141. Ominous Sign

Roselia’s eyes flew b690108480 wide as she a4ffe6bb01 looked behind her.b0c92b8fd635209f

There stood Klaus, arms bc935e93ca leisurely crossed, gazing at a3c46c4b75 her intently.f16d4d5540226ae8

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Asif, having spotted Klaus, 227447a4dc let out a scoff d8bfc99454 and turned his body 9a406ac041 slightly.d4e96cd8255fd6df

“Looks like even a duke can’t manage to be a proper noble.”e670d844f55542e0

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At Asif’s openly antagonistic remark, 6a98d02f4d Klaus’s brow furrowed slightly.6dfb400dbc4e6ce7

Asif stepped forward 4cdd5db42c and tilted his 1ddedf6ad1 head arrogantly, his 55909523b6 expression hardening.383aa2ad14c2d984

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“I heard you’ll be returning to Rugbeljet soon. Is it really okay for 7e724617ac you to be wandering around f6dbe2abd1 like this?”119eba084337d70b

Despite the provocation, Klaus only 1bc57042e8 replied with an indifferent expression.5eceb487237af6a2

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“I came to see the Marquis Bellog about the trade route.”7c0fbdf7c50f6847

With that, Klaus’s gaze slowly b3e3a99474 turned to Roselia.e437dc42de639584

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“And as luck would have it, I found a runaway cat I’d been chasing.”edc0e1243cb09ef1

It was obvious his be9b610dfa words were directed at 1ba31df5ce Roselia, who had been ab352cfd14 deliberately avoiding him.78a1b77bb7cb98d8

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Asif stepped between them, c9df73358c blocking Klaus’s frank gaze, b8a93e47a0 and twisted his lips 87b6cc983e into a sneer.eef80b0cb537ca3c

“Weren’t you the one running around after her? You used to follow d5e9d33db5 Roselia so closely it dca3b80259 was uncomfortable, and now 0f1b41c56c you say you’re heading 9e3c5fd28b back home? Just like the rumors 40c8fab973 say, looks like money 8b0aadf566 and fame are all 67f0b35c44 that matter to you.”d5b45a5c908bd8aa

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Klaus’s brow furrowed 06c756617e deeper at Asif’s 98fc2bc839 deliberately irritating words.a064b3ca1d98c635

“I don’t think that’s any concern of yours, Prince.”0333eb7dd5b15cca

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At Klaus’s cool tone, b058de937b Asif glared and retorted.f05ead056b4a991d

“Unlike someone, I don’t just talk fancy. I don’t plan on 91eb82a035 leaving for Benuve.”29cdb1c626938796

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Asif’s bold reply prompted Klaus 9f3f263c79 to tilt his head slightly 03d7aeaa28 and give him a steady 07b291af75 look.e96b4a300279ea12

“Seems you don’t have any responsibilities, living like a carefree idler. Unfortunately, I have a mountain 8690652327 of things I’m accountable for.”7349f4579ba2cf0c

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It was a jab d9fcca312e at the prince, contrasting 335411691b his idle lifestyle with a355f8ed15 Klaus’s burdens—his business, his 442c4bf62e people.acb52c8953819486

Asif understood the undertone and 548aed2ced his face twisted in frustration.3c83377de41f4758

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Sensing the tension thickening, 6fdd63b3db Roselia stepped between them 2cb4373032 with a faint sigh.2208c2592c22666b

“If you’re looking for Marquis Bellog, he’s over there.”c5d36798f8b06c48

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At her calm words, 9d945448dc Klaus stared at her 3d59e79d93 intently.6d79d7dc666a8abe

“Let’s talk. Just for a moment.”4d5b3d22816ac23f

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Roselia glanced at da09d59265 the bristling Asif, 828b7ea103 then nodded as 4d9b38610a if she had c83ad073ae no choice.ba974cf62c3d1c96

If left alone, the two were sure to growl at each other like beasts, completely ignoring the people around them…210cfc6d0d5e89a3

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Roselia motioned with her 2700115158 eyes, and Asif turned 8543384c1a away with a displeased 19afb641f5 look.852b673c4e3bd1c4

Leaving him behind, 07d56e627c she walked with 1f9dad7a87 Klaus to a 7ac7e19557 quieter spot.3c0dd6f210656f4c

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“What did you want to say?”7cf81f374c938603

