TFR 56

chapter 56

As Cesario and Gunter arrived at the Griffin, Marco immediately led the two into his study. Though calling it a “study” was a bit of a stretch—it was more of a cluttered space filled with miscellaneous items than books.

Gunter’s eyes fell on one wall, entirely covered with Marco’s cherished paintings. The styles varied, and the textures differed from artist to artist.

“Marco’s taste is all over the place,” Cesario remarked, following Gunter’s gaze across the wall as he poured himself a drink. Cesario usually didn’t drink during the day, but today seemed like an exception.

Marco slouched on the sofa and let out a big yawn, looking as if he were about to fall asleep at any moment.

“Still, I’m glad we got in safely. I was worried Lady Vanessa might give us trouble,” Marco said.

“Lady Vanessa is fiercely loyal. She’s also rational, but if it comes from Dantes, she doesn’t question it.”

“The problem is, I’m not Dantes. She tried to doubt what I said. She wouldn’t even explain why, but I can understand why she might.”

Marco pressed his tired eyelids with his fingers.

Dantes had devised a way to kill Roberto Brida while sparing Rosellina, a sort of theatrical ruse.

Gunter took a big bite of an apple before continuing.

“Anyway, I’m glad I don’t have to lie anymore. Acting is so hard.”

“You’ve gotten pretty good at it, Gunter. Very natural.”

“Don’t tease me. It’s embarrassing when I think about it. But Dantes said if I messed up, Roberto would really die. I couldn’t not focus.”

Although Gunter disliked his own false persona, he was willing to play the part if it meant saving someone’s life—especially the life of an old friend.

Of course, it was still hard to fully accept that a friend who once shared his chivalry had become a maid overnight. Gunter popped the rest of the apple into his mouth and chewed. It had seemed like a large apple, but in his hands, it vanished in just a few bites.

“But did she really have to be placed in the palace as a maid? That might be even more dangerous.”

“Maybe he just wants her close.”

“Is that it?”

Not knowing the depth of Dantes and Rosellina’s relationship, Gunter couldn’t fully grasp Dantes’ intentions. But there must have been a reason for his decision. Deep thinking would only give him a headache; it meant nothing to Butler Gunter.

“No matter how I look at it, it’s cruel. There’s no need to torment someone like that. Killing would be cleaner. Or at least be transparent about your feelings.”

Marco couldn’t understand Dantes’ decision. Either option felt cowardly. It wasn’t punishing the traitorous Roberto, nor was it a joyful confession upon realizing she was a woman. The ambiguity could only be tormenting.

‘What on earth is he trying to do? Foolish boy.’

Marco felt sorry that his friend chose such a difficult path. But Dantes had made a decision no one else could influence. Just saving her life required immense resolve.

Cesario agreed silently, reasoning that Dantes must have had his reasons. It was not for him to question.

“I hope this decision doesn’t put Dantes at risk. It’s our role to defend him as best we can.”

Marco smiled, thinking that was very Cesario-like. He prioritized Dantes’ position over the absurdity of the situation. Marco refilled Cesario’s empty glass and poured himself another drink.

“Don’t worry too much. Our friend will handle it. At least he won’t be stuck in prison suffering anymore. He’ll get proper medical care too.”

“How long will it take to resolve all these issues?”

“That’s up to Dantes. He asked us to do our part, and we’ve done it, haven’t we?”

Marco finished his drink, stretched once more, rubbed his sleepy eyes, and opened the window to the bright sunlight, leaning back.

“What we need to handle isn’t their relationship, but the other matters.”

“…….”

“Who was in that lobby? How many sided with Port? Who spread that poison in the Black Tower?”

“…….”

“Who’s opposing Dantes—finding that out is our job.”

Marco’s half-lidded, drowsy eyes snapped open. He looked at Gunter and Cesario with lively eyes.

“I’m excited to see which aristocrats will end up on the guillotine.”

Cesario clicked his tongue at Marco’s enthusiasm.

