Chapter 45
Even in the middle of the night, the manor was still brightly lit.
Since the master was away and the “gate” had appeared, the house was on high alert.
With the injured arriving first, everyone stayed awake, waiting for the master to return, worrying about the seriousness of the situation.
Hiiing!
The sound of hooves came, and the manor doors swung open. People rushed out as if waiting.
In the lobby stood Henderson and Sarah.
“Sarah, take care of the children.”
Theophanes gave the order, and Sarah immediately replied,
“Yes, understood.”
Daphne entered with the children and handed Jacquette and Michael to Sarah, then followed Theophanes.
“This way.”
Henderson led them to the room where Helio was.
Daphne followed, but her eyes met Michael’s.
Seeing the tears in his eyes made her pause.
She felt uneasy leaving the children alone in this situation.
Finally, she stopped in her tracks.
“Theo.”
Theophanes and Henderson stopped and turned.
“Why, Madam?”
“I’ll stay with the children. I can’t help worrying.”
Theophanes nodded.
“Understood.”
“Please take care of him for me.”
She said this while Theophanes looked at Michael behind them.
“I’ll watch him carefully.”
Michael’s expression relaxed a little at those words.
After Theophanes and Henderson went upstairs, Daphne turned around.
“Let’s go to the sitting room for now…”
Just then, Jacquette grabbed her skirt and called,
“Mom.”
Daphne stopped talking to Sarah and looked down.
“Hm?”
“Can we take Michael to my room?”
Daphne hesitated.
For a frightened child, Jacquette’s room felt safer than the sitting room.
Seeing how tense the children were, Daphne admitted she hadn’t been careful enough.
The children needed comfort and rest—they looked exhausted.
“Alright, let’s do that.”
She held each child’s hand.
“We’ll go to Jacquette’s room. If you need anything, come there.”
“Understood.”
Holding their hands, Daphne began to climb the stairs.
“Oh, Sarah. Bring snacks or a simple meal for the children.”
“Yes, Madam.”
Sarah headed to the kitchen.
Daphne led the children to Jacquette’s room.
Inside, Mari and Leti were waiting.
“You’re here.”
“Yes! My guest is here too!”
The maids greeted, and Jacquette pointed to Michael.
Daphne let go of his hand and patted his head.
“We should wash the children. You two wash Jacquette.”
Mari and Leti bowed and replied,
“Yes, Madam.”
“Shall we go, Miss?”
“Yes, I’ll be quick. Michael, I’ll be back soon!”
Jacquette waved goodbye to Michael and followed the maids to the bath.
Daphne watched Michael, who was left alone.
“Your Highness.”
“…Hm.”
“I think you should stay here today. Is that okay?”
“Yes… But Madam?”
“Yes?”
“You can speak casually…”
Seeing the red, swollen eyes of the child, Daphne gently held Michael’s shoulder.
“Alright, Michael.”
He closed his mouth tight, trying not to cry, and sniffled.
“You should wash up, too, Michael.”
“…Okay.”
He nodded, his voice barely audible.
Daphne rang the bell in Jacquette’s room.
“Did you call?”
“Come in, Becky.”
The door opened, and Becky entered.
“Please help His Highness wash up.”
“Yes, Madam.”
Daphne knelt to meet Michael’s eyes.
“Michael, this maid came from my family home. She’s trustworthy. Don’t worry and get washed up.”
“Thank you, Duchess.”
He still looked weak and tired.
After both children went to wash, Daphne collapsed onto the sofa.
Her legs hurt so much that it felt like they might break.
She had run out of energy from everything that had happened.
Leaning back completely, she closed her eyes, drifting toward sleep.
A knock sounded.
“Madam, I’ve brought food.”
Daphne straightened up.
“Come in.”
A maid wheeled in a trolley with steaming food.
“Just put it on the table here.”
“Yes.”
The maid placed the hot dishes on the table.
“You may go.”
“Understood.”
Daphne sat back, planning to rest a little more before the children returned.
But as soon as the maid left, the children entered.
Their faces, though clean, looked completely worn out.
Seeing them so exhausted, Daphne worried they might fall sick at night and wondered if she should prepare medicine just in case.
“Are there clothes for the boy?”
“Yes. The head maid brought clothes from the manor.”
Daphne nodded, understanding. They were probably clothes from children who had lived here before.
“Are the clothes comfortable?”
The child shook his head to say yes.
“Good, then.”
Daphne seated both children at the table with food.
“Michael, you need to eat well, especially now.”
“…Okay.”
Even with the simple meal, Michael only drank beverages, not touching any food.
Jacquette tried to offer her favorite snacks in front of Michael, but he didn’t eat.
The room became quiet.
Jacquette, looking determined, dragged a soup bowl closer.
Daphne watched quietly, curious.
Jacquette picked up a spoon and put her hand on her waist.
“Michael, you have to eat well now.”
She copied what Daphne had said, blowing on the soup to cool it.
Then she held the spoon out to Michael.
“Ah—open.”
Michael turned his head slightly, refusing.
Jacquette moved the spoon along with his head, not giving up.
“Michael—”
She held the spoon tightly, her small hand firm, staring seriously at him.
Her determination seemed to spark something between the two children.
