In the end, dawn broke.

Despite the mobilization of the Duke’s household staff and even the capital’s security forces searching for the Duchess all night, no trace of her was found.

Gregory, whose face had turned ashen, sighed deeply as he looked at the rising red sun cutting through the dawn. His eyes filled with despair turned toward his master, who had been fully preoccupied with searching for the Duchess without even a moment’s sleep.

The Duke, engrossed in unfolding a map, reminded him of the commanderinchief preparing for battle. His eyes shone sharply as he meticulously examined possible areas the Duchess could have moved to since her disappearance. He then placed a piece of paper on the map and began to write something down.

“Your Grace…”

“Go to the palace immediately.”

Caeron extended the handwritten letter. The letter likely contained orders to tighten the blockade of the capital and reinforce the inspections in the surrounding cities for the search for the Duchess.

“Yes, I will go and return.”

Gregory took the letter and immediately boarded a carriage headed for the palace.

After sending Gregory off, Caeron leaned forward, holding his forehead with both hands.

‘Idel…’

Caeron concentrated on devising a strategy for the search. Whenever he thought of Idel, his mind went blank and he felt paralyzed.

However, after giving the operation’s instructions, his mind kept filling with thoughts only about her. As those thoughts deepened, his complexion also darkened.

‘Who the hell dares…!’

A grinding noise of clenched teeth flowed out from between his tightly closed lips. Anger towards an asyetunidentifiable person boiled up. His entire body heated up with the burning fury.

‘If only they are caught…’

He would not leave them be. He would utilize every possible means to exact thorough retribution.

Caeron was enraged at the unidentified man who had kidnapped Idel. Identifying the perpetrator as soon as possible was crucial.

He pondered, recalling the words of Ena, the only witness who had last seen the Duchess.

[Dash] Answer. Where did the Duchess go? Who did she meet?

[Dash] That, that is…

Trembling and weeping, the child’s face showed fear as well as some hesitation. Caeron, who thought it strange, sharply asked.

[Dash] Were you threatened?

[Dash] ……!

The child opened his eyes wide in surprise, staring blankly at him. Just as he suspected… the kidnapper had lured the Duchess using the child.

[Dash] Whatever threat you received doesn’t matter. I will ensure your safety. Don’t be afraid and tell me everything you know.

[Dash] Is that really true? That man said… he won’t leave my siblings alone.

[Dash] Don’t worry. I’ll capture and punish the man who threatened you. Furthermore, the safety of you and your siblings will be guaranteed by the Duke’s house.

Reassured by the Duke’s affirmation, the child finally seemed relieved. Wiping tears off his cheeks, the child hesitantly began to speak.

[Dash] I met Duchess Idel for the first time and was on my way back to the factory. A man approached and started talking to me.

Ena began to recollect. It was something that happened near the factory after accidentally bumping into Idel.

[Dash] The man asked if I was curious about what Duchess Idel and I had talked about. We had exchanged some talk about working in the factory, and we planned to meet again later. He said okay and disappeared.

Nothing seemed amiss until then. The problem occurred when Ena left the factory and was on his way to the location to meet the Duchess.

[Dash] On my way to meet Duchess Idel, the man appeared again. He said if I didn’t do as he said, he wouldn’t leave me alone.

The man knew not only Ena’s name but also the names of his younger siblings and his home address. He stated that his siblings were already captured and would be endangered if he did not comply.
[Dash] So I did as the man instructed, taking the bottle of dye and deliberately spraying it on the people around me. He had said to bring only the Duchess through this alleyway once they’d cleared out.

Packing the preprepared bottle of dye, the man detailed how to isolate the Duchess. He said to bring her by any means necessary, even if she didn’t come alone.

[Dash] The Duchess and I came to the alley to meet that man. Then… I ran away.

Ena felt overwhelmingly ashamed and sorry for facing Idel, who had trusted her and followed her. She feared disappointing her. Ultimately, the child couldn’t bear the pressure and ran away from the spot.

[Dash] I’m sorry, really sorry… I did wrong. Please forgive me…

Remembering her emotions at that time, Ena broke into tears in front of the Duke, joining her hands in prayer.

Upon immediately returning home, she felt relief confirming her siblings were safe but… upon learning that the beautiful and loving Duchess was in danger, guilt washed over her.

For a moment, Caeron looked at Ena’s tearsoaked face before speaking.

[Dash] I have no intention of punishing you. You’re a victim too.