Chapter 25

The carriage came to a stop after a long run, arriving at its destination. However, the Duke’s castle, which they were revisiting after two days, was bustling with an unusual atmosphere.  

Hermia couldn’t take her eyes off the butler, who seemed more flustered than usual as he rushed toward them. Walter also sensed something was off and quickly approached.  

“What’s going on?”  

“I’m sorry, my lord. Miss Melissa has disappeared.”  

Just when things were already chaotic, now Melissa was missing too. While Hermia was in shock, Walter appeared serious.  

“Tell me more.”  

The butler, rarely flustered, bowed his head deeply as he continued his report.  

“She was fine until this afternoon; she even had a snack… But when I went to ask about dinner just now, she wasn’t in her room.”  

“And?”  

“I searched the main building thoroughly but couldn’t find her, so I reported to Lieutenant Schumacher, who is currently searching inside the fortress.”  

“How long has it been?”  

“About two hours.”  

Walter took off his gloves and instinctively ran his fingers through his hair. After thinking for a moment, he immediately gave orders.  

“Increase the number of searchers and expand the search outside. Send someone to the nearest relay station to check if she took a carriage.”  

“Yes.”  

“What about Melissa’s belongings?”  

“Nothing is missing. She literally just vanished.”  

Walter’s brow furrowed sharply. He seemed to be considering the possibility of abduction.  

Hermia, who had been quietly listening, suddenly recalled something and stepped forward hastily.  

“Doctor. Maybe Melissa went to see a doctor.”  

“A doctor? Is Melissa sick? Wilson said she seemed fine…”  

Hermia shook her head vigorously.  

“No, there’s a doctor named Isaac that Melissa has visited a few times recently. He has connections with the Vansen family.”  

Considering Lucy’s words about how she had visited the hospital several times despite having no money, it was highly likely that Isaac recognized Melissa.   

It had felt uncomfortable back then, but with the engagement approaching, she had brushed it off until now.   

“It’s the ‘Saint Post General Hospital’ in Postberry.”   

“I’ll send someone right away.”   

Before Walter could speak, Aiden quickly understood and replied with determination before rushing off again.   

Gerald strolled over leisurely while watching this scene unfold.   

“I wonder where our golden pony has gone tonight? Is she running away?”   

“Melissa has been anxious that I might send her away from here. It’s hard to believe she left on her own accord.”   

Despite Walter’s denial, Gerald shrugged nonchalantly.   

“You never know; it could be the influence of that curse again.”   

“Are you going on about that ridiculous curse again? If you have nothing better to do, go back to your villa, Gerald. Go make sure your sister doesn’t do anything foolish.”   

Seeing him frown made Hermia bite her lip. It was clear he was bothered by how he had taken her away from the party without permission.   

Even if he justified it by saying it was under military jurisdiction, everyone present must have known he was defending her at that moment.   

Damn it. Even if it started with a curse, it was clearly her mistake afterward. It shouldn’t have exploded like this…   

It had been a long time since someone openly insulted her mother; perhaps that’s why he couldn’t hold back and flipped the table in front of the Princess.

“The Countess never specifically insulted my mother either.”   

Of course, it wasn’t because his stepmother lacked noble character; as the main wife, criticizing her husband’s mistress would be akin to undermining herself.

In a world where women of nobility would only quietly smile and say, “What a pity,” when someone else insulted them, her stepmother had just followed the rule.

Anyway, while worrying about going to jail and focusing only on her own safety, Hermia suddenly thought that perhaps the Duke was in an even more difficult situation.

Hermia hurriedly interjected into the conversation.

“Forget about me, but isn’t the Duke in a tough spot now? What was it called… usurpation? Something like that.”

“I don’t think the Princess will put any pressure on me; she isn’t reckless enough for that.”   

He answered as if he didn’t care at all and then turned to Gerald.

“However, I can’t easily predict what kind of retaliation Hermia or the Vansen family might face afterward.”   

His words demanded confirmation from the Princess’s biological brother. Seeing Hermia’s pale face made Gerald lightly place his hand on her shoulder.    

“Don’t worry! I told you I gathered plenty of embarrassing things from Liz’s secret space; with those alone, she can’t do anything.”   

“How did you obtain them?”    

“Um… That’s a secret?”    

He really loves secrets. She brushed off his hand from her shoulder as if shaking off annoyance.

Walter looked at Gerald with distrust before reaching out to Hermia.

“We’ll keep searching for Melissa with more people. But first, we should attend to your injury…”

“No, I’m not injured.”    

He instinctively took her hand and spoke, but his gaze dropped to her wrist. As Hermia glanced down at her arm, she quickly realized.

“When did I get this bruise…?”    

She hadn’t thought much about it after being pulled tightly by the guards earlier; she didn’t expect a bruise on her arm too. She thought it would just be slightly red but now saw that what had been red had turned blue instead. It felt awkward for no reason.

