“Let’s break up.”

I faced them with determination, solely focused on putting an end to it.

"What do you mean by 'break up'?"

A voice from behind startled us. We turned and saw Roselle’s brother, Ethan.

“We’re done. Quits. Split up. Cut ties. Part ways-?”

I felt slight nudge in my elbow and I looked at the pink haired guy beside me who is now covering his face with a hood.

I've been calling him pink haired guy, I should probably ask for his name next time.

“I’m pretty sure that’s not what he meant.”

“Owwww.”

“You can't just end it, Roselle. You and your family depend on me!” Sebastian smirked as he wiped the blood from his cheek, saying those words.

“I need the likes of you? No way. Anyway. Let’s end this now.”

"Imprudent brat! If it weren’t for Sebastian, you and your family would have starved by now. What an ungrateful lady!" Amelia shouted.

"I will overlook what you just did, but I need to hear your apology, Roselle," Sebastian said in a controlled voice.

"Why should I apologize to you? Did I cheat? It is you who cheated." I said glaring at him.

"I wouldn’t have cheated if you hadn’t made a fuss about us being married when you were 16. Others get married when they're just kids. I waited patiently for you all this time. But after you were kidnapped, you distanced yourself so much that holding hands became impossible!"

"You gave me petty excuses like having what? Time for yourself?!" He added.

This prick! Cheater will cheat no matter what then blame others for their own action. How small can his brain be?

"So, it's my fault you couldn't control yourself? What a terrible way of thinking," I said in a calmer tone, realizing reasoning with this person was impossible.

“Anyway, we’re through- “ My sentence was cut off.

"Apologize to him, Roselle," Ethan said, standing between us.

I looked at him, surprised.

"Excuse me?" I asked, confused.

“You should apologize to him, Roselle and take back what you said about breaking up.” He said in an authoritative tone.

“What the hell is wrong with you too?” I said punching his shoulder slightly.

I am sure he knows that her sister just caught her lover cheating and this is how he reacts?

Why aren’t you taking my side?

Although I am not your real sister but still, I am in her body so why?

“That’s right, Roselle. A mere baron’s daughter should be forever grateful that a son of a Marquis fancies you too much.”  he sneered, moving closer and placing his hand on my shoulder.

The last string of my reasons snapped.

I gripped his sleeve, closed the gap between us, turned away, and with a swift motion, I threw his arms over my shoulders to flip him onto the ground.

Thud.

"Finally, I have a reason to apologize," I said, wrapping my arms around his neck.

He attempted to free himself, pulling at my arms, and I quickly released him.

Cough Cough Cough

Amelia hurried to assist him as he lay on the ground.

Sebastian glared at me, coughing as he did so.

I gazed down at him, emitting a hostile vibe.

"I apologize." I turned away from them, pausing briefly when I noticed Ethan. His mouth hung open in shock.

I gave him a cold stare.

"I shouldn't have hoped for anything from you. Tsk." I walked off, noticing his pained expression, with the pink-haired guy trailing behind me.

I walked purposefully back to the main garden.

"I did nothing wrong.”

“I did nothing wrong.”

“I did nothing wrong."

I repeated this mantra silently, trying to gather the courage to move forward. I reminded myself that I didn't have to rely on others. All I needed was myself. Encouragement had to come from within because no one else would provide it. I was my own person.

After a while, I began to relax as I made my way halfway back to where the ball was taking place. I noticed that the guy with pink hair was still following me, keeping a respectful distance.

I halted abruptly and turned to face him.

The moonlight bathed everything in a soft glow, and the evening breeze tousled his hair in a magical manner. His face held an air of innocence, his hair shimmering enchantingly, and...

I looked at him up and down.

He’s body is a sin. Goshhh.

It truly is. Just looking at him feels like losing points from heaven.

Guhhh! He would be my top-rated star if he is from my world.

I quickly checked under my nose for a nosebleed, but thankfully, there was none.

"You did nothing wrong," he said, his gaze fixed on me.

I was taken a back.

For some reason, hearing those words from someone else for the first time made my heart flutter. It was the first time someone had said that to me. Whenever people blamed me for their troubles or their own karma, I was always the one reassuring myself.

Those were the sweetest, most comforting words I'd ever heard from someone else.

"Heheheh," I chuckled.

At first, he seemed confused by my laughter, but soon, he smiled too.

His smile was incredibly reassuring.

