Chapter 178
But her gaze soon drifted away. Having completed her task, the head maid offered a polite bow and withdrew. Lina, who had rushed over to where the head maid had been standing, hastily pushed Roseline inside and slammed the door shut.
“I can’t believe this, really. Why won’t you go, why! People line up just for a chance to see His Highness the Grand Duke, for heaven’s sake, why on earth won’t you go?”
“If you like him so much, why don’t you go?”
“They didn’t summon me, how could I go!”
Lina launched into a lengthy sermon about how handsome and eligible the Grand Duke was. When Roseline didn’t even pretend to listen, Lina sighed heavily as if to be heard and began organizing the clothes. They were only scheduled to stay here for two days before moving to the front lines, so they hadn’t unpacked much luggage.
After Lina’s outburst, Schnitzel paid a visit.
“Well, it’s not like I’m giving this to you with any particular intention, but this dress has gotten a bit too small for me.”
A maid who had come with her carefully handed a soft blue dress to Lina. It was clearly a high-quality garment, and Lina accepted it with a grateful expression, quickly taking hold of it. Roseline stared blankly for a moment at the dress being passed from hand to hand, then turned to look at Schnitzel, who had by now taken a seat on the sofa.
“I truly appreciate you thinking of me. But aren’t I a bit taller than you, young lady?”
“Oh my, what on earth are you imagining? I am taller.”
Schnitzel immediately frowned, sprang up, and stood in front of Roseline. It was a case of the pot calling the kettle black, as they both stubbornly insisted they were taller.
“Anyway, you must, without fail, wear this dress tomorrow. Your skin is fair, young lady, so this color will suit you perfectly. Understood?”
I don’t understand. The reason for this sudden intrusion and the gift of a dress was highly suspicious, but overwhelmed by Schnitzel’s intense pressure, her eyes wide open demanding an answer, Roseline reluctantly nodded. Only then did Schnitzel seem satisfied, breaking into a pleased smile. Then, leaving Roseline on the sofa, she chattered on about her older brother for quite some time.
Schnitzel’s chatter continued until the sunset faded and a dim twilight descended. The longer she talked, the more Roseline’s eyes glazed over like spoiled fish. Another knock on the door finally cut short the endless stream of talk.
“An evening banquet is to be held in the main residence. It is His Highness’s wish that all Manifestors attend.”
The person delivering the message was a maid about Lina’s age. A quick glance down the hallway revealed several maids standing at different doors. They were likely reciting the same message they had just delivered to Roseline.
“Then we can go together.”
Schnitzel, who had been peering out the door with just her head poked out, rose from her seat.
“You go on ahead, young lady. I have something to attend to.”
She had nothing to attend to. She simply had no intention of going to the main residence.
His intention to summon all the Manifestors was obvious.
Since she had refused a private dinner for two, his plan now was to force her to sit with him, even if it meant squeezing her in amongst the others.
“Well, if you’re not feeling well, resting in your room wouldn’t be a bad idea. If His Highness asks for you, I will make your excuses.”
Quick to catch on in the oddest of places, Schnitzel had accurately discerned Roseline’s intention to avoid the situation. Just as she had always been on guard, acting as if her possessions were being stolen whenever Valen approached her using Merrick, she seemed quite pleased with Roseline’s decision.
Finally left alone, Roseline lay her tired body down on the sofa. A sudden, intense fatigue washed over her. She was blinking slowly, gazing out the now pitch-black window, when it happened.
Knock, knock.
A neat, precise knock rapped on the door.
Good grief, they’ll wear out the doorstep.
Roseline let out a sigh heavy with exhaustion and heaved her heavy body up. Predicting the visitor—perhaps a maid, the head maid, or even Merrick, who had been absent all day—she turned the doorknob. However, contrary to her expectations, the man standing in the utterly empty hallway, looking down at her, was Valen.
“What is it?”
“You wouldn’t come out even when I asked to see your face, so what else could I do? I had no choice but to come myself, much to my chagrin.”
“Aha. Well, you’ve seen me now, so that’s that.”
Roseline nodded indifferently and moved to step back as if to close the door.
“Come out.”
“…….”
“I don’t have the confidence to be alone with you either. So you come out.”
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