Chapter 10

“Happy birthday.”

Rohana shuddered at the low voice.

She saw Kaiden’s profile in the moonlight, standing beside her. A moon shadow cast beside his tall and straight nose.

“Thank you. You came.”

Rohana gave a bitter smile, thinking at least one person came.

“The guest of honor is alone on the terrace.”

Kaiden slowly approached and leaned against the terrace, keeping his distance from Rohana.

Curious gazes from people openly followed him, then turned away with flushed faces. Kaiden seemed indifferent, as if used to it.

“No one will notice. Everyone has talked to me once, so their task is done.”

Rohana answered as she downed her drink. She heard a hum. Her cheeks felt warm, perhaps from the champagne. She stared quietly at the man beside her.

His neatly tied silver-gray hair matched well with his black formal attire. The combination of Kark’s pale hair color and the deep, vivid eye color of Arin was striking.

Noticing her gaze, Kaiden lifted his hand from his sword.

She hadn’t even noticed he was carrying a sword.

When Rohana shrugged with a smile, Kaiden’s large, long fingers slowly gripped the marble of the terrace.

“Sorry for being late.”

Rohana widened her eyes at the unexpected apology. It was strange enough that Kaiden was here, given the absence of the main couple.

“Not at all.”

She recalled what her brother had said early that morning. Why had he come to the palace looking for her that day when the chandelier fell? To find Aurelia?

What happened with the Zitni merchant group? Did he really bankrupt them? Or was it a coincidence?

Rohana thought of the questions she wanted to ask but kept her lips tightly closed.

‘Don’t get involved.’

What would she gain from knowing? Rohana turned her gaze back outside.

“It’s nice to see the stars so clearly in the fall.”

The night sky was densely packed with stars, as if they might pour down.

“Yes.”

The cool, dry wind brushed her bare back and neck. It felt pleasantly refreshing.

Fall was ending. A diamond pin in her long, dark brown hair sparkled like a star.

“Are you really okay?”

Feeling awkward just standing there, Rohana asked a pointless question. Kaiden, as always, answered nonchalantly, as if he wasn’t uncomfortable at all.

“Are you all right, my lady?”

“Yes, thanks to you. Thank you again.”

Kaiden’s gaze briefly met hers.

“Heath… oh, I don’t know his surname or title.”

Rohana realized she still didn’t know his identity and spoke up.

“Just call him Heath. He’s here, of course.”

Kaiden leaned toward Rohana and pointed inside the banquet hall with his long fingers.

“As you can see, he’s having a great time.”

The intense scent of a snowstorm hit her as he drew closer.

Was it because of the chandelier incident? Her heart pounded uncomfortably, and Rohana found it ridiculous.

She didn’t know Kaiden had a habit of getting this close to people.

‘Should I blame the champagne I just drank?’

Trying to shake off the inexplicable flutter, she followed Kaiden’s gesture and saw Heath surrounded by many young ladies, including Vivian.

“He’s very popular.”

When Rohana chuckled, Kaiden looked at her softened face and agreed.

“Quite impressive.”

When Rohana looked away from Heath’s group, she found herself closer to Kaiden than expected. She saw his broad chest first.

When she looked up, Kaiden was looking down at her.

That look again. It felt precarious.

Was it all an instinct for survival? Rohana furrowed her brows and gave an awkward smile. Yet Kaiden showed no intention of moving away.

‘He stands really close to people.’

As she was about to step back, she heard urgent footsteps. More than one. Not high heels, but military boots. People began to murmur.

“Step back.”

In the tense atmosphere, Kaiden blocked Rohana with one arm.

What could happen at a birthday party not even in the original story?

As she was bewildered, the banquet hall doors opened. Crown Prince Bardi, with his sharp blue eyes, entered. His gaze scanned the crowd and fixed on Kaiden.

As Rohana stepped forward to greet him, her wrist was gently but firmly held. Kaiden’s hand was holding her.

“Duke Delcliff?”

Still looking at Bardi, Kaiden seemed surprised at Rohana’s voice and let go.

Bardi’s expression darkened menacingly. Not noticing the change, Rohana, puzzled, turned her gaze from Kaiden to the center of the hall.

“Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”

Bardi’s blue eyes wavered uneasily.

“Rohana, what were you doing with Kaiden?”

“What?”

“What were you two doing on the balcony?”

What is this about?

Rohana was bewildered. Dragging a squad of guards in the middle of the party to ask this?

“Your Highness.”

Kaiden approached and bowed.

“Did you just grab my fiancée’s wrist?”

Kaiden frowned.

