CH 167

“Everyone, stay here and don’t go out.”

The Viscounty of Oily was a secluded territory where no aristocracy above that of a Viscount would normally visit. 

‘I was even quite surprised myself when I heard that Dietrich was visiting.’ 

When Hermann came to visit one after the other, I thought the story of the original story was getting twisted into a mess.

‘It’s already a huge fuss when just a Grand Duke and a Duke were gathered, what more if they saw two carriages being driven….’ 

I didn’t like getting too much attention and if I got off the carriage like that, Lindsay would be too shocked that she wouldn’t have the spirit to listen to my explanation anymore. 

‘Moreover, they stand out too much.’

I spread my two arms wide so that Dietrich, Hermann, Yuric, and Veronica, who sparkled brightly with a bouquet effect when gathered together, wouldn’t come out. 

“I’m telling you not to come.”

“Why?”

Yuric asked with wide eyes, not understanding the reason.

I answered, pointing to the Viscounty that was so far away I could barely catch it in my field of vision. 

“My friend might be shocked. I’ll go alone, so if possible, don’t come out of the carriage.” 

“But—”

“No.”

“It’s frustra–”

“Shh.” 

I coldly cut off Yuric’s complaints and turned my back.

‘By the way, he’s not stopping me, huh?’

I wondered if Dietrich would follow me so I quickly scurried off but he didn’t even hold me back. 

‘I thought he wouldn’t let me go alone since it would be dangerous.’

Donovan was still in the estate after all. 

Of course, I wasn't afraid of Donovan anymore, and I was even willing to defeat him by demonstrating my ability if I had to.

“Oh……?”

As I walked hastily to arrive quickly at the manor, I immediately realized why Dietrich hadn’t stopped me.

It seemed that he had already reduced the manor to ashes. 

‘It’s completely ruined.’

Compared to the old castle of Lagrange, it was only the size of a booger, but the Viscount’s manor, which had an antique feel, was already in a state where the roof had flown somewhere and only its frame remained.

Even the remaining annex buildings had collapsed as if a monster had eaten half of it so you could see inside. 

“What in the world happened here?”

It looked bleak as if a typhoon had come and gone in the estate while I was away. 

I headed towards the only intact building which was the dormitory of the servants and looked around in search of Lindsay. 

‘Is she hurt?’

She’s not dead, was she?

If it was such a disaster that would cause the building to collapse, then people would be in danger, too.

Dietrich didn’t have the delicate temperament to select people whom to beat. 

“Lindsay!”

“............”

“Lindsay—!” 

I was anxiously knocking on the door of the dormitory when I heard someone running from inside.

“A-Annie?!” 

Soon, a familiar face peeped through the door. Fortunately, Lindsay looked completely fine. 

“Why did you come back here?!”

Perhaps it was what Lindsay was also worried about but she let out a relieved sigh and dragged me inside.

“Are you okay?” 

“Yeah. I’m fine.” 

The room was very dark with all the curtains drawn.

Lindsay, whose outline was the only thing that could be seen, fumbled with her hand, caressing my face and examining it. 

“I’m glad. You don’t know how anxious I was knowing you were in big trouble.”

I hugged Lindsay at the sound of her teary voice.

“I’m sorry I didn’t say anything and just left. I was also out of my mind then.” 

“It doesn’t matter. Annie, it’s not the time for this. You have to run away.”

I tilted my head at the urgency of Lindsay’s voice.

“Huh?”

‘Is Donovan still out of his mind?’

“When you ran away, the Viscounty was completely turned upside down. Lagrange and Euclid sent the order of the knights to find you.”

My eyes widened at Lindsay’s words. 

Considering Dietrich’s personality, he would have already dealt with the likes of Donovan, but I didn’t know Hermann and Veronica would also bring the order of the knights into this small estate. 

“......The order of the knights came here?”

“That’s right. They completely devastated the whole place while asking to let you go.”

“Even the knights of Euclid?”

“N-No. They just politely asked about your situation……” 

I felt like I knew what she would say without hearing the rest. Because I could easily imagine the Lagrange knights wielding their swords like ruffians.

“And you know the handsome servant you were close to?”

“Dylan?”

I shook my head and waited for Lindsay’s next remark.

“Yeah. Actually, he’s the Grand Duke. Isn’t that ridiculous?”

“Yeah. I know right.” 

I nodded my head dryly, not even surprised by her question.

It was definitely a topic that would go up and down dozens of times in the gossip magazine once other people heard about it. With a title like "The Secret Double Life of the Grand Duke of the North".

“Anyway, he must have done something about Donovan.”

“Huh? What about Donovan?”

“He’s disappeared.” 

Lindsay’s voice lowered like that fact was a secret. I also leaned down and replied in a whisper, “Donovan has disappeared?”

