Chapter 15

Helen bit the inside of her cheek, feeling a sense of confusion. It was as if she had glimpsed the hidden side of a vibrant and lively city.  

Despite it being broad daylight, the surroundings were dim due to laundry lines stretched across the sky and clothes hung out to dry. The shabby buildings revealed their ugly gray walls and exposed frameworks, while elderly beggars and vagrants sat scattered on the ground.  

As she walked along for a while, her steps suddenly came to a halt.  

“This way. I’m sure they went into that building.”  

Henry, who had been leading the way so confidently that his earlier instruction to stay behind him seemed unnecessary, pointed at a particular building. It was an old structure that looked no different from the others crammed closely together.  

“…It looks like an unlicensed inn.”  

“Pardon?”  

“It’s nothing.”  

Helen stroked Henry’s head, calming herself. She had a bad feeling about this place. There wasn’t even a signboard, yet the mailbox on the first floor was crammed with numbers. She recalled reading in the newspaper once that unlicensed inns often illegally divided a single house into two or three units to rent them out.  

There was no need to wonder which room they had entered—it was obvious. Light leaked out through the crack of the only open door. The room was located at the very end on the left. Helen took a deep breath, crouched down, and met Henry’s gaze at eye level. Gripping his shoulders, she gave him a firm instruction.  

“Stay here for a moment.”  

“What? But—”  

“I’ll just take a look at the situation. I’m worried that if both of us go, we might get caught.”  

Judging by the lack of loud noises or commotion, it didn’t seem like anything serious had happened yet. Seeing her resolute expression, Henry hesitated for a moment before nodding.  

“Alright. But if anything happens, call me, okay?”  

Instead of replying, Helen gently ruffled her student’s hair, then removed her shoes and entered the building in just her socks. She did this to minimize the sound of the creaky wooden floorboards. Raising herself onto her toes, she carefully made her way down the dim hallway.  

When she finally reached the door, she began to hear voices.  

The words were fragmented.  

“That… if we get caught…”  

“Temptation…”  

The voices, which repeated themselves, suggested there were only one or two people inside, not a group. Helen swallowed dryly and leaned closer to listen.  

Creak.  

“Ahhh!”  

The door suddenly swung open, and a merciless hand grabbed her, yanking her into the room. Before she could even process what was happening, she felt herself being thrown to the floor. She shut her eyes tightly, bracing for impact.  

“Do they teach detective games instead of lessons these days?”  

“…”  

“Creative, aren’t you, Helen?”  

Instead of the cold floor, she found herself pressed against a firm chest. A large frame that could easily encircle her waist. A cool voice spoke above her head, carrying a faint scent of cigars. Startled, Helen shoved the man away.  

“W-What on earth is going on—”  

“That’s what I’d like to ask.”  

Raymond interrupted her, throwing a glance at his companion as if to seek agreement. Theo, who had been watching the scene with his arms crossed like he was enjoying an entertaining play, nodded.  

“Exactly.”  

* * *  

‘I wish I could find a hole to crawl into and hide.’  

Helen wondered why humans didn’t evaporate when their heads overheated. Water boiled and evaporated, leaving no trace, but humans couldn’t do the same. Normally, she would have dismissed such thoughts as ridiculous and pathetic, but now her mind was filled with them.  

“Did you know I was following you from the start?”  

“I figured it was just some curious kids. But I didn’t expect…”  

“Enough. I get it. You don’t have to explain.”  

As if they had never been in an illegal inn in a slum, the four of them were now in a sunny park. Two of them, Raymond and Helen, sat side by side on a bench, watching Theo and Henry play together.  

When Helen, unable to contain her embarrassment, pulled the brim of her hat down to hide her flushed face, a face suddenly appeared in front of her.  

“Really?”  

“Yes.”  

“I don’t think so.”  

“…”  

It was clear he was intent on teasing her. Giving up on hiding, Helen let go of her hat. Despite it being winter, the days were unusually warm. The weather was so pleasant that the thin layer of snow on the grass sparkled like sugar-coated frosting.  

“I get the gist of it. Henry’s a cute little liar who can be perfectly convincing when he wants to be. No one can beat him.”  

Raymond spoke softly, shrugging his shoulders as if he were letting her off the hook. Just as Helen was about to sigh in relief, he continued.  

“But I’m a bit hurt about the misunderstanding.”  

“Misunderstanding?”  

“You saw it last time, didn’t you? Do you really think I can’t handle a couple of men?”  

“Well, you had a gun back then. And besides, it was dangerous…”  

“I know self-defense and combat techniques.”  

“You mentioned you attended a military school.”  

Helen murmured as she recalled the details.  

“It wasn’t a good memory, but still.”  

Raymond nodded in agreement. Now that his interrogation was over, it was her turn. Helen took a deep breath and met his gaze.  

