Chapter 102
“You may not enter recklessly.”
A cleric guarding the backstage entrance stopped Sinclair and glanced back.
Following his gaze, Sinclair turned around as well.
Behind her, quite a number of bodyguard knights and attendants had lined up.
Gulp.
When did they all catch up like this?
Since Ariel and Sophia were by her sides, she hadn’t paid attention to her rear—but this was way too many.
Roughly ten to fifteen, it seemed.
Surely, the Grand Duke had ordered it.
But wouldn’t other noblewomen gossip if he so blatantly assigned attendants to me?
There’s never an appropriate number. Ugh.
Still, now was not the time to argue about it.
She worried about the children in the secret room. She had to ask someone to protect them.
How many were in danger?
The book stated that normally six at a time, and on busy days up to ten, were brought in.
The Emperor discarded them without mercy if they fell ill or lost interest.
The maids who had been with them were probably suffering the same symptoms, quietly awaiting death.
She couldn’t let innocent people die because of the method she had shared.
“I have something urgent to relay to the Grand Duke.”
“I’m sorry, but no one may enter….”
“But haven’t you already conveyed it to the Grand Duke?”
“Ah… Your Highness, Orlesion.”
The cleric sought divine intervention out of awkwardness.
He could not dare to block entry in the presence of the Grand Duke’s authority.
Yet, if the Grand Duchess were involved, would he not be reprimanded later?
It was worrying.
Moreover, Alexandre Dumas, the empire’s top star, was nearly as prickly as a minister.
This was troublesome.
The cleric bit his lip under Sinclair’s unwavering gaze.
He subtly glanced at the butler from the Heder household standing beside Sinclair to serve her.
‘Really?’
‘Please have mercy.’
The cleric shot a sharp glare, silently cursing, and the butler lowered his eyes and bowed deeply.
Marquis Roland had specifically instructed that the Grand Duke and Duchess be accompanied without fail today.
“Hmm, then… may I go in alone for a moment?”
“Pardon? Milady?”
When Sinclair requested, Sophia’s face went pale in protest.
Sending her lady in alone was unacceptable.
“Must you go?”
Ariel stepped forward as well.
“Yes. I have something to say. It’s a matter of urgency.”
Ugh, Ariel’s head ached—but if this was her mistress’s decision…
“I will open the door.”
Gulp.
The cleric’s eyes widened. Not the Grand Duchess, but a mere knight, was giving orders to him.
“Isn’t the Grand Duchess supposed to enter?”
“But….”
“Are you hiding something?”
The squire, twice Sinclair’s size, opened her mouth wide like a hippo as she bowed, and the cleric felt his breath catch.
Hah….
“Ariel, step aside. I’ll speak.”
Fortunately, the Grand Duchess held the squire back, pushing her behind.
“Hasn’t the Grand Duke already been gone a long time? The play should start.”
Indeed, the Grand Duke had entered long ago but hadn’t come out, which had piqued the cleric’s curiosity.
“Ariel.”
“Yes, Your Highness?”
“I’ll escort her quickly, stay here.”
Sinclair smiled at Ariel with luminous eyes, clasping her hands politely at her chest, then smiled at the cleric.
“Please show the mercy of Orlesion.”
The cleric sighed at the innocent lady’s smile.
“Phew. Escort her quickly.”
Finally, the cleric opened the waiting room door. Even the Grand Duchess had a point.
But Ariel followed behind Sinclair.
The cleric raised his hand to stop her, and Ariel glared.
‘If anything happens to the Grand Duchess, I’ll see to your head first.’
She whispered as if speaking ventriloquially, sending chills down his spine.
Ah, whatever. Subordinates have it rough either way.
The cleric quietly lowered his hand.
As the squire stepped into the waiting room, a maid slipped in behind her.
Gasp!
The cleric stared blankly at the closed door. The knights nearby shook their heads, looking down at their superior.
“Didn’t the Grand Duke say it was a matter of urgency?”
He had commanded with authority and then guarded the door, yet a question mark hovered over the cleric’s head.
‘What exactly is this urgent matter, that even the Grand Duke intervened?’
Sinclair stepped into the corridor. Torches flickered on either side.
Interesting. The backstage felt like a secret passage in an old castle.
“Milady.”
Gulp?
