Chapter 49
“Alright. I’m not interrogating you or anything. …Looks like you’ve been to a dessert shop.”
Heivan’s gaze belatedly landed on the box in Roze’s hand. The cute illustration of a cake on the outside cleared up most of his questions—though it didn’t explain why she had dressed so suspiciously just to buy desserts.
“You should go to Plita now. She’s probably waiting.”
Heivan assumed Roze had gone out to buy desserts for Plita, nodding slightly at his own deduction. Roze gave a small bow in response and began ascending the stairs.
Heivan, about to descend, suddenly paused, something bothering him. He turned back and called out.
“Roze.”
She stopped mid-step and looked back. He studied her face for a moment, then spoke with a slight frown.
“You don’t look well. Should I call the physician?”
“Huh? Oh—no, that’s alright.”
“It’s best to get treated right away if you’re feeling unwell. Go rest in your room. I’ll send the doctor to you immediately.”
“No!”
Roze hastily shook her head. It wasn’t the time to be amused by how both father and daughter had offered to call the physician—she absolutely couldn’t allow a mere maid like herself to be examined by the Grand Duke’s personal doctor.
“I’ve already taken some medicine. I’m feeling better now.”
“Medicine?”
“Yes, actually… I stepped out a little while ago and…”
Roze trailed off, looking uneasy. Realizing the real reason for her outing, Heivan clicked his tongue in disbelief. Was that really something to hide?
“What exactly was wrong?”
“Just… uh… some indigestion.”
That made three lies now. Plita, the count’s maid, and now Heivan. Roze suppressed a bitter smile at how easily she was becoming a liar.
“For something like that, you didn’t have to go out…”
Heivan frowned in confusion but then fell silent. His gaze shifted again to the dessert box in her hand. Noticing this, Roze forced an awkward smile.
“…Alright. Go on. Plita will be thrilled.”
He let out a small laugh and turned away. Roze watched his back for a moment, then let out a long sigh of relief. He seemed to believe she’d simply gone to buy desserts for Plita and had stopped by the clinic on the way.
“…Thank goodness.”
Muttering to herself in relief, Roze suddenly flushed. She had remembered him catching her just earlier, when she nearly tumbled down the stairs.
More specifically, it was his firm arm around her waist, the pounding of his heartbeat that had transmitted clearly to her through his chest.
Roze.
That soft yet fervent voice calling her name echoed in her ears, just like when he had gently embraced her. Roze climbed the stairs slowly, nose stinging with emotion.
You’re really beautiful.
His laughing voice as he brushed the back of his hand along her cheek. The way her skin had flushed wherever he touched, the way every brush of his hand revived her senses…
The memory remained vivid, even though the man was gone.
Once at the top, Roze turned back, but Heivan was nowhere in sight. He must have gone down already, of course—but her eyes lingered on the empty stairway, as if trying to chase the lingering shadow of his presence.
“Wow! Roze, look! A puppy!”
Plita tugged Roze excitedly along the street, having spotted a vendor selling puppies. Roze laughed softly at the enthusiastic child and followed her steps, glancing back by chance—only to meet Heivan’s gaze. He was trailing behind them with an awkward expression.
“Papa, hurry up! Come on!”
At Plita’s eager call, Heivan looked away from Roze and approached. The vendor had a box of newly born puppies for sale.
Clearly mixed breeds—puppies of uncertain lineage.
No noble or wealthy commoner would normally even glance at them. Yet here they were, selling for a few coins.
“So cute…”
Plita squatted in front of a puppy, resting her chin in her hands with admiration. One of the puppies, eyes barely open, toddled over and sniffed at her fingers.
“Umm… Can I touch it?”
As the puppy’s black nose neared her fingertips, Plita hesitated and then asked the vendor cautiously. He let out a hearty laugh and nodded.
“Of course, young lady! Seems like this little one likes you. Go ahead and give it a pet.”
Encouraging her, the vendor’s eyes swept quickly over Plita’s outfit from head to toe. He then glanced at the two adults—Heivan and Roze—assuming they were her parents, and nodded with satisfaction.
They had the look of a wealthy commoner family out enjoying the festival. Not quite nobles, but rich enough to make impulsive purchases for their daughter.
Forget nobles… this is the target group I should focus on.
After all, no noble would stoop to browsing stray pups on a street corner. Determined to make a sale, the vendor grew more enthusiastic.
“You there—Mom and Dad—come take a closer look. Your daughter really adores this puppy.”
“……!”
Both Heivan and Roze, who had been watching Plita with fond smiles, startled and widened their eyes at the same time. Even Plita looked surprised, blinking as the puppy licked her finger.
“What’s everyone so shocked about? Even you, little miss. Wait—aren’t they your mom and dad?”
The vendor, sensing something was off, cautiously asked. Plita stared at him with wide eyes, then looked back and forth before nodding vigorously.
“They are! That’s my dad… and my mom!”
“Knew it! It’s obvious—you look just like them. Especially with such a beautiful mom, no wonder you turned out so pretty too!”
The vendor chuckled heartily. Plita beamed and nodded again.
“Yup! I look like my mom, that’s why I’m pretty!”
“Ro…”
Roze started to call Plita, flustered, but Heivan grabbed her arm before she could say anything. She turned to him, startled, and he shook his head gently.
Then, in a quiet voice, he murmured,
“Plita probably doesn’t want people to know she doesn’t have a mother… Let’s just let her be.”
“But I…”
“You’re not about to call me ‘Your Grace’ here, are you? That’ll cause a scene.”
Heivan gave a faint smile, whispering just low enough that no one nearby could hear. Roze quickly shut her mouth.
He was right. If they started using titles like “Your Grace” or “Lady,” it would draw unwanted attention. That was why they’d gone to the trouble of dressing like commoners in the first place—to enjoy the festival without hassle.
Wealthy perhaps, but not noble.
Just a well-to-do commoner family spending money freely.
“Mo—Mom! Come over here!”
Plita excitedly waved at Roze, catching herself just before calling her by name. She switched to “Mom” with a bright, innocent smile.
‘Mom’…
A sharp pang struck Roze’s chest as she clutched at her bodice. It was a word she thought she’d never hear. But now, it had come from the child’s own lips.
“Roze, are you alright?”
“No, I mean… I’m fine.”
Roze hesitated, overwhelmed, and Heivan looked at her curiously. She quickly shook her head and walked over to Plita.
“Mom, isn’t this puppy cute?”
“Yeah… I mean, it is.”
She almost slipped into her usual polite tone before correcting herself. Fortunately, the vendor was too focused on selling the puppy to notice.
“Dad, you too—come on over! Wow, you three really are a beautiful family. I’ve been selling here a long time, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a family look this good together. You’re not from around here, are you?”
“Um…”
“No, we came just for the festival.”
Caught off guard, Heivan fumbled for a reply, but Roze stepped in smoothly. The vendor looked between them again, then grinned playfully.
“With such a lovely wife and adorable daughter, I’d spoil them rotten too if I were you. Right?”
“…Well. Hmph.”
Heivan cleared his throat, unable to come up with a retort. The vendor burst into laughter.
“Haha! Bit shy, are we? If it were me, I’d be bragging everywhere—‘Look at my gorgeous wife! Look at my precious little girl!’”
“A-ah…”
Roze flushed in embarrassment, but it didn’t feel bad. Her heart tingled strangely in her chest.
Maybe Heivan feels differently…
After all, being mistaken for a couple when she was just a maid… Roze tried to calm her fluttering heart and sneaked a glance at Heivan.
To her surprise, he didn’t look upset. In fact, she could’ve sworn the corners of his mouth were curved upward—just a little.
