Chapter 11

“The, the thing is…”

It was the moment Eleanor managed to open her mouth, her face pale. Usher stepped forward, shielding Eleanor from Cindy’s gaze. At the same time, Cindy faintly furrowed her brows, unable to hide her displeasure.

“I received Logan’s permission to go out for a walk with Olivia, but due to my negligence, I lost the child.”

“You were negligent?”

Cindy spoke sarcastically.

“You took a tutor out and lost the child due to your negligence; that’s a funny story.”

With so many people around, Cindy couldn’t afford to yell or make a scene. Therefore, her tone seemed gentle at first glance, but it was extremely cutting.

“Today is Eleanor’s day off, so…”

“I see you’ve become close enough to call her Eleanor?”

“…”

“Even so, you shouldn’t try to hide your mistake behind a man, Eleanor Hudson.”

Cindy’s expression cooled.

“Find Olivia before her condition leaks beyond the walls of the Claven Duchy.”

When her husband died and Logan inherited the dukedom, Cindy became the former duchess. However, since Logan was unmarried, she continued to act as the lady of the Claven Duchy. As a result, many sought to marry Logan through her.

Thus, Olivia’s developmental issues were a disgrace in themselves. Cindy tried desperately to hide the fact that she had given birth to someone lacking. But today, the mere mistake of a tutor put her secret at risk of exposure, something she could not tolerate.

“Immediately!”

Cindy commanded, biting her words. Though she hadn’t shouted loudly, Eleanor nodded repeatedly and ran off. Usher looked back at Cindy several times, wanting to say something, but ultimately followed Eleanor.

“Olivia!”

Eleanor called Olivia’s name as she searched among the people. Usher did the same.

Finding a child who was still growing, only half the size of an adult, among countless people was not as easy as one might think. It was difficult to spot even a shadow among the crowd.

“What do we do? What do we do? I was careless…”

“Don’t worry, Eleanor. She was here just a moment ago, so she couldn’t have gone far.”

Usher reassured Eleanor, who was pale with worry. But Eleanor, murmuring that she had forgotten her duty in the excitement of going out, seemed on the verge of tears.

“I also failed to pay attention to Olivia.”

Usher had equally failed to notice Olivia’s disappearance, so it couldn’t be entirely Eleanor’s fault.

“Let’s focus on finding the child first.”

Eleanor nodded resolutely and turned around. If she couldn’t find Olivia, she wouldn’t be able to face Logan, so she had to find her. Tears could wait until after they found the child.

“Olivia!”

She likely hadn’t gone elsewhere, not knowing the way. But the longer it took, the less likely they would find her.

Eleanor scanned the surroundings, panting excessively with anxiety and urgency. The sun shone overhead, sweat running down her back, in the afternoon when shadows from slanted buildings covered the alleyway, her gaze stopped.

If Olivia was playing a prank, she wouldn’t be in such a place, but if she was hiding, there was a good chance she was there. Eleanor hesitated not and moved towards the alleyway.

“Oh God…”

And Eleanor found Olivia there, as if by miracle. The child didn’t care about getting her clothes dirty, crouched on the ground and sniffling. Eleanor clasped her hands and offered a prayer of thanks.

“Olivia, why are you here?”

“E-Ellie.”

Olivia stammered, frightened she might be scolded. Eleanor carefully approached, bending one knee to meet the child’s gaze.

“Mom was, mom was there.”

“…”

“She said not to come out…”

Apparently, Olivia had spotted Cindy before Eleanor and Usher did. Remembering her mother’s scolding, she fled and hid in this unknown alleyway.

Stay put. Stay locked in your room. Don’t hover around me. Don’t let me hear your stupid voice!

That was all Cindy ever said to the child. Her disgraceful daughter angered her just by being seen. So when Olivia saw Cindy, the only thing she could think of was to hide in a dark, secluded spot out of sight.

“But, but I don’t know. I’m scared.”

However, having fled, the unfamiliar surroundings must have been terrifying. A strange road, the dark neighborhood behind the bright city, a quiet alley with no one to send her back. Olivia burst into tears.

“It’s okay, I’m here.”

