6 years old, 7 years old, 9 years old.

Children of similar age with crimson hair, just like the duke couple.

These children were currently separated in a private conference room in Lucia’s residence.

There were several reasons for this.

Firstly, the risk of information leakage that might occur when investigating together, secondly, the possibility of not knowing their identity.

Thirdly, since the body of the duke’s wife hadn’t been found, there was a possibility that she was still alive and intentionally hiding, if she were to contact someone.

Because of this, even asking questions was done cautiously.

Among many questions, memories of their parents, memories of the day they arrived at the orphanage.

Other than that, there was no intention to investigate anything related to the young lady.

However, despite such meticulous efforts, finding the child was quite easy.

“You lost consciousness in a running carriage?”

“…Yes. So, I don’t remember the day I first came to the orphanage well, but I’m sure about the carriage. And I heard there was a lot of smoke smell on my body that day.”

“…I see.”

At the child’s words, Berl’s expression became bitter.

The only news he knew among those from the orphanage was about a real noble lady.

However, even at the age of 9, with rough skin, pale lips, and a child who couldn’t keep their fingers still, seeming anxious and restless.

The noble lineage of the Kingdom could be felt from that child, with red hair being the only thing.

What kind of difficult path would the world lead this young child on?

‘Even in such circumstances, receiving free lessons, saying they will study. And that teacher is truly remarkable…’

Berl remembered Emily’s crying sound all of a sudden, but realizing he was on duty, he quickly cleared his mind.

“Your name is Isabelle, right? Alright. Just wait here for a moment, okay?”

As he poured reheated milk into an empty cup cleanly, the child quickly moistened their dry lips.

Then, as if something came to mind, they looked at Berl and asked.

“…But why are you asking me this? I have to go back quickly. Otherwise, I’ll get scolded by the housekeeper.”

“No, I’ve already explained the situation. Don’t worry.”

He smiled bitterly again and gently stroked the head of the child who might be a noble lady.

Then, he stepped out of the tent and saw the faces of Gilly and Vernon.

Everyone seemed to carry a heavy heart, and their expressions were not good.

The difficult circumstances of the other children seemed to be no different.

Berl received a brief report from the dark-faced members.

When the commander arrived, he planned to convey the contents concisely.

By the time opinions were gathered appropriately,

A carriage appeared on time.

It seemed to be the carriage responsible for Niya’s way home.

“Commander, have you arrived? Miss Niya, it’s been a while.”

As Berl greeted with a smile, Niya, who had been in her mother’s arms, nodded shyly with a slightly raised smile.
It was more unfamiliar than spending time with Vernon and Gilly, but the child, resembling their friend Cesar, had an affectionate gaze.

“How is the investigation progressing?”

In response to the short words of the commander, Berl conveyed the information gathered by the members.

“So, among the children with special memories of that night, there was only one named Isabelle. That memory also matches the contents of the incident. Commander.”

Listening to his subsequent report, Lucia, who had been listening, didn’t need to hear any more with just one word.

It was the running carriage.

The smell of smoke could overlap as much as possible, but the fact itself was an unknown truth if she hadn’t been there at that moment.

“Okay, then it seems the young lady is that child.”

Berl nodded his head as he also had the same thought.

Fortunately.

With this, they had found the child just in time for the upcoming peace talks.

Lucia, relieved, handed the child to Vernon to talk to the found young lady.

Then, Nia, spreading her short arms as if it were familiar, spoke.

“…Vernon!”

“Yes, yes. Oh my, little commander. You’ve gotten heavier than before. You’ve grown up. You’ve grown up.”

Vernon, who had not been in a good mood until a while ago, smiled genially as soon as he heard the child’s clear voice.

Nia, as always, hugged Vernon’s neck, who admired her beauty.

Certainly, the child had to smile like this.

As Vernon, holding Nia, headed towards the lodging, Lucia read the reports of the other children until the end.

Based on this information, if there was any way to find the real parents of the children even a little, or if there was any way to help them, she wanted to help.

However, someone’s gaze soon stopped that.

‘Is it that child.’

Seeing Berl, Lucia nodded her head as she looked at the child who had peeked out through the tent, which seemed to be the girl named Isabelle he mentioned in the conversation earlier.

“Come here, Isabelle.”

Was her expression frightening because it was emotionless?