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chapter 70
After Demeteria had left, Dantes and Marco headed to his office. Along the way, Marco studied Dantes’ face, which was alight with excitement. Dantes was aware of Marco glancing at him sideways in a teasing manner, but he said nothing.
He had merely commented on his haircut, saying it suited him. Yet his heart had pounded at that single remark, as if he had been at the banquet just to say those words.
It was true he had blurted it out impulsively and then hesitated. But when the gaze that had constantly looked downward finally lifted slightly toward him, and their eyes met, Dantes felt a deep sense of satisfaction.
Even though he had told Marco that marriage would happen with Demeteria and it was no concern of his, that was an obvious lie, even to himself. Only Rosellina had the intensity capable of stirring him. Six years ago, and even now. Perhaps the moment he realized she was a woman had loosened the reins he had forced upon his emotions.
Now, he found himself loving her more freely, without any obstacles.
This was hardly good news for Emperor Dantes. On the contrary, it was bad news. He should have at least shown more consideration to Demeteria, even if just for appearances.
But he couldn’t bring himself to do so. The mere presence of Rosellina in the room was too stimulating. What worried him most was how she might misunderstand. He knew there would be no jealousy, only retreating instinctively.
It hadn’t even been a few days since she saw him in the fitting room, and she had already taken a few steps back. Marco broke the silence, amused by Dantes’ serious expression.
“Your Majesty, you seem to have a lot on your mind. Share some of it with me, Marco Griffin, your steadfast aide. I will be your strength.”
“Don’t mock me. We need to control the Peril family, so they don’t exert too much influence at the banquet. Even if it’s just about flowers.”
“Yes, yes, Your Majesty. I’ll make sure it’s done properly. From what I saw of Miss Demeteria earlier, she seemed eager to change everything in the palace already.”
“That’s exactly what I dislike.”
Dantes said sharply. Marco whistled softly at the decisive tone, as if it were the cut of a knife.
“Even if you don’t like it, don’t hate her too much. After all, she will be the Empress, right?”
Dantes didn’t respond. Indeed, no matter how much he felt a thrill for Rosellina, that fact wouldn’t change.
Once they entered the deeper part of the office and Milan and the attendants had left, Dantes first checked the medical report on his desk. He received daily updates on Rosellina’s health. Unlike the initial report from Mrs. Vanessa, which was comprehensive, these daily notes were brief, recording only changes for the day.
Today’s report noted overall improvement. Thanks to the medication she had, her body was recovering quickly from the poisoning. However, her personal supply of medicine was now depleted, and it would be replaced with medications provided by the palace. Dantes looked up at Marco.
“What is that Monterno up to these days?”
“He’s curious about everything, but ends up getting kicked around. Can’t fight, but has endless curiosity.”
Marco chuckled at the thought of Monterno. He would wander through the square, enter taverns full of sailors, or even peek into the slave market. Once, he had gone into a gambling house and nearly got beaten after emptying gamblers’ pockets.
He seemed deeply saddened by Roberto’s death. So Marco tried to avoid mentioning it around Monterno, acting as if it had never happened. Though he thought it might be too harsh for such a young boy, secrets inevitably leaked if he was too lenient.
Marco liked Monterno but didn’t let his guard down. His abilities were genuinely dangerous. The Griffin family monitored every move of Monterno to uncover any hidden agendas behind his innocence. Nothing had happened so far, but Marco remained vigilant.
“Has he ever studied medicine? The poison’s effect seems to have been mitigated by the medicine he had.”
“He’s learned a bit of everything. On days he gets roughed up outside, he stays in the library. There are some difficult books there, but he seems to explore them all.”
“Let him prepare more medicine. There are still soldiers whose poisoning needs treatment, and above all, Rosellina needs it too.”
“Not sure he’ll cooperate. Roberto’s death was a shock, so on that topic, he acts as if he hasn’t heard anything.”
“Weak. But I can’t take emotional excuses into account. It’s an order.”
Dantes spoke firmly. Marco nodded, knowing there was no one who could refuse the Emperor’s command.
“Don’t talk nonsense.”
