Chapter 66
“What? The entire residence?”
“Oh, not the entire place. Just the east wing with the grand hall, corridors, and guest rooms for now. The other areas will be renovated gradually, so you don’t need to worry about them, as per His Highness’s orders.”
By Iscarion’s orders…
Although an ancient castle naturally required periodic maintenance and renovations, why had he entrusted this task to her?
Rosen took the booklet from the butler with mixed emotions.
“This is a sample book for the fabrics we might use for curtains and carpets. These are samples for door carvings and ceiling decorations. A merchant will visit this afternoon, so please make your selections by then.”
“…Has a main color been chosen?”
“His Highness said to choose a color you like.”
“……”
“Take your time and have a good look.”
After the butler, bowing politely, left, Rosen was left alone, deep in thought. Renovating a noble’s mansion typically preceded a major event like a large banquet or a change in the madam.
And the most significant event likely to be held at the Lutèce Grand Duchy soon was… his wedding.
The diamond ring she had found in Iscarion’s jacket flashed through her mind again, along with his recent lack of physical contact and the overly formal behavior of the butler and maids.
Suddenly, it all clicked.
Renovating only the grand hall, corridors, and guest rooms was clearly for his wedding. The rest of the living quarters would naturally be decorated to suit the new Grand Duchess’s tastes once she arrived.
Rosen looked down at the sample book left by the butler, feeling a complex mix of emotions.
Was this his way of keeping her occupied now that he was bored of using her body to repay him for raising her? She understood that she was the best person for this task, having managed the household for so long. But somehow, helping with his wedding preparations felt even more humiliating than being his bed companion.
‘This is for the best. Once Iscarion gets married, he’ll let me go. Then I can go to Dhanas with Mills, find a job, and settle down…’
Ah…
But that would mean truly parting ways with him forever. Though she had wished to leave his side, the thought of never seeing him again filled her with an overwhelming sadness.
Forcing herself to focus on the linen sample comparison chart, Rosen felt an inexplicable urge to cry.
***
Iscarion, who had said he wouldn’t be able to visit for a while, indeed didn’t show up for the next few days. It seemed he really intended to cut ties with her. Instead, the maids attended to Rosen, and the butler, following Iscarion’s orders, frequently visited with merchants.
“I think I need to see it for myself.”
That morning, a merchant had brought samples of carpets and winter rugs, and a lace importer had visited just moments before. After examining the lace samples for the tablecloth edges, Rosen closed the design booklet with a snap and looked at the butler. He appeared flustered.
“You want to redecorate the castle, right? After being confined here for so long, I barely remember what it looks like. Especially the grand hall—I hardly remember it at all.”
“But, Miss! His Highness said you should remain in the annex until your ‘lessons’ are complete…”
“Then I will discuss it with His Highness directly.”
Rosen stood up firmly. Over the past few days, she had been too embarrassed to respond whenever the butler mentioned her “lessons”, but now she was angry. Why had he shared such personal matters with others?
No matter how he intended for her to repay her upbringing with her body, if Iscarion cared at all for her feelings, he should have kept it private.
Frustrated by his absence, she decided to confront him directly.
“Where is His Highness now?”
As she took a step, ready to leave immediately, the flustered butler intervened.
“Please, wait a moment.”
He called a footman and whispered to him. A short while later, the footman returned with a report, and the butler’s face brightened.
“Miss Rosénia, His Highness has granted you permission to tour the main castle.”
‘So, he’s in his office now.’
Calculating the time it took for the footman to return, Rosen deduced this. As she left the annex, a maid assigned by the butler followed her.
Once at the main castle, Rosen inspected the guest rooms and leisurely walked through the corridors, checking the lighting. The maid, instructed to ensure Rosen didn’t leave the castle, gradually relaxed her vigilance as Rosen’s behavior remained innocuous. Finally, while surveying the grand hall, Rosen wrapped her arms around herself and turned to the maid.
“Can you please go somewhere for a moment?”
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