TOFOML 07

Chapter 07

As the original story’s date drew closer, Rosaline became harsher.

‘No one would ever imagine this.’

A princess having tea with a busy duke—that seemed…

‘…actually extreme training.’

Basking in the warm sunlight, Rosaline smiled brightly.

“[Now, you just need to fix your weakness, sister.]”

Rosaline suddenly leaned toward me.

I had a weakness I hadn’t even realized myself.

It was that my lies were easy to detect.

“Duke, you must be tired, right?”

Rosaline twirled the teaspoon in her teacup, pressing me to answer.

I wanted to say, “Yes,” because I really was tired. But…

“No.”

I spoke as I had been taught, unconsciously lowering my eyes.

Then Rosaline leaned over the table.

“[Look me in the eyes when you speak, sister.]”

Our distance suddenly shrank.

“Oh my!”

“As expected, our princess is so bold!”

It might have looked romantic to someone else, but to me, it was torture.

All of that was just her trying to see my pupils better!

‘Every time I lie, my pupils tremble.’

It was a habit I couldn’t control unless I consciously focused.

Rosaline scrutinized my eyes like a scientist studying her subject.

“You really aren’t tired, Duke?”

“I’m not tired, Your Highness.”

Eventually, Rosaline sighed.

“[Your pupils are trembling again.]”

“[…]”

“[See? They slightly move whenever you lie.]”

Normally, no one would notice, because she didn’t come this close.

But if it were a lover, it would be easy to detect.

And Shabiyan, who had grown up constantly observing others, would likely notice the slightest unease.

“[I can’t help it.]”

But this was the best I could do!

I tried, but how could I control even the pupils of my eyes?

“[How do you fake pupils?]”

On the defensive, I put on the arrogant expression I had practiced with Rosaline.

“Isn’t that right, Your Highness?”

I leaned back fully against the chair and crossed my long legs.

I was about to lazily curve my mouth into a smirk.

“[Stop the arrogant Northern Duke mode! Don’t you know our plan changed?]”

“[Ah, that’s right.]”

Rosaline blocked me.

‘Has it already been five years since Rosaline and I almost became an official couple?’

The rumors had spread like wildfire, and the two of us couldn’t stop them.

But Shabiyan wasn’t the type to fall for someone already taken.

“[He’s a possessive duke with a tragic past!]”

So we decided to confront it head-on. We would use the rumor itself.

‘It’s like some ridiculous drama…’

According to our plan, Rosaline would pretend to have an affair, and Shabiyan would witness it on purpose.

‘Since Shabiyan is kind, he’ll worry about the duke hurt by the princess’s infidelity.’

When Shabiyan showed me small kindnesses, I would pretend to fall in love with him and cling desperately.

This was our script.

“[Sister, don’t talk too much. You’ll give away every lie. Just do as I say.]”

The so-called “Shabiyan Seduction Project.”

Rosaline, who had rewritten the script exactly 35 times, rubbed her head.

‘But to carry this out…’

We needed one more actor to perform in this play.

Rosaline’s “affair partner.”

“[But who will you pretend to have an affair with?]”

Was there anyone suitable?

As the topic changed, our positions switched.

Feeling confident, I asked, and Rosaline nervously sipped her cup.

“[Hmm… maybe the second son of the Ferdor Marquis?]”

“Nope.”

I crossed my arms and shook my head.

“[He’s a womanizer.]”

“[It’s just for a brief encounter! It’s only pretend. All that matters is that Shabiyan sees it! Should I spread rumors in society?]”

No way. He’s a womanizer and a rogue. Absolutely not.

“[Still, no. Someone else.]”

“[Come on… then what about the eldest son of the Rothsa Counts?]”

“[Not him either.]”

“[Ah, why!]”

“[He gambles.]”

A little later.

Rosaline had named almost every high-ranking noble, leaning back in frustration.

Of course, her movements looked elegant to outsiders.

“[Then who? According to you, the only one left is Resius, right? Huh? Isn’t that the forbidden love?]”

I thought for a moment while watching Rosaline pout. Ah, who’s left? Oh!

“[But why did you leave someone out?]”

“[Who?]”

“[The eldest son of the Martos Duke family.]”

In fact, the one who fit the role best was there.

“[Josef?]”

Rosaline trembled slightly at her lips.

“[How could I seduce him? By setup, his childhood fiancée died, and he’s lived strictly as a bachelor.]”

“[Do you even need to seduce him? You said it’s only pretend. Josef would help for a reward, right? He’s discreet.]”

No matter how I thought about it, Josef was perfect.

Rosaline and he were of comparable level.

‘Personality… quite good too.’

Serious and taciturn, but coming from a family of long-time ministers, he was sharp with numbers and strict.

