CHAPTER 10
Few knew of its existence, but within the Duke of Dylann’s estate, there was a hidden space known only to a select few.
The duke’s personal study was located much deeper within the manor than most nobles’ libraries. That wasn’t merely for the sake of protecting important books—it was because a secret passage was built into its walls.
It was said that the very first Duke of Dylann had ordered the manor to be designed with the hidden tunnel in mind from the start. And from that day forward, the knowledge of the passage had been passed down solely to the head of the family and their designated heir. Not even the duchess nor the other children were permitted to know.
But there was one time—just once—when the entire family came to learn of its existence.
That was during the time of the third Duke of the Dylann family: Pruit Dylann.
The Duchy of Dylann, which had managed to maintain balance with the powerful Deprocaan family after the fall of House Peressia due to high treason, suddenly found itself thrust into crisis.
“Arrest the traitors who betrayed the Empire!!”
“Seize the Duke of Dylann!”
“Where are the rebels?! Speak, now!!”
The duke had been falsely accused of treason.
With swords drawn, imperial knights stormed into the estate like a raging tide.
Bang—Bang—
Doors slammed open. Shouts echoed through the manor.
The knights ransacked every room, hunting the duke and his family—but they found no trace of them.
Servants, unaware of what was happening, screamed and fled. Chaos erupted, and amidst the confusion, the Dylann family’s own knights rushed in to protect the estate.
“What is the meaning of this?! Imperial knights?!”
“You dare defend a traitor?! You disgrace your titles!”
“W-what did you just say? The duke… a traitor?”
“Duke Dylann has betrayed the empire. We act under the emperor’s direct command. Stand down, or face the same fate.”
Stunned speechless by the accusation, the knights could hardly move—until the imperial swords pointed at them. One by one, they surrendered. The rest of the staff followed suit.
Every person within the estate was bound and interrogated.
“Where is the duke?”
Most had no idea.
But finally, one trembling maid—barely more than a child—spoke up in a shaking voice.
“I… I saw the duke go into the study. But… I never saw him come back out…”
The knights immediately tore the study apart, searching every inch—but by then, Duke Pruit Dylann and his family had long escaped through the hidden passage.
They fled far, evading the imperial pursuit… until they reached the harbor in Uren, just shy of crossing the empire’s borders.
That’s where they were caught—betrayed by an anonymous informant.
Dragged back toward the imperial capital, the family was bound in chains. Along the way, the second son, Baron Dylann, miraculously escaped, slipping through their grasp.
But every other family member… was executed after a mockery of a trial.
The empire realized too late that Baron Dylann had vanished. Despite a frantic search, they found no trail—until an old woman in Uren gave them a story.
“Yes, I saw someone suspicious… about four days ago. Looked hurt, limping real bad, groaning in pain. Poor thing collapsed on the road. When I came back later, he was gone. Figured someone came to collect the body.”
“And who do you think that man was?”
“A rebel, you say? Heaven help us… what a vile man he must’ve been.”
“And the body? Where was it taken?”
“Up that hill, then right—you’ll see a little hut. That’s the place.”
But by the time the knights arrived, the bodies had already been burned.
“Burned? Not buried?”
“Yes. Too many travelers in the harbor these days. We don’t bury anymore. Bad for appearances. Burning is quicker.”
They described Baron’s appearance, asking if anyone among the corpses had looked like him—but everyone shook their heads. No one knew.
It was frustrating… but in the end, the Empire closed the case: Baron Dylann had died from his injuries and been cremated.
Or so they thought.
Two years later, that same Baron stood before the imperial palace gates.
“I am Baron Dylann, second son of Pruit Dylann, the third head of House Dylann—wrongfully executed for treason!”
The court was thrown into chaos.
Baron stepped into the palace, laid down a stack of documents, and declared:
“These are the records and evidence I’ve gathered over two years. I can prove my father and our family were innocent. They were framed.”
And he did just that.
The House of Dylann was absolved.
The Empire formally recognized Baron as the new Duke of Dylann, and supported him in restoring the family’s honor.
