Chapter 91
“I just heard the news—Count Garcia came here and left again.”
“Count Garcia?”
He came here again? And what followed was even more absurd.
“Yes. He bumped into one of the children in the yard on purpose and claimed the child tried to harm a noble. He said it was disrespectful and took the child, Kir, away.”
“……!”
I looked around at the children. Only after hearing what Mrs. Mayer said did I realize one of them was missing.
Then, the children started crying and explained what had happened.
“Sniff! We were just playing quietly, but the Count really did bump into us first!”
“What’s going to happen to Kir? Is something terrible going to happen? Will we never see him again?”
“Duchess, please help! The Count said if you come to his mansion, he’ll release Kir. Please save him… sob…”
Once one child started crying, it spread like wildfire. Soon, the whole place was filled with sobbing.
“This had to happen when neither you nor His Highness the Prince were around…”
Mrs. Mayer bit her lip in frustration.
The orphanage staff tried to calm the children.
“There, there, kids. It’s okay, don’t cry…”
But the kids were bawling their eyes out, their faces red and tears streaming down.
Even Finn joined in to help calm them down.
“Finn, please save Kir! He didn’t do anything wrong!”
“You’re good with a sword, right?”
“I…”
Finn couldn’t finish his sentence, frustrated that he couldn’t help.
I clapped my hands to get everyone’s attention.
“I’ll go to Count Garcia’s mansion.”
The children immediately brightened up. The oldest girl asked,
“You’re really going?”
“Yes, I have to.”
Since the Count said he’d let Kir go if I visited, there was no reason not to. And the reason he took the child was because of me.
“I’ll bring Kir back safely.”
I held out my pinky. The girl hesitated, then hooked her finger with mine.
Then Mrs. Mayer said firmly,
“Duchess, I’ll come with you.”
“It’s okay. I’ll make sure Kir is safe, so please take care of things here.”
She didn’t look reassured.
“I believe you’ll handle it well. But…”
She glanced at my arm—the same spot the Count had grabbed roughly before.
“I understand how you feel. If I were in your shoes, I’d probably try to stop myself too.”
I knew this wasn’t going to be a pleasant visit. Last time I met the Count, he had acted polite at first but quickly turned controlling when I didn’t go along with him.
If someone close to me said they were going to a person like that, I’d be worried too.
To ease her concern, I smiled brightly.
“There’s someone I need to see at the Garcia mansion.”
“Someone to see?”
It wasn’t a comforting lie—I truly meant it. I whispered who I was going to meet.
After I explained, Mrs. Mayer didn’t look worried anymore.
But a deep frown appeared on her forehead. Her silence showed she still wasn’t happy.
Finally, she said with a sulky tone,
“…Looks like I didn’t need to worry.”
Then I declared that I would now depart from the orphanage.
‘Through, I’d see that face in the evening, not this soon.’
I glanced at my bracelet sparkling in the sunlight as I got into the carriage.
Meanwhile…
“Sniff, sniff…”
Kir sat in the fancy carriage, something he’d never ridden before, crying nonstop. His bright yellow orphanage clothes were soaked with tears.
So scary… sis, big bro…
Being accused of harming a noble was terrifying. He had heard that people could have their ears or hands cut off, or even be beaten. But he was just playing.
His whole body trembled with fear and confusion.
“Sniff…!”
Then he accidentally made eye contact with the Count and gasped.
The Count’s sharp look reminded him of a snake ready to eat him, and Kir covered his mouth, too scared to breathe.
“What’s your name?”
“…K-Kir, sniff, that’s my name.”
“Kir. I’m sorry I scared you by taking you like that.”
What?
Kir looked up at the Count in surprise. The Count smiled gently.
“I bumped into you first. I don’t really want to punish you. But if I hadn’t done this, my daughter wouldn’t come to see me.”
“Your daughter… You mean the Duchess?”
“Yes. It was my fault our relationship broke. But I want to fix it. I needed to talk to her. It’s not the best way, but I had no choice.”
“…”
“I’m sorry you got dragged into this, Kir.”
Kir blinked slowly. Just moments ago, the Count had looked scary—but now he reminded him of the kind director at the orphanage. …Maybe he wasn’t a bad person after all?
Kir, still chubby-cheeked, nodded hesitantly. The Count chuckled and patted his head.
“When we get to the mansion, I’ll give you sweets you’ve never had before.”
“Really…?”
“Of course.”
“Wow!”
Kir smiled brightly, forgetting his tears. His fear was completely gone now.
“Just stay calm until we arrive.”
“Okay!”
He happily swung his legs.
The Count, unseen by Kir, wiped his hand after patting the boy’s head and tossed the handkerchief away. He reached for a cigar but put it back.
He resisted the urge. Bringing that boy here like this probably already made Diana (the Duchess) dislike him more. He needed the boy to think he was a good man.
Hah… Can’t believe I’m doing this for Diana.
Who would’ve thought? He had once cast her aside, thinking she was useless, but now her value had changed.
He used to feel only slight regret about pushing Diana away. With her husband Harold’s death, he thought she’d fade from power and had focused more on Kaiden’s bride, Ella.
But Ella had destroyed herself. And now the situation had changed.
I need Diana.
But she had changed too much. She used to be quiet and obedient, but now she always answered back and kept her guard up.
A low-born girl who doesn’t even appreciate the kindness I showed her.
The Count swallowed his annoyance and smirked bitterly.
“…Doesn’t matter.”
He had held her leash since she was born. He could take control again.
The carriage arrived at the Garcia mansion. The Count got out first, and Kir followed with a servant’s help.
“Let’s go, Kir.”
“Yes!”
As the Count walked toward the mansion with his hands behind his back, he suddenly stopped. He felt someone watching him from the second-floor drawing room.
He narrowed his eyes and looked up.
But the curtains were drawn. Nothing seemed suspicious.
Must be my imagination.
He shrugged it off and entered the mansion. The butler greeted him.
“Welcome back, sir.”
“Is dinner ready?”
“Yes, everything is prepared as you requested.”
The Count looked pleased.
“Hmm. I assume the chef is aware of how to prepare all of Diana’s favorite meals. right?”
“But…”
The butler hesitated and then added awkwardly,
“You have a visitor.”
“…A visitor?”
No one was supposed to come today. Surely Diana wasn’t already here?
The Count gestured impatiently, asking who it was.
The butler bowed his head and answered,
“She came unexpectedly.”
“What?”
She?
Before he could get more answers, someone appeared in front of him.
“The Duke has arrived,” the butler said.
The person had come in person.
