Chapter 116 - Innocent Gifts

Come morning, the entire Heinken Kingdom was gripped in shock!

The Veritas published Mikael's exclusive interview on the front page of the daily newspaper. True to his reputation, Johnny Walter delivered the article in the most intriguing fashion.

Written in big, bold letters were the words:

[Prince Deon to the Serial kidnapper: I'm coming for you!]

[In an exclusive interview, the kingdom's third prince revealed shocking news about the Serial Kidnapping case that has plagued the Heinken Kingdom for over a year!

Through a week-long field investigation, Prince Deon has managed to catch the tail of the elusive criminal. According to the Prince, a credible source has come to him bearing witness to a child abduction. The Prince refused to disclose the identity of the witness for their protection. However, he assures the victim's families that he is currently tracking down the criminal. The compassionate prince promises to return the missing children to their homes as soon as they caught the perpetrator.

To conclude the interview, Prince Deon delivers a chilling warning to the criminal: Stay where you are because I'm coming for you!

Article written by: Johnny Walter]

The news spread like wildfire!

The tremor caused by Mikael's interview grew to an unprecedented magnitude that every citizen in the kingdom came to buy the Veritas Newspaper to read the said article and Johnny Walter rejoiced at their record breaking sales.

There were varied reactions to the Veritas Article. Some people accused the Royal Investigations Bureau of irresponsibility for failing to secure the witness earlier. Others thought Prince Deon just got lucky to find a lead. But the majority of the citizens felt relief. Especially the victim's families.

So much that three days after the article was released, Deon's office in the Bureau had drowned in gifts wishing for good news.

'Ugh! This is too much! There's literally no space to walk on!' Deon carefully navigated around the gifts stacked high in his office.

"My liege, wouldn't it be better to take some of these at home?" Dame Nora touched a beautifully wrapped box with a proud expression, "I think just looking at these gifts would give anyone motivation."

Indeed, although Deon found the number of presents to be excessive, he also felt happy to see them. To the boy who never received sincere gifts from other people outside his family, it felt like the whole Heinken kingdom was rooting for his success.

"Kid, look! There are even some letters for you." Mikael said through direct message. 

Deon hurriedly went to his desk and picked up the letters.

The young prince smiled as he shuffled through the envelopes, reading who the senders were:

[From: Baroness Evelyn Brooks]

[From: Countess Lydia Hartsen]

…

…

[From: Viscount Edgar Ashton]

[From: Countess Anntoinette Blaire]

The letters were mostly from the parents of the missing children. They expressed their gratitude to the prince for his efforts to find their beloved sons and daughters. They hoped that Deon wouldn't be burdened by their gifts and said they would gladly support him if he ever needs their help in the future.

Aside from the victims' families, other concerned citizens also expressed their support in writing.

"Whoa! Even Countess Blaire sent a letter!" Deon voiced his surprise at the unexpected sender.

"Huh? Who is that? It sounds familiar…" Mikael racked his brains to remember where he heard the name only for Deon to beat him to it.

"Countess Blaire is the owner of the biggest toy store in Heinken kingdom, Sir"

Only then did Mikael remember the image of the three stupid mercenaries who tried to mug Deon at the beginning of the hunting competition. They claimed to have very ill daughters who only had a few months to live and to fulfill their dying wishes, they asked Deon for 500 gold each to buy from Countess Blaire's store.

"Ah! Right! But did she get her son kidnapped as well? If I'm not mistaken, we haven't visited her yet." Mikael went out of the Medium to look for her gift among the pile.

"My liege, do you need help in sorting?" Dame Nora approached Deon when she saw the curious expression on her master's mien.

Then she saw the letter that Deon held and noted who the sender was, "Is that from Countess Blaire, my liege?" She asked with a gentle smile.

"Y-yes." Deon jumped in surprise when the Dame came up behind him. Then, he schooled his expression and asked, "Do you know her as well, Dame?"

"Of course, my liege. She's the only aristocrat that gained my respect—Ah! But of course, I respect you more, my liege!" Nora blushed as if she had just been caught cheating. 

"I see… then, she must be a great person if the Dame respects her so much." Deon placed the letters on top of the desk.

He then crouched to rummage through the pile to help the invisible Mikael look for the countess' gift.

"She is, my liege." Nora mimicked her master's behavior as she reminisced the past, "Back when my brother and I were still in the orphanage, we often saw Countess Blaire with her husband. They were such a lovely couple that many of the children wished to be adopted by them."

As he listened to the Dame, Deon recalled that the countess was infertile so she didn't have any children even though she was fond of them.

"Yes. It's such a pity since the countess would've been a great mother." The young prince agreed.

"You may think bad of me, your highness, but I was glad that she didn't have children of her own." Nora tucked a loose hair behind her reddened ear. Her expression was so soft and gentle that both Mikael and Deon could only stare at her in awe.

Dame Nora who often had a serious or deadpan expression looked so lovely in the orange light filtering through the office window. It was only now that they realized how pretty the Dame was.

"I-I don't!" a furiously blushing Deon shouted in denial.

"I'm glad you don't, my liege." The dame merely chuckled as she continued with her story, "The Blaire household was known to be a patron of many orphanages. Many children, including my brother and I, have benefited from the Countess' benevolence. Not only does she gives generous donations to orphanages, but also lets the children feel loved.

There was one time when my brother scraped his knee while playing. He cried so loudly that even the head priest couldn't make him stop.

But the countess just embraced Arthur and told him he'll be alright. It was then that I felt the difference of having parents of your own. 

In times of difficulties, a mother's hug could make people feel safe.

Really… if I could only choose my parents, I would have chosen the Blaire couple."

--Chapter end--