“It’ll disappear in a few days. I used to get this all the time when I was younger. I know better than any doctor about this.”

“…”    

She meant it wasn’t a big deal, but for some reason Walter’s expression darkened even further.

As soon as he entered the mansion, he shouted “Wilson!” and immediately handed her over to the military doctor the servants had brought from the office.

In the battlefield, he must have seen much worse. The Duke’s overly sensitive reaction felt strange and almost amusing.  

Last time, when he had panicked over a bleeding foot, it was only now that Hermia realized the extent of his concern.  

‘Ah, this person is worried about me.’  

Suddenly, Hermia felt like crying.  

—

As before, Nora sent all the servants away and began to examine Hermia. Then, she asked habitually,  

“What kind of exercise do you usually do?”

“Exercise?”

Hermia repeated the unfamiliar word, and Nora quickly shook her head. It was clearly a verbal slip.  

“No, that was a thoughtless question.”  

It wasn’t appropriate to ask someone who likely had no strength or basic fitness if they practiced ballet or horseback riding like other young ladies.  

“I used to run well when I was a child.”  

“Ah, I see…”  

Seeing Hermia diligently respond only complicated Nora’s feelings further.  

Stepping outside with Hermia left behind, she took out muscle pain medication and ointment and handed them to a maid.  

“Have her soak in lukewarm water for a while and give her a full-body massage. Even if it hurts, it needs to be done properly. Apply the ointment thoroughly.”  

“Did she come back from being beaten?”  

Nora sighed helplessly at Emily’s exaggerated expression and shook her head.  

“With that body, it must have been a shock of similar intensity.”  

“…?”  

Emily tilted her head in confusion, but Nora had to swallow her words for the sake of patient confidentiality.  

During the bath, the maids gasped at Hermia’s bruised body, and when it came time for the massage, Hermia bit down on a towel.  

The luxurious full-body massage that would be unimaginable at the Count’s estate felt more like torture for Hermia.  

“Ugh…”  

Finally escaping from the grips of hell, she let out a groan like someone running out of breath.  

Having rubbed her body as if kneading dough to relieve her tight muscles made it hard even to stand. Moreover, unable to resist the maids’ insistence, she was carted off in a wheeled chair like a piece of luggage to the dining room.  

As Hermia entered while seated in the wheelchair, Walter and Gerald’s eyes widened in surprise.  

“Are you alright?”  

“My goodness, you’ve suddenly turned into a critical patient.”

“The military doctor said that if you use your muscles, it will hurt more tomorrow. I’ll make sure the young lady gets her meal, so please return to your places.”

The one responding to the two men was Emily, who had pushed the wheelchair in.  

“Hurry up!”  

With the firm attitude of a maid several years older than them, both the Duke and the Prince obediently returned to their chairs. Only Hermia felt miserable in between them.  

Is it really necessary to make such a fuss over just some bruises? It’s just that my pale skin makes them more noticeable.   

Just as she thought this, Hermia’s mouth opened slightly.  

“Typical nobles; always so dramatic.” Ah.  

She quickly lowered her head.   

‘I said that out loud again. Damn that author… Just wait until I catch you.’   

While steeling herself against her frustration, dinner arrived just in time. Her head turned as if enchanted by what had been served.  

Although covered with a lid, she could smell it without needing to see it. This was definitely… pork. The aroma of perfectly roasted pork ribs was so strong that it overwhelmed even the nutty scent of grits.

Unable to take her eyes off the plate coming onto the table, Hermia suddenly raised her arm and inhaled through her nose.

Sure enough, there was an overwhelming smell coming from her body as if her nose had been cleared suddenly. The odor had been wafting since she opened the ointment lid; there was no way she could smell normal after slathering it all over herself.

At this point, she must have been giving off an odor detectable from at least ten meters away.

“Um… I think I’ll eat in my room.”  

Hermia carefully turned her head to avoid getting her hair blown around as she spoke. She didn’t want to disturb others’ meals with the medicinal smell wafting from her.

Having already received help several times, she didn’t want to cause trouble over something so trivial. Despite being grateful, adding apologies on top would just make her feel pathetic.

Neither the Duke nor the Prince would block their noses or frown in front of a lady; they would simply pretend not to notice and endure it.

Suddenly feeling alert made her dizzy; she almost sat down comfortably and enjoyed herself alone.

‘Just because they are treating me well doesn’t mean I should take it for granted.’ 

She needed to root out her habit of relying on others without thinking early on; otherwise, she’d end up thinking kindness was something owed to her.

Hadn’t she already regretted acting foolishly twice before?

With a small sigh escaping her lips,

It hurt too much to lean on someone else’s warmth only to be betrayed.

It had happened when she was abandoned by her stepfather and when she learned about Count Vansen’s true nature. Both had initially acted as if they would treat her like a precious daughter before delivering a heavy blow.

Was there any guarantee that the Duke would be different from them…?