Thankfully, Chris quickly pulled himself together.
He still had hope that Eve could be found.
“Eve liked to walk this path the most. She also liked the little bear toy I gave her and dried sweet potatoes. She liked swimming in the lake too. But she hated baths, which was always so funny.”
As Chris spoke, Lucian, looking down at the map, picked up a pen.
“Then we’ll start by searching the path where Eve liked to walk, near the house, and the lake where she liked to play.”
“The village only needs a few people. The locals already know Eve.”
“Right. Since she hasn’t been seen in a week, it’s possible she went to another village. We should send people to the nearby villages as well.”
After hours of discussing, we decided to inspect the lake Eve liked first.
The area around the house had already been searched by Lucian’s knights, and it wasn’t too far from the villa.
“Then that’s enough for tonight. Get some rest. We’ll be ready to leave by morning.”
With that, Lucian rose from the sofa. As he quickly headed toward the door, I spoke quietly.
“Your Grace.”
“…Is there something more you’d like to say?”
He stopped and turned slowly. I smiled softly.
“Thank you… for listening to me. Sometimes I feel like I have nothing to offer but gratitude towards you.”
“…”
“Maybe you’re tired of hearing this, but I still want to say it. Thank you… truly.”
Lucian’s shoulders shook slightly. As if he hadn’t expected to hear those words.
‘Did I say something wrong?’
Maybe I’d crossed a line, or offended him somehow. I was about to ask when—
“…I’m not as good a person as you seem to think I am.”
“Pardon?”
I didn’t quite catch it, so I asked again, but Lucian pressed his lips together and didn’t reply.
He stood quietly for a moment, looking down at me, and then shook his head.
“Forget it. Just pretend you didn’t hear anything.”
“…”
“Rest tonight. I’ll be going.”
With that, Lucian left the room.
Outside, the knights stationed by the door saluted as Lucian emerged. He gave a slight wave and walked down the hallway until he reached the office.
Frowning, he sank into a chair and drank from a long-cooled cup of coffee.
“So I want to help too.”
Her blue eyes had met his, unwavering.
It was the first time she had looked at him like that — no hesitation or fear, only a desire to help.
“I’ll be someone who can help others, like my brother. Even if it’s hard!”
Why was he suddenly reminded of Lily? They weren’t the same, except for those blue eyes and the kind nature that ignored danger to help others.
“Ha…”
With a long sigh, Lucian sank into the chair, brushing a hand down his tired face.
He looked at the family photo on the desk and gently traced it.
“Thank you… truly.”
The voice of Luna Steri resurfaced in his mind. The warm smile she gave as she expressed her thanks.
“Thank you…”
If she knew he was merely using her abilities for selfish, calculating reasons, would she still be grateful? Or would she come to resent him when the time came — when finding Lily endangered her very life?
“Your Grace.”
A knock came from the door, breaking his thoughts.
“Enter.”
Oliver came in with a stack of documents.
“Here’s the additional information you requested about the man named Chris and the dog he was with.”
“Leave it there. I’ll review it later.”
“Understood.”
“Ah, Oliver. Make preparations for tomorrow. I’ll be going with Miss Luna to the lake near the village where Chris lived.”
“Your Grace? You’re going personally?”
Oliver tilted his head, puzzled. It was rare for Lucian to personally intervene in a matter like finding a dog.
But he refused to send Luna out on her own.
“Also, hand this map to the knights searching for the dog. Let them focus on the marked areas.”
“Of course, Your Grace.”
Oliver didn’t argue, though he clearly wondered why this was necessary.
Once he left, Lucian pulled out the map and began checking it one more time.
“Hey, miss!”
The voice shook me from my thoughts. I pressed my aching temples and pulled myself upright, noticing an arm pass right through the door.
“Awake? Mind if I come in?”
“Yes, it’s alright.”
Chris came through the door.
“Sorry for coming by so early. This is too important for me to wait.”
“It’s alright. I was just getting up.”
I shrugged, wrapped a blanket around myself, and smiled faintly.
Chris tried hard not to glance down at my nightclothes as he spoke.
“If only I could sit down too. Too bad spirits can’t really ‘sit.’”
“Yeah, that must be hard.”
Chris shrugged, letting out a faint sigh.
According to him, spirits can’t affect the world of the living in any significant way.
“Still… it’s a bit sad that I can’t even feel the comfort of a soft sofa anymore.”
Chris sighed and shook his head.
Then he suddenly perked up.
“Anyway! I got sidetracked for a moment.”
He spun toward me, serious now.
“You said you’d go looking for Eve, right? When will you leave? Will you head straight to the lake? Eve can be shy, you know. Will that be alright?”
“I’m planning to take dried sweet potatoes as a treat…”
“Hmm, if she’s wary, that won’t work. But you can try using her favorite toy. It has my scent too.”
“Where is it?”
“I left it at my house, forgot to take it to Hammer’s. You’ll find it there.”
We’d be passing by Chris’s old house on the way to the lake. Might as well pick it up.
“Thank you for telling me. I’ll make sure to get it. Try not to worry too much.”
“Alright. It’s a worn, brown bear toy. You’ll spot it easily.”
Chris smiled, but worry still lingered in his expression. Perhaps because he felt powerless, unable to accompany me himself.
“If only I could come along too…”
Chris and the other spirits were bound to this villa. They couldn’t leave. The area was sealed from spirits like him.
That meant this place held a deep secret.
“Can I really uncover the truth?”
For a moment, doubt surfaced. But I shook it off immediately.
I had to do this. It was my responsibility.
With clenched fists, I promised myself:
I’ll find Eve. And I’ll unravel the secrets buried within this villa.