“Understood. Even Cesario said a few times, you guys seem not to trust me.”
“Exactly—it’s your mischievousness. You didn’t need to approach Rosellina at the banquet earlier.”
Of course, it was pleasant to speak to her, but whether it had been good for her was another question. Sharp-eyed Demeteria might have been displeased, or Mrs. Vanessa might have scolded her.
Marco protested in mock indignation.
“Ridiculous. Who was it who encouraged you and spoke first?”
“You couldn’t just act like you didn’t understand what was going on, could you?”
“Huh? You did it to help me? Then you didn’t need to comment on my haircut?”
When Marco pointed this out, Dantes fell silent. That comment hadn’t needed to be said. In fact, it was better that it hadn’t been. It was an irrational choice.
Yet, when faced with Rosellina after several days, Dantes couldn’t help but speak.
‘I just hope this doesn’t cause trouble for Rosellina… I need to manage Demeteria first.’
Dantes paused briefly before speaking quickly.
“Demeteria will investigate Rosellina. She’s prepared thoroughly, right?”
“Yes. I’ll double-check. This might be better anyway. As long as Rosellina remains in the palace, she will inevitably become someone who irritates Demeteria.”
“….”
Irritating presence. Dantes repeated the thought in his mind. In chronological terms, Demeteria had come much later. But if she became Empress, she could torment Rosellina, the maid, behind his back.
‘Even if that happens, Rosellina will endure it all. She won’t ever tell me.’
Dantes pondered deeply. At that moment of silence, Milan brought tea. The warm cup was set down, and Milan left. Dantes finished his thoughts and spoke with difficulty.
“Marco.”
“Huh?”
Marco took a sip of the fragrant tea, only for Dantes to speak unexpectedly.
“What do you think about me having a mistress?”
“Pfft!”
Marco literally spat out his tea, staring at Dantes. Dantes frowned as if disgusted, but Marco didn’t care.
“Are you serious?”
Dantes continued, earnest.
“If, as you said, perceptive Demeteria starts seeing Rosellina as a thorn in her side… and she harms her when I’m not around, what then? I need to at least protect her. I chose to keep her close.”
“You mean, just for that reason, you’d make her your mistress?”
“I was just thinking aloud. It seems the safest way.”
Dantes rubbed the back of his neck. Marco chuckled quietly, amused by his uncertainty, cleaning around his teacup before speaking again.
“Wouldn’t Rosellina’s consent matter?”
“What?”
“Just saying. Seems like it’d take forever to coax her, that’s all.”
Marco blew on his hot tea and drank it, smiling. Dantes considered retorting, asking if she could possibly refuse him, but stayed silent.
Rosellina had already refused him many times. And while the fact that he was Emperor might be an obstacle, it likely wouldn’t increase his charm. Dantes thought of her face and sighed.
When the workday ended, Rosellina naturally went to Mrs. Vanessa’s room. Since Dantes had visited the banquet hall, her mind had been in turmoil.
“You look good with it.”
Dantes’ casual remark kept replaying in her mind. It wasn’t praise for her swordsmanship or posture, but for her haircut. She found herself unconsciously touching the ends of her hair. It might have been a passing comment, something he said to anyone.
‘I shouldn’t think such things. He has Demeteria.’
Suppressing her racing heart, she opened Mrs. Vanessa’s door.
Mrs. Vanessa was reviewing documents for Demeteria. She put down her pen and watched Rosellina quietly.
The relationship she had seen between the Emperor and Rosellina didn’t appear casual, so it needed verification. What kind of emperor worries about a maid’s hair?
“Rina.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Since meeting His Majesty today, has anything changed? Including anything I should notice?”
Rosellina’s eyes widened in surprise. Had her excitement been visible to Mrs. Vanessa? She felt slightly embarrassed but shook her head.
“It’s actually become more clear.”
“What has become clear?”
Calmly, Rosellina continued.
“I know where I belong and what suits me best.”
She had never worn a lavish dress. She hadn’t attended a debutante ball or learned the etiquette of high society. As she spoke to Mrs. Vanessa, she reaffirmed internally: nothing she possessed matched Dantes.
