Chapter 58
She had expected him to be an impressive person, but she never imagined he would turn out to be a direct descendant of the Portrey family—known to be the most powerful lineage in Beidos.
She was bewildered, but at the same time, all the things she had found strange until now suddenly made sense.
Getting cruise tickets in just one day, taking her to that secret market, the spending that was far beyond what a mere manager’s salary could cover…
All of it had been possible because he was Ainar Portrey.
But that was that, and this was this.
Rosie lowered her gaze, her eyes becoming still and cool.
“Does that become the reason Sir Cliden tried to keep me away from the manager?”
To say that someone was dangerous simply because of his high social status was, conversely, no different from saying Rosie was low-born and therefore beneath others.
She looked at Cliden, hoping that the man who had been the first to treat her like a lady and show her kindness was not someone who would draw such lines between people for such a trivial reason.
Cliden wore a conflicted expression at Rosie’s gaze, and after looking troubled for a moment, he finally spoke.
“It seems this will be a long story.”
“…Should I bring some tea?”
He seemed ready to finally tell her the truth.
“Tea isn’t necessary. More importantly—are you familiar with black magic?”
But instead of answering her question, Cliden shook his head and brought up something completely unexpected.
Rosie blinked in surprise at the sudden topic, but answered hesitantly.
“I’ve heard that a long time ago, something terrible happened, and since then black magic has been strictly forbidden. But why do you ask…?”
“That is correct.”
Cliden added with a grave expression.
“Just now, in his office, an explosive level of black magic was detected.”
More than ten years ago, a horrific event befell the Empire of Bianche. Black magicians suddenly emerged and wreaked havoc across the empire.
Because of this, the imperial family lost something “extremely precious,” and the use of black magic became a grave crime.
Rosie had only ever heard of this as a vague rumor, which made Cliden’s words feel almost unreal.
But he didn’t seem bothered by her shock as he continued.
“So I must ask—inside the room, did Ainar perform any special actions or rituals? Judging from the way the enormous presence of black magic suddenly vanished…”
“W–wait, hold on.”
Rosie raised a hand, stopping Cliden mid-sentence.
He closed his mouth and patiently waited for her.
“So, what you’re saying is… the manager is a black magician, and he might have been trying to do something to me?”
“Correct.”
“…Ha…”
Rosie let out a short, exasperated sigh, but quickly pulled herself together and looked directly at him.
“…I think you’re mistaken.”
Cliden’s brows drew together at the tone that sounded almost like she was defending Ainar.
But Rosie continued without pause.
“I know that things aren’t good between you two, and I understand you sensed something. But…”
“…”
“At least just now, nothing inappropriate happened in that room. And speaking so harshly about someone without checking the facts first—no matter who you are, it’s unpleasant to hear.”
“…I see.”
Cliden could barely force out that one line under Rosie’s firm gaze.
It was clear she had no idea what kind of man Ainar truly was, nor how dangerous black magic or its practitioners could be.
But still…
What ridiculous luck. That bastard doesn’t deserve even half of that trust.
Cliden couldn’t help feeling displeased as he opened his mouth again.
“I understand your feelings. It must seem as though I’m slandering him without evidence. However, this is a very serious matter. Therefore, I would like to make you a proposal.”
“…A proposal?”
Rosie tilted her head slightly, curiosity in her eyes.
Cliden continued in a calm voice.
“For the time being, please allow me to stay by your side.”
“…Pardon?”
Stay by her side? What did that mean?
Rosie frowned, unable to understand his meaning. Cliden gently clarified.
“Just as I said. It may be inconvenient, but I would like you to live together with me for a while.”
“…Do you mean—share this room with me?”
So that was why he had provoked Ainar earlier?
With a feeling of disbelief, she asked again.
Cliden gave her a slightly embarrassed smile and nodded.
“I must protect you from any black magic that may be nearby, and track its source. This is necessary.”
“No matter the reason… it would be uncomfortable, and others would think strangely of it.”
“I truly apologize. You’re already caught in odd rumors… but this may actually be a good opportunity. As I mentioned before, we could pretend we came to Beidos for our honeymoon.”
“No, that’s not the problem—”
Rosie hesitated, then continued.
“Why does it have to be one room?”
There were plenty of other guest rooms. Why must he stay in hers?
Cliden answered immediately.
“Yes. It may trouble you, but this is to prepare for any unknown danger. In fact, your aura is unusually clear and pure—because of that, you may have become a target for black magicians.”
It was just a hypothesis, but to Cliden, it was the most convincing one.
Rosie paused at this unfamiliar statement, then finally responded.
“But… what if the woman you came with misunderstands?”
Being dragged into absurd rumors was nothing new for Rosie.
That wasn’t the real issue.
Cliden blinked, clearly not understanding what she meant.
Feeling a little frustrated at that reaction, Rosie clarified.
“The woman with the red hair.”
“Ah.”
Cliden let out a small sound of realization.
He had intended meaningfully difficult words earlier, yet he had completely failed to grasp this point—his clueless expression irritated her more than she expected.
Rosie spoke in a cool tone, almost without meaning to.
“…I’m sorry, but regardless of the reason, I have no intention of getting involved with someone who is meeting another woman.”
Even if it was for safety… sharing a room?
Honestly, she still held a strong fondness for Cliden, and that made the proposal all the more tempting.
But wrong was wrong.
Which only made her heart ache more as she looked at him.
He wasn’t the perfect person she had thought he was, yet she had kept seeing him that way anyway. And that realization disappointed her.
Rosie looked back at Cliden, who was staring silently at her.
He was breathtakingly beautiful, but unlike before, his beauty didn’t feel dazzling—only heavy.
Silence lingered until Cliden finally spoke.
“I suppose I will need to visit you again formally.”
“Even if you do, my answer will be the same.”
Her stubborn reply made him smile faintly.
“I think I finally understand why that guy showed such behavior toward you.”
