# 120
---
“Where is the sick child... Oh! Is it possible that she went to the doctor?”
said Jack, remembering that Lea had received an ointment from the Viscountess Bardot and that she had almost always accompanied the Duchess when she looked after her.
Allen then beat his chest in frustration.
“It's not like that, it's really gone! There are no used clothes or things, even the luggage bag!”
Jack's eyes widened and his heart seemed to sink.
When Allen saw his skin, he realized that Jack also didn't see Leah and turned around.
Jack, who froze for a moment, also ran to the front of the main building behind Allen.
He was so distracted in the training hall that he didn't even know that the palace was brightly lit and the workers were moving frantically.
At that time, the Duchess and Bianca, who were standing in front of the entrance, spotted Allen.
“Allen.”
“I don't think Jack knows either.”
“Huh...”
Bianca swallowed.
She thought he might know something since he was a friend of hers from the orphanage.
“The guards guarding the gate say that Leia hasn’t come out since she went to the Marquis’ mansion in the afternoon...”
The Duchess bit her lip and spoke nervously.
Bianca seemed surprised when she heard that the child who couldn't come to the training because she was sick had gone to the Marquis's palace alone.
Allen was equally puzzled.
“Anyway, this means that she is still in Elad Palace.”
"that it . … ".
The Duchess could not answer easily.
As if she had saved her life with an unexpected ability, she thought about the possibility that the child had gone outside without anyone noticing her.
Instead of showing signs of a break-in, the room looked like this, so you can only assume she packed her bags and left….
then.
As I was passing through the gate, I saw a huge carriage entering the palace.
I contacted the Duke at the Imperial Palace, but so quickly?
As the Duchess tilted her head, unexpected guests began to descend from the carriage.
"Your Highness? Who is His Highness the Archduke... What are you doing here without any message?"
When the astonished Duchess asked, the Archduke, who seemed somewhat out of his mind, spoke up.
“Where is the baby now? I wish I could see her now.”
"Baby? Are you talking about Leia?"
"Yes, is she in her room? Where is she?"
As if communicating with someone was a waste of time, the Archduke was prepared to go directly to the palace.
While the Duchess gaped in embarrassment, Bianca looked at the Archduchess standing behind the Archduke.
The Archduchess frowned and shook her head while Bianca seemed to ask what was going on.
Askart next to him also had a look of confusion on his face, so it was obvious that they both followed the Archduke here.
“Your Highness.”
In the end, Bianca stood before the Grand Duke instead of the troubled Duchess.
“I don’t know why you are looking for Leah, but Elad Palace is upset that the child has already disappeared. I am looking for her now, so can you wait a moment?”
As soon as Bianca finished speaking...
“Your Highness!”
The Archduke stumbled and sat on the ground as if his legs had lost their strength.
* * *
“When on earth will he come here?”
She sniffed and mumbled softly.
Maybe because it was winter, the sun had already set and it was dark all around, so I couldn't see anything.
Currently, I was sitting on a bench in Duke's Maze Park, which is where I met Daryl.
It was like crouching down to avoid falling snow, but whatever.
“If I had known it was going to be like this, I would have gone out a little slower.”
After contacting Darryl via the communicator I had taken out of the closet, I immediately began putting things like clothes, snacks, notebooks, and pens into my luggage.
Meanwhile, the lights were twinkling in the quiet communication port.
I meant to understand.
The person who was always calling me was Lucio, who had turned into a Guild Leader, so I was worried that it would be difficult to meet him today since he was in the Duchy, but I was happy.
It seemed like he might be planning to send another guild member.
“Well, of course he also has trusted parties who can enter and exit Elad Palace in the capital.”
Feeling relieved, I put on thick clothes and went straight to the Maze Park.
Quietly, hide your presence.
“...But I think I should have said hello to Diana.”
I was planning to solve this problem somehow and come back, but I didn't know how long it would take.
I muttered remorse and shook my head.
I didn't want to cause trouble to the Duke's family, so I quietly packed my bags and left, saying goodbye. It was a ridiculous idea.
I was well aware of the repercussions of what I did recklessly today.
The angry Archduchess may express her formal dissatisfaction with the Duke of Elad.
