Chapter : 9
Heading for the inner sitting room, Rosetta ordered Madam Cyril to bring the account books from recent years as well as the documents detailing Valeria’s duties.
“Here are the documents you asked for.”
Madam Cyril spoke in a polite tone.
Having been warned by Rike, having driven out her own niece with her own hands, and even having had part of her wages and authority cut, her earlier bluster had deflated considerably.
And it wasn’t just Cyrilwhose attitude had changed.
“Lady Valeria, I brought chamomile tea.”
Even the maids who had quietly sided with Yuri Lorren and giggled along with her now watched Rosetta’s expression carefully, their attitudes uncharacteristically respectful.
To them as well, it had been shocking that Yuri Lorren—who had swaggered around the maids for so long—had been thrown out in an instant.
When Rosetta did not touch the teacup, the maid asked hesitantly:
“If it’s too hot, shall I bring a cold drink instead?”
“It’s fine. You may leave. I’d like to be alone.”
Their attempts to curry favor only made Rosetta feel more exhausted.
Letting out a sigh, she dismissed all the servants and began to look through the documents in the now-quiet sitting room.
Examining documents wasn’t difficult. Back in Fabignou she had helped with the family businesses, hoping to earn her father’s acknowledgment.
As she skimmed the account books and the list of regular monthly events and major affairs, something odd caught her eye.
“The Imperial House has been sending gifts since last year.”
Their visits were few, but every time they came, they brought expensive gifts—enough that there were storage and maintenance fees recorded.
“What on earth did they send that the upkeep costs are this high?”
Rosetta looked for the detailed records. And then she froze.
“They brought incense cedar? As a bonsai, no less?”
In Kylus, exchanging bonsai between families only happened when sending a wedding trousseau.
Incense cedar was one of the most luxurious woods used to craft coffins.
Bonsai sent as trousseau gifts carried two meanings:
First, may this tree grow tall into an old, strong tree—may you live long enough to see it.
Second, when it grows, may its wood become a sturdy coffin that protects you from pests and illness, sending you to a good place even after death.
That is—wishing the couple longevity, and a peaceful, honorable funeral after death.
At that moment, Rosetta realized why Sol had needed a woman who could “become Valeria as soon as possible.”
“The Emperor must have wanted a marriage alliance with Iglesia. And the only woman of marriageable age in the current Imperial House of Kylus is the First Princess, Bellatrice.”
Princess Bellatrice was renowned for her beauty, said to be the very image of Emperor Cesare in his prime.
“But if the Emperor had already marked him as the consort for a princess who never once had a romance scandal despite countless suitors—there’s no way it wouldn’t have caused rumors.”
But everything had been quiet until now—meaning Sol Rike must have personally suppressed it.
“Why did he turn it down? It was a chance to form in-laws with the Imperial House.”
Iglesia was already treated like a royal dynasty. If a house like that became kin to the Imperial family, its influence would skyrocket.
“But yes… it is strange that the Imperial House sent bonsai to Iglesia. The Empire always tried to keep the balance between Iglesia and Ingelos.”
Iglesia, Ingelos, and the Imperial House had formed a longstanding triangular power structure.
The Imperial House wanted to strengthen imperial authority by keeping both wealth and military power underfoot; Iglesia wanted to maintain its unmatched wealth; Ingelos wanted to preserve its powerful military.
If the Imperial House forged kinship with Iglesia, the balance would naturally tip.
“For them to attempt a marriage alliance anyway means the benefit must have been enormous… In that situation, Father wouldn’t have been thrilled about becoming in-laws with Fabignou instead.”
Had her father known all this?
“He probably didn’t.”
If he had, he would have hesitated—one wrong step could mean falling out with the Imperial House.
Even as she thought that, Rosetta continued staring at the documents, unable to look away.
Knock, knock.
A sudden knock made her blink.
She had asked not to be disturbed—what now?
“Come in.”
A servant entered and bowed.
“Lord Rike asks that you come to the study.”
“The study?”
They had just separated not long ago. Tilting her head, Rosetta stood up.
But when she reached the study, it was empty.
She looked at the servant, asking silently for an explanation. The servant paled.
“Please believe me, Lady Valeria. Lord Rike did tell me… Hey, Jack! Do you know where Lord Rike went?”
“Oh—good afternoon, Lady Valeria. Lord Rike said he was heading to his office.”
A footman organizing bookshelves bowed upon seeing her.
At his words, Rosetta headed to the office.
As she walked down the corridor, aides passing by recognized her and bowed.
“Greetings, Lady Valeria.”
“Good work.”
After returning the greeting, she entered the office.
At the front was a long mahogany desk shaped like a backward C. On each side, L-shaped desks held towering piles of documents.
Passing the stacks of papers, Rosetta frowned. He wasn’t here either.
“He called for me, so where did he go?”
She had hoped to discuss future matters while she was here.
“I’ll wait here. You may go.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Sighing, Rosetta waved the anxious servant away.
Since she had come all this way, she decided to look around before leaving.
She turned—and flinched.
“…Goodness.”
A man lay collapsed over a side desk, as still as if he were dead. She hadn’t noticed him behind the paper towers.
“What? Is he asleep?”
As she approached, she heard someone groaning faintly—as though in the middle of a nightmare. Rosetta tapped the desk.
“Hey. Are you alright?”
“…Huh?!”
Juan March jerked upright, wiping drool from the corner of his mouth in shock. The motion sent one of the document towers crashing down.
“Agh…!”
Panicking, Juan March scrambled to pick everything up. Rosetta knelt to help him.
“Here.”
“Ugh… thank you.”
Did he just grumble under his breath?
Narrowing her eyes, Rosetta stared. Juan March coughed awkwardly and placed the sorted stack on the desk.
“Anyway, what brings you here, my lady?”
“Sol called me. Said he’d be in the office, but he’s not. Do you know where he is?”
“Lord Rike is not available. You may speak to me.”
“….”
It wasn’t her imagination—this man really was putting up a wall.
Arms crossed, Rosetta asked:
“What’s your name?”
“Juan March.”
“Your position?”
“…Chief aide to Lord Rike.”
Juan March avoided her gaze.
He looks nothing like him at all…
But staring into those calm, golden eyes reminded her of Rike.
Why?
As he struggled to hide his fluster, Rosetta let out a small laugh.
“Interesting. An aide defying his superior’s intent.”
“…”
“I’ll ask you just one more time, Juan March.”
Arms still crossed, Rosetta continued:
“My husband. Where is he?”
‘Remember. I won’t say it twice.’
Gulp.
Recalling Sol Rike’s warning, Juan March swallowed hard.
“He did tell me to reveal his whereabouts if she asked… but…”
But he could not reveal it lightly. Because the place he was in…
Steeling himself, Juan March finally spoke:
“You cannot see Lord Rike right now.”
“Why not?”
“…He’s in a place only he is allowed to enter. A room accessible only to direct bloodline.”
He should have said that from the start.
Rosetta uncrossed her arms and brushed her hair back.
“When will he return?”
“It usually takes one to two hours.”
Juan March glanced at the clock and added:
“He went in… about twenty minutes ago.”
Meaning she would have to wait up to an hour and a half.
Rosetta hesitated.
Should she wait, or leave?
“…Maybe I should just wait here.”
If it was his office, he would have to return eventually. As she pondered, the office door opened and someone stepped inside.
“Is Rike inside?”
“…Ugh.”
At the unfamiliar voice, Juan March openly frowned.
What’s wrong with him?
Rosetta peeked through the stacks of documents to see who it was—
and her mouth fell open.
End Of Chapter : 09
