The Duke’s carriage entered the narrow alley after running through the main street of El Lautica.

People passing by could be seen glancing at the carriage. Meiana glanced briefly at Cediloy with worry and concern, but he seemed more composed than she expected.

‘Maybe he’s just not showing it on his face.’

It was not unknown that Cediloy carried a sense of guilt about Lady Celine. While it was a lie for her sake, whether Lady Celine would accept the truth as it was remained a separate issue.

Regarding the belated revelation of the truth related to the death of his only granddaughter and how he could make amends for it…

“Duke, we have arrived.”

The voice of the coachman was heard. Only then did a tense expression appear on Cediloy’s face. As the wheels stopped, Arianthe, who had woken up, still rubbed her eyes, shaking her head as if sleep clung to her eyelashes.

“Father, where are we?”

Cediloy hugged Arianthe. The child, with a bright face, oblivious to everything, happily greeted her father. Meiana’s feelings watching this scene could only become more complicated.

“Arianthe, listen carefully to what Father is about to say.”

Arianthe, with wide-open eyes, glanced at Meiana once. It was a bewildered expression, not knowing whether she should be nervous in the suddenly serious atmosphere or how to react to the situation since she had just woken up.

“It’s okay, my lady.”

Meiana said. As a result, Arianthe’s small shoulders relaxed slightly, as if feeling a little relieved.

“What’s the story?”

“Look out the window. Do you see a house?”

Arianthe, sticking out her small head, narrowed her eyes. Then she slightly tilted her head, as if wondering if it would be good to call what she saw a house.

“It’s a very small house. It looks like an old house. A house built a long time ago.”

“Yes, that’s right. A very small and old house. Who do you think lives there?”

Arianthe, who had been lost in thought with her lips puckered, spoke.

“A witch?”

Cediloy let out a short laugh as if exhaling a sigh. He pulled the child, who was clinging to the window, back onto his knees.

“Arianthe, in that house… Your mother’s grandmother lives there.”

The child’s lips parted slightly. She looked at Cediloy’s face, then turned to look out the window again, and alternately glanced at Meiana’s face.

“Grandma? Mom’s grandmother?”

“Yes. Your mother, Liria. Do you remember?”

Of course, she remembered. Arianthe nodded, and Cediloy continued.

“Liria’s grandmother lives there.”

“Why? Why doesn’t she live in the mansion with us?”
A faint reproach lingered in the child’s voice. It seemed that Cediloy deliberately left her here. He read resentment and puzzlement in Arianthe’s gaze, but it was a task he couldn’t explain every detail.

“Grandmother wanted to protect this house. It’s so your mother can come and meet her grandmother.”

Again, Arianthe, with parted lips, fidgeted with her fingers, then began tearing at the lace on her dress.

“But Mom isn’t here.”

Cediloy replied, “Yes, that’s right. But your grandmother will be pleased to see you. She has trouble with her eyes, but she’ll recognize you.”

“What if she doesn’t? What if she doesn’t like me?”

“That won’t happen, Arianthe. Trust your father’s words.”

Meiana felt uneasy as she looked at Arianthe’s pale face. The lace decorating the layered dress made a sound as it reluctantly unraveled. Fortunately, the damage was not too noticeable, but Arianthe, surprised, looked down at her own clothes.

“Will you be able to meet Grandma, Arianthe?”

Arianthe stared at the closed carriage door with a troubled expression. To want to meet or not. At her age, it was difficult to judge. However, whether she could meet or not. If asked that way, the answer became simpler.

“I can meet her.”

Cediloy lightly patted Arianthe’s shoulder.

“All right, let’s go see Grandma with Daddy.”

“What about Meiana?”

Meiana and Arianthe’s eyes met for a moment. Meiana said, “I’ll go with you, my lady.”

Arianthe finally descended from Cediloy’s lap with a relieved expression. Then she opened the seat’s cover and took out her precious bag, which she had placed carefully inside.

“Lady, you might not need to carry that.”

“No, I’ll take it.”

Meiana said no more and left Arianthe to herself. Although not expressed in words or tantrums, there was undoubtedly anxiety. If carrying the bag helped alleviate that anxiety…

Lady Celine’s house looked shabby and small, just as it did when they first saw it. When Cediloy knocked on the door, the sound of a dog barking from upstairs could be heard.

Arianthe tightly held Meiana’s hand.

“There seems to be a dog.”

“A very friendly dog. It won’t bite you, my lady.”

Cediloy slowly opened the door. When they entered the house, the first thing they felt was a faint odor. The warm scent that could always be smelled when entering Lady Celine’s house was now nowhere to be found. Instead, a bitter, somewhat musty smell that seemed to stick in the nostrils was present.