Chapter 137

Sophia, who had briefly returned home, quickly changed her clothes and went out again.

The place where Sophia’s carriage headed was a familiar villa she had visited before.

The crest of the Niore family was engraved at the entrance, where an axe was embedded.

Just as she had done before, she stood in front of the large and heavy door, took a deep breath, and organised her thoughts to convey her message clearly.

She murmured a few rehearsal lines to herself and clenched her fists, raising her hand.

At that moment, the door suddenly swung open, and a huge figure appeared.

Sophia widened her eyes in surprise as she looked up to see Viscount Niore with his bushy beard.

“Viscount…!”

Hadn’t he returned to the Niore estate after the founding festival?

Caught off guard by the unexpected figure, Sophia forgot all the lines she had prepared.

“Hmm, the small friend has become even smaller,” said the viscount, stroking his beard.

She hadn’t shrunk in height, so what did he mean by smaller?

Sophia looked puzzled.

“Have you been eating well, my lady?”

“Um, yes… more or less…”

She couldn’t lie about having eaten well.

Yesterday, she was so worried about Killian that she had only managed to swallow half a sandwich Mikhail had given her, as if she were chewing sand.

Today, she hadn’t had time to eat anything either.

“Did you have breakfast?”

“I had a light meal.”

Feeling it wouldn’t be right to say she hadn’t eaten, Sophia lied.

“We’re about to have brunch. Estelle is also preparing for brunch.”

“Oh, if it’s inconvenience, I can come back later…”

“Would you like to join us?”

“What? No, I’m fine!”

“Come in.”

Regardless of her answer, Viscount Niore opened the door wider.

Sophia shook her head and firmly declined. Then, the viscount’s rough face crumpled, and his large hand pushed Sophia’s back.

“I said come in!”

Pushed by his tremendous strength, Sophia was shoved inside the villa.

The door slammed shut behind her, as if to block any escape, and the viscount shouted loudly into the villa.

“Prepare another brunch for our guest! Make it hearty!”

His voice echoed through the house, and somewhere, the servants responded in unison, “Yes, sir!”

It was a communication style she would never see in the Fraus household.

“Thank you for the invitation, Viscount,” said Sophia, accepting the situation.

The viscount’s cheeks rounded into a smile.

“People need to eat well to gain strength!”

The viscount patted Sophia’s back with his large hand.

Though he seemed to pat lightly, Sophia’s back stung.

“Your eyes are sunken and your cheeks are gaunt. Nothing will go right with a face like that!”

The viscount placed his hands on his hips and offered his advice.

Touched by his words, Sophia instinctively touched her cheeks.

Was she that gaunt?

While she felt she looked the same as usual, it seemed others saw her differently.

“It’s because of the grand duke, right? Your fiancé.”

The Viscount must have already seen the special edition.

The mere mention of Killian made Sophia’s heartache as if pricked by needles.

Just hearing his name from the viscount made her heart race.

What if something bad happened to Killian while she was here?

“I see. Your face darkens immediately when the grand duke is mentioned!”

The viscount clicked his tongue in sympathy and guided Sophia inside the villa.

“I don’t know what you came to talk to Estelle about, but at least get some strength before you go.”

After comforting her, the viscount shouted upstairs, “Estelle, your guest is here!”

A clear but strong voice responded from upstairs, “My guest?”

Soon, there was the sound of someone coming down the stairs energetically.

“Thank you for your concern, Viscount.”

While Estelle was coming down, Sophia bowed to the viscount in thanks.

The viscount laughed heartily at Sophia’s polite manners.

“Your voice is too soft!”

“Uh, um…”

Sophia wondered if she should thank him louder when suddenly someone appeared at the staircase railing.

“Sophie?”

Estelle leaned over the railing, calling Sophia in surprise.

“What brings you here?”
Estelle, dressed in trousers, leaped down several steps of the staircase in one go.

Just like before, it seemed that Estelle preferred wearing trousers unless she had to present herself as a “lady” to outsiders.

