IPBPBD 08

Chapter 08

“Well. You’re not bad either, noona.”

Emilina patted Kyr’s head as if praising him.

“But how exactly do you plan to get out?”

“Wouldn’t it work if I did this?”

Kyr suddenly stood up and went toward the window.

Emilina watched him, wondering what on earth he was trying to do.

And then—

“Kyr?”

After glancing outside, Kyr suddenly opened the window.

“I’ll wait for you outside.”

With those words, he jumped out.

“You’re insane…!”

It all happened in an instant.

Kyr disappeared from sight in the blink of an eye.

Emilina dumbly blinked her eyes.

‘W-what? Was Kyr always that kind of character?’

Wasn’t he supposed to be the quiet type?

How could he just leap out so boldly without the slightest hesitation!

“And this is the second floor!”

Of course, it wasn’t that high— not so high that jumping down was impossible.

But for an ordinary person, it was definitely high enough to get hurt.

And for a child, even more so…!

The dizzying image before her snapped Emilina back to her senses.

She rushed to the window to look out.

But Kyr was nowhere to be seen.

Kyr was now sweating bullets trying to appease Emilina’s anger.

“Noona, I won’t ever do that again, okay?”

“Forget it. From now on, I won’t worry about you anymore.”

“I’m sorry. I just thought there was no other way. As you can see, I’m completely fine and—”

“Do you think that’s the problem right now?”

It had been several days since Kyr jumped out of the window, yet Emilina’s anger had not subsided.

No— to be precise, it wasn’t exactly anger.

More like… yes, she had been shocked.

After all, on that day she felt her heart plummet straight into her stomach.

When she looked out the window and couldn’t see Kyr, she panicked and rushed outside in a frenzy.

But there was no sign of him— not even a single strand of his hair.

From that moment on, Emilina had been restless, frantically searching for Kyr.

The area she lived in was near the capital’s outskirts, adjacent to the slums, where public safety wasn’t good.

Occasionally, slave traders from the slums would kidnap children from the neighborhood.

So terrible thoughts kept coming to her.

The idea that Kyr might have been kidnapped made her vision go dark.

After about two hours passed, she felt suffocated— anxiety gnawed at her until she thought she might go insane.

It had only been a short time, yet how could he vanish without a trace like that?

Other than kidnapping, there was no way to explain it.

Regret crashed down on her.

‘I should’ve just told him the truth.’

If only she had persuaded her parents instead, none of this would’ve happened.

While she was tormenting herself with such useless thoughts, Kyr appeared before her—

“Meow!”

—having turned into a cat, leaving her unable to even scold him properly.

And since then, things had continued like this.

“S-sorry.”

Kyr drooped his eyes apologetically.

But after days of Emilina ignoring him, he also felt a bit hurt.

Still, Emilina felt the same.

It seemed like Kyr didn’t even understand why she was angry.

If he thought it was only because he jumped out the window, that was a huge mistake.

Why did Emilina search so desperately for him, nearly out of her mind?

It was because Kyr hadn’t told her anything.

Even after coming back, it was the same.

Emilina let out a weary sigh.

“Kyr. You’re misunderstanding something. I wasn’t mad because you jumped out. I was mad because you disappeared without saying anything.”

“That’s…”

“Sure, I know you must have your reasons. You don’t have to explain them. But couldn’t you at least say, ‘I’ll be back in a moment’ before you go?”

That way, she wouldn’t have had to worry herself sick. Swallowing back the words, Emilina looked at Kyr.

He lowered his head, looking ashamed.

‘Sigh… what am I doing, scolding a child like this?’

When Kyr’s eyes began to water, Emilina felt her heart soften.

Surely he understood now.

She loosened her stiff expression.

“Kyr. Come here.”

Kyr fiddled with his fingers hesitantly, gauging whether her anger had passed.

“It’s fine. Come here.”

“Are you… not mad anymore?”

“I wasn’t really mad to begin with. I was worried.”

Kyr nodded, and as if waiting for it, threw himself into her arms.

