Chapter 7

Racon continued speaking.

“There is one thing that might help. I’m sorry, but could I get some paper and a pen?”

He was asking Lionel.

“Oh.”

After looking around, Lionel took out a pen and a sheet of paper from his pocket. It was the same paper I had just signed.

As he placed it on the table, he whispered, “I’ll ask for another autograph later.”

Racon quickly drew something on the paper and handed it to us.

“It was a scar on the back of his hand. He must know it’s distinctive, so he was probably wearing gloves. I’m certain.”

It was a star shape made by overlapping an X and a cross. It wasn’t common.

“He was wearing a mask, so… other than that, I only remember he was a man around my age.”

Racon muttered an apology in a stiff voice.

I examined the drawing, then looked back at him.

“To be honest, I can’t completely forgive you. I understand your situation, but you are still one of the reasons I lost my family.”

“…”

“But if you cooperate sincerely from now on—”

I took a short breath and finished calmly.

“At the very least, your family’s safety will be guaranteed.”

“…Yes.”

Racon nodded heavily.

***

After giving the “wrong-career believer” another autograph, I left the Investigation Bureau.

It was early evening when I arrived at the Count’s estate.

“Ah, Miss.”

A strange man stood near the main gate.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Allen Coden from the Unbelievable Times.”

The name sounded familiar.

After thinking for a moment, I realized—he was the reporter who published the Count family’s statement this morning.

But why was he here?

I frowned slightly.

“What brings you here?”

“First of all, I offer my deepest condolences for your sister.”

“…”

The unexpected topic made my chest tighten.

I had almost managed to push that thought away.

“As a reporter, there’s something I’d like to ask.”

When I didn’t respond, he quickly moved on.

“Do you have anything to say about the father of the child?”

“…”

Ah. He was here for a scoop.

Not surprising.

“A short answer will do. Everyone is already thinking of the Colonel.”

“He and I broke up a long time ago.”

“…Are you really going to keep saying that?”

“It was just a one-night encounter. There’s nothing to say.”

“Hmm…”

Allen narrowed his eyes as if trying to uncover something shocking.

“To be honest,” he said with a tired sigh, fiddling with his shirt cuff, “I find this whole situation suspicious. How could there have been no rumors at all? It’s difficult to hide a pregnancy until right before giving birth. So…”

His voice lowered.

“I’m curious whether the child is truly yours in the first place.”

“…”

To be doubted like this after just one day.

‘It’s obvious why he’s saying something so ridiculous.’

He wanted a provocative headline.

A scandal like mine was sweet candy to a reporter.

‘The problem is… from my perspective, it’s not entirely ridiculous.’

“Well…”

I let my voice tremble slightly.

“That’s a truly hurtful thing to say. How could you doubt the relationship between me and my child?”

“There are reasonable grounds for—”

“I would appreciate a sincere apology for what you just implied.”

Marsha joined in with dramatic support.

“Please don’t stress yourself, Miss. You’re already going through so much. How could he say something like that? That’s so rude. Honestly, I’m upset just hearing it.”

Her tone sounded like she was reading from a book, but still—

“…I’m sorry.”

Allen, who had suddenly become “a heartless reporter blinded by headlines,” quickly backed down.

‘Allen Coden, was it?’

If he tried to dig into my child’s background, I wouldn’t let it slide.

But first, I needed to find out who was backing him.

I turned away coolly.

“Still, I’d appreciate a clear answer,” he insisted. “It’s related to my duty as a journalist.”

I had been planning to act like a tragic heroine for a while, but he had crossed the line.

I sighed deeply, then smiled sweetly.

The kind of smile that made Chris say he’d rather I just yell.

“I don’t consider persistence a virtue. I consider it inefficient.”

“If the child is truly yours—”

“Don’t talk about journalistic duty like that. Leave the way you came in.”

I pointed to the gate.

“If you want to continue this conversation, make a proper appointment.”

“…Damn it.”

“Damn it?”

“I mean—nothing, Miss.”

Realizing the atmosphere had turned dangerous, Allen quickly left.

‘There will be many like him testing the waters.’

Sooner or later, I would need clear proof that I was Pipi’s mother.

***

After Allen left, I changed clothes and called Hibel and Marsha.

“Waaah… eh…”

When I sat on the sofa, I saw the cradle beside me.

Inside, Pipi was waving her arms, struggling with herself.

I briefly explained the situation with Allen.

“…So I think we need to come up with a story about the child’s father.”

As soon as I finished, Marsha spoke eagerly.

“If we just want to avoid suspicion, the Colonel is the best option.”

“What?”

“Nowadays, regretful male leads are trending. There are nearly a hundred divorce papers being published but never finalized.”

“…”

“And the Colonel is extremely handsome. If we add a believable story, people will accept it easily.”

“Say something that makes sense.”

My expression hardened.

Use my ex-boyfriend?

The most uncomfortable person in the world?

‘It would be awkward for me, and he wouldn’t like it either.’

If Lancel heard the rumors, he would deny them immediately. He wouldn’t want to be tied to me.

‘People don’t seem to believe what I say anyway.’

Once he returned from sea and denied it, things would calm down.

He was heir to a prestigious family. Even reporters would fear the Arviente name.

‘Still, I feel a bit sorry for causing trouble to someone who’s now a stranger.’

But adding more lies would only complicate things.

I decided the best course was to send a letter to the Duke’s estate explaining the situation.

“Forget it. Let’s just say he’s a distant noble.”

Marsha seemed to give up persuading me. Hibel looked the same.

“Alright, then the story is this. I met him because—”

At that moment, heavy footsteps echoed behind us.

I assumed it was Father and turned casually.

“…”

The moment I saw his face, I froze.

“I’d like to hear that too.”

The voice was familiar.

Gentle, low.

Blue eyes like the Märchen Sea.

Brilliant silver hair.

“Explain it to me, Mary.”

Lancel smiled faintly.

“Why is it that the moment I return to the capital, I hear that my ex-girlfriend gave birth to a child and is raising it alone?”

***

He walked closer, exhaling slowly.

My only thought was—

‘What am I even looking at?’

“Why did you stop?” he asked calmly, glancing around.

“Go on. It was interesting.”

His tone was light.

But his eyes were not smiling.

My heart pounded.

I barely managed to tell Marsha and Hibel,

“Leave us.”

They disappeared immediately.

I looked at his face—more handsome than I remembered.

“What do you want to know?”

“I already told you.”

He gave a small laugh.

But his eyes were sharp.

“Did you think you could quietly raise my child without telling me?”

“…?”

“Why didn’t you tell me? You had plenty of chances.”

I was speechless.

What?