ETLKIIHTY C4

Chapter 4

Even as this unfolded, the soldiers’ voices were drawing closer.

Were they allies—or enemies?

She hoped they were allies, but if they were enemies, then at least they wouldn’t be from Reintz.

It had been said that someone bore a grudge against them.

If it was neither her father nor Reintz, then a third party must have invaded this place.

After a brief moment of hesitation, Roseline made up her mind. She would save the boy who had hidden himself in her room.

“My father said so. He said Reintz would never do something like this. My father isn’t someone who speaks wrongly.”

To Roseline, her father—the Grand Duke Clifford—was the person she respected most, the compass of her life, and she held an almost blind faith in him.

“And how exactly are you planning to protect me? Worry about yourself first.”

“My father is the Grand Duke.”

As the boy turned back toward the door, Roseline hurriedly called out to him.

“What?”

“Grand Duke Clifford. You’ve heard of him, right?”

Whoever was outside that door, the reality was obvious—the boy’s life was in danger.

It seemed they intended to kill everyone except herself.

Even if they’re on our side, if I don’t run into the uncles I know, they might not listen to me…

Fortunately, the boy stopped in his tracks, her words having some effect.

W-What did I just say…?

Only after blurting it out did Roseline realize how childish it must have sounded, like a petty boast. Her face flushed with embarrassment.

But there was no time to dwell on that.

The harsh voices outside had clearly ordered that everyone be killed—except her.

If he stepped out there, something terrible would happen to him. That much she knew.

“I won’t let anyone die. So you hide here. I’ll pretend I don’t know anything.”

Roseline held the boy’s gaze, his eyes a mixture of distrust and fragile hope, as if testing the truth of her words.

“Curious why?”

“…Yeah.”

“Because turning a blind eye to someone wronged and powerless isn’t what the strong should do.”

She spoke slowly, word by word, repeating what her father had taught her.

In the chaos of war, it was also a spell she cast upon herself.

“So… I’ll help you.”

She extended her hand toward the boy, who stood bristling like a wary wild animal.

Just this once, she hoped the refinement she had reluctantly learned as an heir would show in her demeanor.

“……”

After a moment, the boy nodded.

Brightening, Roseline quickly led him inside.

But the only rooms left were the dressing room and a small servant’s quarters.

The dressing room was filled with elaborate accessories and garments, but there was nowhere to conceal a person. The servant’s room was even worse.

At the final door, she saw the chaotic traces left by a maid who had fled in haste. The boy—Callahan—was already losing hope, but Roseline grabbed hold of him.

Once she had made her decision, she felt a responsibility to save him no matter what.

If I can’t even save one wronged child, what right do I have to be the Grand Duke’s heir?

“Let’s do this. Cora, help me.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Guiding the boy—who was taller than her by a head—Roseline moved briskly.

A finely crafted wig from the dressing room, a worn but clean maid’s uniform from the servant’s quarters, and a plain white apron.

Though he showed slight resistance to the haphazard dressing, the result was striking—the boy now looked like a proper maid.

“Perfect.”

His delicate features, not yet fully matured, appeared entirely feminine once the wig was on. The grime on him naturally dulled his unusual beauty, and the loose fit of the dress and apron made his frame seem average.

At Roseline’s words, seated before the large mirror, the boy frowned.

“My manhood might fall off.”

“Endure it.”

Roseline corrected herself inwardly.

Aside from his tone and voice, it was flawless.

“Better than losing your head. Stay like this and pretend to be my maid with Cora. If you move together, no one will notice.”

She replied casually, adjusting his appearance to make it more natural.

Focusing on something else eased the tightness in her chest—the fear closing in on her, the worry for her father and uncles.

Meanwhile, the boy’s thoughts were entirely different.

Why is the daughter of the man trying to wipe out my family trying to save me?

Though he followed her lead since she clearly intended to help him, it made no sense.

Is this just childish naivety? She doesn’t seem stupid…

Swallowing his thoughts, he asked bluntly,

“You really are a noble lady? What kind of noble girl talks like that?”

At his insolent tone, Cora’s expression hardened, but Roseline answered calmly.

“Well, we’re outside. As long as I’m careful inside the house, it’s fine.”

No matter how much Miriam tried to discipline her, the influence of her rough, battle-hardened uncles who filled House Clifford couldn’t be suppressed.

Roseline lightly slapped Callahan’s hand as he fidgeted with the wig and skirt.

