Hildley seemed to be stuck in his words. His eyes shook as if there had been an earthquake.

Luke was closely observing Hildley. If there was a close connection between the cause of Bonita’s collapse and traces of dark magic, it was quite likely that Hildley Rotern, who was present when she collapsed, was at least an accomplice.

At that moment, a knocking sound was heard.

Before Luke could command him to step back, the door opened.

“Who…”

Luke’s eyebrows raised at Aria’s uncomfortable tone.

“…Hilton?”

“My lord.”

Luke scrutinized Aria’s appearance with narrowed eyes.

Unlike before when he seemed like a soulless person, his blue eyes now seemed usual.
“He is staying in the mansion under Ms. Hilton’s orders.”

Luke recalled Ed’s words. Come to think of it, it was Aria who had detained the man in front of him without him being aware.

“I have something to say.”

“Speak.”

“If, as Lady Rebecca says, the cause of Bonita’s collapse is some kind of magic, it means someone is targeting Bonita.”

It was similar to what Luke had guessed. In fact, it was a straightforward inference that anyone could make.

Although noble children rarely died from bacterial infections, diseases, or malnutrition like commoners, they were plagued by assassination threats. Especially if they were successors of high-ranking nobility, there were many people aiming for them.

There were various reasons, such as the political faction wanting to put another successor in place, or groups wanting to eliminate a stable successor to disrupt stability. Personal grudges.

Countless reasons could be listed, but the main cause of harm to a child was usually one of these. If someone harbored ill intentions towards Bonita, the probability was high that it fell into one of these three causes.

Among them, the one he suspected was undoubtedly the first.

The Lucianthus duchy, far from central politics, had no enemies. Luke had never directly harmed anyone despite the ominous rumors. It was difficult to believe that someone had such a deep grudge against him that they would harm his child.

So, there was one possibility left.

One of those hateful nobles who had pushed his daughter onto him when Elodie died, left him alone without a wife and child. They even dyed the girl’s hair pink and dressed her to look like Elodie.

Luke’s gaze turned to Hildley.

“This man is from a well-respected family, and moreover, he is a young noble with no wife, no children, and no inheritance.”

That meant he was an easily purchasable opponent. He gripped Hildley’s shoulders firmly.

“If what Mr. Hilton says is true, one of those who aimed for the position of the duchess by mimicking Elodie must have bought Rothern.”

“What?! Bought?!”

Hildley looked genuinely wronged.

The situation that had been going on since yesterday was so ridiculous that he couldn’t even speak.

“Bought?! It’s really unfair! If I received money, I wouldn’t be unjust!”

He had only accepted the introduction from Delphinium Jajak, worked as a governess in the duke’s mansion, and planned to flirt with the wealthy duke who paid well. He never expected to be suspected like this.

Aria’s eyes observing Hildley turned cold. She swept her disheveled blonde hair with her lips pressed.

“No, Your Grace. Think about it.”

“About what?”

“Rather than such uncertain possibilities, someone who would benefit much more when Bonita disappeared is close by.”

“Where on earth is that person…”

Luke’s attempt to refute in an annoyed tone was cut off. His hand gripping Hildley’s shoulder became more forceful.

“Ow! Ah, it hurts! Your Grace!”
Hildley screamed. However, Luke stared at his face with an expression as if he had been hit on the back of his head with a hammer.

Hildley Rothern is the person recommended by Oliver as a governess.

Oliver Delphinium, his younger brother.

Luke took a breath at the possibility he hadn’t considered. It was almost unbelievable.

He turned his head towards Aria. She stood straight with her hands on her waist, looking at him.

Aria’s mouth opened.

“If Rothern received someone’s fortune and committed something, who would be the most likely candidate?”

Her tone was frighteningly low and calm.

She accurately pointed out the flaws in Luke’s reasoning.

“And perhaps… this may not be the first time.”

The second shock hit.

With just a few clues, he sensed what Aria was trying to say.

‘Could it be Oliver, the one who abducted newborn Bonita?’

It was an absurd speculation.

Once suspicion arose, it was impossible to erase it. Luke, gripping Hildley’s shoulders, looked even more menacing.