“You’ve been avoiding me these past few days…”65c45b1b478a5cd3

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At his question, 6229557b7e Roselia casually shrugged.0ad21bc6f5ae8cd9

“When have I ever not avoided you, Your Grace?”0bb1f5fdaaa364be

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Her nonchalant answer brought a 6621304c2d self-deprecating smile to Klaus’s lips.7445f50ffc4fee77

“Fair enough…”7373cb40dec4b484

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“I heard from the lady that you’re returning to Rugbeljet. If that’s what you 3eae56e8a8 came to say, you 11b7b07c30 didn’t need to tell dcf48d0fc5 me directly.”5ceddac87fe33a42

Klaus’s expression darkened 3949673ed6 at her clear 3d9fa1d8bc attempt to cut fe4059b770 the conversation short.cba44f84454fe94d

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He stood still, silently 00302a9376 memorizing her calm figure ff8baba2ee that refused to meet ec425817ee his gaze, then slowly 5721636fec opened his mouth.2c7a7f1c1cf50d4e

“There’s trouble in the duchy. The noble factions 8a88a796db in Rugbeljet are 665b81a0f2 clashing, and I 80d4511a0f can’t afford to daa91615a2 be away for b41c1fe1b4 long. Because of that, the trade 8c5cb89ccf route construction and the school 9d1e098df2 project in Algrisha village have 3be27aa7e8 also been delayed…”931f55f4842fe534

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Roselia answered coldly, refusing 53550cd169 to look away.ba374407b00c2515

“You don’t need to explain everything to me.”090dfb1a299551f0

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At her frosty response, Klaus 2615c2d400 pressed his lips together before b5c1c6ecdb speaking again.afd6f87b7417631c

“I’m not going to ask you to come with me. I don’t have the right e3f364e941 to say that to you 7f3958093e in the first place…”da8b067d2ed177ef

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Roselia said nothing ad17bcd228 in return, lips 33094fbe26 pressed tightly together, 7a66632744 at the faint 01eff53092 bitterness in his 814da526e6 voice.7b56c16afe1b3365

“I’ll come back once everything’s settled in Rugbeljet. So… just don’t run 82b870535f away anymore.”8026b602e0ffca09

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Something in his voice c5a0407b63 sounded desperate, and Roselia d2c1e8b6af involuntarily looked at him.a75987c94b7f87ac

He was smiling faintly, but 93932a6b0d his eyes looked deeply sorrowful.6ea79fdbeb168d27

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She stiffened at the 82d9c5ba04 sight of them and 3b244356f1 quickly looked away.92847348f2e61b71

“This is where I belong. Where would I even run a8fc35b983 off to?”fa7c930c1ff54af0

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At her blunt tone, 5732848e53 Klaus gave a bitter 0b2fc27ca3 twist of his lips.51d32a647fa07c8a

“I meant your heart.”89661c8520224225

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Only then did Roselia 7810238cc5 realize what he was b8601e3516 truly saying, and her 9091c8b4e1 shoulders stiffened.34d470cee1351f7a

Determined not to f0ef803321 show any cracks, 17e7a5362b she hardened her fff3370e7b expression even more.ea53678e3264739c

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“Whether Your Grace returns or not, nothing will change.”058481a8a54ca9fa

Roselia turned calmly and continued.17419a4969868fa8

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“I have other matters to attend to. I’ll be going now.”4494e5a47351f63f

As she walked away coldly, aa024bcfde Klaus stood there, watching her be0d37ea60 retreat with a desolate expression.de914551fd3b56e5

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Roselia kept walking, a7522d47d6 doing her best 696e1ac8f1 not to look 7c9a447afa back.d926ad491db8ddcd

She only hoped he hadn’t 6b027b81c4 seen the wavering in her 7660e26ec7 expression…24795efddc8a527c

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She walked until cd51ebf425 he was no 2a376120b2 longer in view, 3ec7747da6 then paused to 985695d58a survey the bustling c5db70dc60 port with a 7bfaf6af9c steadying breath.372bb656b2a90e9d

Not far away, she 8be68cc82d spotted Hyun instructing workers 8075edf814 as they transferred goods 7a0971e86b marked “Zelos.”81f2612acb6185cc

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Suddenly, she remembered how he af3f3c3bdc had helped her escape the 6eca0c1482 threat from the concubines’ faction 78297faf0d not long ago.b070c74288b864e6

