Chapter 73
Impulse quickly hardened into resolve.
Tebet was said to be searching for something.
Could it be her he was looking for?
Most likely. Even after losing his memories, he had shown an odd obsession with Eslyn.
I need to apologize for disappearing like that. I also want to know how he’s been…
Eslyn’s blue eyes sparkled. She hastily packed her bag and rose to her feet.
She hailed a carriage and stepped down before the gates of the Duke of Ripherius’s mansion.
The massive doors, tightly shut, greeted her in silence. Not even a gatekeeper stood in sight.
As she hesitated, wondering what to do, someone approached.
“Who goes there?”
It was a young knight’s wary voice.
“Sir Jerome?”
The name slipped out before she could stop herself.
The knight’s eyes widened in shock once he recognized her.
“Wait—you’re that maid from before…”
“Perfect timing, then.”
“Wh-what?”
Eslyn walked toward the startled Jerome.
The ducal estate loomed behind him, ringed by tall, imposing walls. Beautiful and elegant, yet tinged with an inexplicable gloom.
Fixing her gaze on the main building where she felt Tebet must be, Eslyn spoke.
“I’ve come to see His Grace. Could you please let him know?”
“A maid dares request an audience with the duke?”
Jerome scowled.
“Just tell him I’ll wait here.”
“Ha!”
He snorted in disbelief, but Eslyn didn’t budge.
“Tell him the name Rosabel. He’ll understand.”
She even gave her name, as if daring him to refuse.
Jerome was about to throw her out when he froze. Tebet’s face came to mind—how he had once told him to find this maid.
Though he never mentioned her again afterward…
Something warned him it would be wrong to simply send her away.
At least I should report it… at least report it.
“W-well then… just… wait here!”
He left her standing by the wall and disappeared inside.
It wasn’t long before Jerome returned, emerging from a small side door beside the great gate. His expression was uneasy.
“Um…”
Eslyn straightened.
“His Grace… refuses to meet you.”
“…What?”
For a moment, she thought she had misheard.
But Jerome’s reluctant face confirmed it was true.
“He told me to send you away.”
Eslyn blinked a few times.
“Why?”
“How should I know?”
“….”
“Honestly, think about it. Why would someone as busy as His Grace waste time meeting you?”
He rattled on quickly, his discomfort suddenly gone.
“So just turn ar—”
“Who is there?”
A low woman’s voice cut in, aged yet commanding, solemn with long years of authority.
“Ah, Lady Satina.”
At the half-open side door stood a silver-haired woman.
Satina raised a brow.
“Sir Jerome, what is this about?”
“She… she’s asking to see His Grace…”
“She?”
Satina’s eyes slid toward Eslyn. Eslyn did not avert her gaze, but met it squarely.
Hm. Satina narrowed her eyes, dissecting her like a specimen.
“This girl claims to be a maid who once served His Grace at the mountain retreat in Reviv.”
“When His Grace went missing, you mean?”
“Yes. I think she’s… a palace maid. Isn’t that right?”
Jerome turned to her suddenly. Eslyn hesitated, then nodded. She hadn’t formally entered the palace yet back then, but technically speaking, she was indeed a palace maid.
“Yes.”
“A maid, then.” Satina turned her body fully toward her.
“And not even one of ours. What reason do you have to see the master?”
“I have something important to tell him.”
Her calm, steady tone made Satina pause. She studied her in silence, then addressed Jerome.
“Did you report this to the master?”
“He said he wouldn’t see her…” Jerome muttered, scratching his head.
“Hm.”
Satina’s lips curved gently. Smiling, she looked surprisingly kind.
“If it’s important, then even a maid deserves an audience. I’ll inform him myself.”
Relief brightened Eslyn’s face.
Satina turned away, Jerome following behind.
Eslyn leaned back against the wall again.
Did the duke’s mansion always have such a housekeeper?
She had rarely come here, so she couldn’t recall. Regardless, she could only hope the woman would persuade Tebet.
And soon, her hope became reality.
“His Grace has agreed to come down,” Satina reported when she returned alone.
“Really?”
“Yes. Wait here.”
Still dazed, Eslyn nodded. Satina slipped back inside.
