Chapter 17 

Calix had his head lowered, so Reina couldn’t see his face.

But now, she felt like she didn’t need to.

She could already guess what kind of expression he had.

Reina lowered her gaze to the book and began reading slowly, page by page.

She felt a bit awkward.

No one had ever read her a bedtime story before, and she had never read one to anyone either.

Fortunately, her flat, steady voice seemed to help with sleep.

Before long, Calix fell asleep, breathing softly.

Hearing his gentle breathing, Reina’s own eyelids grew heavy.

She hadn’t slept properly these past few days due to constant tension.

‘Calix shouldn’t get sick while I’m gone…’

As her vision blurred, she slowly closed her eyes.

Just as sleep overtook her—

“Help me!”

Calix’s voice rang out.

Reina’s eyes flew open.

‘Calix?’

Startled, she quickly sat up.

But when she looked around, she froze.

Just moments ago, she had been in Calix’s room—

But now, she was somewhere completely unfamiliar.

‘Where am I?’

Uneasy, Reina stood up and began walking.

Calix!

She tried to call his name—

But no sound came out.

Her lips moved, but her voice was gone.

‘What is this…?’

A chill ran down her spine.

Looking around more carefully—

She realized she was in a graveyard.

The writing on the gravestones was too blurred to read.

‘More importantly… where is Calix?’

Turning her head—

She spotted him in the distance.

Reina’s eyes widened.

Calix wasn’t alone.

He was being chased by a massive, pitch-black, four-legged beast.

‘That’s not a normal animal.’

It was closer to a monster.

Calix!

Reina ran toward him.

But he couldn’t hear her.

Calix tripped and fell.

The monster slammed its paw down on him.

No!

Reina quickly looked around.

She spotted a stone larger than her fist, grabbed it, and threw it.

It might not do much damage—

But it could at least stop him from being killed immediately.

Thud!

The stone struck the monster’s lower jaw.

The creature slowly turned its head.

Reina flinched.

Its bright red eyes locked onto her.

Then—

It lunged at her.

‘I have to run!’

She forced her trembling legs to move.

But the monster was faster.

Its claw caught her by the back of her neck.

Reina reached toward its paw, trying to free herself from its grip.

The moment her hand touched it—

Something strange happened.

The black claws cracked—

And fell apart.

At the same time, her body dropped to the ground.

She scrambled backward, staring at the monster.

It looked down at its broken claws.

Then it turned its gaze back to her.

[Found you.]

A harsh, metallic voice echoed.

The monster opened its jaws wide.

At that moment—

“Gasp!”

Reina woke up, taking a deep breath.

“…What was that?”

She looked around.

Everything was exactly as it had been before she fell asleep.

“Was it a dream?”

She looked at Calix.

Dreaming of him being chased by a monster…

‘Is it because I’m worried about leaving him behind?’

Her heart was still pounding as she sat up.

Something fell from her hand.

The Bomber statue.

She had fallen asleep holding it.

Reina picked it up—

Then narrowed her eyes.

‘Was it always like this?’

The angle of the wooden sword it held seemed slightly different.

‘Maybe I’m imagining it.’

Tilting her head, she tucked it away again.

✦ ✦ ✦

The next day, after Reina received replies from the orphanages—

Two carriages stopped in front of the orphanage.

One belonged to the Count and Countess.

The other had been prepared for Lucius’s departure.

They spared no expense for him.

“Reina, be careful. Send word when you arrive.”

“And behave properly in front of the Duke, understood?”

The Countess held Reina’s hand tightly, then cleared her throat.

“We prepared the finest carriage for your journey.”

Reina frowned slightly when she saw it.

It wasn’t the finest carriage.

There were clearly larger, more luxurious ones.

When she looked at the Countess questioningly, the woman leaned in and whispered:

“That carriage is the best because it’s slightly narrow inside. If you sit facing each other, your legs will touch.”

She winked.

‘What…?’

Why wink about something like that?

Reina felt uncomfortable and tried to pull her hand away.

But the Countess tightened her grip.

“Don’t worry about your business while you’re gone. We’ll manage the orphanage.”

Reina was startled.

If they took over, they would discover the falsified records.

“You’ll be dealing with something far more important now.”

“More important?”

The Countess whispered again:

“Marriage.”

Reina’s eyes widened.

“This is a golden opportunity. You could become part of the Ingersoll family.”

“Yes. Just stay close to the Duke. We’ll handle everything else.”

“No.”

Reina spoke firmly.

That didn’t sound reassuring at all.

“Leave the orphanage as it is. And don’t carry out any plans.”

“…Why?”

The Countess’s grip tightened.

“Reina, I thought you understood the situation.”

Her gaze sharpened.

“Are you really going to let this chance slip away? That’s not like you.”

Not like you.

A chill ran down Reina’s spine.

She had heard those exact words before—

When her mother tried to send her to a correction facility.

“Mother.”

Reina spoke calmly.

“This is an important opportunity. We must proceed carefully.”

“…”

“If you act recklessly with Duke Ingersoll, it may bring harm instead.”

Her reasoning made sense.

The Count and Countess calmed down slightly.

“I’ll observe the situation and ask for your help when the time is right.”

They exchanged glances.

“Well, if it’s you, you must already have a better plan.”

“We trust you completely.”

Their attitude changed instantly.

“Good.”

Reina responded coldly and pulled her hand free.

“I’ll be going now.”

She just hoped they wouldn’t cause trouble.

With a quiet sigh, she walked toward the carriage.

Lucius, waiting outside, extended his hand.

She took it and stepped inside—

Then paused.

He hadn’t let go yet.

But before their eyes met, he released her hand.

She turned away and sat down.

Lucius followed and sat opposite her.

Reina discreetly checked—

Their legs weren’t touching.

The carriage began to move.

“…”

“…”

Silence filled the space.

According to etiquette, it was the gentleman’s role to ease such awkwardness.

‘Normally, he’d start a conversation.’

But Lucius remained completely silent.

‘And I don’t feel like starting one either.’

Any attempt would probably end in short answers.

‘Better to just get used to the silence.’

Reina looked out the window and absentmindedly rolled the ring on her finger.

It was the ring Maya had given her that morning.

—My lady, please wear this at all times. It has a tracking scent.

—Tracking scent?

—A scent only my messenger pigeons can follow.

It worked similarly to how the orphanages communicated—

But this one could track a person.

—It’s not usually needed. It belonged to your late father’s pigeon. This one specializes in finding people.

Maya had prepared it just in case something happened.

‘I’m really lucky to have her.’

Reina smiled slightly.

Then stiffened.

She felt a sharp gaze on her.

She glanced sideways—

And froze.

Lucius was staring directly at her.

How long had he been looking?

Reina quickly hid her hand in her skirt and spoke.

“Is something wrong?”

“…”

“Your Grace?”

Lucius simply looked away.

Reina felt deflated.

She turned back to the window—

Then froze again.

The tip of his shoe was touching hers.

She quickly pulled her feet together.

‘Earlier too…’

She tilted her head slightly in confusion.