Chapter 12
Charlotte knew that her grandfather, Marquis Blanche, was very popular among noblewomen. Sometimes, even younger ladies secretly admired him. Whenever he attended a party, the next day’s gossip in high society always revolved around him.
She’d heard such things from her father too, but she hadn’t expected to hear about her grandfather even in the northern social circle.
But she didn’t mind it at all.
Originally, Charlotte planned to stay only briefly, but she changed her mind and sent Anna back to the castle without her.
She was curious to hear more about her grandfather’s younger days. He rarely spoke about his past, even when he was still a holy knight.
Charlotte quietly sipped her tea, listening closely.
“Many young ladies cried when Marquis Blanche got married.”
“He was so handsome when he was young.”
“I’ve only ever stayed in the North, so I’ve never seen him before. I should’ve visited the capital.”
“Even at his age, he still looks amazing!”
So many women had been heartbroken when he married. Charlotte kept all these stories in her head so she could include a line or two in her next letter to him. She was already excited to see how he would respond.
As she smiled softly, Aria, who was sitting in her lap, tilted her head.
“Mom, who is Marquis Blanche?”
“Hmm? Oh… he’s my grandfather.”
“Grandfather?”
“Yes, my grandpa.”
“Grandpa!”
Then Aria suddenly raised her hand holding her cookie and shouted:
“I want to meet Grandpa too!”
The noblewomen around them burst into laughter. As Ash had once said, there weren’t many children in the North, so everyone’s attention immediately turned to Aria.
One of the noblewomen, Viscountess Rossi, pushed a plate of madeleines toward Aria.
“Is this your niece? I heard she’s not your daughter.”
“No, I found Aria crying in the forest when I arrived here.”
“Oh my, really?”
The ladies were shocked. The thought of a small child crying alone in the freezing forest troubled them. Even though they were used to the northern cold, they hadn’t forgotten how harsh it was for outsiders—especially children.
A younger noblewoman, Baroness Bebel, narrowed her eyes while watching Aria.
Charlotte quickly recalled the name. Yes—Baroness Bebel. She was the second-youngest lady here after Charlotte. She was married and had a good relationship with her husband, but unfortunately, she couldn’t have children. At first, she thought it was because of the northern climate, but the doctors said it was a condition she was born with. The news had devastated her.
That might have been why she loved children so much.
Baroness Bebel stared at Aria’s face for a moment and then shook her head.
“No, I’ve never seen this child before. Could she be from the orphanage?”
“Orphanage?”
“There are very few children like Aria in the North. Some cruel people even bring their kids here just to abandon them. When that happens, Duke Valiant sends them to the orphanage. They’re cared for there until a good family adopts them. I know the director well—I visit often. I’ll ask if they know about Aria.”
After hearing that, Charlotte found herself hoping that Aria really was from the orphanage. It felt wrong, but the alternative meant Aria had likely been abandoned.
She remembered Aria, covered in wounds and crying in the forest, and her heart ached.
“Baroness Bebel, is the orphanage a good place?”
“Oh, yes. Once, the director was caught stealing the support funds. The children were starving in terrible conditions. Duke Valiant was furious when he found out. He increased the support and now personally checks reports about the orphanage every month.”
“They say he stripped the director and tied him up in the forest as punishment.”
“Well, considering what the children went through, even that feels too mild!”
“What happened to the kids?”
“The Duke made sure they were adopted into good homes. I really hope they’re living happily.”
Baroness Bebel looked furious while talking about the past, but her smile returned when discussing the children’s adoptions. Charlotte, however, couldn’t smile. She simply stroked Aria’s hair gently as the child smiled up at her.
***
Meanwhile…
“Lady Cassandra, welcome.”
Edmond, the deputy leader of the Snow Mountain Scouts, greeted her politely.
Cassandra slowly removed the deep hood from her robe. Her eyes were still covered with cloth, making it clear that she couldn’t see—but she still seemed to be calmly observing the surroundings.
She had come to the lord’s castle—specifically, to the underground prison.
“Lady Cassandra, the current state of the prison is…”
“I already know. I’ve seen the future where a monster is discovered.”
“May I ask why you didn’t warn us ahead of time?”
Though Cassandra worked for the lord’s estate, even the Snow Scouts who followed her didn’t know where she came from or how she could see the future. Only Ash knew the truth about her.
Still, no one questioned her. Cassandra had used her visions to help keep peace in the Nostri estate many times.
Edmond admired her yet again. But her next words made his face tighten.
“The monster… the deep forest… the scouts chasing something unholy. But the vision was blurry. Like someone was interfering.”
“Do you think… it was dark magic?”
“I’m not certain. But I do know that a powerful dark spell blocked my vision. That’s why I couldn’t warn you. If I had, everyone might’ve been in danger.”
Usually, Cassandra only spoke about clear and certain futures. This was the first time she said her vision wasn’t reliable.
***
“Duke Valiant.”
“Lady Cassandra, I’m sorry for calling you so suddenly.”
“No need for apologies. But let’s skip the greetings. May I see the captured monster right away?”
Even Ash looked concerned—he had never seen Cassandra this anxious before.
Ash led her, along with Edmond and a few scouts, to the deepest part of the underground prison. As they passed each thick door, loud groaning sounds echoed through the halls.
The scouts, who were used to dangerous missions, also looked tense.
Finally, the last door opened.
Behind the bars, the captured monster thrashed violently. Its body slammed against the iron spikes of the cage. The floor was soaked in blood, and bits of flesh lay scattered.
The moment it saw Ash and Cassandra, the monster roared even louder.
Ash tried to pull Cassandra back—but she walked toward the monster before he could stop her.
“No… this isn’t it.”
“Lady Cassandra, it’s dangerous.”
“The monster I saw wasn’t this one!”
Ash froze at her scream. It was even more chilling than the monster’s roar.
“I saw a giant snake.”
“!”
“Huge enough to swallow dozens of people. With gray scales and a black tongue. This is not the monster I saw!”
What the scouts had captured was a fox-like creature, but Cassandra had seen a black serpent. That meant her prophecy hadn’t happened yet.
Then where is the real monster?
Ash’s spine went cold. If that snake reached the village, they would be doomed.
“Pedro, how many scouts are deployed now?”
“Fifteen in total.”
“Tell everyone, except those at the outer borders, to gather immediately. Write letters to our retired scouts too.”
“Should we notify the temple?”
“Not yet. If we act too soon, the villagers will panic. We’ll hunt the monster ourselves first.”
Cassandra stepped back from the cage, clearly shaken. She feared the giant snake was still hiding somewhere in the snowy mountains.
Ash decided to take her to the place where the monster was first found, hoping it might help.
But before they could leave, Cassandra suddenly collapsed.
She clutched her face, trembling. When Ash rushed to her, he saw that the cloth over her eyes was soaked in blood.
“Lady Cassandra!”
“Ugh…”
“Please, no more visions. You might lose your sight completely!”
Ash tried to support her. But then, in a desperate voice, Cassandra spoke again:
“Capture it… or kill it, no matter what.”
“!”
“If not, we might have to shut down the Nostri territory permanently.
We must find that monster—before it’s too late.”
