Chapter 2

Andert arrived at the Hardin viscounty as the sunset was expending its last strength in coral hues. The viscounty, which had been gloomy over Chloe’s matter, was quite startled by the unexpected visitor.

Just yesterday when the lawyer had visited, Maya thought that would be the end of it.

Of course. How could that noble gentleman possibly come here personally. Maya shook her head as she saw off the lawyer.

In fact, Andert had only visited Hanover once. It was around this time last year when he attended Viscountess Hardin’s funeral.

Even then, he literally just attended the funeral before immediately returning to the capital. Andert, who had arrived in Hanover on the morning train, boarded another train that very evening. Of course, leaving behind Chloe who was full of grief.

Maya remembered all of it. The cold and heartless Dietrich who seemed like not a drop of blood would come out if pricked. She muttered inwardly as she set down the teacup.

How much must Miss Chloe have suffered to leave for somewhere far away.

Looking at the man who was neat down to every strand of hair, Maya hoped the master wouldn’t make any verbal mistakes. Though she couldn’t know what conversation the Viscount and Miss had that day.

The one fortunate thing was that since then, the master had barely touched alcohol. Whether that incident had deeply shocked him, these days he showed clear judgment. She could only hope this would last long this time.

Maya barely suppressed her rising regret before disappearing, and Viscount Hardin offered tea.

“Please have some. I never imagined I would receive a visit without notice like this.”

Though awkward, his attitude didn’t breach courtesy. Andert, who took exactly one sip of tea, set down his cup.

“Do you perhaps know of any friends Chloe was close to or places she might go?”

“……”

Viscount Hardin stared at Andert for a moment. After his lips moved once, he shook his head.

“After marriage, Chloe only stopped by here briefly. Wouldn’t all her recent acquaintances be in the capital? Those she grew up with here are all locals who settled in Hanover. They wouldn’t know Chloe’s whereabouts.”

It was true. Andert silently observed the unexpectedly logical Viscount.

This was his third time meeting Viscount Hardin in person. Their previous encounters were limited to a banquet at the palace before the wedding, the wedding day itself, and at the funeral a year ago. Moreover, they had only exchanged brief greetings among crowds. This was their first one-on-one meeting.

Familiar with the Viscount’s incidents, Andert found his composed appearance today quite surprising. The nobleman was remarkably collected, maintaining his dignity.

So this must be his true self when he’s not drunk. However, one couldn’t expect complete reformation from an alcoholic. The Viscount’s composure was likely temporary.

Frowning at his tired eyes from lack of sleep, Andert asked again.

“Could you tell me exactly what conversation you had with Chloe that day?”

“Everything was included in the telegram I sent. My daughter and I were never close enough for lengthy conversations. Chloe left after saying a few simple words, and that’s all.”

The explanation seemed almost detached. Andert clenched his jaw tightly, trying to suppress the headache that had resumed at his left temple.

Even if they weren’t close, how could he just let her leave like that?

He couldn’t understand the Viscount who apparently stood by while his daughter said she was leaving home. Finally, a cold voice escaped through his teeth.

“Why did you let Chloe leave? Surely you could have stopped her.”

It was a kind of reproach. It was also an instinct to blame someone in this helpless situation. But the next moment, Andert was left speechless.

“Why did House Dietrich let Chloe leave?”

“……”

“A wife who had already handed over divorce papers. And without even a single servant accompanying her.”

It was a question that struck the core. Andert couldn’t respond, as if caught off guard. Meanwhile, the Viscount continued.

“As the world knows, yes, I am someone who can’t face the Dietrichs. I haven’t forgotten how many times I’ve received help from the Duke’s family. However, how could a father force his daughter’s heart when even her husband couldn’t keep it?”

Now Andert understood why Daniel returned empty-handed.

Viscount Hardin seemed to suggest that nothing could be done about Chloe now. Of course, this wasn’t the attitude expected from someone who had benefited most from the alliance with House Dietrich.

He couldn’t tell if the Viscount was hiding something. But it was clear the Viscount had no intention of revealing anything more. Andert had to accept the difficult truth.

