Why has the madam come here?

“Lise?”

“……”

“Lise! Are you alright?”

As I came to, Yurik’s face was close enough for our foreheads to touch. His worried expression scrutinized my complexion. The mercenary guiding us seemed to have picked up on my unusual expression and silently held his position.

“Lise, you don’t look well.”

“……I’m fine, but more importantly.”

I looked at the mercenary ahead. He had been guarding the front gate all this time; he would know if Mrs. Bacchus was here. The mercenary, catching my gaze, opened his mouth.

“Is there something you’d like to ask me?”

I hesitated for a moment. To ask or not to ask.

“……By any chance, has Mrs. Bacchus come here?”

“Mrs. Bacchus arrived about ten minutes ago, I believe.”

I naturally furrowed my eyebrows.

“What about Roger? Roger Bacchus, who’s scheduled to perform here today.”

“He hasn’t arrived with the madam, so he’s likely still on his way. The concert starts in an hour, so he should be here soon.”

If Roger hadn’t arrived yet, it meant I hadn’t run into the madam. First, I needed to find Mrs. Bacchus and ask her why she was here.

If she had simply come because she missed her son, I should dismiss her and then hear the rest. Like Roger, I too had questions for her after being betrayed by her.

“Yurik, you go on ahead into the mansion.”

“No. I’ll go with you.”

Yurik didn’t let go of my hand. But…… Yurik sensed my hesitation and turned to the mercenary.

“Could you relay a message to His Highness? I’ll pay a visit personally in a bit.”

“His Highness is likely in the library.”

“Understood. Let’s go, Lise.”

Yurik took my hand and headed toward the place Mrs. Bacchus had passed.

The garden was fittingly expansive for the Duke’s residence.

Moreover, the presence of so many people made it difficult to find Mrs. Bacchus. I looked carefully at the wine bar area, but there were no traces of the madam there.

“She doesn’t seem to be by the fountain either,” Yurik said, having surveyed the area around the fountain.

“She’s wearing a green dress and her hair is tied up.”

“……There are too many green dresses.”

Yurik lightly bit his lip.

It seemed deep green dresses were in vogue, and several nobles had worn the same color. Many women had tied their hair to mitigate the heat.

“Could she have gone inside the mansion? Maybe she’s in one of the guest rooms.”

Yurik looked beyond the mansion’s windows. The mansion interior was bustling, more so than the garden. If the madam was in one of the guest rooms, it would be the worstcase scenario.

“Let’s go in. I know the way well.”

I followed Yurik.

‘……Where could she possibly be?’

As expected, it was more challenging to find the madam within the mansion.

Nobles were gathered everywhere—from the entrance and dining hall to the corridors. I even checked the hall where the concert was to be held, but the madam was nowhere to be found.

“Let’s go to the floor where the guest rooms are,” Yurik said, taking the initiative.

I was grateful for Yurik’s help. I had been worried that he was mad at me because he looked somber, but…… his kindness warmed my heart.

‘I should express my gratitude to Yurik once all this is settled. Definitely.’

First, I needed to find the madam.

Following Yurik upstairs, I saw a locked door. Not knowing who was inside, I had to open the door and see. As I approached to knock, Yurik grabbed my arm.

“I’ll check.”

“What? It’s fine. I can do it. It’s not a difficult task.”

“We’re in the Duke’s residence. There could be members of the royal family here. They’re a touchy bunch, and you’ll get the flak if you disturb their rest.”

In that case, it would be more appropriate for me to open the door. I was grateful for Yurik’s presence, but I didn’t want to inconvenience him further.

“I’ll open it anyway.”

“Lise.”

“It’s fine, okay?”

“……The Duke has a nephew. He’s my age, and he won’t leave you alone if he sees you. I heard he’s somewhere on this floor.”

Who could he be to make Yurik so anxious? Moved by Yurik’s earnest tone, I handed him the door handle.
Yurik was tense, wondering if the person he was watching out for was in this room. It was an unusual sight to see Yurik swallowing his dry saliva.

“Are you looking for me, Lise?”

“……!”

I was utterly startled by the sound that came from behind.

Without a twist, Mrs. Bacchus stood there in a green dress. Whether she had skipped a meal in between, her face looked haggard.

“……Mrs. Bacchus.”

“I happen to have something to say to you as well.”

“……”

Yurik’s hand, which was holding the doorknob, was also released. Mrs. Bacchus forced a smile, glancing alternately between Yurik and me.

“Shall we go to the room where I am resting to talk?”

“Would you like to drink?”

Mrs. Bacchus offered cups of orange juice to both Yurik and me.

We just stared down at the cups, not touching them.

The guest room was, as usual, minimally furnished. On the bed were items and gift boxes that Mrs. Bacchus had brought. Without asking, it was clear she had bought gifts for Roger.

“……That’s Roger’s violin.”