“You’re not doing this for Dantes. You just want to crush all the nobles you despise.”

“I’d like to do this and that.”

“And what if the fathers of your favorite noble ladies get swept away too?”

“There are plenty of beauties in the world. The most beautiful woman is the one I met today.”

Cesario looked at Marco in disbelief. Gunter shook his head, murmuring as if he’d misheard.

“Marco really is reckless.”

Marco laughed heartily at their reactions, then closed his eyes against the wind from the window.

“I just don’t take things too seriously.”

“You’re too frivolous with women. That’s way too low.”

“So what?”

“…….”

“What’s so great about love anyway?”

Marco laughed lightly, but the smile carried a hint of bitterness. Things happening now weren’t something to laugh about freely.

“Where are you from?”

Maxi suddenly thrust his face in front of Rosellina.

“The north.”

“Where in the north?”

“Maxi, don’t bother Lina.”

Lexi moved Rosellina to the side.

“But I’m curious! She’s never done maid work, isn’t too young, tall and pretty, but her hands are full of scars!”

The twin sisters, Maxi and Lexi, were cheerful and friendly. Lexi, the older, was slightly more mature but not much different from Maxi.

“But what kind of work did you actually do?”

“Just… anything.”

“Wouldn’t maid work have been the easiest? Was it for better pay that you did other work?”

When Rosellina was younger, no one would give a nameless mercenary’s daughter maid work. And if they did, adults only exploited the girl’s wages. She didn’t want to burden the girls she’d recently met with such dark tales.

Rosellina didn’t answer, just lifted a water container roughly the size of Lexi. The girls were strong for their age but not exceptionally so; Rosellina, trained and experienced, had no trouble with the task.

“See, she’s really strong! So that’s why she didn’t do maid work!”

“It’s better that she didn’t have to. But working in the palace pays well, and if lucky, you might marry a man who works there. Let’s do our best.”

Lexi spoke energetically. Rosellina smiled faintly at the lively girls.

The three were cleaning the hallway in front of Milan’s office. Days earlier, Roberto Brida’s execution had left the area messy. Male servants had cleaned most of it, but walls and corners remained the maids’ responsibility.

“The Emperor is scary. I hope the area changes.”

“Maxi, you shouldn’t say that with Lina listening.”

“But he’s scary!”

Maxi pouted, wiping away bloodstains. Rosellina worked silently. By punishing Roberto Brida severely as an example, the imperial authority was reinforced. Dantes had deliberately been dramatic so no one could interfere.

‘But maybe Dantes looks too much like a tyrant.’

Dantes was kind, warm-hearted, and had saved friends out of loyalty. But few could see that side of him.

Rosellina couldn’t correct the maids’ misunderstanding. Now she had to appear as someone who didn’t know Dantes well.

Moreover, he had to seem harsh to everyone. The position of Emperor would forever isolate Dantes. She had known that, and so cared for him even more.

‘All thoughts are useless. I need to erase him from my mind.’

Rosellina wiped bloodstains from a high statue that Lexi and Maxi couldn’t reach.

“I’m glad Lina’s here. She can reach high places, so Lady Vanessa won’t have anything to complain about!”

“But Lina, be careful. It’s a bit dangerous there!”

Lexi and Maxi’s voices were strong and cute. Rosellina nodded briefly and reached again. Even for her, taller than most women, it was difficult to reach.

As Rosellina stood on tiptoe and scrubbed hard, her balance wavered briefly. Her sense of balance recovered quickly, but she hadn’t noticed a large figure that appeared in the hallway. Holding onto a pillar, she leaned forward.

A large man, partially obscured by the pillar. As Rosellina squinted to see better, Maxi whispered urgently.

“Lina, duck down…!”

“Huh?”

“It’s His Majesty! That outfit!”

Rosellina immediately followed Maxi and lowered herself. His Majesty… Dantes? Why is he here? She wondered, but stayed hidden with the others. The sound of footsteps grew closer.