“I only protected the lady from a sudden threat.”

“Lying so calmly.”

“I apologize if I’ve made you uncomfortable.”

Despite Kaiden’s polite voice, the prince’s face remained stern.

“What is the matter, Your Highness?”

Rohana quickly asked softly. She wanted to enjoy her last birthday at the duke’s house without any trouble.

‘Don’t fight. It’s already bad enough fighting over Aurelia…’

Come to think of it, Aurelia was nowhere to be seen.

“Your Highness, where is Lady Aurelia?”

Bardi, seeming to come to his senses, looked at Rohana.

“There was an incident.”

Bardi spoke formally, aware of the others around them.

“Aurelia has disappeared.”

“What?”

The crowd murmured loudly again.

“Disappeared… what do you mean…?”

“Duke Kaiden Delcliff.”

Kaiden tilted his head with a baffled expression.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Do you know nothing about this?”

“What do you mean…?”

Kaiden’s eyes narrowed sharply.

“She’s not in her room, not in the garden, nowhere to be found, and you know nothing?”

The prince’s lips twisted in disbelief.

“Aurelia is missing. If you didn’t take her, we need to start searching immediately, don’t we?”

It was a bizarre question. Rohana looked at Kaiden, but he remained silent.

Bardi’s brows furrowed. A tense, inexplicable pressure filled the space between them.

At that moment:

“Your Grace, a moment…”

Heath bowed and led Kaiden away.

The nobles, who had been murmuring and watching, pretended not to notice and politely greeted the prince again. Rohana tried to make sense of the strange situation.

Aurelia missing? That’s not in the original story.

“By the way, happy birthday, Rohana. Sorry I’m late. I’ve been preoccupied with a life-threatening matter.”

Bardi whispered, shooing people away. Rohana just looked up at him, not knowing what expression to make.

“Can you understand?”

Aurelia had disappeared.

“We’ll find her soon. I’m sorry it turned out this way.”

Then, a sudden thought struck Rohana like a plunge into icy water, making her shiver all over.

‘No way.’

It should have been obvious, but she hadn’t considered it, buried in the original story. Rohana’s face turned pale.

“I just want you to be happy.”

Her brother’s voice from earlier that day echoed in her mind.

Why hadn’t she realized it sooner?

Her father and brother had secretly been at home that morning.

Brandt had never missed her birthday before. But neither her father nor Brandt had returned as the party drew to a close.

Her brother’s laughter had gradually faded. She had seen him come home drunk several times, thinking he was just inexperienced with alcohol.

If what Rohana feared most were true… her brother might have done something irreversible.

Or perhaps he already had.

Leaving Bardi, who was ordering the soldiers, Rohana quickly exited the banquet hall.If her suspicions were correct, stopping her brother was crucial.

‘I need to find them first, faster than anyone.’

Jody, guarding the room, was startled to see Rohana rush in alone.

“My lady! Are you all right? What’s happening? The Imperial Guard even alarmed the Hanoverian guards.”

“Jody, I need to leave here without anyone noticing. Tell anyone looking for me that I went to bed early with a headache.”

“My lady, what’s going on, at least…”

“Please, Jody. Just help me without asking questions. Bring my horse to the front of the garden.”

Her eyes, more desperate and determined than ever, met Jody’s.

“Yes, I’ll get your coat first.”

Understanding the grave atmosphere, Jody nodded.

Wrapped in a long cloak, Rohana anxiously waited for Jody. Soon, Jody clumsily led the horse, and Rohana quickly took the reins.

“My lady, if you turn right after leaving here…”

“No, I’ll find my own way.”

“What?”

Jody nodded in confusion.

“Thank you, Jody. Stay safe.”

“You too, my lady. Please don’t come back hurt.”

Despite her firm voice, Jody looked very worried. Rohana tightly gripped Jody’s hand.

“Sorry. Thank you. I’ll be back soon.”

She smiled at Jody and headed toward the garden with the reins. Leaving Jody’s puzzled gaze behind.

To avoid being noticed, this path was better. Riding through the tall garden trees, Rohana turned aside at a certain point.

A narrow passage just wide enough for the large horse. She navigated through the gap in the garden trees to a small forest leading out of the palace.

Rohana brushed off the branches clinging to her and mounted the horse.

“Let’s go.”

The horse picked up speed quietly. She had to find Aurelia and Brandt before Bardi’s soldiers or Kaiden did.

Rohana kept repeating to herself that she must not be too late.

If she couldn’t stop Brandt and someone else found them first…

‘Brandt, please…!’

Rohana gritted her teeth and spurred the horse on.