“Don’t touch it or talk like that when people come. If you speak, you’ll be found out.”

A boy in the midst of puberty—if they discovered he was male, he would be dragged away and killed immediately.

When her father spoke of “this generation’s Reintz, frail but kind, who barely endured military training under his command,” his face had softened, as if recalling fond memories.

She had also once overheard him arguing, scoffing at the idea: “That rigid fool, full of nothing but a sense of justice—how could he possibly scheme something so sinister?”

And judging by this boy alone, he seemed far removed from anything wicked.

There must be some misunderstanding.

Even if there was an enemy, it wasn’t Reintz.

Roseline tried to calm the unease stirring within her.

After some time, someone pounded heavily on the door.

The boy—Callahan—looked toward it, then at the back of Roseline’s head as she stepped slightly forward to shield him.

“You…?”

Are you okay?

Sensing the concern hidden in his brief words, Roseline gave a faint smile and straightened her shoulders.

“I told you—I’m a noble lady.”

Though she spoke boldly, her trembling body betrayed her.

For a fleeting moment, the boy had the absurd, idle thought of wanting to pat her shoulder.

Then—

The already fragile hinges gave way.

“You’re here, Lady.”

With a loud crash, the door collapsed inward, and a knight stepped over it with a broad smile. At his familiar tone, Roseline looked up—only to swallow dryly.

She didn’t recognize him.

The crest on his armor marked him as Clifford, which was a relief—but no matter how she searched her memory, she had never seen him before. Worse, the snake-like gaze he cast upon her held neither concern nor warmth.

Naturally, suspicion crept into her heart.

Even if he hasn’t met me before… is there really a knight of Clifford who doesn’t care for me?

It might sound arrogant, but as the only daughter of a war-hero Grand Duke—treated as a symbol of fortune and beloved even by knights of other families—it wasn’t an unreasonable thought for Roseline.

Which meant—

This was staged.

The realization chilled her blood instantly.

In the brief moment as the door opened and they were surrounded, Roseline straightened her posture, slowly closing and reopening her eyes.

No one noticed the calm that settled in them.

Facing the soldiers who had poured in and formed ranks, and the knight who seemed to command them, Roseline composed her voice—

“Ahhh!”

As if she had never been calm, she suddenly shrieked and threw herself into Callahan’s arms.

She didn’t forget to press herself against him, deliberately hiding him as much as possible.

“Cora! Mary! Who are these people?!”

The sudden contact made the boy’s body stiffen.

Without giving anyone a chance to respond, Roseline raised her voice and caused a commotion.

“Escort only the young lady. Take the maids away.”

The color drained from both Callahan’s face and Cora’s.

If they were dragged somewhere out of Roseline’s sight, there would be no guarantee of the maids’ safety in this war.

The soldiers seemed to understand their commander’s intent.

Before finding the young lady, they had spoken crudely—but now their tone and address had completely changed. It was clear they intended to show her respect alone.

As the soldiers approached under Peter’s orders, Roseline screamed again.

“No!”

“My lady, forgive us, but this is your father’s command.”

“That’s right. There’s no time. The House of Reintz has committed treason.”

Roseline’s eyes wavered.

Were they truly her father’s men? Was Reintz’s treason real?

But seeing the light fade from the boy’s eyes at their words, she steadied herself.

“But they’re not the uncles I know! I don’t like this!”

Of course, there were too many who served the Grand Duke for her to recognize all the vassals stationed in distant regions.

Even if this truly was her father’s order—

Still… if I save this boy and bring him before Father…

Anyone of direct blood accused of treason would be executed on the spot. The moment he was exposed, the boy would lose his life at their hands.

But the father she knew had scoffed at the accusations against Reintz. Surely he would say something else—something other than to kill him.

Meanwhile, the boy gently pushed Roseline away.

He didn’t understand the complicated circumstances of her family, but he knew at least this—his father would never do such a thing. This entire situation was an absurd false charge.

But even if she was the Grand Duke’s daughter, a mere child could not overturn his command.

His entire family had thrown themselves into danger to carve out an escape route for him alone.

Their last words had been simple:

Not revenge. Not honor.

Just live. Escape and survive.

Because of those words, he had reached out even to the enemy’s young daughter, struggling desperately—even resorting to this ridiculous disguise.

But this was as far as he could go.

“…I suppose I was wrong. Thank you.”