Right after losing Elodie, he wasn’t in his right mind, and once he regained some sense, he couldn’t stand the barking demands to give up on the child, so he cut off all contact. In fact, even if he wanted to make contact, he couldn’t in most situations. Not knowing where Elodie had disappeared to, he was scouring all the dangerous areas across the continent. Or he was barely alive due to the side effects of black magic.

But he had only been living like that for 4 years. He thought it was Count Jacob’s exaggeration to make him return, as 4 years shouldn’t be enough to shake the ducal family to the brink of extinction. Theodore, who had finally reached the office, roughly opened the office door.

‘……’

Theodore closed his eyes. As soon as he opened the door, a flood of memories rushed in, causing a momentary surge of painful emotions. While raising Elodie, all sorts of toys were scattered around the office. Sometimes he would work with her on his lap, but she never stayed still, so he had to bring in even the nanny to the office. Elodie, being an active child, would play well but then suddenly burst into tears for some unknown reason, but it never bothered him. Because she was his precious daughter, so dear that it wouldn’t hurt even if he put her in his eye.

‘Get a grip.’

Theodore took a deep breath. There was a file folder on the desk.

‘As expected.’

Theodore shook his head as soon as he opened the file folder. The report which should have been concise and orderly was a complete mess. It was clearly Count Jacob’s handiwork.

“Has Lord Shiloh resigned?”

Theodore mentioned the name of the man who was once his capable right-hand man but had been demoted to a mere knight after uttering the nonsense of giving up on Elodie. If it were him, he would have produced a much more readable report.

“Please read it.”

Count Jacob answered with a stern face. Theodore quickly skimmed through the file folder. It was a sea of information that was no different from chaos, but it all pointed to one conclusion.

“How did you find this out?”

Theodore put the file folder on the desk. There was nothing more to see.

‘While I was out of my mind, they were plotting such a thing.’

Count Jacob’s words about the ducal family being on the brink of extinction were not an exaggeration. Those who were once loyal to him had joined forces to plan to swallow up the ducal family. At the center of it was Lord Shiloh.

“I was also approached, Your Grace.”

Count Jacob smiled bitterly.

“When I refused, asking what they meant, they never asked again. I tried to find you then… but I couldn’t reach you at all.”

“……”

Theodore glared at the file folder. If the ducal family were to really face extinction, it wouldn’t have been bad to just sit back and do nothing.

Although Aria Bertin seemed to think he would be a penniless beggar without his title as a duke, he had considerable personal wealth. Even if the ducal family were to fall, it would be enough to let Elodie live comfortably for life.

But if this family were to fall into the hands of traitors, it would be a completely different story.

“If you had just told me directly, I would have come to the ducal residence right away. You did a tiresome thing.”

“I thought you wouldn’t believe it until you saw the evidence.”

“You could have brought this with you.”

As Theodore tapped the file folder, Count Jacob’s face became dumbfounded.

“I… I didn’t think of that.”

“It’s fine.”

Theodore answered curtly. Although Count Jacob’s stupidity had ruined Elodie’s birthday party spectacularly, he had no intention of blaming him in this situation.

“You’ve done a great service just by informing me of this fact.”

“……!”

The Count’s face brightened.

“Then, are you coming back completely?”

Theodore delayed his answer for a moment and looked out the window. Come to think of it, the place was surprisingly well-maintained for a house whose owner had been absent for a long time. No, it was perfect.

‘They must have maintained it perfectly, thinking it would soon be theirs.’

A fierce spark flashed in Theodore’s crimson eyes.

“A bloodbath is coming soon.”

***

Duke Baniche didn’t return even after a week. No letter came either.

‘I hope nothing’s wrong.’

I shook my head. He’s probably just busy dealing with all the work that’s piled up. It was a good thing that the Duke was gradually returning to his former self before losing Elodie. It meant he was moving further away from the ‘villain duke’ in the novel. In that sense, Count Jacob’s visit wasn’t necessarily bad… No, it was very bad.

“Miss Bertin, please let me see Lady Elodie just once!”

“Miss Bertin, there are rumors that you have an unusual relationship with His Grace the Duke…”

“Miss Bertin, is it true that you rescued the young lady who was starving on the streets?”

Looking at the journalists who had swarmed the café, I made a resolution. If I ever see Count Jacob’s face again, I would give him a sharp slap.

“I have nothing to say, so please leave. Don’t you know this is all disrupting business?”

Of course, the journalists wouldn’t back down with just these words. Finally, half-giving up, I tried to at least sell bread and coffee to the journalists, but those conscienceless bastards wouldn’t even buy a cup of coffee. If it weren’t for the kind-hearted Madam Devaka and the old lady taking turns looking after Elodie, she would have been exposed directly to these people.

But there’s a limit to how much we can rely on them. Moreover, as journalists started to flock to those two as well, it became increasingly burdensome to apologize and offer compensation each time. At this rate, we might really have to close the café and flee in the night.

“What are you all doing here?”

The journalists’ heads turned abruptly. I blinked. The head of the guard, Ian, entered the café with a stern face. Seeing that he wasn’t in uniform, it seemed to be his day off. But regardless, the head of the guard is still the head of the guard. It felt like a lifeline had descended from heaven. I explained the situation to Ian.

“…And you see, no matter how much I ask them to leave, they won’t go! Because of this, customers can barely come in. They won’t even order a cup of coffee, can you believe it? Isn’t this disruption of business?”

Voices of protest erupted from various corners, but I paid no attention. Let those without conscience chatter all they want. What mattered was the words of the head of the guard standing before me. After a moment of contemplation, a careful statement flowed from Ian’s lips.

“…It seems Miss Aria is correct.”

Immediately, the journalists shouted in unison.

“What?”

“That can’t be!”

“This is absurd. Freedom of the press…”

Ian shook his head.

“Whatever you say, what you’re doing here constitutes obstruction of business under Imperial Law 509, Clause 2. If you don’t leave immediately, you’ll be forcibly removed by the guards.”

People who wouldn’t budge an inch even after I shouted dozens of times retreated so obediently in front of the head of the guard, I was almost jealous. I sincerely thanked Ian.

“Thank you so much. You saved me. It’s your day off, right? Please tell me anything you’d like to eat. I’ll bring it all out.”

“…That’s, that’s fine. A cup of coffee is enough…”

“This isn’t the first time you’ve helped. I know it’s not just a matter of course.”

I spoke with sincerity. There’s nothing more precious than people who quietly do their job. Just look at me, I still haven’t received the reward promised for helping to eradicate the human trafficking ring.

Fortunately, Ian didn’t maintain his formality for long and happily devoured the coffee and waffles I brought out as service. He ate so well that I felt rewarded for making them.

‘I should pack lots of cookies and bread for him later.’

We had excess bread that couldn’t be sold anyway due to the lack of customers because of the journalists. I thought I’d be very happy if Ian enjoyed eating them.

“About those journalists from earlier.”

Ian quietly opened his mouth.

“If you could tell me which newspapers they’re from, I’ll try to issue warnings to their companies.”

“Wouldn’t that be too much trouble for you… Are you sure?”

“I want to do it.”

There’s no reason to refuse help when he puts it like that. As I was smiling and sincerely expressing my gratitude, the café door swung open, and the sound of measured footsteps was heard.