Chapter 94: Daniel Origin

Daniel Origin.

A genius magical engineer who fell in love at first sight with Rosetta when they accidentally met at the Founding Festival, and had been secretly supporting her ever since.

It seems that even for Daniel, who loved Rosetta second only to Xavier, going to the Founding Festival was an inevitable setting.

“Th-thank you so, so much.”

Daniel kept bowing in the carriage, expressing his gratitude.

“No need for thanks. Meeting like this on the road, it must truly be heaven’s will.”

“Heaven’s will? What nonsense… ugh.”

I firmly pressed my foot on Xavier’s as he spoke curtly with his arms crossed. Ignoring his questioning look, I gave Daniel a bright smile while gritting my teeth behind my lips.

(Please cooperate. Please.)

(Why are you smiling at that guy?)

(Not ‘that guy’, he’s a doctor.)

(Isn’t a doctor still a man?)

(Are you really going to be this childish? Really?)

I feel like I’m about to master ventriloquism at this rate.

“La-Duchess?”

“Oh my, I was just so happy I couldn’t stop smiling, wasn’t I?”

“It-it’s fine. If I hadn’t met you two, I might have had to walk for days. Haha.”

He looked innocent, scratching the back of his head while wearing round black glasses.

Ah, he’s the type that triggers protective instincts.

Xavier, who had been giving me sharp looks, asked Daniel gruffly.

“Why were you walking? Leaving a perfectly good carriage behind. You can’t be short on money.”

“Xavier.”

“But th-there were no ca-carriages? There was a terrorist attack at the museum. Everyone must have fled in fear, I couldn’t find any carriages around.”

“……”

Xavier closed his mouth in surprise. I was the same.

Who knew there would be such a butterfly effect.

“Still, planning to walk all the way to the duchy, you’re quite eccentric, Doctor.”

Daniel’s face turned red at those words.

“Thank you. I hear that a lot.”

That’s an insult. An insult!

Even Xavier seemed at a loss for words, unable to continue. Unlike Lucas who would counter every remark, he seemed unable to adjust to Daniel who took everything at face value.

“Doctor, you’re not making fun of me, are you?”

“Oh, no. How could I? I really like being called eccentric.”

“……”

See? Not just anyone can be a doctor, right?

As I nodded in understanding to myself, Daniel said proudly with flushed cheeks.

“It means that ordinary people can’t keep up with my brilliant ideas, right?”

“I suppose so.”

I had to swallow my laughter at Xavier’s seemingly already tired face and Daniel’s innocent smile.

*

“We’re glad you’ve returned safely.”

All the servants, including Albert, stood in two lines in front of the entrance to greet us.

“You worked hard while we were away, Albert.”

“Not at all, Master.”

Albert gave a kind smile to Xavier and me after paying his respects, then smiled brightly at Daniel who got off behind us.

After being introduced to Daniel by Xavier, the butler swiftly took the doctor’s travel bag.

I noticed young maids blushing as they watched Daniel looking around the duke’s residence with wide eyes.

‘Magical engineers are rare indeed. Especially such a handsome and innocently pure one.’

To make the holy power storage device as soon as possible, I needed to keep Daniel happy. No matter how nice they seem, such geniuses usually have their quirks.

But then Xavier, who was watching Daniel indifferently with his arms crossed, spoke up.

“Put his luggage in the rear building.”

I was shocked by Xavier’s words. What is this man saying?

“Xavier, what are you saying? Such an important guest should obviously stay in the main building! Albert?”

“Yes, Madam.”

“Please prepare the best room in the main building as I said.”

“Of course, Madam.”

Albert politely bowed to Xavier and faithfully carried out my orders.

“This way.”

“Oh? Yes.”

Albert, wearing a gentle smile, bowed to me and guided Daniel.

As expected of Albert who knows his stuff — receiving guests is the lady of the house’s prerogative.

While I was contentedly watching Daniel’s retreating figure as he followed the butler with small steps, my back felt strangely prickly.

When I turned around, I met Xavier’s eyes directly. His gaze was fierce.

“Is that your type?”

“What type?”

“Never mind.”

Xavier’s shoulders were slumped as he turned around and headed to his room.

What’s wrong with him? It’s not normal for him to not be clinging to me for charging.

‘Is he really tired? Or is he still not over his anger?’

As I watched Xavier’s retreating figure climbing the stairs while tilting my head in confusion, the head maid approached me.

“Madam, I have something to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“About Rosetta, the maid who serves you…”

My ears perked up when she suddenly mentioned her name.

