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Chapter 12.
Lexian hated being the subject of gossip more than anything, yet even he knew that because of this woman’s actions, her name had begun circulating through high society — along with his.
He didn’t know what her ulterior motive was. He should have been angry about being dragged into this, he should have felt offended — but for some reason, he didn’t.
“Strange. I’ve hardly ever spoken to you, and yet… you feel familiar.”
Even to himself, the words sounded foolish.
“Rosia.”
But that name — that name felt too familiar.
“Rosia… Rosia.”
Lexian lifted his large hand, wanting to touch her pale cheek, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it. His fingers twitched; instead, he simply watched the sleeping woman, holding his breath.
Was she dreaming? Tears welled up at the corners of her closed eyes and began trickling down her pale cheeks.
After a moment’s hesitation, Lexian wiped her tears with a handkerchief — and as if she had been waiting for that, the tears began to flow even more.
Should he wake her?
After some thought, he decided to do so and reached out to gently touch her frail shoulder. He paused, surprised at how delicate she felt beneath his hand — but only for a moment.
“Rex…”
Rosia’s pale lips trembled as she whispered his name.
Lexian forgot all about waking her; he could only focus on her moving lips.
“Please, Rex. Please don’t do it…”
No one had called him by that nickname since his parents’ deaths.
Why, then, did this woman — a stranger — call his name with such desperate sorrow?
Rosia clutched her chest as if in pain, gasping for air, then suddenly opened her eyes. Her crimson pupils were unfocused, dazed.
She blinked several times, then looked around — and when her gaze found Lexian, her composure returned.
“I must have caused you trouble. My apologies, Your Grace.”
Her tone was calm, distant, nothing like the woman who had just been calling his name in anguish.
“How do you feel? The family physician said there was nothing seriously wrong with your health — are you well?”
“Yes, fortunately.”
Her indifferent attitude irritated him. She could at least pretend to be unwell.
“You still look pale. You should rest a little longer.”
“But I have to attend the party. How long have I been asleep?”
Rosia sat up, and in that moment Lexian began to understand, at least partially, why he didn’t feel any dislike toward her.
Yes — this woman was desperately trying to protect herself.
She armed herself with thorns of perfection, refusing to show weakness — just like he once had.
After losing his parents at a young age, he too had had to defend his position against predatory relatives.
“The party only started recently. And as far as I know, no one else is aware that you and I are partners — isn’t that right?”
“…Pardon me, but this is the first I’ve heard of that. If I recall correctly, I declined your offer last time, didn’t I?”
Her calm reply made Lexian exhale softly.
Of course. He knew many women in the social circle were desperate to be associated with him.
But Rosia Levian was different — her family was too prestigious for her to need such schemes, and she never overstepped her bounds.
If she’d had any personal interest, she could have approached him again after the tea party and asked to be his partner at the next ball — yet she hadn’t.
Lexian didn’t know whether to be pleased or annoyed by that fact.
“Then you needn’t worry about the partner issue. You should rest a little more.”
“Thank you for your concern. I’ll leave shortly, so you may go, Your Grace. I know you’re a busy man.”
“No. I’ll stay.”
Rosia’s eyes widened in surprise, and Lexian almost smiled — she looked adorably startled.
“…If you stay, I’ll just feel guilty. Should I take that as your way of telling me to rest properly?”
“Nothing of the sort. I’ll step out — you should take your time.”
“Thank you.”
When he left the room, Lexian frowned slightly at how utterly composed she was.
Her earlier invitation to dance, her sudden tea party — all of it had felt unnatural.
Why did she do those things?
There was clearly something he didn’t know.
Lost in thought about Rosia, Lexian completely forgot about the lockbox in his study — and the strand of hair hidden within it.
* * *
My body felt like a stone sinking deep into the water — small, helpless, carried away by the current.
“…I actually fainted, huh.”
Come to think of it, I’d been pushing myself too much: attending every ball and tea party after realizing I’d gone back in time, riding back and forth between estates, piles of paperwork — and even a hike.
Then I’d run into the Crown Prince on top of that. No wonder my body gave out.
“Phew…”
If anything, I was lucky that I’d collapsed in front of Duke Ricianthus.
If it had been the Crown Prince, he would have just left me there.
And if anyone else had seen me, the rumors would’ve spread like wildfire.
Looking at the mirror on the console, I saw my pale face. I looked sick enough to convince anyone I was seriously ill.
“I should head home today.”
I’d planned to use the party to probe why the Duke had asked me to be his partner, but clearly, that wasn’t possible anymore.
There had been people who’d seen me, but if they asked, I could just say there was an urgent matter at home.
“I am Charles, the butler. Please let me know if you need anything.”
I almost greeted Charles familiarly but caught myself and kept a neutral tone.
“I’d like to go home. Please make the preparations.”
“Weren’t you planning to stay the night, my lady?”
“Not at all. Did His Grace say otherwise?”
“N-no, my lady. My apologies, I spoke out of turn.”
The old butler bent so low it looked as if he might kneel to beg forgiveness.
“There must have been a misunderstanding. It’s fine.”
He thanked me profusely and asked again if I needed anything else.
“Just one thing — I want to go home.”
“Understood. The carriage is ready; I’ll escort you at once.”
Thanks to his guidance, I managed to reach the carriage without anyone seeing me.
“This is medicine from the Duke’s personal physician.”
The butler handed me a small pouch.
“I know the Levian family’s physician is excellent as well, but please, accept it.”
“You’re so considerate to a mere guest. Thank you. What is this medicine for?”
“He said it’s for treating wounds inside the mouth.”
So, he noticed.
I swallowed a sigh and smiled instead.
“Please thank the physician for me. And tell His Grace that I regret leaving without saying goodbye — and that I’ll visit again soon.”
“Yes, my lady.”
The butler bowed deeply, and the carriage began to move.
The Duke’s gaze, when he’d told me to rest, hadn’t been cold. If anything, it had been gentle…
“Could it be… you remember something too?”
No, impossible.
He was simply kind to those weaker than himself. His gentleness toward me was just out of pity.
“Right. That’s all it is. You can’t have any feelings for me.”
Even as I told myself that, tears pricked at my eyes.
I shook my head to banish the thought, exhaustion washing over me, and leaned back, closing my eyes.
* * *
“Whoa, whoa!”
The carriage jolted violently, waking me up. After it steadied, I slid open the small window to the driver’s seat.
“What’s going on?”
“A vagrant suddenly ran in front of the carriage, my lady. My apologies!”
“I’m not a vagrant!”
“Get lost, you rascal!”
“Wait.”
I stopped the coachman from striking him with the whip and opened the door.
“My lady…”
A man with his face wrapped in cloth staggered toward me. I told him to get inside the carriage.
“Drive slowly,” I ordered.
“Yes, my lady.”
Inside, silence hung thick until I finally broke it.
“So you’re alive. They said there were no survivors, so I was worried.”
“I knew you would recognize me, my lady.”
The man pulled down the cloth around his face, revealing singed green hair and light-green eyes.
“Lady Levian.”
“I thought your voice sounded familiar. So it really is you — a member of the Information Guild.”
“To be precise, the guildmaster, my lady.”
Of course I already knew that — I just pretended I didn’t. Otherwise, wouldn’t I seem suspicious?
The man before me was none other than Ted, the guildmaster of the information network Spiderweb.
