Chapter 16 

After leaving the orphanage, Lucius returned to the place where he was staying.

By the time he arrived, the sky had turned dim blue.

He reached for the doorknob—

Then stopped.

The door wasn’t fully closed.

Letting out a small sigh, Lucius pushed it open.

The room was dark, with no lamp lit.

Near the window, where faint light entered, stood a man.

Lucius didn’t look surprised at the intruder.

He calmly walked to the table, sat down, and lit the lamp.

“Why are you so late?”

The intruder’s voice was relaxed and smooth.

“I thought you’d fallen asleep in some random field again.”

The man walked over and sat across from him.

“Looks like you didn’t even manage that.”

Resting his chin on his hand, he frowned slightly.

“Did you really not sleep at all?”

“Just get to the point.”

The man raised his brows, feigning hurt.

“I came all this way to see you, and you’re so cold.”

“…”

“I was the one who called you to the capital, after all. At times like this, you should eat well and sleep well to keep your strength up.”

“Is that why?”

Lucius took something out of his coat and placed it on the table.

“So you pulled this trick just to make me eat and sleep?”

The object on the table was an envelope from the antique shop’s master.

The man glanced at it.

“If you really thought it was just a trick, you’d be furious with me by now.”

“…”

“Either you found a clue about your brother by coming to the capital…”

The man tapped the envelope with his finger and smiled.

“Or you’ve realized my information wasn’t a trick after all.”

This man was Ilya Luter, Lucius’s longtime friend and the master of the antique shop.

“I can’t believe it actually worked. Or maybe I should be more impressed by the timing.”

He spoke excitedly.

“You found a lead already? Who is it?”

“Jonathan Crollot.”

One of Ilya’s eyebrows shot up.

“The Crollot family? That reckless heir from that greedy house?”

He let out a short laugh.

Everyone knew the truth behind the Crollot family.

They appeared respectable on the surface, but in reality, they were corrupt nobles.

“Honestly, I expected something more romantic. Reality really isn’t like those romance novels—cold and cruel.”

He patted Lucius’s shoulder as if comforting him.

“Still, what a coincidence. Isn’t he a cadet at the Naval Academy? And yet you crossed paths with him.”

Lucius frowned and brushed his hand away.

“Jonathan is just someone who might have information about Calix.”

Ilya’s smile slowly faded.

If Jonathan were truly involved, this was no longer amusing.

Jonathan had been infamous since childhood.

He had the face of an angel—but only smiled while beating others.

“For now, I’ll search with his sister. The rest, I’ll leave to the knights.”

“His sister… Reina Crollot?”

Ilya looked surprised.

“You know her?”

“She’s one of my clients. She hasn’t seen me, but I’ve seen her.”

He stroked his chin thoughtfully.

“She’s just as notorious as her brother… not an easy person.”

Ilya trailed off.

Something seemed to click in his mind.

While he was thinking, Lucius picked up the envelope and tucked it away again.

“That woman is—”

“Lucius.”

Ilya snapped out of his thoughts and called his name.

“I’ll help you.”

A slow smile spread across his lips.

“Who knows? This time, I might actually be of great help to you.”

✦ ✦ ✦

After Lucius left, Reina called Maya to her office and explained everything.

“You’ll be assisting him with searching orphanages?”

Maya’s face turned pale.

“That’s dangerous, my lady. The Monster Duke clearly suspects you.”

“If I refused, he would be even more suspicious. He might have searched this place thoroughly.”

Reina spoke calmly.

“Fortunately, it’s not entirely disadvantageous. I set two conditions.”

The first condition:

She would only accompany him to one orphanage.

“I used my poor health as an excuse.”

Reina was known for rarely leaving the estate due to her condition.

“I also said that’s why I suggested helping through correspondence instead.”

“Did he accept that?”

Reina gave a faint smile.

“For now.”

Maya sighed deeply.

“Then you’ll need to completely remove his suspicion in that time.”

Reina nodded.

“And the second condition?”

“We must have one meal together every day.”

“…What?”

Maya looked stunned.

“Why?”

“I need to gain something too.”

Reina opened her desk drawer.

“Lucius definitely knows what kind of curse Calix has.”

She took out the Bomber statue and placed it in her pocket.

“If he’s trying to figure me out, I’ll do the same to him.”

She smiled at Maya, trying to reassure her.

But Maya still looked tense.

“Then I’ll come with you.”

“No. Stay here.”

“You’re going alone?”

“I can hire temporary attendants where I stay.”

Reina took Maya’s hands.

“Maya… you’re the only one I trust to protect Calix.”

“…”

“Please. Take care of him.”

Maya bit her lip.

She couldn’t refuse.

“If that’s your decision, I’ll follow it.”

“Thank you.”

Reina gently patted her hand and left the office.

She walked toward Calix’s room—

Then hesitated at the door.

Telling him she had to leave again wasn’t easy.

‘He’ll be disappointed.’

She knocked and entered.

Calix was already in bed, reading a storybook.

“Reina!”

He quickly closed the book, his eyes lighting up.

He had thought he wouldn’t see her today.

Reina pulled a chair next to the bed and sat down.

“Calix… about the Bomber statue.”

She took it out.

“Can I keep it a little longer?”

He nodded without hesitation.

“Of course. You can keep it.”

“Thank you.”

She held the statue, then spoke again.

“And… I’m sorry.”

Calix blinked.

“I’ll have to leave the orphanage again for a while.”

“…”

“But I’ll be back soon. I promise.”

She lowered her gaze, unable to look at him.

“It’s okay.”

His answer surprised her.

She looked up.

“You said it’s not over yet.”

He traced the edge of his book with his finger.

“You always keep your promises. You’ll come back soon, right?”

“…Yes.”

He smiled.

“I’ll wait.”

Reina couldn’t smile back.

She was grateful—

But it also made her sad.

She didn’t want him to act so mature.

She wanted him to live like a normal child.

‘I’ll definitely come back safely.’

So that you can be safe too.

She looked at the book in his hands.

“Should I read it to you?”

He didn’t answer.

He just blinked at her.

“I’ll read until you fall asleep.”

His mouth slowly opened in surprise.

After a moment, he handed her the book.

He lay down, facing her, pulling the blanket close.

“This is the first time.”

“The first time?”

“You’re the first person who has ever read to me.”