Baron also demanded the return of his family’s remains—but it was too late. In the empire, the corpses of traitors were fed to wild beasts. After two years, there was nothing left.
Still, the court did offer compensation for the injustice.
Aside from treason, House Dylann would be granted one absolute pardon—a right to be forgiven for any single transgression, without condition.
It was an enormous gift.
But Baron, having lost everything, couldn’t celebrate.
Even so, he rebuilt the broken duchy piece by piece. He also reconstructed the hidden passage—the one that had once saved his family—and kept it, once again, a secret known only to the duke and heir.
That was the passage the current Duke brought me through.
And he told me everything.
About the history.
About the family.
At first, I was amazed—awed, even. So this was the kind of place a noble house could hide?
“Wow… I had no idea this was here! Did you build it, Your Grace?”
“No. It was the first duke. Though it was destroyed once and rebuilt later.”
“It’s incredible… you could sneak out without anyone knowing!”
“We’re doing that right now, aren’t we?”
I laughed at his joke—lightly, innocently.
And then, the duke looked at me with a curious expression.
“Bella.”
“Yes?”
“There’s a secret I want to share with you. Aren’t you curious?”
“Of course! What is it, Your Grace?”
“This passage… no one else knows it exists. Not even Kaelan. Only the duke and the heir are told. Eventually, he’ll know too. But for now, it’s just you and me.”
“W-wait, what?! But then why would you tell me?! That’s…!”
“Because you deserve to know it, Bella.”
“What… what does that mean?”
“Exactly what it sounds like.”
“Only the duke and heir are supposed to know… and even Kaelan doesn’t… I’m not… I’m just…”
“No one knows what the future holds.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“Come along now. We don’t have time to waste.”
“Wait! What do you mean by that?!”
He never answered.
But now, locked away in my room, I think I finally understand.
“Now that His Grace is missing, and I’ve been granted temporary authority as acting head of the duchy… Could that be why he told me all of this back then?”
“Is this… somehow related to his disappearance?”
“3,000 crowns!”
“The bid is at 3,000 from guest number 35!”
The price kept rising.
“3,500 crowns!”
“Guest 71 has raised it to 3,500!”
Bella calmly lifted her paddle—number 101.
“5,000 crowns.”
“Guest 101 has bid 5,000 crowns!”
Before leaving the estate, she had only told the butler and Kaelan about her outing.
Judging by the slightly disorganized books and the faint trace of the secret door, she could tell Kaelan had left earlier that dawn.
Most likely, he’d gone to investigate the matter of Countess Cassandra’s affair—something she had casually mentioned the other day.
Bella, meanwhile, used the hidden passage entrance in the study to track Kaelan’s movements whenever necessary.
He’s been looking more and more worn out lately. Still chasing after those ravens?
He won’t find anything. I’ve made sure of that.
She left a short note with a maid, saying:
“Since you’re away, I’m leaving this memo behind.”
And took a Dylann family banknote with her before heading out.
Kaelan.
That line I wrote in the note—it was on purpose.
You’ve probably read it by now.
Probably grinding your teeth in frustration.
Wondering what I meant.
Maybe even interrogating the maid or the butler for more clues.
Do you suspect I know about the secret passage?
I bet you’re not sure.
You’ll try to guess, but there’s no clear answer.
That’s what I wanted.
You won’t be able to decide whether I did it intentionally or not.
Because the soft, gentle Duchess everyone knows… wouldn’t act like this.
But Kaelan… this is who I am.
“Any more bids? If not, the item will be sold to guest number 101!”
Countess Cassandra must already be stressing him out… so let’s give him something else to think about.
“Three!”
So go on, Kaelan.
Use that brilliant mind of yours.
“Two!”
Try and figure me out.
“One!”
The gavel struck the podium with a final, resounding—
BANG—BANG—BANG!
“The fifth item goes to guest 101!”
Bella smiled sweetly.
Beneath the mask, the only visible part of her face—her lips—curved into a beautiful, dangerous crescent.
And from the shadows…
Three pairs of eyes were watching her.
