Chapter 64
A little while ago.
“…Rosie. That cunning little girl.”
After receiving a dismissal order from Vine Rose, Lily stomped the ground in frustration as she watched May load her luggage onto the carriage.
She had wanted to visit Vine Rose ever since she was a child, but now she was being thrown out like this…!
The reason for her dismissal was slander and spreading false information about another guest.
So Lily tearfully explained only the truth to the hotel staff who had come looking for her: that Rosie had been her maid since childhood, had suddenly quit, and even mentioned seeing some man around the time she planned to come to Vine Rose for her honeymoon.
But it seemed everyone had already been deceived by that cunning girl, and no one even wanted to hear her side.
“Even if I get kicked out, that cunning one should be the one… why me…!”
Tears welled up in Lily’s eyes.
In her entire life, she had never felt as humiliated and unfair as she did today.
If she returned to the capital like this, she would surely collapse from stress.
At that moment, a magnificent carriage pulled up beside her luggage carriage.
A hotel staff member approached and asked,
“Where are you from?”
“We are from the Diero Ducal House. These are gifts for the Rose Room guest—where should we have them checked?”
At the mention of “the Rose Room,” Lily’s head snapped up in surprise, her eyes widening as she glimpsed the inside of the carriage, packed with gifts and flowers.
“Oh, then you should first go to the lobby. Diero Ducal House, you say… the Rose Room guest must be quite an important person.”
“Ha ha, yes. After all, she will soon become the lady of the Diero Ducal House.”
After a recent incident, many had been curious about Rosie’s identity. One of the staff, probing subtly, asked,
“W-what…? Say that again, what did Rosie say?”
Even Lily, shocked, could hardly believe her ears.
“She’s going to be the lady of the Diero Ducal House?”
But the Diero carriage driver merely glanced at her and did not give a clear answer.
This was because Cliden had ordered that no detailed explanation be given to anyone—but Lily did not know this.
The hotel staff paid her no mind. After all, why waste time answering the questions of a countess’s daughter, who would soon be out of the hotel, when the Diero Ducal carriage had just arrived?
Lily’s pride was bruised by their lack of response, but she clenched her lips and glared.
At that moment, the carriage door opened, and a man stepped out.
“Who is that…?”
He was unfamiliar, yet distinctly familiar.
The man who had once been with Rosie at a dessert shop in the capital, introducing himself as a foreign noble.
“Could it be… him…?”
Lily looked at him with disbelief.
At the same time, she noticed that the staff, who had ignored her until now, were all standing in line before this man.
“Have you arrived, Diero Young Duke?”
‘…Diero Young Duke?’
Lily watched in shock as the staff bowed respectfully.
He didn’t even glance at her as he entered the hotel, exuding the confidence of someone who owned the place.
Frozen in place, Lily hurried to approach one of the staff to confirm what she had just witnessed.
Even seeing it with her own eyes, she could hardly believe it.
The Rose Room was busier than ever.
Though already notified, Cliden and his attendants had arrived early in the morning and were filling her room with all sorts of items.
They skillfully arranged the Rose Room.
On the previously sparse table, they placed vases of fresh flowers and candlesticks; on the bedside table, they positioned a plate with a painting on it.
Against the silk wallpaper, a large glass cabinet appeared, housing fine tableware, delicate crafts, and several bottles of wine with elegant labels.
Watching her room transform in real-time, Rosie looked a bit overwhelmed.
“…Do they usually go this far?”
“In the East, Portrey’s eyes are everywhere.”
If she were working undercover, it would be one thing—but now, entering the enemy’s territory openly, there was no room for sloppy moves.
“I see,” Rosie nodded, half-understanding.
Cliden watched her quietly, then, as if remembering something, took a small box from his pocket and handed it to her.
“Oh, and this.”
“What is it?”
“It’s a ring.”
He opened the lid slightly to reveal a teardrop-shaped diamond ring.
“I wondered what kind of jewel you could wear comfortably all the time. The ring was the only option. It’s yours.”
Rosie, seeing the obviously expensive ring, quickly waved her hand.
“W-what? I can’t accept something like this…”
She had already received so much from him.
Cliden, however, continued, as if to reassure her.
“This is a ring imbued with sacred power. Normally, it’s transparent, but if exposed to dark magic, it instantly turns red.”
Rosie nodded at last, understanding that this was something she should indeed wear regularly.
Though hesitant, she carefully extended her hand. Cliden gently took it.
Even knowing there was no ill intent, she felt her ears heat up and looked away in embarrassment.
“It suits you well.”
Cliden said this after placing the ring on her left ring finger.
Even as he left, the warmth of his hand lingered, making Rosie clench her fists reflexively.
One of the attendants cautiously stepped between them.
“Um, what should we do with this jewel? It was in the bedside drawer. Is it yours, Miss Rosie?”
“Oh, this…!”
She looked and saw the attendant holding a blue gem. She had bought it thinking of Cliden last time.
Rosie glanced at him instinctively, feeling a little embarrassed that he would think she had chosen the gem for him.
His deep blue eyes looked at her calmly. She shyly said,
“Oh, that’s mine. You can give it to me.”
The attendant, seeing nothing unusual, wrapped the gem in black cloth and handed it to her.
“Are there any other jewels or items we need to prepare?”
They were tidying her room anyway, but the discovery of this gem had caught their attention.
Rosie waved her hand to reassure them.
“No, that’s all. Don’t worry about it.”
The attendant left the room after bowing politely.
Cliden approached Rosie with interest.
“What is that?”
“Ah, this is…”
Rosie trailed off, hiding the gem behind her hand.
Though she had chosen it thinking it would suit Cliden, handing it over felt strangely difficult.
It wasn’t just the situation—Cliden’s attendants were still arranging the room, and there were numerous other valuable gems in the jewelry box he had brought.
She shook her head.
“It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.”