Eleanor whispered as she gently embraced the child. She was relieved to have found Olivia. It was fortunate she hadn’t lost her forever like her sister. Eleanor kissed Olivia’s sweat-soaked crown repeatedly, pulling her close.

“It’s okay now. Let’s go back.”

With Eleanor’s soothing, Olivia gradually calmed down. Eleanor wiped the tear-stained face with her sleeve, helped Olivia up, and dusted off her dirty skirt.

“Eleanor! Olivia!”

It was just as they were leaving the alley. Usher came running, calling their names from afar. Though her fingertips were cold and her heart trembled with lingering tension, she felt strangely reassured upon seeing Usher. Fear melted away, and she felt as if she could relax and collapse on the spot.

It was the sound of the boundary wall, painstakingly built brick by brick, crumbling.

* * *

The air on the return journey was chilly. Usher and Eleanor, weary-faced, couldn’t speak, and Olivia, aware of her wrongdoing, only darted her eyes around.

In truth, losing a child due to carelessness and then finding them was more common than one might think, but the fact that Cindy, the mother, discovered it was the real problem. Cindy was not someone who would let this matter rest. Her disgrace had almost been exposed without any cover.

“Get out, Olivia.”

It would be a lie to say she wasn’t scared, but it was her fault, so she had to bear it. As soon as the car door opened upon arriving at the front yard of the Claven Duchy, Eleanor got out and helped Olivia exit the car. The parasol she had taken out was long lost, so her hands were free enough to assist Olivia.

“Thank you and I apologize for today, Sir Usher. Please return safely.”

But instead of saying goodbye to Eleanor and Olivia, Usher got out of the car. Eleanor looked at him with a puzzled expression, and Usher smiled tiredly.

“We share the fault, so we should share the responsibility.”

“No, this is entirely my fault…”

Usher shook his head silently and picked Olivia up. With no way to stop his brisk steps, Eleanor had no choice but to follow him with quick steps.

“Welcome back.”

“Is Madame here?”

“She is waiting for Miss Hudson.”

Her heart sank. Eleanor clenched her hand around her skirt. Usher noticed her movement.

“Lead the way.”

Leaving a woman in such a state and telling her to take responsibility was unacceptable. Usher’s words made George blink in surprise, then bow and turn to lead the way. He too thought Cindy might show a slightly softened attitude if Usher stayed.

“Madame, Miss Hudson is here.”

“Bring her in.”

Her voice was cold. Eleanor imagined the worst situation unfolding inside as she stepped into the drawing room.

“I didn’t expect you to come all the way here, Sir.”

“As I said, I also share the fault.”

Cindy, who had been waiting to scold Eleanor, spoke in a sharp voice upon seeing Usher enter the drawing room holding Olivia. Her gaze at Eleanor, as if she were hiding behind him, was even colder.

“Isn’t it disgraceful to neglect your duties and seduce a man to lessen your responsibility?”

“…”

“Logan.”

Cindy wasn’t the only one in the drawing room. Logan, who was leaning against the table, sighed softly. His sigh sounded thunderous. Eleanor closed her eyes tightly, feeling sorry for making Logan, who had been kind to her, look foolish.

“I apologize. I was negligent and failed to properly watch Olivia. It’s my fault, so I will accept any responsibility.”

Eleanor bowed her head and admitted her fault. She clasped her hands together and sincerely apologized. She was ready to accept whatever punishment might come.

“No, I also failed to pay attention…”

“Enough excuses, Usher. Come down, Olivia Claven.”

But instead of yelling at Eleanor, Logan commanded Olivia in his usual voice. Olivia, who had been quietly held in Usher’s arms in the frozen atmosphere, wiggled her feet, and Usher set her down on the floor.

“You did wrong, so you shouldn’t hide.”

“Logan!”

Cindy called Logan’s name, glaring.

“The tutor who neglected her duty bears more responsibility! She even took Olivia out without permission!”

“I gave permission for the outing with Olivia, and today is Miss Hudson’s legitimate holiday.”

Logan raised a hand to stop Cindy’s words and explained clearly. He ignored Cindy’s incredulous expression.

“However, I cannot deny the negligence despite accompanying as a guardian.”