Sinclair turned, surprised. Ariel and Sophia were behind her.
“When did you…?”
“I’ll guide you this way.”
Ariel plucked a torch from the wall and led the way. Sophia bowed quickly and followed. Their determination to serve her in any situation was palpable.
Hah, these people are unstoppable.
Yet, it was reassuring. The backstage, riddled with tunnels, was dark and frightening.
It was far different from the cave they had snuck through at the Dyson Temple. There were many paths.
After walking a short distance, she saw bright light at the end of a path, and heard voices chatting.
They must be over there.
Sinclair quickened her pace.
Then…
“Huff… huff.”
A child’s moaning came from somewhere.
What’s that sound?
Sinclair turned toward it. There was a large door at the end of the corridor.
On either side, torches burned brightly in X-shaped holders.
Huh? Is that the sound of the torches burning?
“Huhhh…”
No.
Sinclair approached and knocked on the door.
“Milady?”
As Sophia ran to follow, Ariel also rushed to the side.
“Is something wrong?”
“Shh!”
Sophia looked puzzled. Sinclair raised her finger to signal silence and pressed her ear to the door. Sophia did the same.
“Hhhh…”
A sound could be heard faintly.
Knock.
Sinclair knocked again.
The moaning quieted. She hesitated, wondering if she should open the door.
Suddenly…
The door swung open.
Sinclair and Sophia were pushed inward. Sinclair quickly regained her balance, catching the staggering Sophia, while Ariel helped steady her.
Sophia blushed, feeling that her mistress had protected her rather than the other way around.
“Who’s there?”
“Excuse me.”
Sinclair looked up and was startled.
A pure white mask with eye holes appeared.
The heart-shaped mask’s edges were studded with pearls, with the nose and mouth intricately painted.
A long rod extended below the mask, held by a long, white hand covering the face.
The flickering torchlight made it eerie and frightening. Through the mask’s eye holes were eyes carefully made up with mascara and lashes.
“Didn’t you ask what the matter was?”
Though his expression was hidden, his voice was full of annoyance.
“I heard a child’s moaning and knocked.”
Sinclair spoke to the man blocking the door, his face hidden behind the mask, while wearing a gown that dragged on the floor.
“Do you mean this sound? Hhh… hhh…”
Quite similar. That moaning.
“Seems so.”
“I was just practicing lines.”
“I see, understood.”
But Sinclair felt uneasy.
“What is your name…?”
“Hah… I told you not to let just anyone into the waiting room…”
The man behind the mask exuded irritation.
Hah… Sinclair was taken aback. Quite arrogant.
Then,
“Could it be… Alexandre Dumas?”
“You already know, why ask?”
“You didn’t introduce yourself.”
“You didn’t either, milady.”
“You—!”
“Dare I ask about security?”
Sophia and Ariel stepped forward simultaneously. Sinclair raised her arms to stop them.
“Very well. I am Sinclair von Zeier, Lady of the Karikas Estate, and wife of Grand Duke Gerald von Zeier.”
“…!”
The hand holding the mask trembled slightly.
“I am Count Alexandre Dumas.”
Only then did Dumas bow slightly, still standing in the doorway.
“Why the mask?”
“It’s before the performance.”
“…?”
“The lead does not reveal their face, to maintain immersion in the play.”
Professionalism?
“Then, I’ll leave. Need to prepare for the performance.”
Dumas tried to close the door. Sinclair grabbed its edge. She wanted to push inside, but Dumas was strong.
The door wouldn’t budge.
Sinclair was a bit flustered. Her grip was unmatched…
“Wait a moment.”
“…?”
“Could you sign something?”
“…!”
Dumas stared, exasperated.
This was why no one should be allowed into the waiting room!
Sinclair searched her dress pocket.
“Ah, no paper because I changed dresses. Excuse me.”
Then she shoved him aside and entered the waiting room. It all happened in an instant.
In terms of Aikido and self-defense, it was nothing, but Dumas was startled the first time.
Sinclair scanned the waiting room as if searching for pen and paper.
The earlier moaning was definitely a child’s voice—different in texture from an actor’s.
Bang! Click!
The door shut.
“Bang bang bang! Grand Duchess, Grand Duchess!”
Ariel and Sophia pounded the door urgently. The room was tense, with only Sinclair and the man inside.