Curious about why 32ad1586ef he had helped 557985575f her in the 1053803513 first place, she 297a4b775f slowly approached him.55b4673bfc75bba4

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“Are you busy?”199bf19ead3b6a7e

Despite her approach, Hyun remained 45ff2885d6 calm, as if he had 45f2120f79 already sensed her presence.a0699fb95e035bfb

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“As you can see.”5a487bbd09303bbe

He responded blandly, then gave d01d43fa01 instructions to his subordinates before 14ea72e9c4 turning to look down at a55f9688eb her.908cc24af6869d86

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Feeling awkward at his calm 49d8c9b67e demeanor, Roselia scratched her head.3c376e614a974460

“Ah… I don’t think I properly thanked you for the other day. And I’ve been wondering what bd619cbb8b you meant by what you ff07bac514 said to me…”e693f13ccc273cf4

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He looked at 30dd5b94d2 her in silence, fc48fe7dc6 as if unsure 2fbe68531d what she was 0de00cc819 referring to.2e794c6a7a73be53

Roselia glanced at him and 014d2ddf07 repeated herself more clearly.09cedb2c22eeacd3

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“I don’t quite understand what you meant when you said you helped me to earn my trust.”92a07faf0f7d8e9e

In response to her earnest 1130dbbadf voice, Hyun turned back to 3daf64715f checking the goods and replied 7770a9eb98 as if it were nothing.b31051b3e2d96486

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“It means I’m in a position where I need to stay on your good side.”05e0f9d51850aa20

Roselia frowned at his cryptic af709f254d answer.f28d55c1325b542f

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“What does that even…”89b290deba6086a6

Hyun looked at her 42bd9e6380 briefly, then muttered offhandedly.e24665129dca316c

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“Marquis Bellog and I will handle the matter with the merchant group. Don’t concern yourself 4e70ef537b with what comes 5fecfea2c1 next.”fd5db5491b8d7cdd

His cryptic words 7e51db9836 made Roselia tilt 37aac6472b her head in 1bd0adb1d8 confusion.7daf3a9a5754f67b

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Was that a roundabout way ee7615b098 of telling her not to b8baee45d2 interfere?2a73e9422bf1e42a

But it didn’t 3c3477eeb7 seem like he 1825f9cc43 was just talking 5466927964 about the current 245b958b4c situation.3ce29d71b58cabe3

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Before she could ask 2ee663438d more, Hyun walked off 9ffca8c12a after one last remark.12dc9dce8df54895

“It’ll only hurt for a little while. Don’t worry too much.”cc0e0a257f007af7

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Roselia was left standing in 05faa57c5b a daze as he walked 92b43391c6 away.1e8b403651f5460e

Only for a little while?5c7da5968a63a9d0

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She wanted to stop him 4342c3ce35 and demand an explanation, but 3d3c601078 he had already vanished without e9a2f705c2 a trace.006cceeedfe48c05

* * *746718e473ecc772

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Invited by Claucet, 919453e087 Roselia visited the 2c729e8be9 reception room on 7d0e8bd64c the top floor 19cf7e84d6 of the Valtazar 3ae9c7cf5f Hotel and quietly 97366bdb93 gazed at the 3fb4295eff woman in front 2d23f069e9 of her.649bf9e3b5ab12c2

Klaus was said to 39b5340625 be incredibly busy, overwhelmed 95627f1820 with handing over responsibilities d5daeed131 for the hotel business 92079de0cc and the trade route 12401deac2 project.ef7148c2c231df74

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Roselia, initially hesitant, 84dbbe9cb3 had reluctantly accepted edda13d813 the invitation after 3dabc2685b hearing that.1673a650ca372c42

After all, she and Claucet had agreed to have tea together every day until Claucet returned to Rugbeljet…454a54756f1bc4f5

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Claucet, savoring the 543d055ec8 tea carefully prepared 0a22d01749 by Eva, set 2ed10c2ee7 her cup down 56e3b109cc with a deliberately 3a7806c7cc elegant motion.142c8f60d074b769

“Maybe I’ll just stay here.”5745a230b972e5eb

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Though said casually, the statement 12cdce949a was shocking enough to make fd3b16f5e8 Roselia blink in surprise.22b0e9d6c9fe9e4f

“Are you serious?”d1386198fb61b39b

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At Roselia’s question, Claucet pouted.95ad8b1f83a78170

