“I haven’t been able to meet Miss Soniel.”

Leonora shook her head with gloomy eyes.

“What do you mean you haven’t met her?”

I tried to remain calm as I asked, but anxiety lingered from the memory of Soniel from the previous night.

The conversation we had while playing chess, especially her words of gratitude, seemed ominous.

‘Don’t worry, my lady. I’ll endure steadfastly as you’ve taught me.’

‘Good.’

‘But you weren’t paying attention.’

‘…..?’

‘Checkmate.’

I shouldn’t have let her leave like that yesterday.

I clearly sensed something different about her demeanor.

‘Her coming to play chess late at night wasn’t coincidental. She even deliberately showed me how she could win.’

What hidden meaning was there?

Just then, Leonora carefully spoke up.

“I heard from Father that she left a letter and disappeared.”

“What? Soniel is gone?”

My voice rose involuntarily, causing Leonora to look terrified.

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty.”

This wasn’t Leonora’s fault.

I regretted my sudden emotional outburst. Soniel’s departure wasn’t Leonora’s doing.

If anyone was to blame, it was me for dismissing the signs so carelessly.

“I’m sorry. I got too upset hearing Soniel disappeared.”

I muttered, pressing my forehead.

“Not at all, Your Majesty. I should have told you immediately.”

Leonora bowed her head, biting her pale lips.

But this was no time for self-reproach.

“Where is the letter Soniel left? What did it say?”

Leonora slowly raised her head and answered in a small voice.

“The letter wasn’t very long. It only said thank you for everything and wished everyone well.”

“That’s all?”

“Yes. Father gathered all the servants, but no one heard anything unusual during the night.”

Leonora glanced at me cautiously before speaking again.

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I didn’t realize she was important to you. If she had stayed with the Chadmon family, she must have been someone you cared for.”

I shook my head with my eyes closed.

“What did Lord Chadmon say?”

“Father didn’t say much.”

“…..”

“He just showed me the letter, called all the servants, and asked the maids a few questions.”

I could guess why Father couldn’t take more active measures.

Leonora, favored by the Emperor, had been close to her, and Ainberg had given instructions.

But regardless, Soniel was still the daughter of a traitor facing execution tomorrow.

As a father, even keeping Soniel might have been burdensome for him.

Soniel would have understood this situation.

She wouldn’t have wanted to cause trouble for anyone.

‘Father might have been relieved that she left on her own.’

I understood why Father didn’t intervene, and why Soniel left such a simple letter.

‘Poor Soniel.’

Unwelcome everywhere—she was too young to bear such overwhelming emotions.

But didn’t she say she would endure steadfastly? This isn’t enduring.

‘I’ve decided.’

Even if the letter contained nothing special, I would check for myself.

“So your father—Lord Chadmon—has the letter now?”

As I stood up, Leonora rose as well and answered.

“Yes, I believe so.”

“I need to see Lord Chadmon immediately.”

Leonora nodded with somewhat frightened eyes.

After that, I decided to summon Lord Chadmon and then meet with Ainberg.

He was the only one who could find the wandering child quickly.

“Where could she have gone?”

Of course, I had several places in mind.

Like Interden, where she lived with her mother until she was seven.

She might have gone searching for traces of her mother.

‘No, her mother’s cousin sold the house they lived in. He lives in Scott now.’

What was his name again?

I walked quickly, trying to recall the faint memory.

‘Ah, I can’t remember.’

How could I possibly remember such details?

‘Could she have returned to the boarding school?’

The thought made my heart sink.

Though Soniel spoke of it matter-of-factly, that place was nothing short of hell.

But if she really went back there…

‘She was so happy to have escaped that boarding school.’

My heart ached at the realization that she had so few options.

“This is all my fault.”

After walking for some time, I arrived at the office, but Ainberg was nowhere to be seen.

I hurriedly made my way to the secretariat.

When the maid opened the door, the quiet atmosphere of the secretariat instantly changed.

“Your Majesty.”

The aides rose from their seats and bowed respectfully, with Oz approaching last.

He immediately sensed something was wrong.

“Empress, what’s the matter?”

“I need your help. I urgently need to find someone. Please help me. No, more importantly, where is His Majesty? I must see him immediately.”

Words tumbled out in a disorganized rush as my mind raced.

Oz gestured to the still-standing aides.

After they left, Oz closed the door with measured movements.

“Your Majesty, please sit down first.”

Despite Oz’s gentle voice, I couldn’t calm down.

The image of Soniel being beaten by someone at the boarding school kept flashing in my mind.

“Aide, this is urgent.”

I pressed my fingernails into my fingertips as I spoke, and Oz gazed at me steadily.

“Empress, I will follow your orders even if they seem impossible.”

“…..”

“So please, tell me slowly. What happened?”

Only then did I take a deep breath to compose myself.

My breathing hadn’t fully recovered from walking so quickly without rest.

“Aide, you remember Miss Soniel Viper?”

When Soniel’s name came up, Oz’s expression settled as if he had anticipated this.

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

I glanced at the closed door once and lowered my voice.

“You must know I took her to the Chadmon household.”

“Yes, I’m aware.”

“But this morning, she disappeared, leaving only a brief letter.”

“Ah, that—”

I continued without waiting for Oz’s response.

“How much do you know about Soniel?”

“…What do you mean by ‘how much’?”

“That child is actually—”

If he thought she was from a convent as widely believed, it would be disastrous to search for a convent in Scott.

‘Yes, I should just reveal it.’

At this point, Soniel’s background wasn’t important anyway.

“Soniel worked at a boarding school. Her real name is Titi Marcelo.”

As I began speaking about Soniel, the name that had been dim suddenly came back to me.

“Ah, the person who sent Soniel to the boarding school was Mr. Willen. After her mother died, her cousin sold the house. Is this information enough? If not—”

“Your Majesty, Empress.”

Oz gently stopped my rambling.

“Please calm down. Take a moment and listen to what I have to say.”

How can you expect me to calm down now?

I swallowed the words I couldn’t say and looked up at Oz.

“Lord Chadmon contacted us immediately after discovering Miss Viper’s disappearance.”

“What?”

Why are you only telling me this now?

When I looked up at him with somewhat reproachful eyes, Oz smiled awkwardly and said:

“I apologize, Your Majesty. I was just about to tell you.”

“So you already knew Soniel had disappeared?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Then all that remains is to make a request to His Majesty. Where is he now?”

As I stood up to ask, Oz smiled awkwardly again and answered.

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty, but His Majesty has already given orders. She will certainly be found today.”