Estelle ran to Sophia and, without saying a word, enveloped her in a tight hug.

She held Sophia so tightly that it was hard to breathe, but Sophia knew she was being comforted.

Though the grip was strong enough to feel like her body might break, it made her feel a little better.

There were still trustworthy people in the world.

Mikhail, Garfield, and even the original kind-hearted heroine Estelle from the novel.

Neither Killian nor Sophia was alone.

“I’m so glad you came to me at a time like this, Sophie.”

After a long embrace, Estelle released Sophia and held her hand.

“It seems like you have a lot to talk about. Let’s go upstairs.”

Before Sophia could even say she had a favour to ask, Estelle led her to her room.

The experience at the Niore villa was unlike anything Sophia had anticipated or simulated.

But she was grateful for it.

She had worried that Estelle might treat her coldly after seeing Lady Chanelia’s extra edition.

Estelle seated Sophia in a sunny parlour.

On the reception table, a hearty brunch was prepared with sausages, bacon, omelettes, a salad with shrimp and ricotta cheese, and waffles with honey and butter.

There was also tea with malt and vanilla aromas.

‘This isn’t quite what I had in mind…’

Here to discuss serious matters, Sophia smiled at the bright and cheerful brunch table.

Well, no rule says heavy conversations must be had in gloomy places.

She didn’t mind the unexpected hospitality.

If Viscount Niore and Estelle had also looked gloomy, Sophia would have felt like she was buried deep underground.

Estelle didn’t pry about the rumours she had heard and poured tea into Sophia’s cup.

Then she cut the sausage in front of her into bite-sized pieces and placed some on Sophia’s plate.

“First, eat, Sophie.”

“…Thank you, Estelle.”

Sophia gratefully ate the sausage Estelle had served her.

Then she thought of Killian, who might not be enjoying such things.

With that thought, the salty and greasy sausage suddenly felt dry.

Sophia swallowed a piece of sausage with difficulty and began to speak.

“I came because I have something very important to talk about.”

“I know. Your expression is as solemn as a knight going to war.”

Estelle nodded, pointing at Sophia.

Sophia tried to smile awkwardly.

She felt sorry for ruining brunchtime with heavy talk, but she was in a hurry.

She feared for Killian’s safety, worried that the Empress might take action.

“…It’s about Grand Duke Rivelon.”

Sophia set down her fork as she spoke.

“Yes, what else could it be?”

Estelle wasn’t surprised at all.

Sophia watched Estelle’s reaction closely.

“…His Excellency is being investigated for being the Black Moon, so aren’t you uncomfortable talking about such things, Estelle?”

Despite Viscount Niore and Estelle’s warm welcome, Sophia’s purpose was anything but light.

With Killian being accused of murder as the Black Moon at the imperial palace, associating with him was very dangerous.

Within a day of his capture, the noble families connected to the Grand Duke had severed ties and washed their hands of him in a blink.

But the Niore family showed no such fear.

Any other family would have shut their doors to Sophia, deeply tied to Killian.

“Talking about the Grand Duke is indeed delicate. But it’s because I’m worried about you. You must be more scared and anxious than anyone. It’s not easy to bring up the Grand Duke in front of you.”

Estelle calmly set down her fork and knife.

Sophia bit her lip, touched by Estelle’s words, and her eyes stung with gratitude.

Encouraged by Estelle’s comfort, she mustered the courage to say what she had prepared.

“…Estelle, I believe the Grand Duke is innocent.”

“Of course, Sophie.”

Estelle nodded, comforting her.

Though Estelle had a slight suspicion that Killian might be the Black Moon, she couldn’t say that in front of Sophia.

And Sophia sensed that hesitation in her comfort.

It was natural and expected.

Unlike Sophia, Estelle didn’t have many encounters with Killian and couldn’t be asked to fully trust someone she had met only a few times.

But still.

“…I need your help, Estelle. I can’t do anything alone.”

Sophia desperately needed someone to stand by her.

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