Jane was startled to see a small figure curled up like a pill bug on the white bench.

It wasn’t because of the presence of a stranger, but because the atmosphere surrounding the child was so gloomy.

Jane looked closely at the child.

Brown hair that seemed to have a spoonful of sunlight mixed in swayed in the wind. Upon closer inspection, the clothes were of very high quality.

‘Perhaps a guest brought their son.’

Jane slowly approached the child. She deliberately made a sound.

The figure, sensing her presence, flinched and lifted its head from between its knees.

It was a child with striking white, chubby cheeks and large eyes. Autumn-like brown eyes sparkled, filled with curiosity and wariness.

“Hello?”

Jane smiled so as not to startle the child.

“Ah, h-hello.”

Whether embarrassed or surprised, the child’s eyes widened to the size of fists and their cheeks flushed.

“If you don’t mind, may I sit here?”

“Ah… um, this is m-mine, ah, n-no it’s not…”

The child’s response was quite adorable. Though they had occupied the seat first, they answered that it wasn’t theirs when asked for an opinion.

The child’s unspoiled answer improved Jane’s mood considerably.

“I’ll take that as permission. Thank you.”

Jane nodded and sat at the edge of the bench. As soon as she sat on the white bench, the stone weighing on her solar plexus magically disappeared.

Then she became interested in the child’s situation beside her.

‘They seemed to have been crying.’

When Jane glanced over, the child had already straightened up and was sitting properly.

Seeing a posture that looked like it came straight out of an etiquette book made Jane uncomfortable. She also felt sorry, thinking the child had probably been more relaxed before she came.

“You can sit comfortably.”

“I-I’m comfortable.”

“Really? It’s nice here, isn’t it? It’s one of my favorite spots. The wind and sunlight are just right.”

“It’s n-nice. P-peaceful and w-warm.”

“Did I interrupt your rest?”

“N-no, not at all.”

After that exchange, the conversation dried up.

Then dark clouds gathered on the child’s face.

“D-did I make a m-mistake? I mean, d-did I do s-something wrong?”

The child suddenly apologized. Jane examined the child closely.

The child’s demeanor stood out in contrast to their well-dressed appearance.

Hunched shoulders, trembling voice, swollen eyes.

‘Are they being abused?’

There were nobles who treated children harshly under the name of education.

Given the atmosphere in the Kingdom of Emblan, where interfering in others’ family matters was frowned upon, there was nothing Jane could do even if she suspected child abuse.

But a brief moment of comfort would be alright.

“Well, if you have time, could you help me with something?”

“…Me?”

“Yes. Is it strange for an adult to ask a child for help? But I’m not a strange person.”

It was Jane’s calculation not to suggest a game to the child, but to ask for help.

Children are so kind that they can’t ignore others’ difficulties. Even if their own situation isn’t favorable, their bodies often move ahead with the desire to help.

That’s why children are called jewels.

“Y-you don’t look like a s-strange person! You’re p-pretty. L-like an angel.”

As if it wasn’t a lie, the child’s cheeks turned pink. The shy smile suited them very well.

“That’s too much praise from the little gentleman. You look handsome too. So, will you help me?”

The child nodded. Jane put down the shoes she was holding and stood on the grass.

“W-what should I do?”

The child also wriggled down from the bench and stood up.

“Little gentleman, would you dance a waltz with me?”

“I-I’m sorry, but I’ve n-never learned to w-waltz.”

The child’s head drooped.

How old could they be? Despite the stuttering, the pronunciation was accurate, suggesting they were quite old.

But they didn’t look old enough to have seriously learned the waltz yet.

That means the child had no reason to be sorry or ashamed for not being able to waltz.

“It would be an honor just to have you stand as my partner. Then, if you’ll excuse me.”

Jane lifted the child, who was much smaller than her.

“Uh, uhhh.”

Awkward at being held by a stranger, the child floundered. Jane held them tightly to her chest to prevent them from falling.

“Could you put one hand on my shoulder? And hold my arm, no, forearm with the other hand.”

Though bewildered, the child followed Jane’s instructions well.

Then Jane began to hum softly. Dan, dadan, dan dadan. Her feet moved slowly to match the humming.

The child was much thinner and lighter than they looked. Jane stroked the child’s protruding spine as she took steps.

She walked, turned, and crossed the lawn again.

The tension gradually left the child’s body. The fingers on Jane’s shoulder wriggled and soon began to keep time with Jane.

Dan dadan, dan dadan.