“What about Rosetta?”

“Well… she’s been missing since three days ago, the day you left for the imperial capital.”

“What?”

“I’m sorry. It’s my fault. I should have kept a better track, but it was a holiday so I couldn’t stop her from leaving.”

Since yesterday was the end of the holiday, I thought Rosetta would have returned from the Founding Festival. But the fact that she hadn’t returned to the mansion was serious.

“I’ll look into what happened, don’t worry about it.”

“Yes, Madam.”

“Go back to your duties.”

“Yes.”

The head maid withdrew.

I slowly climbed the central staircase, feeling somewhat dazed.

‘Did she decide not to return because of the Crown Prince after all?’

If so, she should have sent me a letter explaining the situation. I couldn’t believe she would suddenly leave my side for the Crown Prince without a single word.

Of course, it was her freedom to go wherever she wanted, but this was too sudden and it hurt my heart.

When I reached the door, I saw the flower wreath that Rosetta had hung for me before.

‘Madam, they say if we hang a wreath like this, we’ll be together forever.’

She said that and then left me.

Why did you suddenly leave? Did you come to like the Crown Prince more? Or did you fall for his schemes like General Jude?

Why were you in such a hurry that you couldn’t even say goodbye?

Countless questions kept coming up.

“I want to meet Rosetta and ask…”

I stroked the bracelet jingling on my wrist, which I shared with Rosetta and Maya.

*

“Rosetta, this is the palace where you’ll be staying from now on. It was originally yours.”

Rosetta toured the Butterfly Palace, which Arthur said she had stayed in during her previous life. This golden palace with elaborate butterfly patterns on the walls was incredibly luxurious.

Dozens of maids were waiting for her orders with their heads bowed.

“Originally mine?”

Enchanted by the palace’s splendor, Rosetta couldn’t hide her joy.

“Yes. I had this Butterfly Palace specially renovated for you. We haven’t been able to do construction work yet, but if you wish, I’ll have it changed to your taste.”

“Really?”

“Once I receive His Majesty the Emperor’s approval today, I’ll make you my consort.”

The maids’ bodies visibly flinched at the Crown Prince’s shocking words as they kept their heads bowed.

To give the Crown Princess’s quarters, this Butterfly Palace, to a consort! Just who is this woman? Is she perhaps the daughter of some high noble?

But that possibility was low. Since all the maids working in the palace were of noble birth, they would have recognized her if she were a daughter of a great noble family.

The maids were all stirred by the appearance of this woman with seductive and fatal beauty.

“But… I…!”

“Shh!”

Arthur cut off Rosetta’s words with crescent-moon eyes.

“Here, you must watch what you say to survive long.”

“Ah, yes.”

Arthur commanded the maids who were still keeping their gazes fixed on the floor.

“This person will be the mistress of this palace, so serve her with your lives.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The maids bowed their heads even lower.

Mistress of the palace. Rosetta shuddered at the thrill running through her bones.

‘This is it, this! This is what I wanted! Not being some saintess’s maid!’

Arthur, who had been staring at Rosetta’s flushed face, stepped forward.

“Arthur. Call me Arthur from now on.”

“What? Yes… Lord Arthur.”

“That sounds much better. Why make such a simple thing difficult?”

“Pardon?”

The golden eyes meeting Rosetta’s black ones held their usual smile.

“Nothing.”

Even that was so sweet that Rosetta felt intoxicated. Perhaps that’s why bold words escaped her lips.

“Do you love me, Lord Arthur?”

“Love?”

The man didn’t lose his smile as he tucked Rosetta’s black hair behind her ear.

“Of course. I love you very much.”

“…Lord Arthur.”

A genuine beautiful smile bloomed on Rosetta’s face.

In the palace, the favor of the absolute ruler equals power. Even Rosetta, who came from the back alleys, knew this. Rather, having rolled around at the bottom, it would have been stranger not to know.

Arthur grinned and supported Rosetta’s back with his palm. As the man’s face drew closer, Rosetta closed her eyes without hesitation. His silver hair fell down, tickling Rosetta’s red cheeks.

“Mmph.”

Regardless of the maids’ presence, Arthur thoroughly devoured Rosetta’s lips. He separated his lips slowly with a satisfied smile.

“Fortunately… this hasn’t changed.”

“Aah…”

At their first kiss, Rosetta’s body went limp like cotton and slid down. The man looked down at her before turning around without lingering.

“Then rest well.”

The maids rushed to support Rosetta’s collapsed body.

Even then, Arthur left the Butterfly Palace without looking back.