MPO

CHAPTER Xl

While unsure of any connection to those causing a disturbance earlier, he instinctively knew the violinist he had been searching for was in trouble.

“Young Master, I don’t know what you’re doing, but I’ve finished what I came for and must return now. The eldest Miss must be waiting.”

“Oh, is that so? Then let me accompany you. My sister would be happy if I went with you, wouldn’t she?”

“…Aren’t your friends waiting for you, Young Master?”

“You think my friends would get mad if I said I’m going to see my sister first?”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“You should know it could be interpreted that way.”

“…I apologize.”

“I should record today’s event in my journal. I received an apology twice from the stiff Anna. Or was it three times?”

Hearing Timo’s remarks that were full of derision, Leila could only clutch her violin case tighter. The thought of being unable to assist Anna made her feel helpless.

It was always like this. Being powerless to aid her people, she could only watch their sacrifices helplessly.

Though she didn’t realize it when she was younger, the butler and head maid who had cared for her since her mother was alive disappeared for reasons not unlike the humiliations Anna was now enduring.

Hiding silently, she felt the footsteps approaching her direction and tried to flee. Then Timo’s voice was heard from behind.

“What’s with that person?”

Leila realized Timo had noticed the man behind her. She tried to disappear in that moment, but Lucas was faster. With agile movements, he lifted her up and leaped away.

His actions were so swift that neither Anna nor Timo could properly see, and only John, who knew where Leila had been hiding, could notice.

“Being a noble, you might not be familiar with this place. Even if it’s a commoner district, unusual things often happen in these secluded areas. For safety, it would be best to head home.”

John was the one who said this.

He had been worried about Leila, so he followed her out, and he was using this chance to deceive Timo.

Of course, not everything he said was a lie. The darkness of the alley at night was indeed dangerous.

“…Sh-t, did a murder just happen? And the culprit ran off?”

Intoxicated as he was, Timo snapped to his senses. Realizing he nearly engaged in dangerous folly by trying to tease his eldest sister, his mood soured.

“Ha, always such bad luck with that woman.”

Everything related to Leila always brought bad luck. Her black hair, emblematic of a devil, proved it.

“Tch, this is boring.”

Losing interest, Timo abruptly turned around and strode off to the main street. Watching him quietly, Anna, once Timo was out of sight, grabbed John’s arm in desperation.

“Where is the Miss?”

“Well, that’s…”

Fortunately, Timo had withdrawn on his own, but John had no choice but to explain the recent events to Anna.

Unable to even scream properly, Anna frantically searched the area where Leila had been hiding, but Leila had already disappeared.

* * *

Lucas, holding Leila, moved to where Philip was waiting and hurriedly got into the carriage.

The coachman, recognizing his returning master, responded politely.

“Your Grace, Viscount Lehman said he’d be back shortly from the nearby general store. I’ll inform him immediately.”

“No need. It’s not urgent, so let’s wait.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

The coachman, who had been working for the ducal family for over twenty years, did not inquire about the suspicious individual his master was holding. Instead, he quietly closed the carriage door.

“You can relax now. You were in a difficult situation, weren’t you?”

Feeling uneasy about her whereabouts but acknowledging that she was rescued from a predicament, Leila felt compelled to express her gratitude.

“……Thank you.”

“But going back our the earlier conversation…,”

He recalled what that man from earlier had been ranting about.

It seemed the violinist before him was a noblewoman, given she had a maid to attend to her. Plus, it appeared she had a not-so-friendly brother…

“So, you’re not a commoner.”