Surviving as the Adopted Daughter of the Genius Duke (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 81

We split up. Number Five and Pablo went together, while I moved alone.

“First, find the missing people. Be careful not to get caught.”

At my instruction, Number Five dragged the sniffling Pablo toward the basement. If the missing persons really were in the manor, the basement was the most likely place.

I headed in the opposite direction—from the manor’s upper floor, toward Magine Duke’s study.

“If only Your Highness would leave… everything would be resolved. If Mother believes you’re dead, she won’t do anything foolish anymore.”

Esmeralda had clearly said that. So I gave her exactly what she wanted—my death, my engagement to Kirian, everything exactly as she wished.

But the more I dug, the more my suspicions grew. Her promise that Mother wouldn’t act foolishly again sounded like a lie.

“What more could she possibly want?”

If this was the study where the duke handled all his affairs, there must be some clue. And there couldn’t be a better opportunity than now, when everyone in the manor was focused on the party.

I hurried down the dark corridor.

Kirian scanned the surroundings with indifferent eyes. He recognized a few familiar faces, but no one dared approach him readily, intimidated by his cold expression.

Even Prince Hith, who normally spoke to him regardless of his mood, now only stared at him with discomfort and didn’t even offer a greeting.

That was actually better. His time had remained frozen for two and a half years, and being stuck among people who chatted and drank as if nothing had happened—asking each other about recent news—was driving him mad.

He’d come hoping the fresh air and meeting others might lift the Duchess’s spirits a little, but contrary to his expectations, his mother stayed quietly apart from the other noblewomen.

At least his father and he were nearby, so they could occasionally bring her drinks and food.

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