My Ruin to You - Chapter 185

Honestly, it was unexpected.

No matter how you looked at it, the cause of this whole mess was Roseline, and so I had thought he would simply wait for me to come find him on my own. It was a ridiculous misconception.

“May I wait?”

“I will escort you to the drawing-room.”

“It’s fine. I’ll wait here.”

The butler’s pupils shook greatly. Roseline forced a smile and glanced at the firmly closed door. She knew it was rude, but this was no situation for formalities.

There was no telling when the hiding place for Luan might be discovered. Even if it was found, they probably wouldn’t be dragged straight to prison, but until the investigation was concluded, they would be treated akin to a criminal—what a bolt from the blue that would be. And how heartbroken would Schnitzel be upon hearing that news?

The butler, unable to leave his post, urged Roseline again to go to the drawing-room. When Roseline refused, he knocked on the office door once more with a grave expression. Roseline listened intently for any sound from within. Shortly after, the butler who came out could not hide his somewhat troubled look.

“……Ahem.”

He did not suggest the drawing-room to Roseline again. He merely averted his eyes from Roseline and walked swiftly down the long corridor.
It seemed an order had come from the person inside. To pretend not to know and leave her standing there.

“…….”

Roseline leaned her back against the wall and stared only at the tips of her own shoes. If the third floor of the main residence was the Grand Duke’s private space, then the second floor, where his office was located, was a public space for reports and commands.

A few retainers passing through the corridor were first surprised by the presence of Roseline standing motionless, and then surprised a second time upon seeing Roseline’s face. One kind retainer even offered his own handkerchief. Though she had no intention of accepting it, a butler who appeared from somewhere quietly, yet urgently, called the retainer and led him away.

How long did she wait like that?

This time, it was Merrick who appeared. His complex expression as he looked at Roseline was only brief. Merrick let out a sigh, composed his expression, and moved to leave. Then, in a voice so low only Roseline could hear, he said:

“We found him.”

It was news like a bolt from the blue. How? When? So what about Luan?

Questions swirled violently in her mind, but Merrick, who might have answered, disappeared into the office. Unable to stand still, Roseline paced the corridor, chewing on her nails. She comforted herself with the thought that Valen, who knew better than anyone what consequences Schnitzel’s carriage accident had, would not harm Schnitzel again… but she didn’t know. Just what was he thinking?

“You may enter.”

Merrick, holding the office door open, gestured inside. It was then that her heartbeat, anxious but quiet until now, began to race. Roseline roughly wiped her suddenly damp palms on her skirt, as if steeling her resolve, and let out a slow breath. Then, she stepped past Merrick into the office.

Click.

The door closed behind her.

Valen was seated at his dark oak desk. Sunlight streaming through the half-drawn curtains fell obliquely across his shoulders. With his back to the natural light, the shadows on his features made them appear sharper and more distinct than usual.

“I greet Your Grace the Grand Duke.”

Roseline’s voice hung in the space, but Valen did not even glance her way. His expression was also still and cold.

As if Roseline were not in the room, his gaze remained fixed on the documents. Scritch, scratch. Only his neat, indifferent handwriting filled the paper. A chilly silence, ill-suited to the warm season, persisted for a long while. After watching Valen intently, Roseline finally spoke, her words carefully chosen.

“Do not repeat the same mistake, Your Grace.”

The movement of the quill pen stopped right then. A drop of ink fell and spread on the paper, forming a round stain. His knuckles turned white from how roughly he gripped the pen, causing the feather to flutter unsteadily. But that was all. Regaining his composure almost immediately, Valen continued signing as if a stain were no matter.

“It cannot be a repetition.”

“…….”

“That accident in your memory was indeed a coincidence. So there is nothing to repeat.”