While the Marquise was preparing to meet the guests with a dark expression, the Marquis went to find Rembrandt.

Upon hearing the news that Duchess Pearl had visited the estate, Rembrandt had already finished preparing and was waiting for the Marquis.

“Did you find any clues in the search? About Lady Christina’s whereabouts?”

“…….,”

As if interpreting the Marquis’s silence as an answer, Rembrandt sent a silent gaze.

“It’s a big problem. She must be safe.”

Rembrandt looked at the Marquis, who couldn’t respond.

“Though you may have many concerns, isn’t the most important thing Lady’s safety? Even if there is a commotion, we should prioritize finding Lady safely now. If it causes worry, how about explaining to Duchess Pearl first and then shifting to a public investigation? I might be able to help more actively, and perhaps we can get the Duchess’s assistance.”

“…….,”

Rembrandt continued speaking.

“Even if you cause worry, what’s more important is that you find Lady. If it helps, I can lend my assistance to uncovering the truth. It seems that this matter has become inevitable.”

Rembrandt’s gaze shifted to the table.

Following his gaze, a canvas on the table caught the Marquis’s eye.

Rembrandt slid the completed picture towards the Marquis.

It was Reyna wearing Lady Christina’s dress.

“…….,”

The Marquis looked at the painting presented by Rembrandt with a stern face.

“We need to find Lady.”

In the completed picture by Rembrandt, the dress worn by Reyna caught his eye.

Although he claimed to have seen Reyna by chance on the balcony of the new room, Rembrandt might have…

The Marquis lowered his head and swallowed a dry gulp.

“…….,”

Arthur’s words about Rembrandt keeping the secret if he spoke honestly came to his mind.

He could no longer keep the existence of that child a perfect secret.

Moreover, since Duchess Pearl had come, there was no time to delay.

From Rembrandt’s perspective, there was no choice but to somehow manage the situation within the boundaries of Lord Arthur’s wishes.

“… Rembrandt, there’s something I haven’t told you.”

“Yes?”

The Marquis closed his eyes tightly.

“… In fact, the child you saw, Rembrandt, is… not Lady Christina but another child.”

“Another child?”

The eyes of Rembrandt, who was looking at the lowered Marquis, narrowed.

“Rembrandt, I’ll explain properly soon. It may be embarrassing, but could you pretend not to know about Christina for a while, while I greet Duchess?”

Preemptive attack, relationship with Arthur, marriage contract.

He couldn’t lose any of them.

Shortly after the Marquis left.

Francis came out from behind the door, leaning on the door frame, flexing his fist.

“Rembrandt, it seems I’ve solved the riddle you gave me next week.”

“…….,”
When Rembrandt turned his gaze towards Francis, Francis revealed a bundle of documents he held in his hand.

【Report on the Reyna Astalin Incident】

It seemed to have been completed and brought before the Marquis arrived. After hearing the recent conversation, he probably gained confidence in his conclusions.

Rembrandt smirked, “You figured it out faster than I thought.”

Francis sighed, tilting his head back, “Well… my pride is a bit hurt. I thought you’d say, ‘You’re late compared to your abilities.'”

Rembrandt chuckled, “There will be better opportunities to show your abilities. Now, shall we try to rescue that young lady?”

Francis extended his fist with a relaxed smile, turning his head sideways.

“For that reason… would you come with me? Mr. Brody.”

At Francis’s call, Brody, who was behind the door, awkwardly revealed himself.

“…….,”

Francis smiled, “I want to know about ‘Lady Christina.’ As you can guess, it’s to protect her. And… perhaps it’s related to the reason you asked for the protection of the K family and sent her to our side. Is that correct?”

Brody looked at the report on the “Reyna Astalin Incident” held in Francis’s hand.

“I am Francis Ford, K’s older brother. You know that, right? I’ve been requested to take care of your safety for a while.”

Francis smiled, “I want to help. Will you cooperate?”

“It’s an honor to have you here, Duchess Pearl. The lord of this place is Antonio Julius.”

“I’m Matilda Julius.”

After receiving greetings from the Marquis and his wife, the black-haired lady with an apologetic smile stepped back, cautiously indicating the younger lady behind her.

“Not me, but she is the one.”

“Ah…?!”

She politely gestured to the indicated place, where a beautiful lady with black hair and purple eyes was smiling gently.

Oh.

They belatedly recognized the face of the Duchess, and in embarrassment, they quickly bowed their heads.

“Uh, Duchess. Excuse us.”

Most of the Duchess’s entourage smiled as if it were a familiar occurrence.

It was not uncommon for those who looked young to be mistaken as the Duchess, and people often momentarily mistook her maids for the Duchess.

Many people, seeing her young appearance, didn’t think the young lady was the Duchess.

“Nice to meet you, Marquis and Marquise.”