BRRC CH 34

Chapter 34 – Chains in the Shadows

Tian’s eyes narrowed sharply.

“I don’t remember asking you, Baron.”

“Well, since Your Highness is the Crown Prince, it seemed polite to introduce myself directly.”

Arwin smiled brightly.

Crackle—

It felt like sparks were flying between the two boys.

I just stood there, completely bewildered, watching them face off.

James Darwin had already run away long ago, but the other noble children still lingered nearby, watching us curiously as if something exciting were about to happen.

“And how exactly are you and Annelia so close?” Tian crossed his arms, clearly trying to imitate an adult’s authoritative pose.

“She’s only been living at the Abner estate for what—three months?”

“…”

“Three months seems a bit short to be that close, don’t you think?”

Arwin’s usual gentle smile didn’t waver.

“Oh, I think three months is more than enough. As you may know, the only children at the Abner estate are Ria and me.”

“…”

“So we eat together, take walks together, study together. Sometimes I even sing her lullabies before bed—so now we can’t live without each other.”

I frowned, staring up at Arwin.

“Hey! That’s only because you begged to sing me lullabies!”

Arwin only smiled again, while Tian’s jaw dropped.

“Wait… what?” he asked flatly. “You really eat breakfast and go on walks together every day?”

I squirmed, unsure what to say.
“Um…”

Arwin jumped in smoothly.
“Almost every day, isn’t that right, Ria? Tell the truth.”

I hesitated, then nodded reluctantly.
“I guess so.”

“And you read books together and play with toys too, right?”

“Well, yeah… but that’s only because there aren’t any other kids around.”

That was my excuse.
I didn’t want anyone thinking I was just some quiet little researcher hiding in the lab all day.

“And didn’t you once say I’m your favorite person in the entire mansion?”

My eyes widened.

“Wha—?! That was because I lost at rock-paper-scissors!”

Arwin’s smile widened slightly.
“Even so, you said it yourself.”

I let out a groan and nodded again.
“…Fine. I did say it.”

I couldn’t exactly deny it—it was technically true.

Then Tian scoffed.

“What’s the point if you had to force her to say it? And really, the best you got was ‘favorite in the mansion’? That’s it?”

Arwin’s smile stiffened slightly, but Tian grinned like he’d just scored a victory.

“Well, I’ve been hugged by Annelia before.”

The air froze.

Everyone nearby—including the noble children watching from afar—stared at us with wide eyes.

“Ria, what is he talking about?” Arwin asked quietly.
He was still smiling, but his eyes were sharp.

Tian’s lips curled smugly.

“You didn’t hear me? She hugged me. The very first day we met.”

I blinked, stunned.
“Me? When—?”

Tian took a step closer and lifted his chin proudly, glancing at Arwin like a challenger in a duel.

“She held my hand too. And wiped my face with her own handkerchief.”

The memory hit me—our first meeting.

That day, Tian had been trembling after being hit by his servant, Jacques. I had stepped in to stop it.
And afterward, to calm him down…

“I also remember her fixing my hair,” Tian went on. “And calling me a ‘super strong kid.’”

My jaw dropped.

“We held hands for a long time, too—an hour, maybe more. Oh, and she whispered to me. She was so worried about me.”

When I turned my head, Arwin was smiling tightly, his fists clenched at his sides.

Tian looked right at him and delivered the final blow.

“Of course, unlike you, I didn’t force her. She did it all on her own.”

“…”

“So maybe I’m not her favorite in the mansion,” Tian added smugly, “but in the Empire—no, the whole continent—I definitely am.”

“Hahaha!”

He laughed triumphantly, like a hero who’d just slain a dragon.

I sighed deeply.
‘Dealing with kids this age is seriously exhausting…’

***

Meanwhile—

At the very top of the old Abner watchtower, a man in a black cloak stood silently beneath the fading sunset.

“The security’s lighter than expected,” he murmured.
“Only the guards the Empress Dowager brought with her are alert.”

His cold voice echoed softly under the tower’s shadow as he spoke into a communication crystal.

“But there’s an unexpected bonus.”

[Bonus?] came a distorted voice from the other end.

A gust of wind swept through, fluttering the man’s cloak.
For a moment, a strange sigil tattooed on his wrist flashed beneath the fabric.

“Wendel Lucian isn’t here.”

The words were sharp, heavy with meaning.

Wendel Lucian—House Abner’s strongest sword and Sharon’s most trusted knight.
The one who never left her side.

But tonight, he wasn’t here.

A thin, cruel smile spread across the man’s lips.

“A rare opportunity. No need to change the plan. This might go even smoother than we expected.”

[So, midnight?]

He nodded slowly.
“Yes. Midnight.”

Under the shadow of the tower, his eyes gleamed faintly.

“I’ll report once the job is done. We’ll clean up everything—including the bodies.”

Those wicked eyes didn’t waver.
They were locked precisely on their target—
a little girl laughing in the garden, surrounded by her friends.

Annelia.

***

At the same time, far from the mansion—

“Waaah! It’s the nice mister from before!”

“Tom! Don’t call him ‘mister,’ he’s a knight!”

Wendel Lucian looked down awkwardly at the children swarming around his knees.

“Sir Knight, what brings you here?”

When he raised his head, he saw her—Anne Clarke.

Her hair was neatly tied up, her eyes clear and gentle.

‘…Anne Clarke. The woman accused of abusing Lady Annelia.’

The details he’d learned about her didn’t match the face he was seeing now.

He hesitated before speaking.
“Mrs. Clarke.”

Anne blinked in surprise.
“Y-yes?”

She wiped her wet hands on her apron, trying to stay calm.

Wendel took a step forward—but stopped when several children crowded around his legs.

“Kids, don’t block the knight. Go inside now.”

A few obedient ones ran in first, and the rest followed hesitantly.

Even then, confusion lingered on Wendel’s face.

Anne tilted her head slightly.
‘What’s going on?’

Why was this young knight here?
Had something happened to Annelia?

If so, he wouldn’t come without warning…

“I’m sorry, but you’ll need to come with me,” Wendel said quietly.

Anne’s lips parted slightly, but no words came out.

The children sensed something was wrong and grew quiet.

After a long silence, she finally asked in a trembling voice,

“What about the children…?”

***

Elsewhere, at the same time—

[We’re on the move in six carriages, heading your way.]

Sharon Abner nodded as she listened to Wendel’s report through the communication crystal.

[There are twenty-four children total. Five carriages for them, and Mrs. Anne Clarke is riding with me.]

From Evehill to the Abner estate, the journey would take about six hours.

“You’ll arrive around midnight, then.”

[Yes, Your Grace.]

“There was no resistance?”

There was a pause on the other end.
Then Wendel replied quietly,

[None. She’s cooperating without protest.]

“I see.”

Sharon looked out the window.

Outside, Annelia was laughing with the other children, sharing slices of cake.
Neither the Crown Prince nor Arwin had left her side even for a moment.

“Sharon, what are you doing? Come have a drink!”

From across the garden, the Empress Dowager waved her wineglass cheerfully.

Sharon lowered her head and spoke quickly into the crystal.

“Arrive on time. Don’t be late.”

The party was set to end within the next two hours.