Chapter 57
Janice left my room with a worried look on her face.
‘Something is definitely going on.’
On the way back from the beach villa to the main castle, the surveillance had been so strict that she couldn’t do anything. She wasn’t even allowed to step outside easily.
<Where are you going?>
If she tried to go anywhere, the guards would follow. It was impossible to shake them off, so she couldn’t even contact Count Mers.
Even after arriving at the main castle, it took two full days before she was finally able to step outside alone.
“No one’s here.”
Janice pressed her hand over her pounding heart and let out a deep breath. The heavy security seemed to have eased. She glanced around and started walking.
Everyone seemed to be going about their daily routines as usual. She exchanged greetings and small talk with people she passed.
Janice naturally made her way to the kitchen, where the maids were gathered for their break.
As expected, several maids were sitting together, enjoying tea and snacks.
“Oh my, it’s been a while! Lady Janice!”
“It has! Did you have a good time at the villa? People were so jealous when they heard you were going.”
The maids giggled. Janice had always maintained a good relationship with them.
There had been some issues because of Theo, of course. She and the head maid, in particular, had a terrible relationship—whenever they met, they avoided each other like cats and dogs.
But there were still plenty of maids who welcomed her.
“Well… The ocean wasn’t anything special. How have you all been?”
“Of course, Lady Janice! We did have a hard time cleaning since you suddenly came back early, though.”
“And security got really strict after you returned! The knights were guarding every building.”
Janice swallowed hard.
‘So it wasn’t just me being watched?’
She asked as casually as she could.
“Every building? Even the Duchess’ chambers were under watch?”
“Well, actually, the Duchess hasn’t stepped outside since returning. But it’s true that knights were guarding the whole castle.”
“They said it was for protection, not surveillance, though! You know…”
One of the maids glanced around before whispering.
“The Duchess was kidnapped at the beach villa!”
“…What?”
Janice feigned ignorance.
“Oh my, Lady Janice, you didn’t know? But you were there with her.”
“At some point, I was locked inside. The knights wouldn’t let me go outside.”
“Oh, I see. I guess it was too dangerous. They say the Duchess was kidnapped and then returned… but no one’s really talking about it.”
“Hey, stop it! Don’t you remember the head maid warning us not to speak about it?”
“Oh, come on. It’s just Lady Janice. What harm could it do?”
“You’re going to get in trouble.”
The maids bickered. Janice stepped in to stop them.
“If it’s nothing important, then let’s not talk about it. I was just frustrated because no one would tell me anything. The knights never say a word.”
“Oh, that’s true.”
The conversation moved on to other topics, but Janice’s mind stayed focused on one thing—the kidnapping.
The culprit still hadn’t been identified.
‘So Count Mers didn’t get caught.’
That meant Janice wasn’t in danger of being exposed. Maybe she was just being paranoid. She let out a quiet sigh of relief.
‘But… she came back. And no one knows how?’
Janice’s eyebrows furrowed.
The real problem was that she had no one to ask about it.
The knights were extremely loyal to Cassius, especially since they were always fighting on the front lines. They would never betray him.
And everyone who had been at the beach villa belonged to the head maid’s group.
That meant there was no one who could tell Janice what had really happened that day.
Her head was spinning, but at least she could conclude one thing—she was safe.
Theo and Stephanie walked through the city, holding hands.
Luna, who was accompanying them today, watched their backs.
They looked just like a little bride and groom.
Knights were blending in with the crowd, quietly guarding them in case of danger.
The recent kidnapping had made one thing clear—the enemies targeting Istheria were going after Cassius’ weak points.
Since Cassius himself was too strong to take down, they were trying to attack the people around him instead.
That meant Theo could become a target, too.
But Theo and Stephanie, unaware of the danger, were simply enjoying themselves.
‘They’re so cute.’
Luna smiled warmly.
They had until lunchtime to return, so they had plenty of time.
It was only 10 a.m., after all.
Luna checked the time and continued following them at a relaxed pace.
“Wow! Look at that!”
Theo’s eyes widened as he pointed excitedly.
“That’s… that’s a tornado potato!”
He swallowed hard. The market was full of things that fascinated children.
Stephanie, just as mesmerized, followed Theo toward the stall.
Theo dug into his pocket and pulled out some coins.
Charlotte had given him some money for their outing today.
He took out a silver coin and handed it over.
“Three tornado potatoes, please!”
‘Good thinking.’
Luna nodded in approval.
Surprisingly, Theo even made sure to get the correct change back.
“But why three, Young Master?”
“One’s for you, Luna! I thought you might want one too.”
Theo grinned.
His chubby cheeks dimpled adorably.
“Thank you, Young Master.”
Luna couldn’t help but smile.
Innocent children had a way of softening even the most indifferent people.
The three of them walked together, each holding a tornado potato.
“Wow, this is delicious! Stephanie has never eaten this before.”
“Right? Eat as much as you want, Stephanie. There are so many yummy things here!”
Theo laughed mischievously, getting sauce all over his face.
He acted like an expert, but in reality, it was his first time trying street food too.
‘The maids were right. This really is amazing…!’
Having always eaten carefully planned, nutritious meals, Theo found this to be a whole new world.
After finishing their snack, Theo and Stephanie started looking for their next treat.
“That one looks good too! It’s grilled corn with butter. Do you want to try it?”
Stephanie nodded eagerly.
Watching them, Luna sighed.
She had to adjust her plan.
There was no way they’d make it back before lunchtime at this rate.
The bookstore was only a kilometer away, but they had barely walked 200 meters.
Theo and Stephanie returned home.
They had bought a pile of books—all about happy married life.
Luna carefully sorted through them, selecting only the ones suitable for children.
During Lorencia’s lesson, Theo brought one of the books with him.
“What’s this, Theo?”
“This is A Guide to a Happy Married Life! Luna picked it out for me!”
“You’re reading this?”
Lorencia asked, puzzled.
This was at least ten years too early for him.
Theo let out a deep sigh, looking unusually mature.
“It’s for my brother. He’s too busy to read books.”
“Why does your brother need this?”
“I think he’s making Charlotte sad. Right, Stephanie?”
“Yes. That’s right.”
Stephanie nodded absentmindedly. She wasn’t very interested in human relationships.
“…Are you saying that His Grace and the Duchess don’t get along?”
At Lorencia’s question, Theo let out another deep sigh.
“I think so. Charles told my brother she wanted to… um… um… what was it?”
“Divorce?”
“Yes! That’s the word! She asked for a divorce, but my brother refused! It’s all his fault.”
• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •By Freya• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •
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