Emilina placed her palm on his head.

“Were you upset?”

“…A little?”

“Still, wrong is wrong. That day, I—ugh. Anyway, you made me worry.”

“I’m sorry. Next time I’ll definitely tell you before I go.”

“What? So you’re planning on doing it again?”

Emilina lowered her head to meet his eyes.

Kyr, flustered, rolled his eyes around and stammered,

“N-no, that’s not what I meant. I mean, if something like that happens again, I’ll definitely say something first…”

So don’t be too mad at me. Kyr mumbled like a child seeking affection, then buried his face in her chest.

With a helpless expression, Emilina stroked his dark hair.

Feeling the gentle touch, Kyr thought—

He didn’t want to give this kindness to anyone else.

He wanted to feel this ticklish warmth in his chest for a long, long time.

Two years had passed since Duke Ditrio’s death. His successor, Kyrgen Ditrio, had gone missing.

The ducal house was in a state of emergency, and several vassal families dispatched people to search for the young duke—now the rightful Duke Kyrgen.

Viscount Kubard Haier was among them.

But after three months without news, he was nearly resigned to the worst.

That is, until a guest came to visit him today.

“Is… that true?”

“Yes. Just as you’ve heard.”

Kubard was shaken as he looked at the man sitting across from him.

Heinkel Marcus, captain of the ducal knight order.

Given his usual conduct, he didn’t seem like the type to lie.

“But why would Count Monteiro…”

“Does one need a reason to kill? If you want someone dead, you kill them.”

Heinkel’s words dripped with sarcasm, as if something displeased him.

Kubard was dumbfounded.

This wasn’t something to be taken lightly like a joke.

Assassination. The very word left a bitter taste in his mouth.

‘Could it be that he’s really dead?’

It wasn’t that the thought hadn’t crossed his mind. Three months was no short time.

With not even a trace of the boy’s whereabouts, one could only assume the worst.

But for Count Monteiro to be involved…

The unexpected revelation left Kubard at a loss.

“How did you come to know of this?”

“Are you doubting me?”

“I only wish to judge carefully.”

Kubard frowned slightly as he replied.

Heinkel snorted and answered.

“Fine. But let me be clear about one thing: I’m not on anyone’s side.”

“…What do you mean by that?”

“I don’t like the young duke. I don’t like Count Monteiro either. I dislike them both.”

“Excuse me?”

Kubard’s face showed clear confusion.

If that was the case, then why come here at all?

Seeing his discomfort, Heinkel continued.

“But if I had to choose, I’d say the young duke’s side. Because… he still exists.”

Heinkel muttered, biting off his words halfway.

Kubard didn’t fully understand, but at least it was clear Heinkel wasn’t with the count.

“Then please, answer my question.”

“…I found the duke not long ago.”

“!”

Kubard jumped to his feet in shock.

With urgency in his voice, he pressed Heinkel.

“He’s alive? More importantly—where? Where is he?”

But Heinkel didn’t give the answer he wanted.

Instead, he smirked and deflected.

“Who knows?”

“Sir Marcus!”

“Lower your voice. I don’t know what that reckless duke is thinking, but it didn’t look like he planned to return anytime soon.”

“What do you mean…?”

Kubard, looking grim, sank back into his seat.

Heinkel’s tone remained casual, but his eyes were sharp and menacing.

“Do you know why I’m certain the count is behind this?”

“…?”

“Lately, I’ve seen people who reek of the count sneaking around the mansion like rats.”

“That doesn’t prove they were his people—”

“If you’re going to demand proof, then I’ll stop talking.”

Heinkel’s voice was nearly a threat.

Kubard had no choice but to hold his tongue.

“The butler saw them more than once—coming straight out of the count’s office.”

“…They could have been official visitors.”

“Then tell me: would the chief butler, who keeps meticulous track of every outside visitor, fail to know who they were?”

“…”

“Now do you get the picture?”

Heinkel clicked his tongue, as if calling him a fool.