Chapter 49
He had brushed it off like a joke, but Clidden couldn’t help recalling Rosie when Princess Rozelina spoke.
Because of the unexpected encounter with Ainar on the cruise, he had been forced to send Rosie away in a hurry. The fact that he never properly checked her condition afterwards continued to weigh on his mind.
‘Of all people, she was with Ainar Portrey…’
Even if he was the manager of Vine Rose, it was strange that someone like Ainar — who held no official power over her, just a hotel guest in a sense — would be involved with her. And judging by the atmosphere back then, the feelings he had for her were undoubtedly…
‘Maybe I should at least check if she’s doing alright.’
Clidden was not a man with time to spare. His being in Baydos right now was already due to work. In such circumstances, looking into Rosie’s affairs was nothing more than creating unnecessary work for himself.
‘But still…’
She was a woman with a gentle and honest nature, someone he had spoken to properly only twice — someone with little time left to live.
Even while recognizing how strangely fond he was of such a person, Clidden stood up. Perhaps it was because of the pure aura she possessed.
Rosie had stayed in her hotel room resting after her hospital visit, but there was no noticeable improvement. Unable to bear wasting time any longer, she finally forced herself up on the second day and headed to Daisy’s boutique.
The weather had grown hot, and even a short walk left her sweating, her ankles feeling swollen. When she finally arrived, Daisy’s delighted voice rang out as she spotted Rosie.
“It’s been forever, Rosie!”
It made sense — the last time Daisy saw her was before Rosie boarded the cruise.
Rosie smiled awkwardly, embarrassed.
“I had… some things happen. Sorry I couldn’t come sooner, Daisy.”
Daisy, moved by Rosie’s gentle apology, couldn’t bring herself to say anything else and instead guided her to a sofa.
“Sit first. It’s hot, right? Want some water?”
“Yeah. It got really hot while I was gone.”
“Haha, underestimate Baydos’ summer and you’ll regret it!”
Daisy soon returned with a tray and a glass of chilled water. As Rosie drank, the heat seemed to ease a little.
“So, tell me everything. Why didn’t you come sooner? And what happened with the hotel manager?”
As soon as Rosie’s lips left the cup, Daisy shot out her questions — clearly anxious and frustrated from the days they hadn’t seen each other.
Rosie hesitated, wondering where to start, then spoke slowly.
“Well… I guess you heard that I boarded the cruise with the manager.”
“Yeah! I was shocked! I thought he just got you the ticket. Don’t tell me… does he have feelings for you?”
“That’s not it. Anyway, the schedule got extended, and after returning, I got busy. I wanted to repay him somehow for the ticket, but he wouldn’t accept anything.”
As Rosie spoke, Daisy’s expression twisted into a knowing grin — as if she didn’t believe a word.
“He’s suspicious. Really, how do you always end up with types like that?”
“I told you, it’s not like that.”
“Sure, sure~ whatever you say.”
“I mean it.”
Rosie emphasized herself again, but Daisy clearly wasn’t convinced.
Ever since her return, Rosie had been wary of getting unnecessarily entangled with Ainar. The subtle shift in how people treated her lately — that might already be because Lily had discovered Rosie’s existence and begun spreading filthy rumors.
‘I can’t drag the manager into that mess.’
Though truthfully, Ainar kept finding her anyway.
Then Daisy brought up the very topic Rosie didn’t want to hear.
“Fine, fine. Let’s leave that aside. But what’s with those rumors? Some weird stories have spread all over Baydos!”
Ah. Of course.
So it had happened. Worse — they’d spread through the entire city.
Rosie’s hand clenched. Her lips trembled, but she forced herself to respond casually.
“…Some of it’s true. Some of it is absurd lies.”
It was true she had once worked under Lily.
It was a lie that she was a shameless woman who seduced men for personal gain.
That was the meaning behind her words.
But Daisy’s reaction was something Rosie hadn’t expected.
“Wow, really? I mean, I did think you were kind of different… turns out it’s because you’re from another country?”
“…Huh? What do you mean?”
Rosie tilted her head, puzzled. Daisy blinked, also confused.
“What? The rumor that you’re a princess from a foreign kingdom.”
“…Me?”
“…Aren’t you?”
Silence fell awkwardly between them.
“Hold on. Daisy, tell me exactly what rumors are spreading about me.”
“Well… that you’re a foreign princess who fled to this empire to avoid a contract marriage.”
Rosie’s jaw dropped.
“And there’s more?”
“Well, yeah, but most people don’t believe the other one. Something about you being a former maid who throws herself at noblemen — everyone knows that’s ridiculous.”
“Haha…”
Rosie gave a hollow laugh, staring at Daisy.
If anything, the second rumor was much closer to the truth.
‘The maid rumor must be Lily’s doing. But the princess one… who started that?’
It had nothing to do with her, yet it was strangely detailed. Oddly so.
But she couldn’t figure out the origin no matter how she thought about it.
Rosie fell silent, wondering how to explain herself — when the boutique door opened.
A tall man walked in, hood covering him from head to toe. Rosie stared at him instinctively. It felt like he was looking straight at her, too.
Daisy stood to greet the customer.
“Welcome! What kind of outfit are you looking for?”
“…I’m here to buy a black hood from the basement.”
Daisy’s face stiffened at once.
That sentence was code — meaning he came to purchase information from Cozette, the broker.
“Rosie, I’m sorry, but could you step outside for a moment? I have an important client.”
“Oh? Yeah, of course.”
Still dazed, Rosie stood and walked out, her eyes lingering on the hooded man.
Once Rosie left, Daisy’s gaze sharpened as she addressed him.
“May I know who you are, and where you’re from?”
Daisy’s information guild was the largest in Baydos. Though located on the outskirts, it operated openly. Most people only knew her as a boutique owner. Those seeking minor information could find her easily.
But those who spoke in code like this used the secret room underground — which meant the information was sensitive.
This man was no ordinary customer.
Outside, Rosie was thinking about the man she’d just passed.
‘That voice…’
There was no mistake.
It was Clidden.
