RTPM 5

Chapter – 5

“This child, Evangeline, you will raise him yourself. This isn’t the Duchess’s duty—it’s a personal request.”

“Have you been well, Rex?”

“Woof!”

For the first time, Evangeline felt a genuine spark of life in her laughter. Rex had survived alone, losing both his siblings and mother at birth, and from the moment he was born until now, he had followed only her. Without Evangeline, he often refused to eat and whimpered incessantly.

“To think the noble of the North is such a picky eater… what a shame for your dignity.”

“Woof!”

“You really are something else.”

Spreading her fingers wide, she combed through Rex’s silver fur herself. It felt almost more painful to her heart than when she had been staring at the silent roses. Evangeline reached into a basket at the side for a snack, but paused and glanced toward the greenhouse entrance. There was Decarno—the only being before whom Rex bristled but didn’t bark.

“So you were here. I came in without permission because you weren’t at your post.”

“It’s fine.”

Evangeline, fed up with his insistence on formalities even at such a moment, pressed her lips together again. There were dozens of questions she wanted to demand from the Duke right then, but she had to report first.

“All the guests left safely, and no one seemed particularly suspicious. We even saw them off to the last.”

“…I see.”

Even though she gave him the answer he wanted in advance, his tone was still displeased. Evangeline, unable to endure it any longer, abruptly rose and approached him.

“What happened? Have you found out about the merchant guild matter?”

“I’m in the process of finding out.”

“Ah…”

It was such an obvious answer. No matter how quickly she delivered the news, even he, being human, had his limits. Yet her face darkened further with disappointment.

“I can’t make it to Lehman, but I want to at least go to the nearby waters. If we depart at dawn today—”

“And what do you expect to do there?”

“Duke—”

“There’s nothing you can do by going yourself. It would only draw people’s attention.”

“….”

Though his words weren’t particularly harsh, her arms felt cold. When Evangeline brushed her bare skin, the Duke removed his coat. As if by instinct, he moved to wrap it around her, but she immediately stepped back and shook her head. Wearing such a coat wouldn’t warm her heart anyway.

“All the ships have sunk. I need to know the situation myself.”

“There’s no reason for you to go see it firsthand.”

“My father—”

“….”

“I need to know about my father! I’m his only child.”

For the first time, her voice rose, making the Duke raise an eyebrow—but nothing more. Decarno, holding the coat over one arm, stared her down directly.

“So you intend to swim out yourself and rescue the Count?”

“How could you say that!”

“He hasn’t died yet.”

“….”

“Nothing has been confirmed.”

He quelled the storm raging in Evangeline’s crimson eyes. His following words were painfully rational as she hesitated.

“If you act recklessly now, it will only complicate matters. If the Count is alive somewhere, it’s better for his safety to keep things quiet.”

“But… what if something went wrong—”

“Then what about the merchant guild?”

Decarno’s eyes turned cold again. The guild wasn’t run solely on money. If public opinion or the people’s hearts turned against it, even a perfectly stable company could collapse in an instant. Even the massive Ohara Guild, primarily operating overseas, had relatively little foundation within the Bellice Empire.

“If only the guild leader or the guild’s assets had sunk, it could be managed. But both have disappeared. If word gets out now, even if the Count returns safely later, it will be impossible to handle.”

“….”

“I’ll inform you as soon as I hear any news. For now, it’s best if you stay here quietly.”

Though it sounded like a suggestion, it was nothing short of a command. She could argue if she didn’t know, but knowing how the guild worked, she had no words.

“….”

Evangeline bit her lip painfully, staring at him. Decarno, sensing her gaze as he took out a cigar, snapped it between his fingers.

“Why? Is what I said wrong?”

“No… of course not.”

She gave a faint smile, surprised even by herself that she could smile at such a moment.

“From beginning to end, everything you said was correct. It’s you saying it, so of course it makes sense.”

“And yet?”

“…I’m scared.”

“….”

“I suddenly realized just how frightening a person you are.”

Evangeline’s pink eyes seemed to lose all strength. Decarno wasn’t the type to be shocked or angered by such words.

Perhaps if it were that simple, she could have felt some trace of humanity in him. Resigned, she lowered her gaze, and only after a long pause did Decarno speak coldly.

“If you understand that, then do as I say.”

◇ ◆ ◇

Unfortunately, Evangeline could not follow the Duke’s words. After that day, he neither returned home nor communicated, so she endured alone for several days. She couldn’t keep living in fear forever. Finally, after three days, she resolved to go to the Ohara Guild herself. She steeled her heart, telling herself she could endure whatever she saw.

“Lady, you’ve come.”

“…What is this.”

But when she saw the office with her own eyes, she couldn’t speak. It wasn’t the wreckage of a failed company—far from it. In fact, it was perfectly as it had always been, which made her even more speechless.

The staff busily shuffled papers at their desks, others handled telegrams and receipts, all in constant motion. Only she was frozen in place, staring blankly, and it took a moment for her to realize it.

“Philip.”

“M-Mistress.”

The only one as unsettled as she was seemed to be the manager, Philip. Seeing her at the entrance, his face drained of color, and he hurried her inside. Even as they passed, every employee they met bowed deeply—so formal it made her chuckle nervously.

“Hah!”

“W-Why did you come all the way here?”

“…Is that all you have to say to me?”

She swallowed a scoff and stared at him. Though her eye color was different, she bore the same imposing presence as her father, the Count, and Philip clasped his trembling hands.

“I-I understand why, but Mistress, you shouldn’t be here.”

“Philip. Don’t make me angry anymore.”

“…It’s not that, but if you—”

“Why? Is someone going to arrest me?”

Philip’s roundabout, cautious attitude—always checking his surroundings—made her nerves spike. There were only employees here, after all. Evangeline turned her head sharply, eyes widening.

“Oh! Our Duchess is here!”

“…Countess Revan.”

A visiting noblewoman, guided by staff, brightened upon seeing her. Nobles only came to the guild to purchase goods. Moreover, the Ohara Guild, located in the heart of the city, only handled the finest goods, so nobles often visited as a matter of course. But Countess Revan had never once come here to purchase anything.

At least, not by paying.

“During our Duchess’s birthday last time, we were worried because you looked unwell. Seeing you safe and sound now is such a relief.”

“Thank you, but I am not yet the Duchess.”

“Why speak with such regret? Had the previous Duchess not passed suddenly, you two would surely have been married by now.”

“….”

“Honestly, who else in the world could be Duchess Teze other than Lady Ohara?”

The thirty-year-old Countess Revan fawned over Evangeline, far younger than herself, perhaps excessively. She clung to her, constantly praising her, trying to flaunt their friendship to her companions. She believed that showcasing closeness with the queen of society would elevate her own standing.