Chapter 44
If that was truly the case, then Lily’s purpose was singular—she must have come here to confirm whether Rosy was really on her honeymoon with the man she had seen before—Clidden.
If Lily were to discover that Rosy was not with Clidden, she would undoubtedly unleash every conceivable form of mockery upon her.
No way… surely not.
Rosy quickly shook her head.
In truth, the reason she even knew about Vine Rose was because Lily Kickerne would praise it every season without fail, singing its name as if it were holy scripture.
So it was far more reasonable to assume Lily had come here for her own wish, not because of Rosy.
But still…
Even so, the fact that Lily was here at Vine Rose was far from pleasant news.
Rosy slowly picked up a fresh fork and brought food to her mouth, but she couldn’t taste a thing.
* * *
“…What?”
Ainar frowned at the report delivered so early in the morning and stared at the employee.
His expression was so menacing that the employee involuntarily swallowed dryly.
He had rushed in because Ainar had said to report anything about Rosy, no matter how trivial. But suddenly, he wondered if he had been foolish—had he reported something utterly insignificant?
Embarrassed, the employee hurried to explain,
“I must not have judged the importance correctly, sir. I did not face Lady Lily Kickerne directly—only spotted her maid from afar… I apologize.”
But contrary to the employee’s worries, Ainar was taking the report quite seriously.
He had assumed there would be no trouble as long as Rosy avoided Lily Kickerne herself. But thinking about it, it was only natural that Lily’s attendants would also recognize Rosy.
“…Should I consider forcing her to check out?”
He stroked his chin and murmured.
In truth, finding a pretext to eject guests was hardly a problem. He had done so before. But the timing now was terrible.
That damned Clidden.
By chance, he had met Clidden Diero on the cruise, and Rosy had called him Manager right to his face.
Clidden might be slow in some ways, but he wasn’t stupid. He must have realized that Ainar was acting as the manager of Vine Rose.
Vine Rose was the only place in the East not under the massive influence of House Portray. Yet now, Clidden must also have deduced that Ainar was secretly placing people here and scheming behind the scenes.
In such a situation, it would be disastrous for Ainar to openly interfere with guest check-ins and check-outs, acting like he controlled the entire establishment.
His original plan had been simple—to appear as a bored nobleman amusing himself by playing hotel manager.
The only fortunate thing was that Clidden, too, had hidden his identity when boarding the cruise.
Ainar had checked the entire passenger list and found no trace of Clidden’s name.
That overly precise man concealing his status to sneak into the East was unnerving… but at least he couldn’t expose Ainar either.
That must be why he hadn’t told Rosy anything.
Ainar clicked his tongue once and spoke.
“Bring Tom.”
Rosy had asked for Tom’s security detail to be withdrawn temporarily, but given the situation, Ainar decided to reassign him.
“Yes, Lord Ainar. Tom reporting.”
As soon as Tom stood before him, Ainar gave the order.
“You will resume keeping watch around Rosy.”
Tom’s eyes widened, though he nodded immediately. He had suspected this order would eventually come.
“Yes, understood. Should I accompany her directly?”
“No. This time, guard her without making your presence known.”
“Yes, sir.”
Rosy had already made it clear that she found Tom’s visible presence burdensome, so he understood the reasoning.
“Oh, and there’s something else you must be particularly wary of.”
“Yes, sir?”
“Do not let Lily Kickerne, her maid, or anyone related to her approach Rosy.”
“…Lady Lily Kickerne?”
Tom repeated slowly.
He knew every employee had received that command not long ago, but no one understood why it was suddenly issued.
However—
Could it be…?
Something clicked in Tom’s mind.
…Was Lily Kickerne the ‘friend’ that woman mentioned?
On the cruise, Mabelynn—the girl who harassed Rosy and got kicked out—had said it:
She’s just a maid serving my friend…
Tom’s head spun.
Did Lord Ainar learn that truth?
He hadn’t believed Mabelynn’s words at the time, so he never reported them.
Ainar processed enormous amounts of information daily; it hadn’t seemed worth mentioning idle gossip.
But if Mabelynn had been telling the truth—and if Ainar knew—and even worse, if he intended to hide Rosy’s past as a maid…
Good heavens…
Tom’s lips parted in shock.
The invincible, aloof heir of House Portray—falling genuinely for a girl who used to be a maid?
“This is insane…”
His muttering slipped out before he could stop himself. Ainar’s gaze snapped toward him like a blade.
Tom quickly covered his mouth and changed the topic.
“A-aside from that, sir… that cravat ornament? It seems different from your usual ones.”
Everything Ainar wore was of the finest quality—from gemstones to craftsmanship.
Yet today’s cravat pin looked… cheaper. Not poor, but certainly inferior to his usual choices.
But Ainar simply smirked as he stroked the ruby, almost tenderly, and replied with arrogant ease:
“You think it suits me?”
“Y-yes… yes, it looks very good.”
He hadn’t meant it that way, but Ainar only caressed the ornament again, almost reverently.
No way… was it a gift?
Ainar would never select something beneath his usual standards.
Which meant—
Tom’s eyes drifted toward the small ruby gleaming at Ainar’s throat, now loaded with meaning.
“If there’s nothing else, leave.”
“Yes, sir!”
Tom hurried out, reeling.
His master—who was already brilliant yet hindered as the second son—completely infatuated with a common-born girl? If Ainar’s brother Wilhelm learned of this, what chaos would follow?
It must be fleeting…
Nobles often played with women of lower status—that wasn’t new.
But for someone destined to rise as high as Ainar, Rosy’s mere existence could become a fatal obstacle.
Even Tom could see that much—Ainar certainly must know it.
So eventually, after some sweet time together, he would cast her aside without hesitation.
Yes. Surely he would.
Rosy was startled to learn Lily was here, but after finishing her meal, she deliberately went to the hotel’s private beach.
She refused to hide in her room just because Lily existed somewhere on the property.
Shielding her eyes from the blazing sun, Rosy squinted at the sparkling waves.
“So this peace ends here, huh.”
No matter how big the hotel was, running into Lily was only a matter of time.
And once Lily found her here, her behavior would be predictable—first asking who Rosy had come with, then trying to confirm whether her partner was truly Clidden.
The mere thought made Rosy’s temples throb.
She pressed her fingers against them, frustrated. She couldn’t ask Clidden for help again, nor could she avoid Lily forever.
There was nothing she could do.
Well, whatever. She can’t really do anything to me now.
Ignoring Lily was the only choice.
Though… another ridiculous rumor may start.
Those were practically second nature to Rosy by now. Still, she didn’t welcome the thought.
She sighed deeply and began to walk.
“Rosy.”
A familiar voice stopped her from behind.
Rosy turned, unsurprised.
“Manager.”
There was, however, one thing that still bothered her—
This man.
