LVSFN 47

Chapter 47

As midnight of the 13th passed, the three-day-long Festival of Saint Obenly finally came to an end.

A new sun rose over Muten with the dawn, but not all places saw that morning light.

Liberata, who had vanished the day before, did not reappear until after noon the following day.

The disappearance of the Marchioness’s daughter turned the entire Empire upside down.

It had only been a few days since a gunshot rang out in the streets, and now another disappearance sent shockwaves throughout Muten.

Failie Easley was eventually imprisoned.

She claimed that she had nothing to do with Liberata’s latest disappearance, but her claims were not accepted.

Jerelach abandoned everything else and devoted himself entirely to finding Liberata.

He searched the Easley family’s warehouses and homes, tore up the decks of ships, and even investigated the places they traded, the docks, their ships, and the homes of their servants.

But there was no trace of Liberata.

On the afternoon of the 17th, another helpless day seemed to be passing when—

“Your Grace.”

Adrian came to see Jerelach.

His face was anxious and urgent.

“What is it?”

Adrian had briefly left Muten after the festival ended to work on a map of Ehrenberg.

As soon as he returned and heard the news of Liberata’s disappearance, he came straight to Jerelach.

“Your Grace, I saw Liber leaving the castle on the morning of the 13th.”

“What?”

Adrian described the Liber he saw that day—wearing a robe and trying to hail a carriage.

“In fact, not long ago, I also saw her loitering around Jenniton Street with her face covered.”

That day, Liber had seemed extremely suspicious.

Her face looked anxious, and it seemed like she was searching for something. Then she even asked Adrian to pretend he hadn’t seen her.

After hearing Adrian’s account, Jerelach asked,

“When was that?”

“The day before the festival began. The afternoon of the 10th.”

The afternoon of the 10th.

Jerelach glanced toward his aide.

“Was there any kind of event near Jenniton that day?”

The aide flipped open the notebook he was holding and quickly scanned through the pages.

“No, Your Grace. Since it was the day before the festival, there were no notable events.”

“Regardless of whether it was public or private, official or just kids playing around—write up a full report of everything that happened that day and bring it to me.”

“Yes, sir.”

As the aide hurried out, Jerelach rubbed his forehead and closed his eyes. Adrian also looked deeply gloomy.

“She said something similar to before. That she had somewhere she must go, that it was something personal she needed to handle, and that it wasn’t dangerous, she promised.”

Jerelach listened silently and let out a long, heavy sigh.

Even when she was locked in a warehouse with nothing, Liberata had been strong enough to escape on her own.

This might not be a simple kidnapping or disappearance.

“She’s always been a bit unpredictable, so I didn’t think much of it. I’m sorry. I should’ve stopped her then.”

Adrian couldn’t shake the thought that it was his fault Liberata had vanished.

If only he had followed the carriage she took.

If only he had tailed her in secret.

Then suddenly, everything became clear in his mind.

“Your Grace.”

Jerelach slowly lifted his head, and Adrian quickly continued.

“I don’t know where she went, but I did call a carriage for her. Maybe we can find out if a carriage picked up a guest in a green dress that afternoon on the 10th?”

At Adrian’s suggestion, Jerelach immediately stood from his seat.

“Your Grace?”

Without hesitation, he grabbed his jacket.

“I’ll help, sir.”

Just then, as Jerelach flung open the tightly closed office door—

“Ah.”

He nearly collided with a woman who had just come in.

She looked up at him with startled eyes.

“Your Grace.”

She had hair the deep red color of a setting sun.

Her face was familiar, but her name didn’t come to him right away.

As Jerelach squinted slightly, trying to recall who she was, the woman spoke first and politely introduced herself.

“I’m Grania from the Viscount Shrain family.”

“What brings you here?”

He had neither the energy nor the will to meet anyone or make conversation. Even during the morning briefing, he had clearly stated that personal visits were not to be accepted.

Jerelach looked down at Grania with a rather sharp expression.

Grania, with a composed face, began to speak.

“I heard that Your Grace has been skipping meals and working tirelessly.”

She then glanced at the maid behind her, Elome.

Elome carefully lifted the box she was holding.

“This was made from something my father acquired with great difficulty—”

“Tell your message to the aide. I’ll hear it later.”

Without another word, Jerelach briskly walked past her and disappeared.

Adrian, now standing awkwardly beside a stunned Grania, rubbed the back of his neck uncomfortably.

He glanced toward Jerelach disappearing down the corridor, then said to her,

“Please understand, Lady Shrain. Right now, His Grace isn’t in a state to hear anything.”

“What’s happened?”

Grania was trembling slightly.

Whether from being ignored by Jerelach or from humiliation—Adrian couldn’t tell.

Of course, she did her best to hide her emotions.

“It’s about Lady Bernadette. We’re still looking for her. So please be understanding.”

At his words, something subtly shifted in Grania’s gaze.

“Ah, of course. Still no word about Lady Bernadette?”

“Unfortunately, no.”

Grania nodded with a glum expression.

“Everyone’s working together to find her. I’m sure she’ll return soon.”

“I believe so.”

“It’s just… I’m worried about His Grace’s health. He bears the responsibility of Muten… and there are other important matters in Muten besides this.”

Her final words sounded oddly pointed.

Adrian glanced again toward the end of the corridor and said to Grania,

“If you leave the gift with the aide, I’m sure His Grace will receive it and speak with you later.”

“…”

“Please return safely.”

With that, Adrian gave a polite bow and quickly ran in the direction Jerelach had gone.

Grania remained standing in place long after the two men had disappeared.

Her cheek twitched as she clenched her molars, but she couldn’t shake the feeling of being trampled.

“My lady.”

Elome, who had been standing behind her, cautiously called out.

“…”

But Grania didn’t respond.

A lump of bitter misery pressed on her chest, and it felt like if she opened her mouth, she might burst into tears.

Get a grip. It’s not like this is the first time.

She bit down hard on her lower lip to suppress her feelings.

Then, with a composed voice, she turned to Elome.

“Elome.”

“Yes, my lady?”

“What should we do with this?”

What she brought had been carefully prepared with Jerelach in mind.

It included medicinal herbs to help replenish his energy, but also a letter and an invitation, written with utmost care.

She had poured her heart into writing that letter.

She had known personal visits were restricted, but thought it would be okay just to leave the gift and letter.

She hadn’t expected to be brushed off like this.

“I’ll give it to the aide and leave.”

At her words, Elome slowly nodded.

“You’re making the right decision, my lady. And… maybe it’s best not to rush things too much.”

When Elome said that, Grania clenched her fist tighter.

“Too much? Just how long am I supposed to wait?”

“My lady…”

“Elome, I’ve waited long enough. Long enough!”

Grania’s voice rose, echoing down the corridor.

Elome shut her eyes tightly and opened them again.

“No one… no one has waited for him longer than I have. You know that best, Elome.”

“My lady, but—”

“You said it yourself. That fate can be changed. That everything can be changed—you promised that!”

Breathing hard, Grania turned away.

“Ha, and now he’s off to find someone?”

She stared blankly ahead.

“Fine, Your Grace. Go ahead and look as hard as you want.”

She passed by Elome, muttering quietly so no one else could hear as she stared down the hallway where Jerelach had vanished.

“You’ll never find her.”