TWMP 103

Chapter 103

“Report”

Delphian tapped his fingers on the desk.

When he first received Yale’s report that mercenaries—believed to be hired by Marquess Piace—had crossed into Hestonia, he had doubted their strange destination. But soon, another suspicion formed in his mind.

Why had Hans said such things?

Hans was one of the imperial knights Delphian had planted long ago to watch Marquess Piace’s movements.

For more than ten years, Hans had stayed by his side, second only to Dylan, his aide, in terms of trust.

So why?

“There are no unusual movements from the Marquess.”

Something felt wrong.

Rumors spread everywhere about the Piace family and Heidi, yet there was no way his skilled subordinate wouldn’t know. Still, Hans’s reports were always a step late—
as if he was trying to avoid suspicion.

“Hans Evans.”

Delphian’s voice was low and bitter.

If Dylan hadn’t mentioned Hans being overworked, Delphian might have even entrusted him with confirming whether Rebellia was truly in the provinces.

Since Crocan Piace was like a snake, Delphian thought only the most reliable man should be assigned to matters concerning him.

Just thinking about the current situation gave Delphian a headache, and he rubbed his temple.

The worst possibility came to mind.

‘If Hans is a spy for the Marquess… that would mean even the letters meant for me might have been destroyed by him.’

Delphian prayed desperately.

He hoped his suspicion was wrong, that this was all just a mistake.

He prayed that Hans, who was like a brother to him, had not betrayed him.

His gaze drifted toward the tightly shut door—right as a knock came.

“Your Highness, it’s Dylan.”

“Come in.”

When Dylan entered carrying a golden tray, Delphian somehow felt he already knew how this would end.

Still, unable to let go of hope, he asked in a low voice:

“…The letter?”

“…Forgive me, Your Highness.”

“…”

“It’s gone.”

Delphian’s clenched fist trembled violently. His mind swirled, refusing to believe.

As he closed his eyes tightly, Dylan quickly said:

“I will have Sir Evans detained at once! Please give the order!”

“Wait. Just… wait.”

Delphian raised a hand, still too shocked. His head spun.

‘If Hans really was the Marquess’s spy… then how long has he been watching my every move?’

His gaze fell on the letter lying on his desk—one of Yale’s reports.

Since his doubts about Hans began, Delphian had also ordered Yale to investigate Crocan Piace separately.

The report read:

[In Raymond, a region northwest of Adeli, we discovered a two-story house that appears to belong to the Marquess. A barrier prevents entry, and locks are on the doors and windows from the outside, making escape impossible from within. It seems someone is imprisoned there.]

That report was from some time ago—so by now, another update should have arrived.

Impatiently tapping the desk, Delphian suddenly remembered something.

“How is Heidi’s matter going?”

He had been worried by Heidi’s troubled expression earlier and had ordered someone to look into it.

At his question, Dylan quickly pulled out a letter and placed it on the desk. Bowing, he explained:

“Just before I came here, Sir Jude sent a report.”

Delphian swiftly unfolded it.

[Lady Heidi Elliana was seen entering Café Estelle. The companion is unknown, but I’ve attached a list of all nobles who visited Estelle that day.]

Scanning the list, Delphian’s eyes froze on one name.

“…Crocan Piace.”

“What?” Dylan asked.

The frightened face of Heidi overlapped with Crocan’s face in Delphian’s mind.

Shaking his head, Delphian asked:

“It’s nothing. But still, has Yale’s new report not come yet…?”

Just then, there was a soft tap, tap at the window.

Turning quickly, he saw a folded paper bird fluttering its wings.

He hurried to open the window and catch it. The paper unfolded smoothly, revealing writing.

The message read:

[Apologies for the delay. After observing the situation, I report the following: After the Marquess visited the two-story house in Raymond, mercenaries came and moved the imprisoned woman into a carriage. Soon after, Count Elliana appeared but was ambushed by hidden attackers. However, a mysterious man suddenly appeared and saved him. From the Count’s conversation, the imprisoned woman’s identity was confirmed as the Marquess’s wife.]

“This… this is…”

Delphian’s face twisted with disbelief.

The Marquess’s wife? Ten years ago, he had been told she went to the provinces to recover from an illness. But if Yale’s report was true—

‘Then the Piace family must have known and allowed this. And if Rebellia Piace hasn’t been seen… could she also be imprisoned somewhere, just like her mother?’

Delphian could not make sense of this at all.

If the Marquess’s household made no sense, then first—

“Dylan.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Prepare the carriage.”

Wiping his face, Delphian’s eyes gleamed fiercely.

“I must meet Heidi immediately.”

“We’ve already sent word to the temple. They should be able to come to the territory within a week. As for the magic-blocking stones, we’re collecting them all, but there are so many that it’ll take another day or two.”

“……”

“And as you ordered, we sent people with a physician to Raymond. We thought of sending a carriage too, since there were reports of an injured man, but the magic-blocking stones made that difficult.”

“……”

“We considered asking Lord Lafer for help since he happened to be in the territory…”

Zenber carefully glanced at Calliere’s expression. Judging by his sour look, something must have happened between him and Lafer.

Wiping away his expression smoothly, Zenber quickly added:

“So instead, we sent the people first and arranged to find a carriage nearby.”

“Well done.”

Zenber quietly observed Calliere, who answered in a dull voice.

Calliere had left as if he wouldn’t return anytime soon—yet now he was back before sunset, with Rebellia and four puppies.

“It was supposed to be your day off. I didn’t think you’d come back so early.”

“Did you learn how to provoke me from Lafer?”

“I just happened to have a chance to talk with him.”

Calliere gave him an exasperated look at that sly answer. Zenber smiled and said:

“It can’t be helped. Let’s just say it was the ancestors of Esperos watching over the growth of this land.”

“You look cheerful.”

“That’s a misunderstanding, my lord. Now, shall we return to the work you were handling earlier—?”

At that moment, a knock sounded at the door.

Zenber turned his head, but Calliere’s face lit up instantly when he saw who it was.

Rebellia peeked her head in, looking a little shy.

“Um… Are you very busy? You said today was a free day, so I thought I’d come by…”

“What is it?”

“I wanted to see if you’d like to go watch the fireworks with me. Do you have time?”

Zenber secretly glanced at Calliere. He expected his lord to rush out immediately, but strangely, he stayed calm.

“…?”

What’s going on?

Then Calliere gave a sly smile and asked:

“Is this perhaps an invitation to a date?”

Rebellia pouted for a moment, then suddenly beamed.

“Yes. It’s a date invitation.”

“……”

“Will you accept?”

“A date with you is what I’ve wished for most.”

Zenber thought, of course. He smiled faintly.

Meanwhile, Calliere—afraid she might change her mind—hurried toward Rebellia. But then he suddenly turned back to Zenber.

Looking at him curiously, Calliere asked:

“It seems, contrary to your words, the ancestors of Esperos are not watching over us after all.”

Realizing Calliere was turning his own words back on him, Zenber chuckled and replied:

“They say when the lord is happy, the people are happy. Perhaps the ancestors are watching over Esperos in another way.”

Calliere frowned briefly at that cheeky answer, then laughed and left the office.

Zenber, watching his master now able to show his emotions so freely, suddenly felt his chest tighten with emotion.