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Chapter 22
He called Rose’s name in a low voice. The grand duke, who had been glancing at her, quietly averted his gaze.
“Your clothes are completely soaked.”
The wet uniform clung damply to Rose’s body. As her curves were sensually outlined, the Grand Duke of Arteum found it rather awkward to look straight at her. Only then did Rose check her condition.
‘Ah… I guess I spilled water earlier when I missed the cup.’
Even the inside was soaked through. Lifting the wet fabric slightly with her index finger, Rose muttered,
“Oh, it’s fine. I think it’ll dry if I just air it out…”
It wasn’t a hot liquid—nothing more than a matter of drying. She lowered her head and shook her clothes lightly.
‘If I keep wearing it, it’ll dry soon.’
After brushing herself off, Rose lifted her head—and then,
“G–Grand Duke?!”
She screamed without realizing it. The grand duke, who had been fully dressed just moments ago, was in the middle of taking off his shirt. Rose’s face burned hot. Unable to hide her flustered expression, she covered her face with both hands. Regardless of her shock, the grand duke undid the final button and completely shrugged off his shirt. Peeking at him through her fingers, Rose felt her lips go dry.
‘I don’t know where to look.’
His bare upper body, glimpsed between her fingers, was perfect—like a carved statue. Wearing only his trousers, he walked toward her.
Holding his shirt in one hand, he approached. It seemed Rose was the only one embarrassed in this situation. Flutter. The pure white shirt lifted into the air and landed squarely on top of Rose’s head.
“Ah…”
“Put it on.”
He spoke indifferently and immediately turned around. His ears, seen from behind, were faintly flushed red.
‘Is he giving it to me so I won’t be see-through?’
She couldn’t help but be surprised by his unexpectedly kind behavior. This wasn’t the first time she’d seen a side of him that didn’t match the title “the mad grand duke.”
‘He looked out for me at the banquet last time, too.’
His consideration wasn’t unpleasant. Still…
‘I could’ve just put on my robe…’
Rose glanced at her robe lying on the sofa.
‘But after he even took off his shirt for me, it’d be rude to refuse, right?’
She decided not to ignore his goodwill. If she refused now, he’d just feel awkward. She draped his shirt over her uniform. The uniform underneath was still quite damp, but since it was a one-piece dress, she couldn’t take it off. Asking to borrow trousers, too, would be too embarrassing. The grand duke’s shirt was far too large for Rose’s small frame. The sleeves fluttered past her fingers, and the hem fell below her hips, loose like a dress.
“Thank you. I’ll wash this and return it to you.”
Hearing her voice, the grand duke turned around. His eyes trembled slightly as he looked at her. Her figure was clearly concealed, and yet…
‘Why… does it feel even more stimulating?’
Normally, the more you hide, the duller it becomes. But seeing Rose wrapped in his clothes, something itchy and strange bloomed inside him. Their eyes met. The moment he faced Rose’s clear violet eyes, nothing else entered his vision. Only Rose filled it entirely.
The ticking clock stopped. The curtain swaying by the half-open window froze in midair, as if gravity had vanished. The reception room grew unnaturally silent, as though time itself had been severed. A bizarre distortion, like all time had halted. It wasn’t magic—so what was happening? Unaware that all his senses were focused on Rose, the grand duke only felt a vague confusion.
Rose’s lovely purple eyes shone softly. Her long lashes moved slowly along her eyelids. Wrapped in the flowing white shirt, tucking her hair behind her ear, her small lips gently moving—everything about her created an indescribable atmosphere.
‘Was Lady Wens… always this kind of woman?’
Rose felt uncomfortable under his silent stare.
‘I really can’t tell what he’s thinking.’
She forced an awkward smile. Slightly curved eyes, faint dimples—seeing her pure, unblemished expression made his chest feel inexplicably tight.
‘How stifling. Did something I ate at lunch sit wrong?’
Clutching his chest, the grand duke continued to stare at her. Rose shrank back under his intense gaze. She hadn’t done anything wrong, yet in front of him her heart felt no bigger than a bean. Enduring his cold, wordless stare was difficult enough—and on top of that, he was still shirtless. The whole situation was painfully awkward.
She wished he’d say something—anything. After fidgeting with her fingers for a while, Rose cautiously called out,
“Um… Grand Duke?”
Her clear voice rang in his ears—and at that very moment, as if a spell had been broken, everything returned to normal. The loud ticking of the clock resumed, the curtain fluttered again. Time flowed on as if nothing had happened.
“Are you all right?”
She asked again.
“You’ve been holding your chest for a while now. Are you feeling unwell?”