As long as the numbers were right, he wouldn’t cling unnecessarily—ideal conditions.

‘Even briefly, we can’t let odd people get involved.’

It had been five years since I had been with Rosaline.

In this world, sharing unknown customs and secrets, we had grown close like family.

My chest tingled, as if I were sending an immature younger sibling into the water.

“[Alright, call!]”

My thoughts were interrupted by Rosaline’s energetic voice.

She clenched both fists, brimming with enthusiasm.

“[Who would reject someone with my beauty, wealth, and status? I will conquer that fortress!]”

“[No, you’re just pretending.]”

I had to restrain Rosaline for a long time, eyes sparkling wildly.

After a long verbal sparring with Rosaline, I felt drained.

‘I feel like my energy’s been sucked out.’

Leaning against a tree, I closed my eyes for a short rest.

“Lewin.”

A sweet voice tickled my ear like a breeze.

Resius.

He quietly took a seat beside me, and the warmth of the sunlight on my face faded.

“……”

I slowly opened my eyes and saw Resius’s hand shielding me from the sun.

The faint scent of papers lingered on his palm.

“Shall we spar?”

In a slightly husky voice, Resius covered my eyes with his hand.

“Sleep more. You didn’t rest well at night.”

He knew I had insomnia.

‘It didn’t happen before the war…’

Experiencing war firsthand, especially fighting with swords, was harder than expected.

It left scars as trauma.

“Your Majesty, the Duke of Berwen.”

Even as I tried to open my eyes, Resius spoke in a commanding tone.

Knowing it was a joke, I responded jokingly.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Then I’ll use your leg for a bit.”

I quickly laid my head across Resius’s lap.

I was probably the only one who could use the emperor as a pillow—privilege of a childhood friend.

“I grant permission.”

Resius brushed my hair from my forehead and whispered softly.

‘Kindness is also a crime, they say.’

Few had private access to the emperor. Otherwise, Resius would have charmed all the noble ladies.

“Resius.”

I remembered recommending a man to Rosaline earlier. Josef… he should be a decent person.

“Hmm?”

He answered softly.

“What do you think of Josef de Martos?”

He stopped moving his hand at my question.

“……”

Probably looking at me like, ‘Why this out-of-the-blue question?’

I opened one eye to check his face.

“……You mean the eldest son of the Martos Dukes?”

He murmured lowly, covering my eyes again with his large hand.

‘The mood is tense…’

Had Josef been problematic with the Martos family recently? Or was he no good?

“If you had a sister, he’d be a decent match, right?”

I worried I’d set Rosaline up with someone strange. I tugged at Resius’s waist to hurry him.

“……Objectively, he’s a good man. At least he’s consistent. Serious and trustworthy.”

Getting confirmation from Rosaline’s brother eased my mind.

“See, I have a good eye for people.”

“Really?”

A response that sounded like “yeah” but could also be “really?”—ambiguous.

Still, Resius probably meant it positively.

‘Warm.’

Letting my thoughts drift, my mind grew heavy.

Combined with the warmth of his hand over my eyes, I was about to fall asleep…

‘You’d be shocked if you knew what I was thinking while looking at you.’

Watching the sleeping Lewin, Resius removed his hand from my eyes.

Contrary to expectations, his face was flushed red.

Half from my indifferent touch, half from jealousy.

‘Josef, huh?’

Just hearing another name from your mouth makes me this angry.

“…You’re so…”

Defenseless.

Do you know what I’m capable of?

Do you know how I’d ruin that man in jealousy?

Resius chuckled.

He said that in front of me, the most dangerous person to you in this empire.

Our naive Lewin.

How could someone so clueless about people exist?

“Ugh.”

I slightly furrowed my brow.

“……”

Resius frowned painfully watching me.

His fists clenched tightly, veins showing on the back of his hands.

I wish you could sleep peacefully. But you’ve been having nightmares.

Since your first battle. Lewin has been sleepless.

“I’m sorry.”

I couldn’t prevent those nobles from treating you like a dog.

I warned them, yet they went on about punishing, defending borders, nonsense.

“How dare they.”

Resius gently removed the hair brushing Lewin’s cheek.

As a Swordmaster and hero of the nation, you were burdened with responsibility.

They treated you like a guard dog, dragging you across battlefields.

Scoundrels.

“How dare they.”

“Your Majesty.”

Resius’s glossy, angered gaze turned toward the sound.

We were in the emperor’s training hall.

No one dared enter.

Anyone sane would know better than to intrude.

“The Bahat Empire army has attacked the Countship of Hessen.”

Yet the figure standing before us was composed.

They risked danger because the situation was urgent.

“The Bahat crown prince is personally heading to the border.”