“Are you enjoying this?”

“V-very much!”

It seemed like she might hear a giggle if they continued a little longer. Just as Jane was about to increase the speed of the waltz steps.

“What’s going on here?”

A cold north wind pushed away the warm air. Cain was under the large tree.

His face was full of displeasure.

* * *

“Young Master Joseph has disappeared!”

It was while Cain was in a meeting about the bank merger.

It was such an important meeting that he had called the relevant parties to Somnium House for thorough security.

A black sign hung outside the office.

It was a sign not to disturb his meeting unless it was absolutely necessary.

But the office door burst open and a flustered Norbert barged in.

“I apologize, Your Excellency.”

“I’ll step out for a moment.”

Cain left the meeting room and immediately summoned Joseph’s nanny.

“He was definitely in his room, but…”

“Where does he usually go?”

“He’s always just in his room…”

“When did he disappear?”

“Well, that’s…”

She couldn’t properly answer a single question.

Cain was appalled that such an incompetent person was around him.

Cain coldly stared at the trembling nanny. It was a chilling gaze that looked like he might put a gun to her forehead at any moment.

“Your Excellency, we must find the young master.”

It was Norbert who saved her. Cain turned his gaze away. He decided to deal with her negligence after finding Joseph.

After that, the Hastings household was turned upside down. Everyone dropped what they were doing and combed through Somnium House.

“Could he have gone outside?”

“Has anyone seen him?”

“I haven’t seen him, but…”

Another weak answer came back. Cain rubbed his forehead. The state of the household was a complete mess.

‘We need to call Aunt soon.’

The laxity and incompetence of the servants was due to the long absence of a mistress of the house and Cain’s extended stays abroad with his confidants.

So he couldn’t entirely blame them.

Still, it wasn’t this bad when Cain’s aunt, Burnett, was around.

‘I wonder if she could come two weeks earlier.’

Cain recalled Burnett’s situation as he gave instructions.

“Split into two groups and search outside as well.”

Cain was also planning to look around the garden. The meeting was already a lost cause.

A day’s delay in the decision would result in massive losses, but finding the child took priority.

“Your Excellency, a moment.”

Nathan, who had come out late after cleaning up the meeting room, approached him.

He covered his mouth with his hand and spoke urgently.

“Miss Jane has also disappeared.”

“What?”

Cain’s eyebrows rose. His chest also swelled greatly. He seemed very angry, causing Nathan to take a step back.

To calm his anger, this situation needed to be resolved immediately, but there was nothing Nathan could do.

‘I can’t lie and say she’s here when she’s not, and I can’t bring the missing person here right away.’

“What about Sor?”

He was the black hawk assigned to Jane.

“He was chased away by Mrs. Themis. She doesn’t let him come near during lessons.”

Though displeased with Mrs. Themis’s behavior, Cain let it pass with just a frown.

It was Burnett who had recommended her, so he intended to trust and observe her for the time being.

“What time did the lessons start?”

“From 9 o’clock.”

“What time is it now?”

“It’s 2 PM.”

Though he knew Cain wasn’t asking because he didn’t know, Nathan answered anyway. Cain’s jaw clenched tightly.

“Should I give orders to search for Miss Jane as well?”

“No need.”

Cain curtly replied and headed outside.

“Are you going to look yourself?”

Cain didn’t answer and strode out with his long legs.

“Young Master Joseph!”

Upon entering the garden, voices calling for Joseph could be heard from all directions. Heads popped up and disappeared repeatedly all over the garden.

‘No need for me to search here.’

Cain moved to the back garden. He didn’t call out for Joseph.

If Joseph was deliberately hiding, he would hide even more at the sound of someone looking for him.

Cain moved without setting a particular destination, just going where his steps took him. Then he stopped at a place that might as well have been abandoned.

A humming sound came from among the verdant trees. It was so faint he might have thought he misheard, but it was sweet enough to make his ears perk up.

It was a peaceful humming that contrasted with the chaotic atmosphere of the Hastings household.

Cain moved to a path hidden between the trees.

‘So they were here.’

Joseph and Jane, who had caused so much worry, were together.

They were enjoying a pleasant moment, making the people running around looking for them seem foolish.

The steps crossing between sunlight and shade, facing each other on the soft grass, were clearly waltz steps.

It was like a picture. If one were to name the picture, it might be something like “A Peaceful Afternoon”.

He could have come up with a more elegant name, but Cain stopped there. No, his thoughts naturally came to a halt.