“You’re here, Roselia. Klaus handles everything 5107d2f223 with the dukedom f079d4c913 and the family 67155ef096 business anyway. If I go back, 9ce730dabf I’ll just be alone b91262a5eb again.”433dd2b9069116cd

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Roselia smiled gently at 7970ba1096 Claucet’s grumbling.1fb77f5fe0868999

“But your nanny Melda is there, and so is Pippi, your precious pet. Most of all, 5a2410a23a your only family—His 9ee4f94bd5 Grace the Duke—will f6cfaaec58 be with you.”4616e7f456475212

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There was no way 08b6349528 Klaus would leave Claucet 89d0429fc2 behind on her own.bea96c9b34b83c75

He might seem gruff 2dd4591480 and cold, but he 5542b64b1f cared for her more 2a5bd8b4bd than anyone else.bd509c8929c8c8fd

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Even if Claucet e6217acdf7 insisted on staying, 75e3057dbc Klaus would probably 56aa4a54d9 drag her into dfa1d94047 the carriage if b536d5c591 he had to.990200a01d2ba704

Claucet seemed to know a4491da80e that too, resting her ed7bf13200 chin on her hand 3180d4a1a4 with a sullen expression.2e9369dc58018d89

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“I’ll miss Pippi and Melda being at the estate, sure… but I still like being with you more, Roselia.”211e107aad605baf

Claucet sighed and added 246af0e4f4 in a barely audible 77296a303c murmur.d1d14a0b12ae26ca

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“Honestly, for someone who acts so smart all the time, Klaus is completely hopeless when he can’t even win Roselia over.”ef233415beca376e

Her muttered words f69d4caba3 made Roselia blink e974a09b17 in confusion.e15d7b40e3b797f5

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“Pardon? What did you say?”2154d44c8e8559df

“Ah… nothing.”0263f59c11b5d58a

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With a sulky b360ce0ef9 face, Claucet sighed e51e7a1149 again and reached 352e736db6 for her teacup.4e25f82cd4e6ab30

Just then, a knock came 070c7c0cde at the drawing room door, ecdc0ab400 and a servant entered, bowing eae23711ad politely.84a5e95d8d624add

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“My lady. A letter has arrived from 23b29e813f the dukedom. It was marked urgent.”2b5aeb06daa7cc8d

Claucet rushed over with a80ad126fb a delighted face as efc63ab58a the servant handed her 09757d691a the letter.fa33a65d84b73410

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“Melda must’ve written again already. I told her to try 04f532a45f feeding Pippi the finest fruit e9ec62de2c since she wasn’t eating well.”1781dce80fd9f00b

Saying so, she quickly 3a41613f22 tore open the envelope ea59117916 and scanned its contents.f96535f152d66c4e

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But unlike the a5df9d0224 cheerful expectation, Claucet’s 41b3bce204 face began to 2eed8afca5 stiffen as she 912bf7b436 read.108db504a22b96f9

Just as Roselia was watching b8c9c768c7 her with a puzzled expression, bc57d20635 the letter slipped from Claucet’s 1b586bccd9 hand and fluttered to the 5e1fcb917b floor.e29814cd4b95588a

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“My lady?”ee24fb06980d6e65

Roselia started to approach Claucet 658b21c99c with concern, and instantly sensed 30d6441236 something was wrong.bf9fd811c4125c75

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Claucet’s face had turned deathly 9f04b400cd pale.9a4c01384add9be3

Her trembling fingertips and wide, 5517552a15 terrified eyes only heightened Roselia’s 3e8f547626 dread.366e06a9071063e1

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“My lady, what is it?”06c33b423c9e96f9

As if finally hearing her 9d0d083536 voice, Claucet slowly turned to 09fa9c899b Roselia, her movements stiff.5465076a67cb6472

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Claucet’s eyes wavered 3b0f87640e uncertainly, cloudy with 39bba43616 tears that looked 832a363dab ready to spill 4f689d9907 at any moment.89edaaae6ac9b73f

“Pippi… they said Pippi died…”f555e1efbc778c83

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With that, the 7f3ed61dc6 tears that had 1e8a583d31 been brimming in 760bbc24a4 her eyes began 3333b1814e falling, splashing down 13ee0b8c65 her cheeks.5334405506c977ca

As Roselia stood frozen d99d88bba7 in shock, Claucet suddenly b56f872f4b buried her face in 980923bba2 Roselia’s embrace.8b5acda7903bbc31

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