Even if not, I will tell the Archduke, Askart, and the Marquis.
I could not face the fact that the Marquis, Ascarte, and even the Archduke looked at me with the same disdain as the Archduchess.
However, I couldn't tell the Duke's family.
Maybe the Duke and Duchess will listen to me seriously.
Since Diana knows my truth, we might try to solve the problem together.
‘But what if there is a conflict in this process between Duke Elad, who is defending me, and Archduke Belus?’
“This will never happen.”
Even I don't know what the result will be.
The accident I caused was already massive, so I couldn't cause any more trouble.
“So let me figure it out myf.”
I first planned to go to the temple and meet a high-ranking priest or equivalent to tell them about my situation and ask for help.
There is a strange phenomenon of repelling holy power, and I plan to make a lot of money, so I won't just lie and send you away.
Of course, if they thought I was ominous or showed any strange signs, I planned to run away immediately.
No matter how crowded the supporters are, there's no way I can't avoid them if I decide to.
‘Then the remaining problem is when the answer cannot be found even in the temple….’
Then where should I go?
As I thought for a moment and sighed, someone's face came to mind through my hazy breath.
". … sir."
After all, should I go to Terenceum for him?
The gentleman I knew was someone who knew nothing and could do nothing.
Although he didn't seem to know that the identity of the missing princess was me, he might tell me something useful after hearing about my situation.
“If that doesn’t work, why don’t you at least ask about the location of the great sage who is said to be wandering the continent?”
Maybe because the situation was urgent, I wasn't afraid to meet Jade or the bosses.
Anyway, it was a good idea to save money up front.
Whether it's a temple or a Tyranium, you'll need money to solve this problem.
“But it's a little cold, so I hope you come quickly.”
Is it because I kind of made a plan? Once again, a shiver ran through my body and I felt hungry.
I took it because it was a gift from Diana, but I thought it would be a good idea to bring a scarf, gloves, and earplugs.
But even though I was wearing very thick clothes, the tip of my nose felt numb due to the strong wind.
“…If I do this, I feel like I’m back in my days as a ar.”
She let out a hazy breath and mumbled while smiling bitterly.
then.
I felt something moving quickly with a rustling sound.
'My money! My money has finally arrived!'
I raised my head from my crouching body in joy and froze.
“Ah ah...”
The person standing in front of me, mouth agape in shock, was someone who shouldn't be here right now.
"You ."
Even though it was snowing heavily, he had sweat dripping on his forehead and was approaching me step by step while gritting his teeth.
I looked at the man who looked very angry.
My face is perhaps as thoughtful as his.
“Oh you, big boy.”
Lucio was just who he was, without using any artifacts to change his appearance.
* * *
“Didn’t you go to the duchy? There’s no way you didn’t go to the duchy, it’s impossible.”
Lucio awoke the state of tension he had barely been able to calm down and looked at the child who had pushed him to the limit.
The little girl was babbling as if she couldn't believe he was here.
Of course, Lucio also didn't believe Leia.
While searching the duchy, he noticed that the communicator he always had with him was blinking.
He carried it with him so that he could be notified immediately if something happened in the guild while he was away.
But unexpectedly, the person he was looking for was Leia.
There was still time left until the promised payment date, but Lucio was surprised when he received a message asking him to bring the money urgently.
After that, I couldn't remember why I rode the horse to the teleportation area and came to the capital.
There were still things to do in the duchy, but none of that was important.
This is because my mouth has become dry out of fear that if I don't meet the little one right away, I will lose the little one forever.
And if you let the little girl leave like this...
Lucio had a feeling that he would regret this so much that he couldn't believe it.
I felt like my eyes were half closed.
“Sir, why are you here...”
But when he actually saw the little girl in front of him, he was shocked.
What were you really thinking, and what brought me here?
What does this little girl mean to me, in God's name? ….
However, Lucio impulsively lifted Leia into his arms, wanting to confirm her presence before him.
When the embarrassed child seemed to tremble like a fragile bird, Lucio let out a sigh of relief.
'Yes, this can't be possible, there's no way you'll leave me again.'
Lucio, who was muttering in his mind, thought to himf and stopped.