His clear but dry eyes finally moved away from the Viscount’s face that resembled Chloe’s.

***

“Chloe, try some more of these.”

Kate’s plate held dainty cookies. Today again, Chloe, who had stayed the latest at the office, was dragged by her friend to a nearby coffee shop.

“I told you not to work so late every day. You’ll collapse from overwork.”

“Overwork? … It’s not that bad.”

Shaking her head as if that was nonsense, Chloe took a small bite of the honey-glazed cookie.

It was true that she was practically living at the office. She was always the first to arrive in the morning and the last to leave. But these days were more fulfilling than ever. Learning new things was enjoyable, and above all, she could become so absorbed in work that time flew by unnoticed.

Still, she couldn’t completely shake off thoughts of Andert that would occasionally surface. Just like now. Setting down her teacup, Chloe recalled the face of the man who would soon be her ex-husband.

Once, just looking at his face made her feel warm inside. The straight bridge of his nose, sharp jawline, thick wheat-colored hair, and eyes that sparkled even more brilliantly under bright sunlight.

Chloe didn’t even know which part of him she had fallen for first. She simply liked everything about Andert unreservedly. Back then, she even found his stiffness attractive, how he rarely let others get close. If this man, who’s cold to everyone else, would only allow her near… the thought alone made her heart flutter.

In other words, she had been blinded by love. So she bore some responsibility for all this. She had loved him recklessly, expected too much, and then was disappointed.

Even knowing it wasn’t a suitable place for her, she still… Chloe truly believed this. That’s why she left the capital without demanding anything.

Lost in thought, she heard a tapping sound. Kate, who had started gathering her hat and bag, lightly knocked on the table.

“Shall we head out? I have to catch an early train tomorrow. It’ll probably take about two days. If there’s anything urgent, just tell Quincy or Gemma.”

“Don’t worry and travel safely.”

Chloe gave a brief farewell to Kate, who was leaving for personal business. Afterward, her steps headed straight back to her quarters.

The space, now quite familiar, was gradually filling up with her belongings. Though that only meant a few more sets of ordinary everyday clothes and necessities.

After drying her wet hair with a towel, her hands habitually picked up some documents. Chloe leaned back on the bed with work to look over before sleeping.

She focused on the text to avoid complicated thoughts. This was something unimaginable in the Duke’s bedroom where she had always been tense. Chloe was grateful for even that much. Although she couldn’t shake off the heavy anxiety weighing her down.

Leaning back and turning pages regularly, Chloe eventually dozed off.

***

“We are checking each route where Lady Dietrich might have traveled. I will inform you immediately as reports come in.”

As Daniel finished his report, Andert pointed to the last page. The table was covered with bundles of telegrams from specialists in finding missing persons.

“Have they narrowed it down to these two lines?”

“Yes. We’re checking all the stations where trains departing from Tüningen and Saphi stations stopped that day.”

“Tüningen and Saphi…”

These were unexpected destinations. Andert repeated the names of the two cities.

While Tüningen, a small city in the central region, was one thing, Saphi was a gateway to the northern territory. Surrounded by mountains, it was also the least populated area in Artion. Why would Chloe head there specifically?

Though he couldn’t answer that question, the contents of the telegram were clear.

「On the day of the disappearance,」

「We cross-referenced all carriage drivers who transported young female passengers to Hanover Station. One driver recognized the missing person’s face. Based on the time this driver arrived at the station, there were only two trains departing earliest.」

「We are checking all stations and destinations along these two routes — Tüningen and Saphi.」

The professional missing persons investigators were steadily narrowing down the search area. However, with so few clues left behind, progress was inevitably slow.

As each day passed, Andert found it increasingly difficult to bear the mounting frustration. Chloe had always seemed like someone who would be there when he turned around.

But to disappear so completely like this? So she had planned all this alone? No, that wasn’t the important thing right now. Finding Chloe was the top priority. Everything else could come after. Any conversation would only be possible once he found her.