LVSFN 70

Chapter 70

“The old woman who visited Ribe on that rainy day, the astrologer the two of you met on Jeniton Street, and the swindler you ran into not long ago—they were all the same person.”

When Jerelac spoke, Leoni nodded.

“Yes, I think so.”

They had managed to catch a faint thread, yet so much still remained unclear.

On what grounds had the old woman said such things to Riberata?

And what connection did she have to Riberata’s disappearance?

Either way, the most important thing now was clear—they had to find that astrologer.

“She was definitely strange. Like I told you before, her voice was that of an old woman, but her hands were so smooth and delicate, and she smelled of fine perfume.”

Recalling that day, Leoni went on.

“And the cards she laid out—they were all the same. She wasn’t a real fortune-teller at all.”

“As soon as you mentioned her, I sent an aide. But the hut was already being cleared away.”

“Then… you never saw the astrologer yourself?”

Jerelac shook his head.

“I was informed that people sent from the House of Shurain were dismantling the hut.”

Leoni’s face twisted in frustration.

“House Shurain… Lady Grania.”

She remembered how Grania had held a gathering not long ago, mourning for the missing Riberata.

Hadn’t she even raised her voice in protest when she went to the Shurain estate about it?

“Your Grace, you heard as well, didn’t you? Lady Grania held that absurd meeting just recently.”

At her words, something flickered in Jerelac’s eyes, cooling them to a sharp chill.

“Your Grace, this may sound hasty, but… somehow, I can’t shake the feeling that Lady Grania is suspicious.”

Jerelac thought the same, though he hadn’t said it aloud.

He had an unshakable sense that Grania was tied, somehow, to Riberata’s disappearance.

From here on, things would be critical.

Jerelac slipped the letter from the table back into his breast pocket.

“You’ve seen it yourself—Ribe wishes for you to be free of your guilt.”

“….”

“If you’ve been suffering under the weight of it until now, then it’s time you let it go, at least a little.”

Leoni’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she nodded.

“Yes, I will.”

Until now, everything had been shrouded, like wandering in a fog.

She still didn’t know the way forward, but faintly, a light of hope glimmered.

Even just knowing that Riberata was alive somewhere was enough to fill her with gratitude—and joy.

“Thank you, Your Grace.”

“You needn’t thank me.”

“Still, thank you for telling me. I’ll do everything I can to help bring Ribe back.”

Leoni steeled herself once again.

No matter what it took, she would bring her friend back to this world.

Meanwhile, Jerelac rose from his seat.

“Not a word of what we’ve spoken today leaves this room.”

“Yes, of course.”

Satisfied by her firm reply, Jerelac departed the Almaz estate.

Knock, knock.

“Your Grace, Baron Shurain has arrived.”

Upon returning to Cygnus Castle, Jerelac had sent word to the barony.

Fortunately, the baron had been at home and came at once with his aide.

Soon, the doors opened and Frederic Shurain stepped inside.

“I was told you summoned me, Your Grace.”

Frederic was a broad-shouldered, hearty man, prone to acting on impulse rather than nuance. His temperament matched his fiery red hair perfectly.

So this is Frederic Shurain.

He wasn’t the sort to stab someone in the back or plot in shadows.

“Welcome.”

Jerelac’s reply was curt as he studied the man’s expression.

He believed Frederic was not one to wriggle out of things with lies or fabrications.

Well then, let’s see.

“I asked you here because there’s something I wish to know.”

“Yes, Your Grace. Please, ask me anything.”

Jerelac’s gaze flicked briefly toward the aide by the door.

What of the inquiry I ordered?

We checked all the well-known astrologers nearby. None had any particular ties to House Shurain.

And the list?

Here it is.

Hmm.

But many wander without fixed residences, and their names are often uncertain.

And the surveillance on House Shurain?

No unusual movements. Still, I assigned a few more guards to keep watch.

Good. Make sure to confirm exactly who comes and goes from that household.

Yes, and… what of Lady Grania?

Assign seasoned guards to shadow her. Where she goes, whom she meets. And if she sets foot in Clem’s bookstore, inform me at once.

Understood, Your Grace.

No astrologer seemed close to the Shurain family.

Jerelac rearranged his expression and addressed Frederic.

“A rather regrettable incident occurred not long ago.”

At that, Frederic blinked, curious.

“Regrettable?”

Jerelac’s gaze sharpened, pinning him in place.

The intensity of those eyes made Frederic look away, uneasy.

“I hear your men tore down the hut of an astrologer I had in my employ.”

“What?”

Frederic’s eyes bulged as he stammered.

“M-my men? Who exactly are you referring to?”

“I wouldn’t know.”

“…”

“But my aide’s inquiry revealed they were identified as men sent from House Shurain.”

Jerelac’s cold words drained the color from Frederic’s face.

“Your Grace, I swear I knew nothing of this. Truly, I didn’t.”

“….”

“Perhaps… perhaps they weren’t from my household—”

“Are you calling me a liar?”

“N-no, Your Grace! Never!”

The office fell into sudden silence.

Frederic bowed his head, unable to speak further.

“Your Grace, forgive me.”

“….”

“Had I known the hut belonged to someone in your service, I would never have allowed such a thing.”

“Is that so?”

“Of course. How could I?”

“Indeed. How could you.”

Jerelac deliberately pressed the last words with weight.

Frederic tried to keep his composure, but sweat poured down his face like rain.

Damn it. Who in the world would dare such a thing under my name?

He knew Jerelac’s nature well.

Outwardly refined, but in truth colder than anyone.

To fall from Jerelac’s favor was to fall into ruin.

“I truly knew nothing, Your Grace.”

“Very well. I’ll believe you were unaware.”

Frederic cautiously lifted his head in relief—only for Jerelac to continue.

“And what of the little gathering your daughter held, making sport of my fiancée’s disappearance? Are you unaware of that as well?”

“What?”

Frederic had no sweat left to shed.

Of course, he had known about it. He had tried to stop Grania, but she had never listened. He had thought it harmless—just a tea party, nothing more.

“My apologies, Your Grace. Please forgive my daughter’s impropriety.”

“Is there anything else I should forgive in advance?”

“Your Grace—”

“If there is, say it now.”

“N-no, there isn’t. I will keep my daughter firmly in check.”

Frederic shut his eyes tightly, bowing low.

“As for the lady, I’ll let that go. But…”

Jerelac’s voice cut sharp. Frederic’s dry swallow was audible across the desk.

“…driving out a man in my employ—that, I cannot overlook.”

“Y-Your Grace…”

“I bear you no ill will. But the men who tore down that hut—bring them to me.”

“The men who… tore it down?”

But Frederic’s mind was blank.

He had no idea what hut Jerelac was even speaking of, nor any demolition.

“Your Grace, I don’t know who did it. I certainly never gave such an order—”

Jerelac said nothing. He simply stared at him.

That icy gaze silenced Frederic instantly.

Any excuses now would only make matters worse.

Who dares do such things in my family’s name?!

“…Understood.”

In the end, he could only bow out with that brief reply.

He left the castle and hurried straight home—grinding his teeth, vowing to find out who was responsible, and to make them pay.