TYWML 38

38. Chloe Lorraine
2024.06.07.

When the man gestured, two burly servants who had followed behind seized Louisa by the arms and dragged her away.

Louisa struggled and screamed, but she couldn’t overpower their strength.

Once her voice, which had been ringing loudly through the hallway, had quieted down somewhat, the middle-aged man let out a sigh and greeted Kassel.

“It’s been a while, Lord Winkler. Or should I say, Duke Winkler now?”

“Have you been well, Marquis?” Kassel replied.

“Oh, you know me, I’m always the same. But there’s no need for formalities anymore. You’re the head of a noble house now, just like me.”

“Even so, I couldn’t possibly speak so casually to you.”

The middle-aged man, Marquis Lorraine, seemed to give up on trying to persuade Kassel. Instead, he turned his attention to Riena, who was standing behind him.

“And the young lady with you is…?”

“My apologies for the late introduction. This is my fiancée, Lady Riena Dyke.”

Riena quickly offered a proper curtsey.

“Nice to meet you, Marquis. I’m Riena of House Dyke.”

“I remember seeing the Duke when he was a child, and now he’s grown up and even engaged. Time really flies. If you don’t mind, would you like to be shown to a separate room?”

“Um…”

Riena looked at Kassel, who gave her a reassuring nod.

“I have something to discuss with the Marquis, so please enjoy some tea. I’ll be with you shortly.”

“Alright. I’ll see you in a bit then.”

With that, Riena followed a maid summoned by the Marquis out of the parlor.

Just before the door closed, she caught a glimpse of Kassel’s expression — it had hardened.

*

It seemed the members of House Lorraine didn’t intend to let her see the twins easily.

Riena glanced at the well-prepared tea and snacks, lost in thought. The maid who had led her had stepped out, leaving her alone in the drawing room.

Eventually, Riena stood up.

‘I’ll find the children myself.’

Normally, such a thought wouldn’t have even crossed her mind — where had she found such courage?

Leaving the room, she cautiously wandered down the corridor.

Whether it was always this quiet or due to Kassel’s arrival causing a stir, the hallway was completely empty.

That was fortunate for Riena.

‘But I don’t know where Noah’s room is.’

As she explored the third floor — where the Lorraine family’s private quarters were — a clear child’s voice rang out from behind her.

“Who’s there?”

Startled, she turned around and saw a young girl with platinum blonde hair tied into two pigtails, bearing a striking resemblance to Louisa Lorraine.

Her eyes, a vivid blue, were just like Kassel’s.

From her appearance and attire, she seemed to be Kassel’s other niece.

When Riena remained silent in surprise, the girl asked again.

“I asked who you are. What are you doing here? I don’t recognize you.”

“I… um…”

Riena hesitated. Should she lie? Be honest?

If she were to be honest, how would she even explain? ‘I’m going to be your aunt’? Would a child even understand what that meant?

As Riena remained silent, the girl sighed and stepped closer.

“I don’t know who you are, but come play with me. Everyone else disappeared, and I have no one to play dolls with.”

“Huh?”

“Come on, unnie. Can I call you unnie?”

Since she wasn’t married yet, ‘unnie’ might still be acceptable.

After a short pause, Riena replied, “Sure, that’s fine.”

Before she knew it, she was being pulled into the playroom by the girl.

She had hoped Noah might be there as well, but the room was empty.

“What’s your name?” she asked.

“Chloe Lorraine!”

The girl, introducing herself as Chloe, cheerfully pulled dolls out of a toy chest.

As Riena accepted a doll from her, she asked cautiously, “Do you know where Noah Lorraine is?”

“Noah? That dummy?”

“Dummy? You shouldn’t say that about your sibling.”

Chloe scoffed.

“Noah’s not my sibling — he’s my older brother. We’re twins.”

“Really?”

“Yep. He was born a few minutes before me, but he’s dumber. He can’t speak well and doesn’t know how to play properly. That’s why he’s dumb.”

“You still shouldn’t use words like that. Not for your brother or anyone else.”

Chloe pouted but eventually nodded.

“Okay, now let’s play.”

She approached Riena without hesitation, waving a doll.

“Hohoho, I’ll be the prettiest at the party today!”

“Uh-huh, that’s right. You’ll be the prettiest, Chloe.”

Riena played along lightly, then offered a gentle warning.