And for the first time since arriving in this world, I smiled genuinely, from deep within my heart.

It felt like I had found a companion, an unexpected comrade.

***

Lucian's POV

"The lady wishes to dine alone in her chamber, my Lord," informed a maid to Baron Fritzroy.

"Understood," he replied with a concerned expression.

"I'll speak with her later," Lady Lilian reassured Baron Fritzroy, placing her hand on his. He nodded in acknowledgment.

I stole a glance at Ethan, and his expression conveyed regret.

After some contemplation, I comprehended his actions. He acted to safeguard his sister and their family. Having known him for a while now, I was aware of his deep affection for his sister.

We continued supper, discussing work matters, but my thoughts lingered to Roselle and the way she smiled back in the garden during the ball.

After dinner, I went back to my assigned room. Unable to relax, my mind raced with thoughts, prompting me to pour myself a glass of whiskey. Just as I settled, a knock sounded at my door.

"Come in," I called out, expecting Ethan to report something to me.

He entered, and I motioned for him to take a seat across from me, which he did.

"I've received the latest report about the person you are looking for, your highness," he began.

"There was indeed an underground dungeon in the Marquis Manor, but our team didn't find anyone confined within it."

So, she is not here also. I did hope that I will find some clue here in the south.

Just where in the world is the person my brother, the crowned prince, is seeking?

"Regarding the new rising guild, DS Guild, we've gathered some information." I nodded encouraging him to continue.

"Their leader is a man named Alex, in his late twenties." I think that he is Roselle hand man.

"He was born a commoner and has been involved in numerous swindling activities. Despite this, he's skilled at avoiding punishment due to a lack of evidence." I coughed on my drink and waved my hand, signaling for him to continue as I tried to calm myself down.

"While the source of this information may seem unreliable due to their background, everything they've told us has proven to be true. It also appears that DS Guild has used the compensation they received from us to expand their business."

As I gazed at him, I noticed the dark circles under his eyes, a sign of his hard work over the past few days.

"What about the slaves?" I inquired, putting down my drink.

"He's indeed concealing them in the mine. There are precisely 88 miners acting as guards, while the others are indeed slaves. Some of the slaves, particularly the good-looking and talented ones, are sold to nobles, while the rest are kept in the mine for labor."

"I understand. Well done, Ethan. Prepare our team to mobilize," I said, feeling a glimmer of hope for what lay ahead.

We delved further into our plan. As we concluded, Ethan moved to leave the room, but I halted him.

"You should speak to your sister," I suggested, noticing the hint of sadness in his expression.

"I'll talk to her after we bring down that scoundrel and the marquis. I'm sure she'll understand," he replied, determination in his voice.

"I'll do whatever it takes to protect her and our parents," he added.

"Have you ever considered that your sister might not need protecting?" I asked, intrigued by the stark contrast between the Roselle I knew and the one Ethan described.

According to Ethan, Roselle was like the fragile wings of a butterfly—beautiful yet vulnerable to harm. But the Roselle I'd encountered was nothing like that.

She took down three kidnappers, rendering two of them unconscious and reducing the lady to tears. She even leaped from the second floor, threw sharp objects at someone, and tackled a much larger person to the ground. And her demeanor always seemed like she knew how to fend for herself specially that she has her own people now.

"You've only seen her a few times during academy years. Are you certain that your perception of her from before matches who she is now?" I questioned him, studying his reaction closely.

"Talk to her before you guys grew more apart.” I advised.

"I will," he replied before leaving the room at last.

I let out a sigh and caught sight of the balcony. Stepping outside, I relished in the gentle evening breeze.

The moon shone brightly that night, casting its glow over the small garden in the manor. Though not as grand as the view from my palace balcony, this house exuded a certain warmth.

I poured myself another glass of whiskey, enjoying the night breeze.

My peaceful evening was interrupted by loud rustles from the next balcony.

I hid myself from the person who showed up. I immediately recognized her silhouette; it's Roselle dressed in commoner’s clothing with a cloak.

She glanced left and right to make sure no one is around, so I held my breath to ensure she didn't notice my presence.

She went back inside the room to grab blankets that are knotted together and let them down from the balcony to the ground, then helped herself down. It was as if she was doing it for quite a while now because of how smooth she climbed down.

It's dangerous for a noblewoman to be out on the streets during this time without an escort. But as far as I know, the Roselle I knew will manage, right?

I should probably mind my own business.

(Did not mind his own business.)