Chapter 45
Rosie knew that whenever Ainar treated her, he acted as though she were some noble lady.
This, despite the fact that she had clarified multiple times that she was only a commoner.
At first, she wondered if it was simply his way of showing respect to important clients, just as he had mentioned before…
But—
‘No… it doesn’t feel like that anymore.’
He approached her wearing that usual pleasant smile—but she knew better.
He wasn’t someone who offered such warm expressions to just anyone.
In the beginning, he had been cold, even mocking toward her. Yet lately, from his spending habits and attitude alone, it was impossible not to notice that he cared about her in some way.
He treated Rosie as someone rather close.
And just as she had opened her heart to him, thinking of him as a good person, he seemed to see her the same way.
Her first official friend had been Daisy, but at some point, Ainar had naturally become someone like a friend as well.
If that was the case—
What would he do if he heard awful rumors about her?
Or worse, if he were to hear them again, in more detail?
Rosie suddenly found herself staring at him, feeling gloomy at the thought.
“Why the long face, Rosie?”
He instantly picked up on her expression, drawing closer.
Rosie forced a smile as though nothing was wrong.
“My face? Hearing that, I suppose my face today must look worse than usual?”
“Ha! You must not know this, but judging by looks alone, your face is quite far from my type.”
At his playful jab, Rosie let out a short laugh.
“Then what was your usual ideal type like?”
Without hesitation, Ainar replied:
“Tall. Striking features. Hair as red as roses, and green eyes.”
“…That’s oddly specific.”
Was he imagining someone in particular?
Rosie looked at him suspiciously. Yet if he truly had someone specific in mind, surely a hint of longing would show on his face.
Instead, his expression remained arrogant, as always.
“If I had to choose, the only thing about you that fits my standards are those green eyes.”
“…I see.”
Rosie nodded, unbothered by his condescending tone.
He had once told her that he behaved like this because of his pride.
‘Pride, huh…’
Even if he treated her kindly now, his feelings weren’t that deep. In truth, she found relief in that.
Because if a woman he sincerely liked had suddenly become the subject of scandal, his inflated pride might take another serious blow.
“What’s that expression for now?”
“…Well, I was wondering if maybe soon there might be bad rumors about me. I wasn’t sure if I should warn you or not.”
After their cruise trip, many people had begun noticing just how close Ainar was to Rosie.
He didn’t bother hiding it, either.
He was, unfortunately, one of the most precious connections she had made here.
The last thing she wanted was for him to get dragged down because of her.
“So I think… it’d be better if we put some distance between us for a while.”
That way, when the rumors came, Ainar wouldn’t be affected.
“…What do you mean by that?”
His brows furrowed at her sudden statement.
Rosie looked troubled.
To explain, she’d have to talk not only about Lily’s existence, but countless other things.
“It’s nothing. Anyway, I just wanted to tell you in advance.”
When the rumors spread, they would distance themselves on their own—she was simply speeding that along.
She tried to end the conversation, but Ainar blocked her way.
“No. Explain. What rumor?”
Unable to avoid it, Rosie finally spoke.
“It’s not much. You remember that thing we heard on the cruise? I think… it might grow bigger.”
His eyes dimmed.
“I ran into someone I knew before.”
“You worry too much. That kind of rumor won’t spread. Don’t think about it.”
He reassured her with confidence.
If he didn’t know who Lily Kikkeren was, perhaps things would be different—
But he did, and as long as he did, Rosie would not be wrapped in baseless scandal again.
He would make sure of it.
Rosie, unaware of his reasoning, simply thought he was comforting her.
“Thank you for saying that.”
Watching her resigned smile, Ainar considered something.
If Lily Kikkeren was the source of those malicious rumors… then merely preventing them from meeting again wouldn’t be enough.
‘This may require more direct intervention.’
Ainar’s gaze hardened, colder than before.
* * *
Meanwhile, Lily was thoroughly enjoying her long-awaited vacation at Vine Rose.
She had no intention of tanning like the common folk, so she preferred using the hotel’s leisure facilities.
Her favorites were the grand ballroom’s nightly balls and the lounge bar where one could enjoy every imaginable cocktail.
Taking a sip of a blue cocktail—its color almost identical to the sea of Baedos—Lily sent a flirtatious smile toward Gillian, the man she’d met at the ball last night.
As expected of a luxury hotel where ordinary people couldn’t dream of entering, this man she had casually encountered turned out to be an heir of a count with territory outside the capital.
“Lady Lily, since fate brought us together like this, may I send an invitation to your household’s next party?”
He looked at her with sticky, enamored eyes. Lily pretended to ponder for a moment, then answered brightly:
“Very well. Pine Territory isn’t far from the capital, so if you send an invitation, I’ll make time to attend.”
“It would be my honor. Ah, by the way—what brings you here again?”
“I’m looking for someone.”
Her tone flattened as the topic shifted.
Two days had passed without any news from May, meaning Rosie likely wasn’t here after all.
‘Really now. How could someone like her stay somewhere like this? She must have long parted ways with that man.’
Thinking that, Lily didn’t feel too disappointed at not finding Rosie.
What she loathed was the possibility that Rosie might meet someone better than Lily had, and live a more luxurious life.
Since that wasn’t happening, she felt soothed.
It proved Rosie couldn’t reach this level.
They lived in different worlds.
“Who could be important enough for you to come all the way to Vine Rose to find? Must be someone impressive?”
The young count looked intrigued.
If a noble lady came here searching for someone, that someone must be extraordinary—or so he assumed.
But Lily’s reply was nothing like he expected.
“Hmph. Impressive? Hardly. I’m looking for my maid.”
“…Your maid… at Vine Rose?”
He blinked, dumbfounded. Lily scoffed.
“Yes. Embarrassing to admit, but she was the type who tried charming men just for status. If someone falls for her lies, that would cause trouble. As her former mistress, I must take responsibility.”
“Oh? She must have been an incredible beauty, then.”
Lily’s expression soured.
“Not particularly.”
Men had always been drawn to Rosie more than to her. That had been a painful memory since childhood.
To think that even a stranger who had never seen Rosie was already curious about her irritated Lily even more.
“Anyway, what was this maid’s name?”
“Rosie.”
“Rosie? Quite a common name.”
“Maids’ names usually are.”
Lily spoke deliberately dismissively, wishing the conversation would end and his attention would return to her.
But then—he said something strange.
