Chapter 15 

The next day, Reina waited for Lucius from early morning.

Since he had said they would meet again to talk in detail, she expected him to visit the orphanage.

But as time passed and he didn’t appear, she grew anxious.

‘How can I get Lucius to talk about the curse?’

There was no way he would easily reveal the secrets of the Ingersoll family to her.

‘Unless there’s a reason he has to.’

Reina thought that maybe—

She might be able to create that reason sooner than expected.

‘If he meets me today, then Lucius will probably…’

Just then, noise outside interrupted her thoughts.

Lucius had finally arrived.

Reina walked to the window and looked out.

Seeing that he was alone, she felt relieved.

Thanks to showing him the bill yesterday, he hadn’t brought knights for a full search.

Reina quickly checked her appearance in the mirror, composed her expression, and went out to greet him.

When she reached the yard, Ellie was already there, rubbing herself against Lucius.

Reina thought he would find the dog annoying and push her away.

But instead, he gently patted her head.

His face remained indifferent, but his touch was surprisingly gentle.

‘That’s unexpected…’

As Reina stepped forward, Lucius lifted his gaze from Ellie and looked at her.

“You’ve come, Your Grace. I’ve been waiting.”

She greeted him with a smile.

Lucius didn’t reply.

He simply stared at her.

Every time he did that, Reina felt like her lifespan was shortening.

“Please come inside. If you haven’t eaten yet—”

“There’s a walking path.”

He cut her off, pointing toward the forest.

“Would you walk with me for a moment?”

“…Just the two of us?”

In a forest with no witnesses—

Where someone could easily be killed and buried?

At her instinctive question, Lucius frowned slightly.

“I only need you.”

Reina’s expression turned strange.

‘What kind of wording is that…?’

He meant they should talk alone, but the way he said it sounded unnecessarily ominous.

Still, she nodded.

She had quickly checked—

He wasn’t carrying a sword.

‘Even Lucius wouldn’t start a fight here… probably.’

With that, they began walking through the forest.

Neither of them spoke.

Reina pretended to admire the scenery while struggling to keep up with his fast pace.

‘He asked for a walk but doesn’t slow down at all.’

Then again, expecting consideration from the “Monster Duke” was unrealistic.

Just as she was silently complaining, Lucius spoke.

“If you send inquiries to the orphanages, how long will it take to receive replies?”

Reina quickly matched his pace and answered.

“Faster than regular correspondence.”

That was the point of the network.

Some orphanages also rescued children from the streets, so they frequently exchanged information.

“If we send a description of the child I’m looking for, when can we expect a reply?”

“If sent today, we might hear back as early as tomorrow or the day after.”

“Good. That will reduce the time needed to search suspicious locations.”

Lucius suddenly stopped and turned to her.

“After hearing what you said yesterday, I conducted some investigations.”

“…Investigations?”

“You seemed certain the child was in an orphanage. I wondered what your reasoning was.”

Reina felt a jolt.

He had seen through her attempt to direct his attention.

“While I was away from the Empire, a new system was introduced.”

It was a system to rescue the increasing number of wandering orphans.

Since crimes involving kidnapping and selling children had increased, the imperial family created this system.

Anyone who found a wandering orphan and brought them to an orphanage would receive a reward.

“It may pay less than selling them, but it carries less risk, so crime has decreased.”

“…”

“That is why I felt it necessary to investigate orphanages. So, Lady Reina—”

Lucius looked directly at her.

“I would like to ask for your help.”

“…”

“If you assist me, I will repay this favor in the name of my house.”

Reina pressed her lips tightly.

She was trying to suppress a smile.

‘Just as I thought—he’s asking for my help.’

She had expected this.

But—

She hadn’t expected him to stake his family’s name.

This wasn’t a personal request.

It was a formal proposal between noble houses.

‘And he’s even offering repayment.’

Did that mean he had dropped his suspicion?

Her heart raced.

‘Stay calm.’

If she looked too relieved, it would seem suspicious.

She hardened her expression and was about to respond—

“However.”

Lucius continued.

“You must accompany me.”

“…Accompany you?”

“It means you must stay by my side.”

Her lips parted slightly.

“Could you explain that more clearly?”

“If you are present, orphanages will be more willing to cooperate.”

Even for Lucius, it wouldn’t be easy to search orphanages outside his territory.

And since the Empire now protected orphanages more strongly, they had the right to refuse.

He could force it—

But that would waste time.

“If someone like you, who runs an orphanage, makes the request, they will be less wary.”

Reina fell silent.

‘Go with Lucius…?’

This wasn’t part of her plan.

Helping him was one thing—

But staying by his side was dangerous.

And it meant leaving Calix alone.

‘He hasn’t dropped his suspicion.’

If anything, he was more suspicious.

He wanted to keep her close and uncover the truth.

Seeing her hesitate, Lucius spoke again.

“I have already obtained permission from Count and Countess Crollot.”

Reina’s eyes widened.

“Then… the reason you came at this time…”

“I stopped by the estate first.”

Reina wanted to hold her forehead.

‘So now I can’t refuse.’

The Count and Countess would never reject this opportunity.

“They said they would help in any way possible.”

Of course they did.

They had always wanted a connection with the Ingersoll family.

Even though they were respected nobles, they had never been able to enter that circle.

Now they finally had a chance.

Reina closed her eyes briefly.

‘Lucius did this on purpose.’

He set everything up in advance—

Then came to inform her of it.

‘And then he says he only needs me?’

He was completely controlling the situation.

Reina suppressed her frustration and said:

“You never considered the possibility that I might refuse.”

“I asked because you wanted to help. Do you not?”

She realized she had been outplayed.

But she had no intention of going along easily.

“Then tell me what your relationship is with the child.”

“In this situation, is that what you’re most curious about?”

“It’s not the most important, but it’s something I need to know.”

Lucius smiled slightly.

“If you accept my proposal, I will tell you.”

He answered calmly.

Reina nodded.

“Alright. I accept.”

She waited.

“Calix Ingersoll. He is my younger brother.”

His answer came immediately.

Reina was actually surprised.

Calix was supposed to be hidden from the public.

‘Good.’

Now that he revealed it—

She had a reason to learn more about the family’s secrets.

“In return for helping you, I have two requests.”

Lucius narrowed his eyes slightly.

Reina continued calmly.

“Will you grant them?”