INWY~15

Chapter 15

Hudson tried to keep his voice steady as he continued.

“The city watch discovered that the coachman had taken the carriage in for maintenance two days before the accident. On the morning of the incident, he retrieved it and began work as usual.”

“And the coachman?”

“The coachman… According to the examination, he had been drinking heavily until dawn that day. The tavern keeper even confirmed it.”

At the end of the steward’s report, Dante let out a sharp, humorless laugh. 

The sudden sound made Hudson swallow hard.

Dante soon stopped laughing, nodded slightly, as if the meaning was clear. 

There was only one conclusion.

“Someone deliberately tried to kill the Duchess.”

“…Your Grace.”

“Who was it—the officer who came?”

Hudson paused, taking a breath.

You must tell the Duke, no matter what! Better immediately than later!

Wait—Inspector Reims, is this true?

I nearly ran myself sick rushing here at this hour—do you think I’d spout nonsense? 

It’s my head on the line if I lied. 

I have to return, but wake the Duke if you must and deliver my words.

The man who had arrived in such a rush and poured out such a grave tale was not someone who looked like he’d risk it for money or lies. 

Otherwise, Hudson himself would never have dared disturb the Duke in the middle of the night.

“His name was Evan Reims, inspector of the Behern city watch.”

Evan Reims. 

Dante furrowed his brow, dredging his memory. 

Then a sigh escaped him.

Yes, he remembered. 

That brazen fellow whose eyes had shown not a trace of intimidation, even while knowing exactly who Dante was.

Clang.

Dante set the glass down hard on the table, golden eyes flashing dangerously.

“At first light, bring Evan Reims to me.”

***

Riena blinked slowly, lips parting.

Now she finally understood why she had woken not in a hospital but a shabby inn—because the man already knew who she was.

Not suspicion, not an interrogation. 

He had spoken her title with utter certainty.

Her mind went white. 

She clenched the fabric of her skirt tightly in her fists.

“…Do you plan to report me, or inform the palace?”

Her first words broke the silence.

“If I intended to, I would have done so already.”

At his answer, Riena slowly lifted her gaze. 

His blue eyes—clear as a lake, perhaps even the sea—held a warmth that seemed to reassure her.

“Since the rain ended yesterday, search parties have been combing the area for an unidentified missing person.”

“Unidentified?”

“If the palace had openly declared the Duchess missing after an accident, it would have caused an uproar. So they’ve kept it vague.”

“…Then how exactly did you know who I am?” Riena frowned, unsettled.

“I doubt you remember… but years ago, at the naval send-off ceremony in Arvern, I saw Your Grace.”

“The naval send-off…”

She murmured the words, sifting through memory. 

That event in Arvern she remembered well—it had been the very first function she attended with the Duke after their marriage. 

A tiresome day, when she’d had to play the part of the perfect couple, hand in hand with him all day long.

But she had never spoken to anyone then. She’d only exchanged brief greetings, or stood silently at Dante’s side. 

Unless… before the banquet—

A memory sparked. 

Riena lifted her head sharply.

“Were you the officer I handed the bouquet to?”

Yes—she remembered now. 

The young man with sun-darkened skin.

Seeing her recognition, Henry’s expression softened into a faint smile.

“Yes. I was a mere ensign then.”

The recollection stirred clearly. 

Before the banquet, she had indeed presented bouquets to the naval officers returning from the sea. 

So it had been him.

A wry smile touched her lips before she lowered her head again.

“I see. That explains it. But what is it you felt you had to tell me?”

“I want to ask for Your Grace’s wishes. Should I inform the palace of your safety—or keep silent, and help you remain hidden?”

So perceptive.

As though he already grasped her entire predicament, Henry’s question left her momentarily shaken. 

She blinked wide eyes at him, lips parting soundlessly.

“You boarded a public carriage and wore plain clothes. I read the reports too. I assumed there must be reasons. I won’t tell anyone—just speak freely.”

Breaking his steady gaze, Riena’s eyes darted restlessly. 

Then she began to think.

It had been four days since she left, and the search parties were after her.

Ordinarily, such units would never mobilize for just anyone. 

That they were searching so urgently for an unknown missing passenger meant only one thing—Dante’s order.

Behern was in the palm of his hand. Of course he would know of her accident.

But why? Why search at all? To him, she was nothing but a stranger now. 

Wouldn’t he have welcomed her disappearance—like the dying breath he once wished upon her?

Still, perhaps because of appearances?

An ache bloomed in her chest, and she bit her lip.

If enough time passed without finding her, they would assume she was dead. 

Wouldn’t that outcome serve him well enough?

Steeling herself, Riena raised her head, meeting Henry’s blue eyes.

“…I don’t want the palace to know.”

She clenched her damp palms tightly.

Silence lingered—then Henry’s eyes lit with resolve.

“Then I will help you.”

The words stunned her into blank blinking.

“Help me…?”

“You can’t evade the search parties and the palace alone.”

“Lieutenant Bailey, I appreciate it, but I…”

She tried to refuse, but his words rang too true. She had to disappear. But where?

She had no one. 

Since marrying into Dante’s house, even her cruel parents had vanished from her life.

That was why she had gone to the station, to board any train that would take her away. 

Now, after the accident, she had nothing—no luggage, no money.

Hunching in helplessness, Riena shook her head.

“…Thank you, but I must decline. Saving me was already more than enough—I cannot impose further.”

“I would only be repaying a debt.”

Her eyes widened. “Repaying…?”

Henry’s mouth curved in a gentle smile.

“At that send-off, when you handed me that bouquet, you spoke words that have kept me serving as a naval officer to this day.”

His eyes softened, as though lost in memory, before a brief laugh escaped him.

“…What could I have possibly said?”

“That is for Your Grace to remember.” His interruption was deft. “Then—do you have anywhere to go?”

Her lips parted, then faltered. 

She had no destination, no funds. 

She could not bring herself to admit it.

But Henry’s gaze pressed her, patient yet unwavering. 

At last, she confessed.

“…Shameful as it is, I lost all my belongings. I have no money, and nowhere to go. That is why I hesitate to trouble you further.”

“Then don’t worry about that.”

“…What?”

He smiled easily, as if such concerns were nothing.

“In that case, Your Grace—why not come to my hometown?”

***

“Your Grace, Inspector Evan Reims has arrived at the palace gates.”

“Bring him to me immediately.”

Hudson swallowed hard at the Duke’s cold voice. 

Dante had said bring him, but it sounded more like drag him here.

The Duke sat with legs crossed on the sofa in his study, sifting through reports since dawn.

If the young inspector’s words were true, this was a grave matter indeed.

The palace staff still knew nothing of the Duchess’s fate. 

They had only gossiped at the oddity of a city watch officer visiting in the dead of night. 

Some even speculated—quietly—that the missing woman might be the disgraced Duchess herself.

Not that anyone dared speak it openly.

Hudson bowed and hurried from the room.