Chapter 43
The café that Teddian had recommended was famous for its seasonal fruit fresh cream cakes.
The two of them were enjoying the current season’s menu—fig fresh cream cake—and coffee, while talking.
Most of their conversation revolved around Charlotte’s whereabouts.
“We need to come up with another way to find Charlotte.”
Ever since Eleanor had proven her usefulness, Mathias had been regularly receiving information from her.
Yet, despite the relentless pursuit by the Grand Duke’s subordinates, there had been no news of Charlotte being found.
Even with the Hilliard Information Guild and Eleanor—who knew the original story—both searching at the same time, nothing had come up.
‘The power of the relic is even stronger than I thought.’
No matter where Charlotte went or what she did, her traces were being completely erased.
“At this rate, I don’t know how much longer it will take to find her. The current method is extremely inefficient.”
“I agree with that, but without using the child, that’s probably the best we can do.”
For a moment, Eleanor’s gentle eyes suddenly hardened.
She muttered sharply, her voice tense.
“Don’t even think about touching the child.”
“I didn’t mean it in that way.”
Mathias realized he had misspoken and waved his hand defensively.
“I’m serious. I’m not thinking about using the baby anymore. I’ve actually grown fond of the child over time.”
“….”
“Believe me? I’ve genuinely been trying to be good to the baby, haven’t I?”
Eleanor didn’t lower her guard completely, but Mathias’ words were true.
He no longer intended to directly use the child.
Having spent so much time together, Mathias’ feelings had changed over the course of that time.
‘I wonder if the baby has any special meaning to Charlotte.’
When Eleanor had confessed her past to the matron, Mathias realized that Charlotte was slightly different from how he had imagined.
Back when he had met Charlotte in the capital, she had been the epitome of a saint.
She always presented a kind and devoted image to others.
She would cry when seeing those who were ill, and love every newborn life.
Because of a person like that, Mathias had thought that if he threatened her with her own child, she would have no choice but to comply.
‘But to think Charlotte would actually abandon the child and run away first…’
Did Charlotte even have maternal instincts?
Of course, giving birth doesn’t automatically guarantee maternal love, but…
For Mathias, who always placed family first, it was disappointing in many ways.
It had almost completely erased the curiosity he had briefly felt toward her.
“…Charlotte always had so many things she wanted to do. There were so many places she wanted to see.”
Eleanor finally let go of her suspicion and spoke.
“She’s probably traveling somewhere right now, looking for the things she likes. So, I was thinking—rather than trying to track where Charlotte would go, why don’t we make her come to where we are?”
“How do you mean?”
“There’s a big event coming up in the Grand Duchy, right? The swordsmanship tournament.”
The Hilliard Swordsmanship Tournament, held once a year.
Even the otherwise isolationist Grand Duchy, due to the land corruption issues, opened its borders to outsiders only during this tournament.
The swordsmanship tournament had such a long history and prestige.
“The only problem is that Charlotte isn’t really interested in swords. The tournament alone probably won’t attract her.”
“So we need an additional lure.”
“Exactly.”
After a moment of thought, Mathias spoke.
“If we open the Five-Colored Garden, she might show interest.”
Eleanor’s eyes widened.
The Five-Colored Garden was located within the Grand Duchy in what was called the Primordial Cave.
Inside, the walls were embedded with all sorts of minerals, and at noon, when the sun reached the center of the sky, light would pour through a hole in the ceiling.
The sunlight would reflect off the minerals, illuminating the cave brilliantly.
The sight was so magnificent that even an emperor of the empire had written a poem praising the beauty of the Five-Colored Garden.
“It hasn’t been open to the public, including residents, for over ten years. I think it’s an incentive strong enough to lure her.”
“Certainly. Charlotte loves beautiful things, so this would probably catch her attention.”
If they opened it just for the week of the swordsmanship tournament, she would be even more interested.
“Then…”
Eleanor’s eyes sparkled as the discussion continued.
She now held hope that they would soon meet Charlotte.
And Mathias couldn’t take his eyes off her at that moment.
The meeting ended successfully.
Eleanor, unusually, felt satisfied after spending the day with Mathias.
“Let’s head back now.”
“Alright.”
In a good mood, Eleanor bought a box of lemon madeleines for Teddian.
Since she couldn’t play favorites, she also got cakes for Cornelia and the matron.
With her heart feeling lighter, they ended their outing.
“This is all your fault for not being careful, sister!”
“Be quiet, Teddian. How dare you shout at your sister like that?”
“Both of you calm down first. We need to think about how to report this to His Excellency… oh, no.”
Returning to the Grand Ducal Palace, something seemed amiss.
The palace doctor, upon seeing Mathias and Eleanor return, was visibly flustered.
Teddian’s eyes widened, and Cornelia stiffened in surprise.
The maids standing nearby were equally shocked.
‘Why are they all like this?’
Eleanor smiled politely, pretending not to notice the strange atmosphere.
“We’re back. I brought something for everyone to share. Lemon madeleines, which the young master said were delicious, and fig fresh cream cake.”
“Uh….”
“And the baby?”
At Eleanor’s question, everyone fell silent.
They all avoided her gaze.
Only then did Eleanor realize that the unusual atmosphere had to do with the baby.
She looked around and said:
“And the baby?”
“Uh… well…”
“Step aside. Right now.”
She pushed past everyone and approached the baby’s crib.
Fortunately, the baby was sleeping peacefully.
But there was a problem.
A pure white bandage was wrapped around the baby’s arm.
“What is this?”
Eleanor’s expression stiffened.
“Why is the baby’s arm bandaged?”
“Uh, that….”
“Is the baby hurt?”
Mathias, who had quietly approached, asked the doctor.
His face carried a calmness that could almost seem frustrating to an outsider.
But the long-serving doctor knew something.
His master’s calmness was a sign of genuine anger.
‘This is bad.’
Rumors had already circulated that the baby was the Grand Duke’s child born outside, and now…
‘Why did this accident happen of all times…!’
The nervous doctor swallowed hard, clasped his hands politely, and barely opened his mouth.
“There was an accident. So the baby has a slight burn on the arm…”
“A burn? What on earth happened for the baby to get burned?”
“It’s all Cornelia’s fault!”
Teddian couldn’t hold back and shouted.
“Sister spilled tea on the baby! Hot tea, no less!”
Eleanor went pale.
“Spilled… tea? On the baby…?”
Seeing Eleanor’s horrified expression, the senior maid quickly added:
“It was just an unfortunate accident. The baby was treated immediately. Right, Doctor?”