The fingers gripping his chest twitched. He slowly lowered his hand and replied as if it were nothing serious.
“I’m fine.”
It still felt uncomfortable, but manageable. He walked to the sofa opposite Rose and dropped into it. Still bare-chirted, he didn’t seem to care—but Rose did. Watching him sit there shirtless made her acutely aware of him.
Handsome face and a great body.
‘That’s unfair.’
For a moment, she even thought that maybe the real protagonist of this novel wasn’t the rogue Eric, but the Grand Duke of Arteum himself. Her flushed face couldn’t be fully hidden by her hands. She kept glancing at him without lowering them.
Only then did the grand duke realize—Rose was uncomfortable with his appearance.
‘Greeting a guest half-naked isn’t proper etiquette.’
He looked down at himself once, then spoke quietly to her.
“I’ll go get properly dressed.”
Now dressed appropriately, the grand duke sat facing Rose, silently listening to her.
“You need to change public opinion, Grand Duke.”
She spoke carefully.
“Do you know what kind of reputation you have?”
“I’m well aware that it’s terrible. I made it that way.”
Relieved by his clear self-awareness, Rose nodded. When someone understands their position, things go faster—no need for unnecessary explanations.
“That’s right. You’re labeled as the imperial family’s problem child, the madman of the North, and the empire’s butcher.”
Each word struck his heart heavily. Though he knew his standing, this was the first time he’d heard it spoken so plainly to his face. Irritation stirred within him, but he only slightly furrowed his brow.
“I saw plans for your execution in my husband’s study.”
“…Those damned imperial faction bastards.”
He muttered a curse as if he’d expected it. They’d finally crossed the line. The precarious standoff between him and the imperial faction had reached its end.
“I couldn’t see the details. My husband came in the moment I found the documents.”
Even so, the grand duke didn’t waver. It was confidence—he believed he wouldn’t die to shallow schemes.
“But one thing I can say for sure: they’re going to use your bad reputation to execute you.”
Rose’s voice was firm. She looked straight at him, her gaze unwavering. She remembered perfectly how he died in the novel.
“I’ll save you. I won’t let you die.”
Save me…? Seeing this fragile woman boldly claim she’d protect him made him chuckle.
“How many nobles still support you?”
“…Your family, the Serviatt family. And about three others.”
Everyone else was dead—slaughtered by the imperial faction’s schemes. Standing atop the graves of friends and family, they endured. They’d lost children before their eyes, sent parents to their deaths. Staying sane was a struggle. Yet because their lives were preserved by others’ sacrifices, they couldn’t die easily. Even provoked, they didn’t draw their swords—grinding their teeth instead. Not out of fear of death, but because they didn’t want to squander the lives others had protected.
“Are you still in contact with them?”
He studied Rose as if interrogating her.
‘She says she’ll save me… but I can’t fully trust her yet.’
Though he’d unwittingly revealed quite a bit, he decided not to go any further. He was sure she favored him, but handing over all information wasn’t in his nature. Even a small slip elsewhere could become a major variable.
With a cool gaze, he leaned back slightly and smoothly changed the subject.
“By the way—didn’t you ask me to lend you money back then?”
The sudden shift left Rose speechless.
‘Ah… so he doesn’t fully trust me yet.’
She’d earned some trust, but not all of it. Though the situation was urgent, she steadied her breath.
‘Right. No need to rush. Pushing too hard might just cause misunderstandings.’
Hiding her thoughts, Rose smiled gently. Borrowing money was also one of her key goals. In a capitalist society, money was essential—especially for her independence after divorce.
“Don’t feel burdened. You saved my life—I can lend you any amount.”
So this was it. Gulp. Rose swallowed hard. Would he really lend her the amount she wanted? He looked relaxed, but she was deeply anxious. It wasn’t a small sum.
“Any amount…?”
He nodded lightly. Just how much was she planning to ask for?
‘Even one hundred million res wouldn’t be difficult.’
The Arteum ducal house was financially solid—he didn’t indulge in excess or luxury. Still relaxed, he waited. Then his expression collapsed.
“Please lend me ten billion res.”
“……”
The grand duke was struck speechless.
‘What did I just hear?’
He stared at her blankly, doubting his ears. Of course he’d be shocked. Ten billion was a fortune no ordinary person could touch even in several lifetimes. A commoner’s annual living cost was one million res. A count’s yearly salary was one billion res. She was asking for the equivalent of 833 years of a commoner’s life—or ten years of a count’s salary.
“You told me to say any amount. I—I can pay it all back.”
Clenching her fists, Rose spoke carefully. Her confident eyes shimmered brilliantly.