She would finally see him.
Her heart pounded hard. Pressing her hand against her chest, she tried to calm herself.
The row of street trees caught her eye. Their leaves were tinged red at the tips.
Red. The color of his eyes.
She counted each crimson leaf, waiting for Tebet.
For a very long time—until she had counted every leaf in sight.
But Tebet never came.
“Did he stand you up?”
Erdan asked in disbelief. It was the third time he’d repeated the question.
“He must’ve been busy,” Eslyn murmured, rifling through documents. The prince snorted, breath puffing through his nose.
“Ha! Buuu-sy?”
“Keep your voice down. Do you want everyone to know you’re here?”
The shabby tavern had thin walls. If word got out that the prince was sneaking around in such a place, it would be disastrous for him.
But Erdan wasn’t listening.
“Unbelievable. Even without his memories, who leaves someone standing outside for that long?”
Perhaps she shouldn’t have told him.
Eslyn felt a twinge of regret.
“Forget him! I knew that devil duke was no good from the start.”
He waved his hands in disgust. Eslyn just shrugged, gathering her papers into order.
That day, she had returned without meeting Tebet.
It wasn’t that she hadn’t been disappointed, but neither was she disheartened.
There’s nothing I can do. I’ll just have to wait.
She knew better than anyone the anxiety and confusion that came with lost memories.
If Tebet didn’t want to see her now, then she would wait.
Just as she had once waited at the northern duke’s estate.
He’s doing well, they said… That’s enough for now.
Through Sepia, she had heard news of the townhouse. Tebet was safe and well.
“So I should just focus on my part.”
“Hm?” Erdan tilted his head. Eslyn smiled faintly.
“With a Pellisus magic stone, Sir Tebet will return.”
Her eyes darkened, her calm words soft yet resolute.
“Or… if I find the Grail first.”
Erdan flinched.
Eslyn’s gaze drifted to the packed travel bag in the corner.
This would be her last meeting with Erdan here.
“Have you learned anything about the Grail?”
“I have… but honestly, it’s too much alone. You’d better come quickly.”
He whined. Eslyn only chuckled, slipping the documents into her bag.
“Next time, we’ll meet at the palace.”
“And His Grace?”
“He is in the gallery corridor, my lady.”
Satina walked on, spotting Tebet in the distance.
She thought of the maid who had come earlier.
She lingered there for quite a while.
Satina twisted her lips. The girl was strangely compelling.
A mere maid, daring as she was.
But instinct told her the truth—this was the woman Tebet had sought in Roption.
Good thing Sir Jerome found her first.
Satina’s long-trusted servant had intercepted Jerome before he could rush to Tebet. Likely, Tebet hadn’t even been told of Eslyn’s visit.
Pitiful.
A thin smile spread across her face as she continued walking.
What kind of woman could shake Tebet Ripherius so?
No matter. It doesn’t matter now.
Everything lay within her grasp.
“My lord, you are here.”
She bowed low, hiding her expression.
Tebet stood before the portraits of his ancestors, his eyes fixed on them.
“Her Majesty the Empress has summoned you twice already. Refusing again would be unwise.”
Though long retired, Satina had conveniently reassumed the role of house steward.
She studied his broad back, waiting.
After a long silence, she tried again.
“My lord, is your memory still troubled?”
“…Memory?”
At last, he stirred.
“Ah. Memory.”
He spoke as though recalling some long-forgotten trinket.
Yes, he had lost his memories… though even that fact was fading now.
“Does that matter to you?”
“It does not.” Satina’s reply was smooth.
“So long as you fulfill your duties as head of Ripherius, nothing else matters. But if it troubles you, I can summon a mage from the temple—”
“That won’t be necessary.”
The curt refusal silenced her.
She studied his profile—expressionless, devoid of any feeling.
After a pause, she bowed once more.
“Then you should heed Her Majesty’s summons. His Majesty’s illness grows worse. It would be wise for you to visit the palace often.”
She ended her counsel respectfully.
A long silence followed before Tebet exhaled a heavy sigh.
“Prepare. I’ll go to the palace.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Satina bowed deeply and withdrew. Nearby maids bustled to make arrangements.
