Chapter – 23
Only when Decarno set foot on Tetron’s Third Street did he realize why he had never heard of this place before. This was a world completely separate from the one he lived in. There was no other explanation.
The utterly bleak atmosphere, the occasional sight of homeless people, the desolation of the streets—all of it was something he had never encountered before. And yet, the very fact that she was here… he didn’t know how to process it, though he had to cling to the hope that at least she was here. The irony of the situation was not lost on him.
“This area is poorly maintained, sir. The alleys are complicated, and the streets are quite large. I don’t know where to start the search…”
“Tell me.”
“Well, nearby there’s a shelter for the homeless and a free meal center. There’s a small clinic and even a public cemetery….”
“To the cemetery.”
Decarno’s ash-gray eyes suddenly sharpened, unreadable as ever. The knight hurried ahead, and Decarno followed without a word. When the moment came that no guidance was needed, he dismounted first.
The cemetery, the gloomiest spot even within the slums, was damp with mist, clinging to his collar. Decarno’s face darkened as he imagined what she might have done here today.
“Search the cemetery. Check every corner.”
“B-but sir… there are too many graves, and most are unmarked, belonging to unknown persons…”
“Exactly.”
“….”
“Don’t look at the names. Find the most secluded, least noticeable graves—recently made ones. And immediately send people to see if anyone else was here today.”
Decarno’s command was firm. Rain slid down his jawline as if he were suppressing every word.
Drip.
He blinked open his eyes, which had been tightly shut. His presence, so cold and still, sent a shiver through the fog. Soon, a voice rang out, calling him.
“Sir! Over here!”
“….”
Decarno, who had stood like a silent specter, turned. The knights gathered in a small cluster, indicating they had found the place. Before a gravestone in a remote, quiet corner, Decarno let out a dry, almost incredulous laugh.
“Ha….”
“Sir, judging from the inscription, it appears the lady herself left this. See here—”
“That’s enough.”
Mikael held up a nameplate, sodden from the downpour. Decarno clenched it as if it might break.
To the best father in the world, more loving than anyone else, with all my love and respect.
A sentimental line only she could have written, and he let out a snort of amusement. He could have laughed until his chest split, and it would have felt fitting. Combing back his wet hair, Decarno stifled his laughter and gave a short order.
“Open it.”
“B-but sir! It’s a grave, after all—”
“There’s no corpse here anyway.”
“….”
“There isn’t. Nothing like that.”
There was no way there could be.
From the set of his clenched teeth came a bitter sigh, directed at the thought that her attempt at this—her clumsy effort—might be worse left unburied. He stared at the black box, half-buried in the downpour, and forced himself to restrain his teeth.
Please, don’t bury anything. Just be there with me that day. I hope you can come.
“….”
Who do you think you’re asking?
His mind went blank. His mouth felt bitter, almost scorching. Thinking of her standing alone, preparing this all by herself, his blood boiled—and then froze in an instant. When the black box’s lid was lifted, he calmly grabbed the back of his neck.
“Ha…”
If only there had been something valuable inside, perhaps he would have felt better.
A single lost shoe, a button, and some of Evangeline’s trivial belongings—where she could have gotten them, he didn’t know. Yet they only aggravated him. Surely there were plenty of valuable things, but there was not even a trace in this box.
What could he even hope to find here? The thought of continuing to search seemed absurd. His whole body felt drained. He remained like a statue, his cold gaze fixed downward until someone was dragged in, kneeling before him.
“N-no! I didn’t steal anything! I washed my hands clean ages ago!”
“Can you stay quiet? Do you know who this is?”
A homeless man, dragged and trembling, froze as his eyes met the Duke’s. No one could mistake him for a man who belonged here, in a desolate slum cemetery.
“Hu…”
The man, feeling an overwhelming presence like a god of death, instinctively sank to the ground. To survive, he would have to invent faults he didn’t commit.
“M-my lord, I really…”
“Did you see a woman come here today?”
“Eh?”
The Duke’s voice carried in the rain, dark and commanding, and the man’s lips trembled.
“I-I don’t know who exactly you’re looking for… but if you describe her appearance…”
“She’s a woman you would never forget once you see her.”
There was no better way to describe Evangeline. Everyone, young or old, was struck the moment they met her. Seeing the man gulp, the Duke merely raised his eyebrows, as if he had expected it.
“No, it’s not like that… I think she might have been here, but it’s all a blur…”
“This should help you remember better.”
“Sir!”
The Duke removed the ring on his finger and dropped it. Mikael’s face paled. Not a hereditary treasure, but the black diamond emblematic of the Duke’s family gleamed. The Duke had thrown it casually, without a trace of sentiment.
“Now speak.”
“…I-I mean, a very beautiful lady did come here, and… she was so stunning I thought she might be related to the gentleman accompanying her… but no, they seemed merely kind, helping each other walk…”
Before the man could finish, the Duke turned and strode toward the cemetery entrance. Each step sank into the mud, quickly collecting rainwater. Mikael hurried to catch up, performing his duties.
“She doesn’t have any friends among the lady’s circle?”
“No. That woman—”
Mikael flinched at the Duke’s cold gaze. Earlier, the Duke had seemed somewhat lost, but now his eyes burned with a silent fury. Not anger openly displayed, but a level far harder to gauge.
“You memorized the guest list for Her Highness the Princess’s banquet, didn’t you?”
“Ah, yes. Is there someone in particular you’re looking for?”
“The one who isn’t on it.”
The Duke stepped outside the cemetery, producing a cigar from his coat. In the rain, he drew a deep breath, and the mist swirled around him like smoke.
