CHAPTER 23
I didn’t notice and cheerfully took out an ice pop from the bag Greta was holding and handed it to Matthias.
“Here, an ice pop costs 4 Cooper. It’s really tasty, so try it.”
Matthias hesitated to take it. The moment he took a bite, his eyes widened in delight, and his soft cheeks puffed out.
I squatted down to meet the child’s eye level and smiled gently.
“The sun will set soon, so it’s time to go home. Should we escort you?”
“I can go by myself.”
It was a mature refusal, but I couldn’t let him go alone, so I arranged a carriage.
Watching the carriage leave with the child inside, I stretched my arms.
Shall I dig into Anna’s disappearance case before the banquet?
* * *
The Duke’s office.
The meeting between Jena and Matthias had been fully reported to Aizen by Greta.
Aizen, who had deliberately kept quiet about the fake von Kreuz family from his nephew, was shocked to hear about their encounter.
He had tried hard not to involve young Matthias in the messy scheme, but they had finally come face to face.
“What could they have talked about? Surely she hasn’t noticed anything, and Matthias hasn’t found out about our plan, right?”
“There were no signs of that. Your Grace, he didn’t even recognize me.”
Back when Greta had only seen Matthias from a distance during her knight days, Matthias had never properly interacted with her.
Aizen felt relieved and roughly ran his hand through his hair.
“From now on, make sure they never meet.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
After sending Greta out, he immediately went to find Matthias. When he knocked on the door, a youthful voice responded.
“Matthias, it’s me.”
“Oh, uncle? Please come in.”
Matthias, in his white pajamas, opened the door with a surprised expression.
He seemed happy that his rarely seen uncle had come, and his cheeks flushed, but turned pale when Aizen spoke.
“I heard you sneaked out today. And apparently, it’s not even the first time.”
“H-how did you know that, uncle…?”
Looking down at his flustered nephew, Aizen let out a deep sigh.
Seeing Matthias, who inherited traits from both his mother and father, naturally reminded him of his older brother and sister-in-law. His nephew was always precious, yet difficult to handle.
That was why he couldn’t let him get involved with Jena. Firmly deciding so, Aizen began to scold him.
“You shouldn’t go out without telling anyone. What if you got into danger? When you act recklessly, others end up suffering the consequences.”
“I’m sorry. I just…”
Matthias slumped under the stern reprimand, about to say something.
But Aizen raised his hand to stop him. He hadn’t come to listen to excuses, but to give a warning.
“We are the Calard family, Matthias. We have many enemies and much to protect. Control these thoughtless actions. Don’t associate with unknown nobles.”
Matthias, fiddling with his hands like a punished child, suddenly lifted his face. A small spark returned to his previously downcast red eyes.
“Ah, right! I wanted to ask you about the von Kreuz family-.”
“You don’t need to know about that family.”
“Huh? Why not?”
“This isn’t something that requires a reason. Don’t mingle with them.”
Aizen lightly frowned. Trying to prevent another encounter with Jena, his tone had come out harsher than intended.
Matthias flinched and lowered his head. Seeing him so dejected, Aizen felt his heart soften slightly.
“Why do you only tell me what not to do…?”
Matthias looked up at Aizen, tears dangling from his big eyes. His small lips pouted.
“You don’t even ask why I went out, yet you like work more than me…”
“What are you talking about, Matthias? Whatever the reason, sneaking out itself was wrong.”
From Aizen’s perspective, it was objective discipline: pointing out the wrongdoing without excuses.
But Matthias felt it as a line being drawn between them, and the unfairness stung. If his family had listened properly, he wouldn’t have done such things.
Why only scold me?
A mix of frustration, sadness, and resentment poured out as a single tear.
“I hate you, uncle.”
“…Matthias, you shouldn’t say that just because I scolded you.”
“It’s not because you scolded me. You don’t understand me at all!”
The dam of Matthias’ tears broke. Seeing his nephew sobbing loudly, Aizen’s heart shook.
It had been a long time since the child cried in front of him, and Aizen had forgotten how to comfort him. His hands hovered helplessly.
“Don’t cry. Promise me you won’t sneak out anymore and won’t associate with unknown nobles, and I won’t get angrier.”
Unable to get the promise he wanted, Aizen ended the conversation for now and returned to the viscount’s mansion.
