Chapter 6
Pursuit
Count Taryn spent several days searching for the whereabouts of his wife and daughter.
At last, he managed to track down the coachman who had driven them away in a wagon.
The coachman couldn’t clearly remember, nor was he certain it was really them, but he vaguely recalled picking up two women in front of the Hennessy estate.
He said he dropped them off at the train station, but after that, he had no idea where they went.
From that point, the Count had no choice but to rely on the Information Guild.
He was furious that they had abandoned him and run away, but even so, he desperately tried to track them down.
“If you find these women, bring them back safely. Not a scratch on them. But if they resist—knock them out if you must, even kidnap them if that’s what it takes.”
More than anything, Larienne’s existence was crucial at this moment. His daughter, whom he needed to deliver to the Marquis’ family.
Her value as a bargaining chip had driven Count Taryn nearly mad. If he could just settle this matter properly, his own recovery was guaranteed.
Yet it was his very own daughter who stood in the way of that future—so much so that his blood boiled with rage.
The guild member, faced with the Count’s cold gaze, simply nodded. Count Taryn quietly handed him a letter and a portrait.
He emphasized again and again that the entire matter must remain secret.
The guild member opened the letter and read it carefully:
> Father, this is Lari.
I cannot marry Marquis Hanes as you ordered. I already have a fiancé. After hearing your words, I had no choice but to leave urgently for the southern region. Please forgive me. Forget me. I will abandon our family and everything else. Mother is leaving with me as well. Please, forget us and do not try to find us.
—Larienne
It was a short note. Dry, cold, and completely devoid of any affection one might expect from family. The guild member raised an eyebrow, finding it interesting. He then studied the portrait of the mother and daughter. They were beautiful—women who would naturally draw men’s attention.
Especially the daughter, Larienne. If the portrait was accurate, she would not be difficult to find. In fact, her striking beauty might make her stand out even more.
The guild member carefully folded the portrait and letter, tucked them into his bag, and left the office. His first step would be the train station—to see what information he could gather.
***
Morning sunlight was already streaming strongly through the curtains. Having only fallen into a shallow sleep at dawn, Larienne stirred in bed and noticed her mother’s presence was gone.
“Mother…” she called drowsily, waking up.
The inn room was empty. Just then, the door opened and her mother stepped inside. Larienne felt a wave of relief—she had feared something might have happened.
“Mother, where did you go?”
“Oh… I just went for a short walk to see the area. Don’t worry, I wore a cloak so no one would notice. It’s chilly in the mornings these days. What’s your plan for today?”
Her mother put on a bright smile, but for a brief moment, her uneasy eyes betrayed her true feelings.
“Yes, I plan to look for work today. Maybe at a merchant guild. What about you, Mother?”
“I intend to go to the royal court and file for divorce. It won’t be easy, but I have to try. And… there’s something I need to tell you. Sit for a moment.”
Her mother’s face grew serious. She bit her lip before speaking slowly.
“I need to tell you about my family—the one I was born into. You should know, because I plan to write to them. Until now, they’ve likely treated me as if I no longer existed. But I want to ask for their help now, to change our situation.”
This was the first time Larienne had ever heard about her mother’s family.
Her mother had always avoided the subject, and Larienne had only guessed vaguely that it must have been because her marriage to Count Taryn had been forbidden.
“Lari, listen carefully. Our family belongs to the Isiriel branch, a line that has produced many High Priests. We don’t hold noble titles, but we have long been treated almost like nobility. Before I met Count Taryn, I was actually betrothed in an arranged marriage to another man. But I refused and ran away. My father said I disgraced the family and cast me out. Still… I can’t stay cut off any longer.”
Larienne recalled hearing rumors—that the Isiriel family held significant influence in the Papacy.
Even without noble titles, their children often married into noble houses or other branches, forming strong networks.
For the first time, she felt a flicker of hope. Perhaps with her mother’s family behind them, they could escape their current fate.
“Mother, I understand. That’s a relief. I’m sure they’ll help us. Please write to them. I’ll also find work at the merchant guild. Everything will be alright, don’t worry.”
Larienne reassured her mother with a bright smile. There was still much to resolve, but for the first time, a glimmer of hope appeared. She could not remain hidden forever.
After a quick breakfast at the inn, Larienne dressed and made her way to the Maen Merchant Guild.
Among the many large guilds in the capital, this was the only one that had once accepted her. She wanted to repay their kindness.
The guild master, Sir Hans, had looked past her title as a noble lady, past her tragic circumstances, and given her a chance.
She could only return here—even if it meant seeing Sir Verner again.
‘Guild Master… I hope you’ve been well. You must have grieved when you heard of my death. But I’m going to start again. I’ll make sure this guild becomes the most famous in the kingdom.’
With firm determination, Larienne headed toward the guild.
The Maen Merchant Guild was bustling—the day new shipments arrived. Guild Master Hans, who oversaw everything, was busy inspecting the newly delivered porcelain and fine art pieces to ensure nothing was damaged.
“Guild Master, I think there’s a flaw on this porcelain. Should we cancel the order?”
“Let me see.”
Hans adjusted his magnifying glasses and confirmed the scratch. He ordered the item returned.
Just as things were being sorted out, he heard someone at the office door.
“Excuse me… may I see the Guild Master?”
Curious, Hans leaned closer to listen.
“What brings you here? I’ll let the Master know.”
“Yes, I’d like to work here. I was hoping to ask if you’re hiring.”
A clear, gentle voice carried through the door. Hans was intrigued—he had indeed been planning to hire a female employee.
Before his staff could respond, he quickly opened the door.
“You want to work here?”
The Guild Master himself appeared, surprising Larienne.
The sight of Hans—who felt more like a real father than her own—made her chest tighten.
‘Have you been well, Guild Master?’
She forgot her greeting for a moment, simply gazing at him warmly. Then she quickly composed herself, bowed politely, and introduced herself.
“My name is Lari. I came from a small town nearby to find work.”
She slipped off her cloak. At once, the surrounding staff gasped.
Though she wore simple commoner’s clothes, her silver hair and lake-blue eyes shining against her fair skin made her more beautiful than any noble lady.
“Are you perhaps from a noble family?” Hans asked cautiously.
“No, I’m a commoner. This is my first time in the capital, but I heard this guild is famous for dealing in porcelain. I’ve done similar work before. Would there be a position available?”
Her voice was polite, yet full of sincerity and desperation.
“Hmm… Could you start tomorrow?” Hans asked kindly.
Though he didn’t ask for proof of identity, he felt strangely compelled to hire her.
They needed a female staff member anyway, and something about her drew him in. It was like seeing someone he’d known for a long time, even though she was a stranger. Was he losing his mind?
Still, he felt relieved. Somehow, he believed she would become an important part of the guild.
After Larienne left, there was another knock at the door. Hans found it unusual—two visitors so early in the morning.
“Guild Master, are you in? It’s Andrian.”
A young blond man entered with a faint smile.
“Ah, young Viscount. What brings you here? I heard you recently secured exclusive rights to sell porcelain from Miola. Congratulations.”
Hans greeted him warmly.
“Oh, that? Thank you. But it was my father who arranged it. I actually came to discuss something else, which is why I came so early.”
The visitor was Viscount Andrian, heir to a wealthy family that had prospered in the porcelain trade. Since Hans’ guild often collaborated with his family, Hans welcomed him especially warmly.
“Please, come inside my office. Really, you didn’t need to trouble yourself—I could have visited your estate instead.”
“Not at all. I’m the one asking a favor, so of course I should come.”
Andrian’s green eyes glimmered as he spoke politely, following Hans inside.
