Chapter 2
Bang!
With a loud crash, a paperweight fell and rolled across the floor.
“After raising her all this time, she repays us like this? And what were you doing while things got this bad? You should have had someone watch her! Or at least made sure she couldn’t leave the house!”
“My dear, how is this my fault? Even Mariam, who followed Erze, says she has no idea where she disappeared to. What more could I have done?”
After Erze’s letter arrived, the Visvaren estate was thrown into complete chaos.
The moment Cincere read the letter, her legs gave out, and she collapsed. The leg injured in her accident over ten years ago throbbed terribly—so much that she couldn’t stand. A servant hurried over and helped her onto the sofa, but the pain didn’t fade.
Not in her broken leg.
Not in her shaken mind.
Erze had left the estate around noon, but her letter only arrived near dinnertime. By the time they rushed to search the post office and train station where it had been sent, there was no way to find her.
Erze had surely boarded a train immediately after mailing the letter.
The nearest city, Shincel, had a busy station even for a rural area. With so many people coming and going, searching for “a young woman with blonde hair and light violet eyes” was impossible.
Erze’s escape had been carefully planned.
That was exactly why Marquis Hugo Visvaren was so furious.
Normally composed, he now struggled to contain his anger. After letting out a heavy breath, he suddenly turned on Cincere.
Sincere Reverence. You truly knew nothing about this? Erze didn’t say anything to you?”
“No… I really didn’t know. She didn’t tell me anything.”
She had already repeated this answer countless times.
Cincere lowered her gaze and quietly clenched her hands.
What hurt her most right now wasn’t the suspicion directed at her.
It was the truth.
The sister she loved most had run away without telling her a single word.
Every time she thought about it, it felt like she couldn’t breathe.
“…Erze.”
What were you thinking when you left?
Why didn’t you tell me?
The unanswered questions circled back and pierced her heart.
There was only one possible answer.
Because she wasn’t someone Erze could trust.
***
Cincere recalled the night two days ago.
It had been a rare night when the sisters lay side by side before sleeping.
Erze, unable to sleep, tossed and turned before asking:
“Unni… do you also think I should marry a man I’ve never even seen? Even if I don’t want to?”
“Of course I want you to marry someone you truly want, Erze. But most nobles marry like this. I heard from my aunt that Captain Adenauer is young and very handsome. Maybe you’ll like him once you meet him.”
Some say times have changed.
That even princesses now marry commoners.
But those were exceptions.
Most nobles still married the old way—
Through arrangements or suitable proposals.
“I’d be happy as long as you marry well. There’s no need for two unmarried women in one household.”
“…Then maybe it would’ve been better if you were the Visvaren daughter and I were Erze Reverke. Honestly, that suits better. I still step on people’s feet when I dance the waltz. You would’ve done much better.”
“You really… are you going to keep saying that? I can’t even dance.”
Cincere playfully pinched Erze’s nose, and Erze let out a small laugh.
Then she snuggled into Cincere’s arms.
“…I’m sorry, Unni.”
Cincere didn’t reply. She simply held her and gently stroked her hair.
Erze’s long hair was even curlier than hers—just like any proper young lady’s.
Cincere had always loved everything about her sister.
Her honest and lovable personality.
Her well-kept hair and soft hands—so different from her own.
Even though they were twins, Erze always seemed younger than her.
Erze Visvaren.
That night, Erze’s apology had sounded unusually subdued.
Cincere had thought it was just because of the sudden marriage arrangement.
But now…
It seemed that apology carried another meaning.
***
As Cincere sat frozen, Hugo pressed her again.
“I’ll say this again. If you know anything, speak the truth now. This marriage cannot be refused! We must find Erze no matter what!”
“I really don’t know anything, Uncle. I…”
Cincere shut her eyes tightly. Her clenched hands had turned pale.
Whether Erze was married or not, she had to be found.
Leaving like this would only end badly.
At worst, her reputation would be completely ruined.
That had to be prevented.
Where could Erze have gone?
Cincere forced her foggy mind to think clearly.
Erze wasn’t reckless. She wouldn’t run away with nothing just because she disliked the marriage.
There had to be another reason.
Maybe… someone is helping her.
As that thought surfaced, a voice from over a year ago suddenly echoed in her mind.
“Uncle, you’re being too much! I really love Louis…!”
A year ago, Erze had fallen in love with Louis Tanner—the son of a tanner.
The problem was his status.
He was completely unsuitable for a noble lady of Visvaren.
When Hugo found out, he locked Erze in her room. It took two weeks before she finally said she would stop seeing Louis and was released.
At the time, all Cincere could do was comfort Erze and secretly pass along her situation to Louis.
Eventually, Louis left Visvaren.
Erze remained depressed for months… and then seemed to return to normal.
Cincere thought she had forgotten him.
But what if she hadn’t?
If Erze had secretly continued meeting him—
If this sudden marriage forced her hand—
Then of course she would run away.
To where Louis was.
***
Sincere gathered her thoughts and struggled to stand.
The veil resting on her nose slipped off weakly.
She wavered for a moment, then steadied herself and spoke firmly.
“Uncle… I’ll go find Erze. I’m not completely certain, but… I have an idea where she might be.”
“You have an idea? Then speak.”
“I’m sorry. I can’t tell you right now. But… I plan to go to Fritz first.”
Cincere tried not to lower her gaze.
If Hugo found out her suspicion, he would immediately send people to search.
That might only drive Erze further into hiding.
It’s better if I go myself.
Don’t waver.
For Erze’s sake.
Though her face was pale, her voice was steady—dignified, like a proper lady.
Hugo silently looked her over.
It was the kind of look one gives when weighing something.
As if judging whether the defective thing he had raised would be worth anything.
His decision came quickly.
“I’ll give you one month. If you fail to find Erze within that time… she will no longer be my daughter.”
It was a declaration.
If she failed, Erze would be cast out of the Visvaren family.
Hugo’s cold eyes pierced Cincere like a blade.
“Don’t forget, Cincere Reverke.”
If you truly care for Erze—
You know what you must do.