“Then why did you meet in such a place with just the two of you?”  

“…”  

“And those words… what were they about?”  

“Oh, that.”  

To her dismay, he answered immediately.  

“A small event.”  

“…Event?”  

“Next spring is fox hunting season, isn’t it? The entire family will be heading to the hunting grounds in the northern Bertold territory.”  

“Oh.”  

Helen blinked as a story came to mind.  

Marquis Bertold, third in line to the throne, and his relative, Earl Somerset.  

Marquis Bertold , who had his base in the north, was a wealthy and shrewd man. He owned a vast hunting forest, which was well-known across the continent for its size, variety of animals, and the professional gamekeepers he employed to maintain it.  

Gerald had once proudly elaborated on this.  

—It’s not just His Lordship the Marquis. The Somerset Earldom is a prestigious family with ties to royalty if you trace back far enough. I take great pride in serving such a household.  

“The Earl’s 50th birthday coincides with that period, so we’re planning something special for next year.”  

“I see.”  

Helen’s shoulders relaxed. Raymond asked playfully.  

“Did you think Theo and I were plotting treason or something?”  

“If you were, I would’ve reported you and made a fortune.”  

“Too bad. You’ll keep this a secret, won’t you?”  

“If you want me to.”  

Helen smiled faintly and turned her gaze away from him.  

The park they were in now was peaceful and beautiful, a stark contrast to the place they had been earlier.  

It was a well-maintained park. A lady holding a silk parasol in one hand and her lover’s arm with the other strolled by. There were many others enjoying the mild early winter afternoon. Gentlemen with mustaches strolled leisurely, while young boys in suspenders played under the watchful eyes of their parents.  

In the distance, Henry stood in front of a vendor selling helium balloons and candy. Theo handed over some money to the vendor, received a red balloon, and handed it to Henry. Smiling brightly, Henry turned his head.  

When he spotted them, he waved enthusiastically.  

“Brother! Teacher! Look at this!”  

“Henry.”  

Henry, who loved seeing the two of them together, ran toward the bench with a big smile on his face.  

“Now that I think about it, it’s all because of that kid.”  

“Pardon?”  

Raymond suddenly stood up and extended his hand.  

“Let’s play a prank too.”  

“What do you mean…?”  

“Hurry. We don’t have much time.”  

Before Helen could figure out what was going on, Raymond grabbed her hand and pulled her up with surprising strength. As she blinked in confusion—  

“Brother!”  

“Run!”  

Raymond burst into laughter and, holding her hand, ran in the opposite direction of Henry.  

“Brother! Where are you going?”  

Henry’s bewildered voice echoed behind them, and Helen felt the gazes of those around them shift toward her. But what caught her attention the most was the dazzling golden light.  

His golden hair shimmered like the surface of a lake under the sunlight. His hand was large and steady, just enough to lightly cover the back of hers.  

As if mesmerized, her gaze remained fixed until her foot caught on a stone, causing her to stumble.  

A low voice reached her ears.  

“Careful.”  

As she wobbled, Raymond’s strong arms lifted her up. Just as before, when she had fallen into his arms, she was once again cradled in his solid embrace.  

“Ah!”  

“It’ll only be for a moment.”  

After whispering, Raymond firmly supported her back and knees, running toward the park’s exit.  

“Brotherrr!”  

Henry’s voice grew fainter in the distance. Helen held her breath. Everything had happened so quickly. Not only her body but her mind felt as if it were floating. It was like a fleeting summer night dream she had once had under an elm tree.  

She only felt the ground beneath her feet again once they had left the park.  

“Raymond?”  

“Just a moment.”  

Raymond knocked on the door of a carriage that was just about to depart with its reserved passengers.  

Before Helen could react, the door swung open.  

“Hello, ladies.”  

Raymond greeted cheerfully, tipping his hat. Inside the carriage sat two young women. One of them, recognizing him immediately, beamed.  

“Oh my, Raymond?”  

“Are you heading toward the square?”  

“Yes, we are, but…”  

“If it’s not too much trouble, could we join you for a short ride?”  

“Oh, of course. You’re always welcome, Raymond. Please, have a seat here.”  

The other woman, laughing softly and opening her fan, nodded in agreement.  

Still blinking in confusion at the situation, Helen saw Raymond extend his hand to her.  

“Come on, Helen.”  

* * *  

Throughout the carriage ride, Helen endured the piercing gazes from the women across from her.  

“We’re almost there already.”  

“It was a pleasure, Raymond.”  

“I had something to say…”  

“If you don’t mind, how about the night after tomorrow…”  

“Oh, the carriage has stopped. Time to get off. Helen.”  

Whether he was oblivious or simply pretending, Raymond casually carried on the lively conversation before stepping out of the carriage.  

“Give me your hand.”