered with a touch of reluctance as she watched the bright yellow birds flying under the round glass ceiling. It felt like a magical place in another world.

Bibi led her to a chair set up in the gazebo.

“Look at those canaries singing!”

Even at Bibi’s exclamations, Rosalie couldn’t react. The Duke of Vallière’s family seemed to be on a completely different level than hers.

Six years ago, when she heard Hystein had received his title, she’d thought it was just one of the many titles the King handed out.

Of course, that alone was impressive compared to the crumbling Earl Malève family.

But as she wandered the garden and glanced back at the immense mansion and the greenhouse that must have cost a fortune, she began to wonder if she and Hystein were even the same kind of nobility.

If only this were his estate, it might be understandable, but to enjoy such luxury in Rodin, the capital with the most expensive land in the country…

It didn’t feel real to her.

Most nobles who stay in Rodin during the social season live in townhouses like the Malève family. Only a handful can afford such a grand mansion.

Founders of the nation, those with booming businesses, or royal family members. The Aloua family, to which Jeremy belonged, was such an example.

“Try some cookies, My Lady. I’ll braid your hair while you eat.”

Rosalie cautiously nibbled on cookies brought by an unknown maid and let Bibi braid her hair.

Tea time in the ownerless greenhouse was leisurely and drowsy, but also filled her with envy and a sense of inferiority.

She spent the whole morning in the greenhouse with Bibi. They even had lunch there, listened to the gardener’s explanations, and gently touched flowers she’d never seen before.

When the sun turned orange, she returned to her bedroom to rest.

Hystein still hadn’t come home. Even after another overwhelming dinner, he was nowhere to be found.

After Bibi helped her bathe and change into pajamas, Rosalie’s eyelids grew heavy from the sleepless night before.

Knock, knock—the sound of the door startled Bibi, who hurriedly draped a shawl over Rosalie’s shoulders. The butler appeared and bowed his head.

“It’s time for you to return, Miss Rosalie.”

“Hys… Where is the Duke of Vallière?”

Rosalie adjusted the hair that hadn’t quite made it out of the shawl and asked. The butler, still bowing, replied.

“He’s not home yet.”

“Is it time for me to return home?”

“Yes. The carriage is already waiting at the entrance.”

“So suddenly… Shouldn’t I at least see the owner before leaving?”

“I’m sorry, My Lady, but the master instructed us to send you off before he arrives.”

What was this? Rosalie stared at the butler in silence. Bibi looked just as stunned.

“…Can I ask why?”

“He didn’t say anything else. I’ll give you time to change, so please come out right away.”

Wasn’t the atmosphere different just this morning? Normally, guests are notified at least a day in advance before leaving. This was no different from being expelled.

After the butler left, Bibi looked tearful.

“My Lady… I hope we meet again.”

“…Yes.”

“Is the dress you wore during the day alright?”

“No, I’ll wear what I wore when I first arrived.”

If she left Hystein’s mansion in such a fancy dress, it would definitely cause unnecessary misunderstandings. Bibi dressed her in her freshly laundered old dress, looking regretful.

“The one you wore today suited you much better.”

Rosalie knew that too. But Madame Retel’s dress was far above her station.

Even the first dress she wore had been ordered by Countess Aloua. Rosalie smiled bitterly.

“Take care.”

“Yes, My Lady. I’ll be waiting for you!”

Bibi escorted her all the way to the entrance. Was Hystein really not coming? Rosalie looked around the black carriage waiting outside the gate.

But only the butler and Bibi bid her farewell. The carriage didn’t even look like the Duke’s.

There was no family crest, just an ordinary hired carriage—no one could guess who was inside.

“Then, have a safe trip.”

With the butler’s help, Rosalie boarded the carriage. He bowed politely until the end and closed the door. The carriage wheels began to turn. It was late at night, so the curtains were drawn.

“Home after three days…”

It was bewildering, but also a moment she had to face eventually. Inside the jolting carriage, Rosalie focused on straightening her wrinkled skirt. If she didn’t keep busy, she’d probably burst into tears again.

To have to leave without seeing Hystein. Had he chosen this method on purpose?

“We’ve arrived.”

“…Thank you.”

The carriage stopped right in front of the townhouse. The coachman, dressed more neatly than usual for a hired carriage, didn’t ask for payment and quickly left.

And once again, she was here.

Rosalie looked at the dimly lit street and climbed the steps. The old townhouse looked desolate, even though it wasn’t the season for it.

“Open the door, please.”

She turned the doorknob and found it locked, so she called out. Inside, something crashed and someone screamed. After a noisy commotion, the door burst open.

“R-Rosalie?”

“I’m back. You must have worried a lot, right?”

Rosalie greeted them calmly, but was surprised at Gérard’s haggard appearance in the doorway. His beard was stiff and he looked utterly exhausted.

Had he been drinking? The smell of alcohol was strong.

“N-no way. Rosalie. You’re alive!”

“…Is it really Rosalie? Darling, say something!”

“Yes, it’s really Rosalie! Angela, come here quickly!”

Angela rushed out from the corridor. In just three days, her cheeks had grown hollow.

“What do you mean, ‘you’re alive’?”

“Oh, heavens! Thank you!”

Rosalie looked at the two of them in their pitiful state and asked. Gérard clasped his hands and looked up at the ceiling in prayer. Angela pushed Gérard aside and rushed over to hug Rosalie tightly.

“Ah, Rosalie! I knew it! I believed you’d be alive!”

“But why…”

“Sniff, are you hurt anywhere? Come inside, quickly.”

Angela stroked Rosalie’s back over and over, tears streaming down her face. She told Rosalie to come inside, but couldn’t move from the spot.

Angela trembled as if in a fit, and Gérard kept beating his chest and crying, making Rosalie wonder.

Why were they acting like this? Hystein had said he would let them know. She’d feared they would blame her for not replying, but there had been no word at all.