Chapter 15
Rodin pressed his forehead at Kirzen’s attitude.
Silence was as good as agreement, and his thoughts became tangled.
Who in the world is this boy?
At first, he had come only because of the suspicious note pointing to the Klein estate.
He had brushed it off as nothing more than someone’s cruel prank.
But the moment he heard that the young lady had disappeared, Rodin could no longer deny it.
This was no simple prank.
It was clear that this was no ordinary matter.
Still, Rodin did not immediately inform the Klein couple of this fact.
Strictly speaking, it was difficult for him to utter the word “kidnapping” so lightly.
He was cautious because he feared the couple’s reaction.
They cherished Emilina so deeply… Rodin shut his eyes tight.
At that moment, he heard a hushed, heavy voice along with the sound of restless movement.
“I can’t say anything else, but… I’ll make sure I bring Sister back safely.”
No matter what. That low addition made Rodin open his eyes.
The boy had already risen and now stood at the window.
Without hesitation, he pushed the window open and stepped onto the sill.
Rodin jumped up in alarm.
“W–Wait! What do you think you’re doing? You’re not planning to go out that way, are you?”
“Yes.”
The boy’s firm answer left Rodin aghast.
“Absolutely not! You’re still a patient—your body hasn’t recovered yet! Get down at once, hurry!”
Whatever his true identity, the boy was still a patient.
Rodin could not stand by and watch him leap out into danger.
It was natural for a doctor to worry for his patient.
But Kirzen was resolute.
“No. There’s no time. I’ll be back soon.”
With those words, Kirzen hurled himself out the window without a moment’s hesitation.
It all happened so suddenly that Rodin could only stare blankly at the empty window frame.
All that remained where the boy had been was a hollow void.
Having escaped the mansion, Kirzen headed straight for the estate of Viscount Hyre.
He had judged that he could not save Emilina on his own.
The kidnapper had demanded he come alone, but he couldn’t afford to naively trust such words.
Since they had acted so cowardly, there was no guarantee Emilina would not be harmed.
He felt a bitter frustration at his own helplessness, but it was the reality.
He was still just a child, his strength unripe, while the enemy was fully prepared and skilled.
For Emilina’s safety, he needed help.
Please be safe, Sister. I’ll be there soon.
Kirzen clenched the note in his hand until it crumpled.
His heart pounded erratically in his chest.
He feared something might already be happening to her.
His hurried steps carried his impatience.
Then he suddenly recalled the knight commander who had visited a few days before.
“You’d settle for such a peace? You’ll be writhing with regret before long.”
“Good. I’ve no desire to serve a cowardly lord anyway.”
“If you ever fix that rotten mindset of yours, then seek out Viscount Hyre.”
Heinkel had answered him thus, when Kirzen had declared he would never return.
At the time, Kirzen had dismissed the words as worthless.
But he should not have.
He should have taken that advice and let Emilina go.
For in the end, things had turned out exactly as Heinkel had warned.
His selfish desire to stay by her side had dragged her into danger.
Damn it!
Kirzen bit down on his teeth, swallowing a curse.
Looking up, he saw the sun already sinking.
And as darkness slowly devoured the world around him, he plunged headlong into it.
Kirzen’s figure seemed to melt into the pitch-black night.
At that very hour, the Hyre estate was already entertaining a guest.
Kubad placed refreshments on the table and asked,
“You came without notice.”
“Just stopped by to say hello.”
The man shrugged lightly and raised his teacup.
Watching him, Kubad sighed and addressed him.
“Sir Markus.”
“Go on.”
“Then let me ask you. Just how long are we supposed to wait?”
“Well, it seems the time hasn’t come yet.”
Heinkel’s glib answer made Kubad furrow his brow deeply.
“Enough with the games. You know there’s a limit to how much longer we can keep the Count at bay.”
At the very least, you should tell me where he is, so we can make some kind of plan.
At Kubad’s irritated retort, Heinkel chuckled.
“Even if I told you, it wouldn’t change anything.”
“Don’t be so sure. You never know.”
“Hm. A plan, you say…”
Heinkel stroked his chin with a grave expression.
But it was only for show—he clearly had no intention of speaking.
Kubad let out a frustrated sigh.
Even if he wanted to persuade him, he couldn’t, since Heinkel wouldn’t even reveal the boy’s whereabouts.
The man’s thoughts were utterly unreadable, which gave him a headache.
Just then, there came a crisp knock at the door.
“Pardon the intrusion.”
Kubad excused himself and went to the door.
Opening it slightly, he found the estate’s butler looking troubled.
Kubad asked sharply,
“What is it?”
“There’s a guest asking to see the master.”
“At this hour?”
“Yes.”
“If it isn’t urgent, send them away.”
Glancing back into the room, Kubad spoke curtly.
It meant that unless the guest was more important than the one already present, there was no need to admit them.
But the butler added awkwardly,
“I tried, but the child insists he must see the master at once…”
“Hah, and isn’t that what you’re supposed to handle?”
“My apologies.”
The butler bowed in embarrassment.
At that moment, Heinkel, who had been quietly listening, interjected.
“Let him in.”
“…What?”
“What do you mean by that?”
Kubad turned to Heinkel in disbelief.
Who was he to decide who entered or not? His expression said it all.
The butler too looked equally baffled.
But Heinkel calmly continued.
“You just asked me, didn’t you? How long we must wait.”
“…”
“I think the wait is over.”
His eyes were now sharper and more serious than ever.
Moments later, thanks to the butler’s quick action, a boy opened the parlor door.
“…!”
Kubad froze in shock.
He had been wondering about Heinkel’s cryptic words—Surely not…
But indeed, it was him.
The boy bore the unmistakable features of the late Duchess.
Kirzen Dietrio.
And yet…
His aura has changed.
It had been three years since Kubad last saw him.
The frightened child who had once shrunk away in fear was gone.
Now, standing before them, he radiated a strange pressure that made him seem untouchable.
His once small frame had grown taller, enough to make him look far older than ten.
Somewhere between a boy and a young man—his height already far surpassed others his age.
Heinkel too thought the same, unable to suppress his admiration.
He had seen the young Duke more recently, but the change was undeniable.
Perhaps he had awakened to some power in the meantime.
Then, suddenly—
Thud.
Kirzen dropped to his knees without hesitation.
His face was set, his voice firm.
“Help me.”
“Y–Your Grace…!”
Startled, Kubad rushed to lift him up.
But Kirzen didn’t move.
His eyes were locked on Heinkel.
Heinkel gave a derisive snort.
“Didn’t you say you would never return?”
“…I need your help.”
“This has nothing to do with me.”
Heinkel answered firmly, his face showing he truly did not understand why Kirzen would ask such a thing of him.
Kirzen clenched his fists tightly on his knees.
He had expected it wouldn’t be easy, but still… he had held on to a shred of hope.
Thus, the outright rejection stung with bitter disappointment.
Of course, he knew it was shameless of him to even ask.
He himself had declared, in the past, that he would sever all ties with Heinkel.
He hadn’t wanted to spend his days in endless strife with his uncle, so he had chosen to walk away.
And now, only too late, he realized how foolish that decision had been.
As long as he bore the name Dietrio, he could never live as an ordinary boy.
“I’m begging you.”
Kirzen bowed his head and pleaded once more.
But Heinkel only looked at him coldly.
“A request, not a command…?”
“…”
“Then why should I listen? You’ve renounced the family. Go back.”
“Sir, what are you saying?!”
Kubad, who had stayed silent until now, burst out in alarm.
