Chapter 34
“Somehow… Lady Rosé gave us the beef like she knew something was going on… Oh—! No, Your Majesty, that’s not what I meant…”
Evelyn and Amelia stared at Rosé for a long time in silence. Then, recalling Rosé’s past actions, they slowly nodded as if things finally made sense.
“So that’s why you were searching for that book so desperately?”
Even Jonathan, who seemed the least imaginative of the group, accepted the truth that Rosé was a beastkin far more easily than expected.
Judging by their reactions, it didn’t seem like beastkin were considered all that shocking in this world after all.
‘That’s a relief…’
Yes, it was a relief. If she were branded as some ominous creature and executed here, then all her plans to save Noah would have been finished. But it seemed that wouldn’t happen.
While Rosé exhaled in relief at everyone’s reactions, Noah’s face by the window only grew darker and darker.
It clearly bothered him that Rosé’s true nature had been exposed without him having any chance to prepare a countermeasure.
“Which knights are guarding the lobby right now?”
“Today it’s the 3rd Knight Order’s turn.”
But more than that, Noah disliked how Christina was lounging on the sofa near the window as if it were her own home. His gaze at her was sharp and cold as he asked which knights were on guard—he looked ready to demand why anyone had been let in without his permission.
It was only natural. The surprising part was how calmly the others were reacting—there was no guarantee everyone else would take Rosé’s existence so lightly.
And right now, the one person who absolutely must not discover Rosé’s identity was—
“To let someone in without my permission… Have you lost your mind?”
—the Duke of Raymond.
And the fact that it was none other than his daughter, Christina, who had found out… Rosé’s mouth went dry. If anything reached the Duke of Raymond’s ears, it was certain to reach Melissa’s ears as well.
Would Melissa ever believe that Rosé was actually a beastkin, and that this form was truly her?
—How long will you cling to that cursed cat, Your Majesty?
Even if she did believe it, Melissa might only use that as more reason to drag Rosé away from Noah’s side.
But then—
“Rosé! You were so pretty even as a cat, but this—! You’re gorgeous! Just look at your hair—it’s like the little mermaid from a fairytale!”
Christina, unlike Noah, showed not the slightest sign of seriousness. Far from being concerned, her eyes sparkled as she gushed endless compliments at Rosé.
“Oh, what are you saying? You’re the one who looks like a doll, Lady Christina! And your eyes! What jewel-crafter could possibly make a sapphire as beautiful as those?”
“Really? My eyes are that pretty?”
“Yes! Any real jewel pales in comparison!”
Rosé smiled softly as she watched Christina blush at the praise.
‘So that’s why they let her in.’
She realized why the knights had opened the door without hesitation.
If a pure and radiant girl like Christina smiled and said she had an appointment with Noah, who could possibly doubt her? And likely, Christina had also introduced herself as the Duke of Raymond’s daughter.
“Thank you! And you too! Your red eyes are just as beautiful as His Majesty’s!”
Rosé thought once again how Christina was a girl with an innocent heart, someone naturally lovable. Taking a deep breath, Rosé decided she wouldn’t waste this unexpected opportunity.
Why was this an opportunity? Because now she could bring Christina and Noah closer.
She had already resolved to get Christina into the palace often, but had worried about how to make it happen. Who would have thought a crisis would turn into a chance?
‘Life really is…’
Sometimes what you think is good isn’t actually good, and what you think is bad isn’t really bad. This was exactly one of those times.
“Lady Christina, could you keep this a secret for me?”
“A secret?”
Rosé purposely showed a frail expression to the girl who treated her so kindly. With Christina’s personality, Rosé was sure she couldn’t possibly refuse.
“Yes. Beastkin are… complicated beings. If this were exposed before His Majesty could prepare, I might be in danger.”
“You being in danger? No way! Of course I won’t tell anyone!”
As Rosé expected, Christina swore loudly that she would never breathe a word—she’d even write it down in a contract if needed.
There was always the chance she might slip up accidentally, but at the very least she truly intended to keep the secret.
“I swear I won’t tell a soul, Your Majesty.”
She even told Noah that—proof that she wanted to impress him, too.
That should have been reassuring, yet Noah remained grim. Every little sound, like the flutter of a bird outside, made him flinch as he peered anxiously through the window.
‘He doesn’t trust her…?’
Likely not. Rosé knew his worries, which was why she’d asked Christina to promise secrecy before anything else.
‘That must never happen.’
If Noah’s fear came true and the secret spread, things would indeed become unbearably dangerous.
‘Because then the story would play out just like the original.’
From Noah’s reaction, it was clear that no matter what form Rosé took, as long as she was near, he could find comfort. But if she disappeared…
The cat would be gone—just like in the “original story.”
Without Rosé, Noah would suffocate and collapse. And without her to hold that space, the villainess would swoop in unhindered.
“We’ll keep it secret too!”
“That’s right! Lady Rosé’s safety is most important!”
“Would I ever speak of something that could only harm His Majesty? Never.”
Thankfully, the maids and Jonathan also pledged their silence. Yet Noah’s unease didn’t ease in the slightest.
Rosé, unlike Noah, wasn’t concerned about her own safety—what she feared was the consequences of her identity being revealed.
‘And that’s why this is an opportunity.’
Yes. This was the chance she needed. Reaffirming that, Rosé puffed out her chest and spoke again.
“Lady Christina, if you’re not terribly busy, could you become my play maid?”
“Play maid?”
At the sudden request, everyone in the room turned to Rosé in confusion. But Rosé herself was entirely serious.
“Yes. If I’m to stay hidden, I’ll be terribly bored. Since everyone thinks I’m a cat, if you, Lady Christina, became my play maid and kept me company, I’d be delighted. What do you think?”
She had left the necklace off deliberately to lead to this very situation.
As she’d always believed, people don’t need grand events to fall in love.
See each other often by coincidence, share little moments, and one day you realize: “This person is better than I thought.”
And if they even share a secret known only to the two of them—perfect.
‘This life really is lucky.’
It had been startling at first, but she was satisfied with how things had turned out.
“If I do that, then I get to come into the palace every day?”
“Well, since I have to stay here, Lady Christina would have no choice but to come into the palace often, wouldn’t you?”
The Duke of Raymond would never oppose this.
No matter how the term “play maid” sounded, serving as a maid in the imperial palace was an honor to any noble house.
Even if Noah was an unpopular emperor, an emperor was still an emperor.
If word spread that the emperor’s cat needed a play maid, every house desperate to gain favor with the throne would push their daughters forward.
‘Of course, the Duke of Raymond has an entirely different reason to welcome this…’
Christina agreed at once, for exactly the same reason as her father. Believing that if she visited often she could grow closer to Noah, her eyes sparkled with hope as she looked at him.
“Alright!”
“Thank you, Lady Christina.”
“Don’t mention it! I was bored anyway, so this is perfect!”
When it was decided Christina would enter the palace, Noah looked like he had a lot to say.
After all, Rosé already had Evelyn and Amelia to play with her—why insist on bringing someone else in? He clearly didn’t understand.
Rosé, however, ignored his unspoken objections and smiled warmly at Christina.
‘I’m sorry, Noah…’
Noah might not want this now, but it was without a doubt the easiest and most certain path.
‘As long as Christina becomes empress, the Duke of Raymond will never betray Noah.’
