I’m Supposed to Be the Neglected Princess in the Future, but Something Seems Strange... - 4 - Temptation of the Art Gallery – 3

“So that means, there were still other men in the art gallery who were planning to do improper things to me. If I had stayed there, it would’ve been dangerous. Thank you so much for saving me.”

Rose was somewhat forcefully invited to the lounge by a young man who introduced himself as Count Molt. He told her that there were still many people in the gallery like that hunched gentleman, so she bowed her head deeply in gratitude.

“Well, I mean… you’re so pure, I wasn’t really expecting…”

“And also, you even bought me this lovely thing. I don’t even know how to thank you.”

Rose was holding a pamphlet sold at the art gallery. When she said she hadn’t finished looking at all the paintings, Count Molt bought it for her. He told her the art gallery wasn’t going anywhere, so she could be satisfied with just the pamphlet for now. But Rose didn’t feel like she had to hold back at all. In fact, she was thrilled to receive the pamphlet she had wanted so badly.

When Rose smiled cheerfully, Count Molt put his hand to his forehead and let out a sigh.

“…You’re the purest woman I’ve ever met. I’m usually good at spotting when women are faking it, but… you seem to be the real thing. I only meant to tease you a little, but now I feel a bit bad.”

“Huh?”

“Ah, never mind. Anyway, I heard the cheesecake here is amazing. You should try it.”

“But… is that okay? You already bought me the pamphlet.”

“Let me give you a piece of advice, my lady. At times like this, you should just accept a man’s kindness. If you don’t want to hurt his pride, that is.”

With that said, she couldn’t refuse.

When Rose followed Count Molt’s suggestion and ordered cheesecake and lemon tea, he smiled and ordered coffee and biscuits for himself.

“By the way, my lady. You’re staying in a first-class cabin, right? That means you must be from a noble or wealthy family. Even though we’re on a ship, someone like you shouldn’t be walking around alone. Don’t you have any servants?”

“I do… sort of.”

If she were with Mira, and by chance ran into Lea, there was a risk she would be recognized. But if Rose was alone, she could hide her face behind her bangs, and Lea didn’t know Rose owned such a beautiful dress. So even if they met, she might not be recognized.

But Rose couldn’t explain all that. As she looked troubled and fell silent, Count Molt smiled and dropped a sugar cube into his coffee.

“You seem to have your reasons, so I won’t ask. But in return, how about this — whenever you want to go somewhere, take me with you. Just tell a staff member to go get Count Molt. They’ll know who I am.”

It seemed Count Molt was quite a well-known figure on the ship. But Rose didn’t understand what he meant by his proposal.

As she looked confused, the count dipped a hard biscuit into his coffee and continued.

“I don’t think it’s a bad offer. You’ll have someone to protect you from men with bad intentions, and I’ll get to observe someone as interesting as you for a little longer.”

“Observe…”

“I thought women like you had gone extinct. In a way, you’re like the last rare animal on a red list.”

Was that supposed to be a compliment?

When Rose frowned slightly, Count Molt laughed.

“Ha. So you didn’t ignore that one, huh? Sorry, I said it in a deliberately rude way. But I really do want to watch you a bit longer. When I see you, it feels like a dirty canvas is turning white again. Life on this ship only lasts about a month. And of course, I would never do anything improper. So, it’s not such a bad offer, is it?”

Maybe that’s true… Rose found herself thinking. Maybe it was because she really was as “naive” as he said.

But if she kept walking around alone, like earlier, she might get approached by strange men again — and she didn’t know how to turn them down properly.

“If I really ask a staff member, they’ll call you?”

“Of course. I’m famous, after all.”

If he says it himself, it must be true. Still, the fact that Rose didn’t know him at all probably meant he was from the Kingdom of Martan. Even so, Rose had been taught the names of famous nobles back home by her nanny, so she’d recognize at least a name, even if not a face.

“In that case, my lady… may I ask your name?”

“Ah, Ro—…”

Rose almost said her real name but stopped herself in a panic. There were only forty first-class cabins on the ship. And if she were a royal, everyone would know her name.

“Ro… Rosemary.”

When she corrected herself with a stammer, Count Molt narrowed his red eyes.

“…I see. Rosemary, then. I look forward to spending this next month with you, Rosemary.”