Chapter 19
The backyard of the orphanage.
Bella tied the wolf’s leash tightly to a wooden post.
“Your Highness, please stay right here until I come back, okay?”
“Awooooo…”
“If you behave, I’ll scold Acares and make sure he treats you properly like a prince. I promise, okay?”
When Bella pleaded, the wolf nodded weakly.
She gently patted his head.
Thank goodness the children were still asleep.
If they had woken up, she would’ve found herself the center of attention again all the way to work.
Bella’s heart kept pounding at the thought.
Leaving the wolf behind, she headed toward the orphanage courtyard.
But something felt wrong.
What’s going on?
The teachers were rushing around, looking anxious—almost frightened.
At that moment, a familiar brown-haired teacher hurried past.
“M–Michael!”
“Oh, Bella.”
Michael stopped. He was out of breath, as if he had been running for a long time.
“What happened?”
“Well…”
He hesitated a moment before speaking.
“Bella… Sui is missing.”
“What? Sui?”
“Yes.”
Michael nodded, looking troubled.
“We just realized she wasn’t in her bed. The children said she got up at dawn to go to the restroom… but she never came back.”
“How… Could she have been kidnapped?”
Michael shook his head.
“No, I don’t think so.”
“Then why would Sui disappear without a word?”
“It’s because… her adoption was finalized yesterday.”
“What?”
Bella’s eyes widened.
“A fallen noble family of Pione decided to adopt her. But when we told her, she cried so much, saying she didn’t want to go.”
“Oh… then…”
“Yes. I think she ran away because she didn’t want to be adopted.”
Bella hesitated.
‘Teacher… I don’t want to be adopted. I want to stay here with you forever!’
Sui always said that to Bella.
She had just turned ten, and Bella was practically a mother to her.
Sui had been abandoned at the orphanage right after birth, and by the time she formed memories, Bella was already working there.
“I’ll help look for her.”
Bella said quietly.
Michael nodded and rushed away again to continue searching.
***
Back behind the orphanage.
Holding Sui’s handkerchief, Bella approached the wolf cautiously.
“H–Hello… Prince Wolf?”
The curled-up wolf slowly lifted his head.
He looks angry…
The wolf bared its fangs slightly.
He was clearly upset about being tied up.
But Bella had no choice.
Without warning, she held Sui’s handkerchief to his nose.
“I’m really, really sorry, but could you find the owner of this scent? She’s very important to me, and she disappeared last night.”
She asked desperately.
But the wolf snorted and turned his head away.
“Please. You’re the only one I can rely on right now…”
Bella lifted her head to the sky.
The gray clouds had thickened. It looked like snow would fall soon.
They needed to find Sui before the weather worsened.
…Should I use Oracion?
Bella opened and closed her hand, trying to feel her strength.
But she still didn’t have enough energy to use the spell.
My mother never struggled like this…
Simone always used Oracion freely without getting tired.
So why! couldn’t! she!?
“Never mind. No point getting angry.”
Bella shook her head hard.
She didn’t have time to complain.
The wolf watched her for a moment, then slowly stood up.
Then he snatched the handkerchief from her hand with his mouth.
“What—are you helping?”
“…Awoo.”
He nodded weakly.
Then he lifted one paw and sliced the leash with a single swipe.
Wait, he could cut it anytime? So he was just politely staying tied up!?
Bella was stunned, but quickly composed herself.
The wolf wagged his tail and walked ahead before jumping over the wall.
No way—did he leave the orphanage grounds?
Behind the building was a quiet forest.
Which meant…
“W–Wait! I’m coming too!”
Bella had a bad feeling and hurriedly climbed the wall after him.
***
Bella’s house.
Acares had just returned. Rie dropped to her knees at once.
“Y–You’re already back, Your Highness.”
We’re screwed.
They had lost the wolf.
She thought she had locked him securely with binding magic, but apparently there had been a flaw.
She had sent the Shadow Knights to find him, but no news had come yet.
“…You lost the wolf?”
Of course.
Acares read her thoughts and asked coldly.
Rie looked up—and gasped.
“Y–Your Highness! What happened to your face?”
Half of Acares’s pale, beautiful face was covered in dark circles.
His eyes were bloodshot, and he swayed like he might collapse.
Running a hand through his hair, Acares sighed.
“Sir Eden… is truly an excellent husband.”
“…What?”
“You’re wondering what nonsense I’m talking about?”
“Eek!”
Rie flinched.
No matter how often she experienced it, having her thoughts read was exhausting.
“But Rie. Don’t you think something else is more important right now?”
“Oh. R–Right.”
I’m doomed.
Acares’s murderous glare softened slightly.
He walked over and sat by the fountain.
“Well, whatever. If the prince of an enemy nation doesn’t want protection, let him get caught and die. Even if Roie gets him back, the kingdom won’t recover anyway.”
“…But it’s dangerous. What if he goes wild like last time?”
“I’ll just catch him again.”
Easy for him to say, Rie thought.
Acares rubbed his face and then stretched.
“Still, we should hurry. Damn wolf.”
“We’re already searching everywhere—”
“Are you sure?”
“…Pardon?”
Acares met her eyes sharply.
The air seemed to freeze.
Then he stepped past her.
“Rie. Prepare to leave.”
“…Do you know where he went?”
“Yes.”
Acares looked in the mirror and brushed his hair back—transforming again into Bella’s summoned form of Acares.
“We’re going to the orphanage.”