“That’s right. His blood was soaked in the bedroom but his corpse was nowhere to be found. Isn’t that really strange?”

‘Well, he’s probably dead.’  

I made my judgment without hesitation.

“The Viscount has disappeared as well. That’s why the estate is a mess right now.”

At my reaction, Lindsay shrugged her shoulders, found a lamp in the hallway, and pulled it out.

“I see…….”

Lindsay, who has turned on the lamp, sneaked down the hallway and stepped forward first.

She seemed to be looking at something and soon turned back to me and whispered, muffling her voice. 

“No one’s here. You can come out now.”

“Why are you hiding?”

“The Viscount’s younger sister, the Countess, is here right now to look for the Viscount who has disappeared.”

“And so?”

“That woman is in an uproar, trying to find you. She’s saying you’re the culprit.”

Lindsay frowned like it was nonsense but I couldn’t find an excuse.

‘Well, if we nitpick over it, it’s true that I’m the culprit.’ 

However, I didn’t think I was the one to blame for Donovan's rotten personality.

“She doesn’t often come out of her bedroom saying the Viscounty was dirty, at any rate, it’s dangerous so you can hide in my room for now.”

“..........Huh?”

“You came back here because you couldn’t find a way out, isn’t it? I know some smugglers who can help you cross.” 

Linsay put me in her room, although it was a small and humble room, it was warm like her, and then she said with a serious face. 

“I will help you no matter what. Just believe me.” 

“…….”

I bit my lips because I felt like I would burst into tears at her promise.

With the yellow light of the lamp on her face, she opened her mouth in panic.

“Wh-why are you crying? Did you go through a lot of trouble?”

“No, that’s not it…..Lindsay, you know…” 

I wanted to tell her the circumstances of the estate to some extent, but I couldn’t. 

It was because of the kind Lindsay, who only knew me as a maid with nowhere to go, but she still tried to take care of me that my conscience had been pricking a hole in my heart. 

When I had finally decided to open my mouth and reveal to her my identity, 

“Lindsay!” 

The door swung open and a familiar man appeared.

‘What was his name again?’

I think he must have been Donovan's servant who was in charge of errands.

“Ha-Hans.”

“Who did you just bring in?”

‘Ah, right. Hans.’ 

Hans was an owner of a humble appearance that didn’t suit his masculine body.

“Y-you’re!” 

He found me and pointed at me with his small eyes going big. 

‘Why was he pointing his finger at me? Makes me feel upset.’ 

“I’ve  finally caught you!”

I clearly walked into the estate with my own two feet, but he raised his voice and spoke triumphantly as if he had hunted me.

“Good job, Lindsay!”

Hans hurriedly reached for me, but Lindsay blocked him and hid me behind her back.

“No!” 

“Move out of the way, Lindsay! You know the madam is looking for her!”

“The countess isn’t even our master so why are you trying to listen to her?!” 

“She said if we catch Annie, she’ll be rewarding us handsomely. If you move right now, I promise to split half with you.”

Looks like they put a bounty over my head. I clicked my tongue at Hans’ despicable suggestion.

‘He didn’t even catch me himself and yet he’s asking half of it.’ 

“Okay? So hand over Annie, Lindsay.”

Lindsay raised her voice, finding Hans’ demand ridiculous.

“In the end, it’s all about the money that you want to hand over a person who used to work together with us? You despicable bastard!” 

“What?!”

“You’re a shame to all servants!” 

Hans' face is grimly distorted at Lindsey's criticism.

I hurriedly tugged her sleeve, lest he hurt Lindsey because of me.

“Lindsay, I’m fine. Anyway, I was planning to meet her.”

“It’s because you haven’t met the Countess. She’s a much more authoritative person than the Viscount.”

I shrugged my shoulders at Lindsay who spoke with worry. 

“Then, that’s better.”

The fact that the Countess was an authoritative person means that she would be easily swayed by status.

‘I didn’t know the Viscount would have collapsed to this extent.’

I wonder if they’re being paid properly. 

‘Maybe Lindsay can’t leave because she also has a debt like me.’

Now that I'm here, I'll have to take the head maid and other good servants along with Lindsay to Lagrange.

“Hans.”

I dusted off my shoulders and gestured with my chin at Hans to lead the way.

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‘Mouth hardened, eyes slightly lowered…….’

I didn't forget to copy Dietrich's signature expressionless expression.

Sometimes, when I thought Lancel was becoming too cheeky in wanting to climb up, I used this expression and he often listens. 

“Lead the way.”

He stared at me in a daze and became so surprised at my order that he nodded his head.

“Yes….ah, I mean, okay!” 

“?”

I tilted my head at Hans’ short answer.

“Did you cut your tongue in half? You’re slicing words in half.”

His jaw dropped while sporting a stupid face like he still couldn’t make sense of my question.