CH 282

"Ayla isn't here? What do you mean?"

Staring at Orhan, Theon's voice rose unstoppably.

He came to the community because he kept worrying about Ayla being sent alone, but he couldn't see her anywhere.

A deep sigh came out of Theon's mouth, who searched the interior.

As if feeling a fierce glance directed at him, Orhan shrunk his wide shoulders and repeatedly moved his lips.

"She… she went with a maid to the Duke's mansion."

"The Duke's mansion?"

Elin, who was watching the situation, looked at the two of them and spoke in a small voice.

Asking back in a low voice, Theon seemed about to lose his mind.

"She told me not to worry because it was the house of an old friend! She said she would come back to the community as soon as she was done with it…"

"…"

"I noticed that she also knew the maid that was sent by Duke Daniel. I heard her call her ‘Lily', in a friendly manner. She told me not to worry… She said there was nothing to worry about…"

Elin eventually burst into tears at Theon's fierce glance at her.

"Ah… We have to go to the Duke's mansion. I will leave first, so gather the military forces and come."

"But… the members are all scattered. It will take at least half a day to gather the necessary people."

"The carrier pigeon, send it to the royal palace. Right now!! Mason will send the necessary military force."

There was no time to waste…

After he finished speaking, Theon lost his balance and his big body wavered.

Then, as he fell onto the cold marble floor, his shoulders moved up and down slightly.

According to Elin, she had already arrived at the Duke's mansion and had been there a long time.

That also meant that Ayla's safety was no longer guaranteed.

There was no way the Duke, who had even touched his own daughter, would have valued the life of anyone else.

Theon's large hand, trembling slightly, touched his face.

"Ugh… I'm counting on you, Orhan. I can't lose another precious person like this."

Then, when Theon took a step towards the main door after finishing speaking, the closed door opened a gap with the clear sound of the bell.

***

"Louis!"

Louis, who seemed somewhat tired, came in beyond Ayla's view as she walked along the path.

Louis, who was always neat and tidy, had a comfortable appearance, unlike usual.

From his bushy hair, the leather shoes covered in mud, and the small bundle he was carrying on his back, it was obvious that he was not coming from the Duke's mansion.

"I guess it was true that we would meet if I stayed here."

Louis' heavy sinking gaze turned to Ayla. His loved person, whom he had missed so much, was in front of him.

Although he decided to control his feelings, there was no way to stop his heart from pounding at the sight of Ayla narrowing the distance.

"Lily… What happened to Lily? What does it mean that Mister is going to kill me?"

Unlike Louis, who was immersed in emotions, Ayla's gesture as she looked around was urgent.

As Ayla asked incomprehensible questions before greeting him properly, Louis' face showed signs of bewilderment.

"Did my father… summon you?"

"Lily helped me out on the way to the Duke's mansion. I came here because she spoke so urgently… How are things going? Louis, you didn't know about it?"

"I came back to the Stellen Kingdom yesterday evening. She said I'd be able to meet you if I waited here…"

Their gazes met. At the same time, Louis put more strength into the grip holding the reins.

"Get on, quickly. I'll take you to the royal palace."

"What do you mean?"

"There's no time to waste. I think… I should go there. I think that child risked her life to save you."

Louis' gaze sank coldly as he finished speaking.

***

Inside the mansion, Louis was silently looking for any sign of Lily.

Despite being broad daylight, the splendid three-story mansion was filled with darkness due to the curtains everywhere.

Trudge, trudge.

The interior was filled with silence, and only the occasional footsteps of servants moving reached his ears.

"Young Master!!"

An old gentleman's cry echoed behind Louis as he looked around the mansion.

He seemed happy to see his master after a few months.

The eyes of the butler, who had called Louis, were suddenly wet.

"Mattel, I heard Father invited Ayla to come here today. What's going on? Where is Lily? No matter how much I look for her, I can't find her."

"…"

At Louis' question, the old gentleman gazed upwards instead of answering.

At the same time, Louis stretched out his long legs and climbed the stairs in big strides.

His deep blue eyes shook quickly as he stared straight ahead.

***