Chapter 99

The mansion of Duke Lawrence Ashberry is located to the east of the capital. This mansion was once a military stronghold to defend against invasions from the Randor Kingdom.

The vast grounds of the five-story white castle are expansive. The building is sturdy and forms an L-shape around the inner courtyard. As I was led into the building, a man in his fifties, wearing a loose white shirt and black pants, approached with a smile.

"Thank you for coming, Viscountess Asher. Please, follow me."

I thought it was unlikely, but from his tone, this man must be His Grace, the Duke. I had seen his portrait beforehand, but in person, he looked much younger. Usually, it's the opposite. I made the deepest bow I could.

"Nice to meet you, Your Grace. Today—"

"Oh, no, no. There's no need to be so formal. Please call me Lawrence. May I call you Anna? Or should I call you Victoria?"

"Please call me whichever you prefer."

"Then I'll call you Victoria. It suits your intelligent aura. Please, this way."

With that, Lawrence strode ahead, his sturdy build and silver hair, which was all white, catching my eye. The servants around me seemed accustomed to his casual manner, as no one appeared surprised.

I followed silently. Lawrence turned to me in front of a room on the second floor. He opened the door, invited me in, and instructed a servant behind me to prepare tea before seating me on a sofa.

"The reason I called you here is not for a reading club. I have a favor to ask."

"Whatever I can do, I will."

I had a feeling this was coming. Inviting a viscountess he had never met to a reading club was too abrupt and unnatural. Lawrence smiled and continued.

"Surprised, aren't you?"

I didn't answer, just smiled. Until I knew how much he knew about my situation, silence was golden.

"I need you to find my youngest daughter and bring her back. She is apparently in the capital. I received a letter a while ago."

Lawrence handed me a piece of paper. It was a cheap, rough brown paper with the message "I'm in the capital. I'm fine. B" scrawled on it.

I had done my research before visiting this mansion. Lawrence has six daughters. The eldest is set to marry and take over the duchy in the near future, and the second to fifth daughters have married into influential noble families both domestically and abroad. The sixth daughter is named Sabrina, who is seventeen years old. The "B" on the paper likely stands for her nickname, Brie.

"Sabrina was supposed to marry the son of the Wards Marquess. She visited the Marquess's house once a month to learn how to manage the household as the future Marchioness. However, she disappeared from the Marquess's house recently, just before the wedding."

"That must be... very concerning."

"The Marquess's house is under the impression that she fell ill and hurriedly returned home."

The fact that the Duke's daughter disappeared from her fiancé's house and is living incognito in the capital, if known, would likely cancel the marriage. After that, the scandal would follow her for life. It's uncertain how much the Marquess's family believes the story about her falling ill.

In the noble society, where a woman must remain chaste before marriage, it would be difficult for her to find another suitable match, or she might end up marrying someone of much lower status. This would not only ruin the Duke's reputation but could also affect his other daughters who have already married.

"Victoria, I am a cautious person. I had a competent servant assigned to Sabrina. For a girl who grew up quietly at home to escape the Marquess's house without her servant noticing, there must be a collaborator. The collaborator is likely still hiding Sabrina. I need you to find Sabrina and bring her back, and report who the collaborator is."

"Does Lady Delphine know about this matter?"

"Yes, she does. The King does too."

I see. That's why Lady Delphine kept the reading club a secret. Well... I understand that this is a request I cannot refuse. The question is, how much does Lawrence know about me.

"How much do you know about me, Lawrence?"

"Ah, right. I investigated that you served as Lady Delphine's shadow during the rebellion. I have my own people who handle special tasks. Having a claim to the throne brings a lot of trouble."

"So, you have people working for you within the royal palace, close to the royal family?"

Lawrence neither confirmed nor denied.

"You, who served as a shadow, must be an expert in such matters. According to my investigation, you are from the duchy ruled by Sedric."

"Yes."

"However, I couldn't find anyone in the duchy who knew you from your childhood."

Hmm. It seems I was investigated by someone unexpected.

"I started the investigation casually, but it quickly piqued my interest. I delved deeper and found something interesting. The people you are currently close to have a common point."

"What is it?"

"Jeffrey Asher, Yolanda Haines, Bernard Fitcher, and Eva Anderson. They all had a close relationship with Victoria Sellers, who was killed by robbers six years ago."

I smiled and feigned surprise to hide my thoughts.

"That's when I realized you are Victoria Sellers. King Conrad has been relying on Jeffrey since his days as the crown prince, right?"

"Yes, I've heard that."

"Appointing Jeffrey Asher, who married a foreign woman of that kind, as the Deputy Minister of Military Affairs seemed quite careless. At first, I was angry, but when I heard that even the Queen is smitten with you, I changed my mind."

I listened, keeping my body's center of gravity in mind in case of an attack. Lawrence leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice.

"Generations of women who become this country's queen are raised in a completely sheltered environment. They are refined and beautiful, and it's enough for them to bear an heir. If they can skillfully convey their home country's requests to their husband, the king, that's a bonus. But Lady Delphine is different. She has a sharp intelligence that sets her apart."

Indeed. Lady Delphine understands her role and responsibility as a leader of the people.

"When I heard that Lady Delphine was captivated by you, I thought I should meet you. But before I could, this situation arose."

I see.

"Given that you have such capable subordinates, why me? And why not the Third Knight Regiment?"

"My capable subordinates couldn't find her after a month. You are my last hope. Also, I don't want to involve the Third Knight Regiment. Asking them for help would create a debt. I don't know who runs the organization, but I've heard plenty of rumors about that person."

"What kind of rumors?"

Lawrence counted them off on his fingers.

"Cruel, intelligent, calculating, strong loyalty to the state, and unwilling to act without a corresponding favor. They don't move for money, but for other things. I don't want to owe such a person. If I do, my other daughters and their husbands might be used in the future."

"If they are so loyal to the state, wouldn't they be loyal to the duchy as well?"

Lawrence laughed.

"The leader of the Third Knight Regiment values the state above all, not the royal family. The royal family is secondary, and the duchy is just a cog in the state. This is evident from their actions."

I had no particular reason to argue. So, I accepted Lawrence's request and left the fortress-like duchy.