He kept thinking about how to handle this situation.
Matthias was stubborn, so there was no guarantee he wouldn’t go meet Jena again.
After showering and wrapping his robe, there was a knock at the door.
“Darling, it’s me. Can we talk for a moment?”
“I wanted advice regarding the disappearance of a child.”
Aizen frowned and thought of sending Jena away, claiming he was tired. But then he reconsidered.
‘If it’s hard to persuade Matthias, I can persuade this one instead.’
He opened the door, forgetting he was still in his robe.
“Madam, come in-”
“Eek!”
Jena screamed upon seeing her half-naked, damp husband. The sudden visual stimulus startled her.
Reflexively, she reached out and loosened his robe slightly, then adjusted it again.
“…Ahh.”
He was a rare, stunningly handsome man. His sharp, bright eyes scanned her like a sculpture, and his full lips curved into a pleased smile.
Ah, I can’t control the corners of my mouth. This man is my husband.
“…!”
Realizing her own attire, Aizen froze while closing the door. He thought he could use this situation to easily make her promise not to meet Matthias.
Whisk.
“…!”
Grabbing her wrist, he pulled Jena inside, pressing her against the door with one hand over her head. Droplets from her wet hair ran down her features and over the muscles visible through the robe.
Leaning close, Aizen spoke in a low voice.
“Madam, I heard you’ve been busy preparing for the banquet. With so much to do, let the guards handle the disappearance case.”
His breath brushed her skin. Despite the water dripping on her cheek, she felt no coldness, only warmth.
“I worry you might not have time for me. I don’t want anyone else to take my place.”
His large hand gently cupped her chin, the scent of him strong after his bath.
Aizen looked at Jena, trying to get her agreement. Her face turned shy.
“Aizen.”
She quietly placed her hand on his shoulder.
“I’m ready.”
Ready for what? Aizen wondered as a question mark appeared above his head.
“If you want to kiss me, then do it.”
“…Yes?”
Jena closed her eyes, her long lashes casting a shadow over her flushed cheeks. Aizen stared in shock, backing away, ears red.
“W-what are you saying? I didn’t mean to kiss you.”
“Oh… really?”
She smiled mischievously, teasing that she just wanted more affection.
Aizen, caught off guard, could only hesitate while Jena patted his arm gently.
“Don’t worry. No matter what happens, I’ll always put you first.”
“Madam, what I want to say is…”
“Yes, yes. Jealousy noted. No need to explain further.”
But Aizen really couldn’t say anything more. Jena had grabbed a towel and forced him onto the sofa.
“I’ll dry your hair! You look good wet, but I can’t have my fragile darling catch a cold.”
Without letting him refuse, she rubbed the towel over his hair. Aizen thought to himself that it might be better to involve someone else, considering Matthias and the fake wife.
* * *
A few days later.
After investigating the shops around the tailor’s, I discovered three new facts.
All children hired at Julia’s tailor shop came from Hans Orphanage.
They disappeared every one or two months.
Even the current staff came from Hans Orphanage.
“Isn’t that suspicious? The number of children disappearing from the tailor shop is more than a handful. Why are the guards doing nothing?”
“They are commoners and orphans,” Greta calmly explained.
“The North is harsh to live in due to the climate. Crime rates are high, so there’s little interest in minor offenses by children.”
“That’s why Julia’s shop frames them for theft, and the guards ignore it.”
Thinking of the helpless orphans who disappeared made my blood boil.
“We have to save at least the child currently working there. It seems likely they could disappear like Anna.”
Greta nodded in agreement. But soon we faced an unexpected obstacle.
The girl working at the tailor shop, Sera, refused to leave.
“I dream of becoming a tailor later. The owner is scary, but I don’t plan to quit.”
“It could be dangerous if you continue there. All the kids from your orphanage who worked here disappeared.”
“…I’m not going to steal, so I’m fine. Goodbye.”
Sera nodded and walked back inside the shop.
“What will you do now?”
“We can’t leave Sera alone. We need to watch until we find out what happened to the missing children.”
I turned my eyes to a coffee house near the tailor shop.
From that day, I went to the coffee house every day, sitting by the window to watch the shop.
To pass the time, I also studied pharmacy while keeping watch.
Today, as I ordered tea and opened my book, someone burst in roug
