AFRPR 19

Chapter 19

“Where is he?”

“Did you use a warp spell to bring Duren here the first time?”

It was an odd question.

Duke Lennox, thinking it was nonsense, replied anyway.

“We probably used it when we brought him from the capital to Winterlen.”

“Then I think we should search along that route.”

“Why?”

“It’s just a guess, but… Duren might be heading home.”

That was unexpected.

“Duren probably feels more comfortable with his old home than this one. So instinctively, he may try to go back.”

“That makes sense.”

“…”

“But still…”

Lennox replied coldly.

“He’s just a child. It’s been over a month since he came to Winterlen. There’s no way he remembers the way back.”

“…”

“It’d be a waste of manpower.”

“No. He’ll remember. Duren’s a smart kid.”

Even though Lennox had known Duren longer, including in a past life, Estelle still spoke with confidence—like she knew him better.

‘He was never kidnapped in the previous life.’

He had stayed in the castle until he was officially adopted.

‘Maybe… he’s not the same kid I knew.’

Estelle tried to say something more, but Lennox ignored her and walked past.

They didn’t have time to waste if they wanted to find the child.

After a few steps, Lennox stopped and said to the frozen Estelle:

“Aren’t you coming?”

“Huh?”

“I’m going where you suggested. If you want to rest, go back to the castle.”

“No! I’ll come with you.”

Estelle’s eyes widened in surprise and she quickly followed him.

Duren had been kidnapped.

“We’re rich now!”

The man had shouted excitedly.

“But the Duke of Winterlen is looking for us! His knights are all over the village! What now?!”

“Relax. No one will find this place. Remember how carefully we hid the boy?”

“…”

“Even the great Duke of Winterlen won’t come to a remote area like this. First, we should tie him up—ACK!”

As the man reached out, Duren bit his hand hard.

Then he ran—fast.

He had no idea where he was, but he knew one thing for sure: he had to escape.

He missed his grandma.

And… his mom, too.

“Mom…”

After running for a long time, Duren stopped.

The place looked familiar.

“If I go this way, I’ll find Grandma!”

Before arriving at the Winterlen Castle, he had memorized the way—just in case he needed to return.

But now he hesitated.

If he went back the way he came, he’d see Grandma.

But if he went the other way, he might see his new Mom again.

“I want to see Mom too…”

He stood, unsure which way to go.

Just then—

“…ren!”

A voice called.

“Duren!”

The voice was familiar—but it sounded different.

Usually, it was soft and warm. Now it was cracked and broken.

Like a monster pretending to be his mom.

Still, Duren ran toward it without hesitation.

“Stop. He won’t hear you.”

“You never know. Duren! Mommy’s here!”

Because his mom was really there.

“Duren!”

“Mommy!”

Duren ran straight into Estelle’s arms.

Or tried to.

“He’s filthy.”

Lennox grabbed Duren mid-run.

“He needs to be washed first.”

Duren froze and struggled.

“It’s the guy who scrubbed me like crazy!”

He remembered Lennox scrubbing him so hard, it felt like his soul was being cleaned. Even Grandma hadn’t been that rough.

“Please put him down. He’s uncomfortable.”

“He might have Magi on him.”

No one knew where Duren had been. If he had Magi on him and touched someone, that person could die.

It was a matter of life and death. Lennox wouldn’t allow any risk.

“It’s okay, Duren.”

Estelle soothed him, and he calmed down.

Then she asked gently:

“Why did you suddenly run away?”

“I saw Gwandma…”

“Grandma?”

“I wanna see Gwandma…”

At the mention of his grandmother, Duren teared up.

Estelle’s mind raced.

Hadn’t he been abused?

But he clearly loved his grandma. Maybe the abuse was only from his mother?

“Then shall we go find Grandma?”

“Yeah!”

“Don’t waste your time. Remembering the past is useless.”

Lennox poured cold water on the mood.

“Nothing about family is useless.”

Estelle didn’t stay silent.

“If the Duke lost a family member in an accident, would you say the same thing to yourself?”

Lennox might be cold, but Estelle knew—he had gone to great lengths to save his sick sister.

‘If it were his family or a stranger, he’d choose his family every time.’

“If Duren doesn’t see for himself, he’ll keep hurting over his old family.”

“…”

“Something like today could happen again. You married me to adopt Duren, right? You wouldn’t want a repeat of this.”

“Even if we go to his village, there’s nothing left.”

“I heard there was one survivor besides Duren.”

“…”

“Please let him meet that person. I promise—we won’t bother you again after this.”

“…Fine. But only after he’s had a bath.”

That, Lennox would not compromise on.

After Duren’s bath, they went to visit the last known survivor—a grandmother who had lost her home.

She was staying with her daughter.

Her daughter answered the door.

“My mother stepped out for a bit. What brings such important people here?”

She had black hair and red eyes—clearly a noble from Winterlen.

Seeing the Duke in person made her freeze.

“We’re here to ask if you know a child named ‘Dudu.’”

“Like I said before, there was no child by that name in the village.”

She couldn’t even look Lennox in the eyes as she spoke quickly.

“I asked my mother too. And I visited her shortly before the disaster.”

She clearly wanted them to leave quickly.

Estelle stepped in.

“Even a child who used ‘Dudu’ as a nickname? Or something similar?”

“…”

“If there was an orphan who died in the disaster, we shouldn’t let them be forgotten.”

Her words struck a chord.

The woman looked up at Estelle.

Her eyes softened. Her guard lowered.

She hadn’t lost her mother in the disaster—but only because of luck.

“This may be the only clue to the boy’s past. Please.”

Estelle pleaded sincerely.

“There was no child… but…”

The woman hesitated, worried she might get in trouble for saying the wrong thing.

“About 3–4 years ago, my mother had a dog named Dudu.”

A dog?

“It’s not very helpful, but that’s all I know.”

“Is the dog still alive?”

“No… it died.”

“…”

“When the Magi attacked, the dog saved my mother and died. It was a very smart and brave dog.”

Duren puffed out his chest, proud—as if he were the one being praised.