Chapter 13
“Then, instead of changing the subject, how about we go to the garden? There’s something I want to show you.”
“No way! Riena said we should stay inside the mansion today!”
“Then you don’t mind if we go back to the earlier topic?”
Kylian, who normally wasn’t this stubborn, spoke firmly. Realizing she wouldn’t win easily, Eloise sighed.
He’s been uncomfortable ever since hearing that the Grand Duke will arrive soon.
To be fair, Eloise felt the same way. To think that the man she’d spoken to only briefly was actually her father—it was an impulsive decision, and not one easily accepted.
“Fine, I won’t ask you about that. Let’s just go see the Adlen flowers quickly.”
“Adlen flowers?”
“They only bloom in the north — full blue petals, so vivid and gorgeous! You’ll definitely love them!”
The excuse gave Eloise’s wavering heart the perfect push.
“Let’s go see them, then!”
Once they decided to leave the mansion, Eloise grew anxious.
“Riena’s probably heading to the library with snacks right now. What if we run into her?”
“Then let’s go out through the window. I’ve been practicing lately — it’s no big deal!”
“This is the third floor!”
When she opened the window and looked down, the dizzying height made Eloise’s voice tremble.
“Don’t worry, I’ve done this plenty of times.”
Kylian spread his arms reassuringly. With no time to waste, Eloise swallowed her fear and stepped into his embrace.
“W-wait—”
Kylian flinched in surprise. What’s wrong? Eloise lifted her head and saw his face turning bright red and stiff. Ah, he must be uncomfortable because of his wound.
“Sorry, I didn’t think—”
Eloise pulled away quickly, but Kylian shook his head frantically.
“N-no! It’s fine! Really! Let’s just go like this.”
As he held her firmly, Eloise nodded.
“Okay.”
He must be in a lot of pain from the injury… but he’s still eager to go out?
Trying to calm herself, Eloise leaned toward the window. The height made her dizzy, but she didn’t want to show her fear when Kylian was already bearing pain in silence. She swallowed hard—
“Ah—!”
Suddenly, the floor beneath her feet vanished. Eloise held her breath as they dropped, then exhaled shakily when her feet touched the ground again.
“Come on, let’s hurry!”
After jumping from the third floor, it’d be ridiculous to get caught now! Eloise ran off with Kylian.
“Over there! Just walk straight for about ten minutes.”
The snow that had piled up earlier seemed to have been cleared away, leaving only faint footprints. As they walked across the white carpet of snow, a vast garden came into view.
“The trees over there still have leaves?”
Among the bare winter branches, a patch of greenery stood out vividly. That small area seemed to belong to another season entirely.
“That’s where the Adlen flowers bloom. It’s the prettiest part of the garden. They say the flowers keep the temperature around them constant.”
“It smells so nice.”
The snow resting gently on the grass created a strange harmony—like spring and winter coexisting. Even before seeing the flowers, Eloise could sense their presence vividly. What began as an excuse now filled her with genuine anticipation.
“Just a bit further.”
The fragrance grew stronger, but so did the mist. Eloise squinted as it thickened before her eyes.
“Is it always this foggy in the north?”
The mist looked like a wall, blocking their way. Her steps slowed as they approached the patch where the Adlen flowers were supposed to be.
“Mist? What mist?”
Kylian looked confused. Eloise turned around, startled.
He can’t see it?
The mist had grown so dense it surrounded them completely. She could barely sense the grass brushing her legs. Reaching out, she felt something tangible.
This isn’t fog… what is this?
It moved — alive, writhing beneath her fingers. When Eloise reflexively clenched her hand, the mist shattered like glass. And then — the green meadow blanketed with snow appeared before her, and in the center stood the radiant blue Adlen flowers.
“They’re beautiful!”
Eloise gasped in awe at the countless blossoms shining like sapphires.
But… why does this feel familiar?
She stepped closer, eyes wide. Amid the silken white snow, the brilliant blue flowers gleamed like gems. Yet within that breathtaking sight stood something—someone—out of place.
In a secluded corner of the garden, a merchant with a broad, genial face unloaded a crate. Beside him stood Emily, receiving the goods. To anyone watching, it was an ordinary scene — but their expressions were cautious.
“The Lord has adopted an orphan girl.”
The merchant’s eyes narrowed as if searching for the reason.
“He wouldn’t do something like that without purpose… would he?”
“What should we do?”
“Observe for now. The more information we have, the better.”
“Yes.”
Her tone was flat, expressionless — completely unlike Emily’s usual self.
“This is a magic stone that conceals presence and appearance. It’s the same type currently active.”
He handed one of two glowing stones to her. The other emitted faint gray mist, wrapping them both in a magical veil.
“Thank you.”
But then the magic stone trembled — resonating with a strong force nearby. Children’s voices drew closer, and the gray stone pulsed violently.
“That’s the child you mentioned?” the merchant asked, nodding toward the voices.
“Yes. Since arriving at the mansion, the young master’s been seeing her often.”
“He seemed quite troubled after that incident, but his voice sounds rather cheerful now.”
The merchant stroked his chin, though his tone darkened with unease.
“I’ll tell the young master the story of the Crown Princess.”
“Yes, he must keep the Crown Princess close to his heart — in every sense.”
A cruel glint flashed in the man’s eyes as he chuckled. Fingering the magic stone, he froze — the stone shattered in his hand.
“What? It broke? A high-grade stone of this purity—impossible!”
His muttering grew tense as he scanned the area sharply.
“Such stones only shatter when they encounter magic stronger than what’s sealed inside. Search the surroundings.”
High-grade magic stones were rare treasures, beyond the reach of most nobles. Watching it crumble to dust, sweat trickled down his temple.
How am I supposed to report this? No one will believe that a top-tier magic stone just shattered on its own.
Then, through the rustling grass, two small figures appeared — children. The merchant’s eyes widened as the blue gaze of the girl met his. He and Emily exchanged a sharp glance.
“Wh—who are you…?”
Realizing the danger in an instant, the children bolted. But the man lunged forward, pressing a damp cloth over Kylian’s mouth and nose. Before Eloise could react, the same cloth covered her face. The acrid chemical scent stung her nose; her eyelids grew heavy.
“This wasn’t supposed to happen…”
His weary sigh carried more frustration than anger. The Grand Duke’s son — and the girl he had personally brought into the estate. These were not children who could simply disappear unnoticed.
But since they had seen too much, he had no choice. Carrying both unconscious children, the man hurriedly left the mansion grounds with Emily at his side.