“But Chloe, you shouldn’t be so friendly with strangers. If someone you don’t know approaches you, you should find an adult and tell them right away. Understand?”

Even though it would be troublesome for Riena if Chloe ran off now, she couldn’t overlook the moment.

Chloe tilted her head.

“Unnie, are you a bad person?”

“No, I’m not.”

“Then why?”

“Because bad people don’t say they’re bad. So I could be one, too. What if I tried to take you away?”

“But you’re not a bad person. You’re pretty!”

Riena was at a loss for words at Chloe’s innocent response.

“You have shiny golden hair like sunlight, sparkly eyes like stars, and a kind voice! Just like a princess in a fairy tale. You’re so pretty! Your eyes look just like amethysts! Do you know what amethysts are? Purple gems, like your eyes! I have an amethyst necklace — want to see it?”

Flustered by Chloe’s sparkling eyes staring up at her, Riena tried to change the subject.

“Mm, I know what an amethyst is. But even if I look like a princess, that doesn’t mean it’s okay to trust me, okay?”

Calling herself a princess made her cringe internally.

Fortunately, Chloe simply clicked her tongue and nodded.

“Okay, I get it.”

Before Chloe could resume playing, Riena asked, “By the way, do you know where Noah Lorraine is? I can’t find his room.”

“Why are you looking for him?”

“I just need to talk to him for a moment.”

“If I tell you, will you play with me after?”

“Yes, I’ll come play after I see him.”

“Okay.”

Though clearly disappointed, Chloe explained.

“Noah’s room is at the far end of the second floor. Down the stairs, then to the left.”

“The second floor? Not the third?”

From what Riena knew, the Lorraine family’s rooms were all on the third floor.

Usually, noble families kept their private quarters together. Naturally, Noah should be on the third floor too.

“Yep!”

Chloe likely didn’t know why that wasn’t the case, so Riena decided not to ask further.

“I’ll be right back then.”

“Come back soon!”

“And can you keep it a secret that you saw me?”

“Are you playing hide-and-seek?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Then I won’t tell anyone.”

Chloe placed a finger to her lips.

“Shh.”

“Right, shh.”

Not only did she promise to keep the secret, but she also went ahead to check if any maids were nearby, saying Riena shouldn’t be seen.

“No one’s there. You can come out.”

Thanks to her, Riena was able to slip out easily and make her way down to the second floor.

Confirming the coast was clear, she headed left.

When she reached the door to Noah’s room, she knocked softly, not wanting to be heard — but there was no response.

Just in case, she tried the doorknob. It turned.

“…!”

Riena glanced around once more before quietly stepping inside.

“Noah, are you in here?”

The child’s room was shockingly bare — hardly befitting a noble’s child.

While it was nicer than a servant’s quarters, compared to Chloe’s lavish playroom full of toys and fine furniture, it was woefully sparse.

And it was empty.

“Not here…”

Just as she was about to leave, thinking maybe he had gone for a walk, she heard a faint voice.

“…one there?”

“Hm?”

“Who’s there?”

Riena followed the sound. Surprisingly, it was coming from under the bed.

She hesitated a moment, then lay flat on the floor.

It might have looked improper, but with no one watching, it didn’t matter.

‘And even if someone were watching — so what?’

She turned her head and looked under the bed. In the darkness, a pair of blue eyes stared back at her.

Startled, she quickly composed herself and smiled.

“Hi there.”

The child flinched and shuffled backward.

“Wait, don’t go. The floor’s dusty and not good for your health. How about you come out and talk to me?”

He didn’t respond but continued inching back.

“Are you Noah?”

He nodded.

‘Found him.’

Riena reached out under the dusty bed.

“Why are you hiding there? Will you come out and talk with me for a bit? I’m bigger than you, so it’s hard for me to crawl under the bed.”

Noah didn’t retreat further, but he didn’t approach either.

Riena softened her voice as much as possible.

“I’m not a bad person. I came to see you.”

“…Me?”

“Mm-hmm. So how about you come out and let me see your face?”

After rolling his eyes a bit, Noah slowly crept forward.

When he took her hand, Riena gently pulled him out.

In the sunlight pouring through the window, she saw that the boy had golden hair — slightly darker than Louisa’s or Chloe’s. Most likely, he inherited it from his father, Asher Winkler.

As Riena observed him, her expression turned troubled.

‘Why is he so thin?’