Chapter 28.2

Without saying the whole thing, the Grand Duke, who recognized Louis’s innermost thoughts, did not say anything different.

“I see.”

“Then I’ll excuse myself. I’ll do my best to investigate this and do what you’ve asked me to do.”

Louis, who spoke respectfully, went out just as he was. After he closed the door, the Grand Duke looked at the servant next to him, who had been silent the whole time.

“Curtis, do you have anything to say?”

“I have something to tell you.”

“Is this relevant?”

“I think I know who you are looking for due to the assassins while you were talking for a while now.”

The man with red hair smiled softly and stuck close to the Grand Duke.

“So who is it?”

“There are three mercenaries who are famous for doing anything for money, and among them, the Red Fox Division is one of the lowest rank. They’re known for having red spots on their thumbs. I’ve heard that mercenaries have been flocking to the Empire to build up their power recently, but I didn’t expect to see them this easily.”

“Come to think of it, the Emperor’s recent movement is unusual, right?”

“Yes. There is a rumor that the Emperor is recruiting mercenaries secretly. He must be anxious because he is the one who killed his own brother and became Emperor.”

That’s what he said, but Curtis seemed to have something more to say.

However, he shut himself up, thinking that it was not something to say in front of Bebe and the child’s mother.

“I see.”

He, who appeared to be at the same age as the Grand Duke, was younger than him. However, the Grand Duke trusted him more than anyone else. After listening to his opinions for a long time, the Grand Duke laughed in vain.

“You’re the only one I can trust here, Curtis.”

“As I said earlier, it’s your words that spoke to me. I’m not a person to trust.”

“If I can’t trust you, who should I trust then?”

“Don’t trust anyone. We don’t know who might have come here while the Grand Duchy had weakened.”

The smiling man’s face instantly hardened.

“Yeah. That’s right to think and move. Sometimes when I look at you, Curtis, I think of my father. He was exceptionally strict.”

“Shouldn’t someone be strict with Your Grace? And I’m someone’s father, so I guess I can’t help it.”

It was only then that the face of the Grand Duke, who was looking at Curtis, brightened all of a sudden.

“Your child… he was eight years old this year. He was the same age as the twins.”

“Yes.”

“Yeah… He was a kid that Ellinson was looking forward to a lot. Bring him here next time.”

“Why all of a sudden?”

“Because I don’t think I’ve cared that much is what I mean.”

“I think you’re returning to how you used to be before when Ellinson was alive.”

Butler Curtis, who casually mentioned the name of the predecessor’s Grand Duchess, looked down at Bebe for a long time.

“Come to think of it, I’ve only heard of rumors. It’s my first time seeing her face properly.”

“She’s not like a child.”

“But the rumors always reminded me of Ellinson.”

“That’s right. She also… has a lot of wounds, yet never felt intimidated. That reminds me of what I fell in love with Ellinson. She is very different from me.”

“Ah before I forgot. I think we’ve got another piece of information about the Grand Duchess Ellinson. Can I tell you?”

When he said that, the Grand Duke rose from his seat. His eyes contained a different feeling than before.

“Say it.”

“Are you determined to face each other now?”

“Okay, so what is it?”

“They are not facts. In a way, it may not be helpful.”

“That’s okay. At least it’s something, since I decided to change from now on.”

Curtis nodded incessantly.

Without further ado, he took the lead and went outside along with the Grand Duke.

***

The sun was very warm.

A gentle wind approached the window and tickled her.

The penguin doll, which I didn’t even know why I was holding it in my arms, felt even softer today.

“Hmm… I like this.”

It didn’t take long for me to realize that morning had already broken.

I then opened my eyes slowly.

“My Lady!”

And as soon as I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was Cecilia. With a pale expression on her face, she shouted as soon as she looked at me. I then smiled brightly at her, who looked worried about my well being.

“Good morning.”

“Good morning. Oh my… Are you okay? Do you know how surprised I was? My heart… I thought my heart dropped. I… I…”

Cecilia rushed up to me while lying down. Unlike other times, she hugged me with all her might with an excited voice and expression.

“Cecilia, it hurts.”