Chapter 37

Daphne’s father was still alive when the position of heir passed to Baldwin. Ryan had assumed the title was transferred naturally to the younger brother after the death of the eldest, but this was a completely different story.

“May I ask why the heir was changed?”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can speak about that. It’s a very sensitive topic…”

As expected, Marianne shook her head and refused to answer. Since he hadn’t expected a different response, Ryan did not press further. Instead, he decided he would have his subordinates investigate this matter more thoroughly.

“If you’re truly curious, why not ask Lady Daphne directly?”

“Me… ask her?”

Ryan widened his eyes at Marianne’s unexpected suggestion.

Even if he did ask, would she tell him the truth?

“Yes. Lady Daphne rarely opens up to others, but I feel she might tell you, Sir Knight.”

Unlike Ryan, who was doubtful, Marianne nodded with certainty.

“You may not realize it yet, but Lady Daphne likes you very much.”

Of course, it seems Daphne herself doesn’t realize that.

Marianne whispered this like a shared secret and smiled gently.

* * *

Dublin Sinclair.

The eldest son of the previous Count Sinclair and once designated heir to the Sinclair family. With a kind nature and intelligence, he was expected to become a great Count, and many had high hopes for him.

Unfortunately, a few years ago, he and his wife were involved in an unexpected carriage accident and died suddenly at the young age of thirty-six. The position of heir then passed to his younger brother, Baldwin Sinclair, and the following year, upon the passing of the former Count Sinclair, Baldwin inherited the title.

This was the story Ryan had heard and believed to be true.

It was a story that made sense, and everything seemed reasonable. So when Ryan first heard it, he had no doubts.

Until he happened to learn from Marianne that it wasn’t true.

“……”

Daphne had fallen asleep while reading on the lounge sofa.

Ryan was sitting on the lounge sofa, arms folded, leaning deeply against the backrest, one ankle resting quietly atop his opposite knee. Across from him, Daphne lay curled up, having dozed off while reading.

Her expression looked much calmer than before. Ryan watched her with a rather serious face.

‘But I can say this house is the only property Lady Daphne inherited from her late parents. It’s filled with memories of living with them when they were alive.’

He recalled the conversation he’d had with Marianne not long ago.

‘It was Baldwin Sinclair, his younger brother, who inherited the family. When her father left the mansion and came to this house, he was no longer the heir.’

So when they moved to this house, he was no longer the heir.

Ryan frowned as he mulled over the problematic part.

If Dublin Sinclair was still alive when Baldwin became heir, then why? What happened in Hillsboro at that time?

Tap, tap.

Lost in thought, Ryan drummed his long fingers on the side table beside the sofa.

In Westro’s noble society, unless there was a serious flaw that would disgrace the family, it was customary for the eldest legitimate son to inherit the family. Moreover, to revoke the rights of an heir required a very complicated legal process, and families that changed heirs midway were often labeled as ‘unprincipled and capricious.’

For this reason, unless there was truly no other choice, the designated heir was usually not replaced. Even Hubert, the heir to the Pemburke family, lived recklessly without much fear of consequences for this very reason.

Yet the previous Count Sinclair changed his heir. This meant there was a significant reason, enough to endure all the trouble of doing so.

Could it be that Dublin Sinclair had a serious flaw?

His thoughts continued to spiral.

Or maybe there was some internal reason that forced him to step down and give the heirship to his brother.

Ryan’s rhythmically moving fingers stopped. No matter how much he pondered alone, he always arrived at the same conclusion.

Dublin Sinclair.

Ryan needed more information about him.

But how could he get the information he wanted?

Ryan’s gaze shifted toward the window.

Should he have his subordinates investigate the matter again?

He thought of the three Knights who had come here with him. They had all served him since he was a young master, and were recognized not only as knights but also as capable aides.

So, after hearing Marianne’s story, Ryan immediately ordered them to investigate the matter in detail. He had no doubt they would bring him the information he wanted soon.

But—

‘We tried to learn more about Dublin Sinclair, but unfortunately, there is almost no information available. We checked the records, but most were severely damaged, as if someone deliberately erased all traces of his existence.’

A few days later, the results they brought were disappointing.

‘We also tried to get information from villagers and Sinclair family employees, but that was very limited. The people here are very wary of outsiders, and when the name Dublin Sinclair is mentioned, they would immediately become serious and leave. It seemed as if they were watching out for someone.’

‘…….’

‘Of course, if you wish, we can dig deeper. There’s no such thing as a secret that can’t be uncovered, and there are many ways to make people talk.’

Seeing Ryan’s dissatisfied expression, they quietly added this. They didn’t say it openly, but it was essentially a request to use methods that couldn’t be discussed publicly.

Ryan hesitated.

As they said, there was no perfect secret in the world. No matter how well hidden, if you dig and dig, eventually something will show. The only difference is how much time and effort you have to invest to find that gap.

If he allowed his subordinates to use force, the investigation would become much more effective and easier than before. He wasn’t hesitating because he didn’t know this.

‘If you’re truly curious, why not ask Lady Daphne directly?’

Marianne’s words echoed in his mind again.

‘You may not realize it yet, but Lady Daphne likes you very much.’

Ryan turned his head to look at Daphne, sitting on the sofa.

Her head was turned to the side, lips slightly parted, her body slumped in sleep. The book she had been reading still lay open on her lap.

“……”

Ryan stared at Daphne for a moment, then got up and approached her. He removed the book from her lap and adjusted her posture so she could sleep more comfortably.

“Mm…”

Daphne shifted slightly at Ryan’s touch, but fortunately did not wake.

He propped up a cushion and covered her with a thin blanket, then knelt beside the sofa, quietly watching her sleep.

She breathed softly, sleeping soundly, her posture so relaxed she seemed completely defenseless. It was a side of her different from her usual self, who openly expressed a wide range of emotions and tossed him around.

Ryan gently tucked Daphne’s hair behind her ear. The strands felt thin and soft as silk beneath his fingertips.

“Daphne.”

Ryan looked down at her face and whispered her name.

“Daphne…”

She had grumbled about why he wouldn’t call her by name even after she’d given permission. Now, so she wouldn’t notice, he said it quietly, secretly.

Daphne Sinclair.

She was a woman who, by every measure, didn’t suit someone like him, whose marriage was discussed with royal ladies.

If Hubert hadn’t insisted he attend the ball. If Edvian hadn’t asked him to go to Hillsboro, their paths would never have crossed.

Even if they had met, she was someone he would have passed by without a glance.

From the moment Ryan realized he was drawn to Daphne, he constantly battled with himself. At first, he denied the feeling, then tried to convince himself, and now he was at the stage of compromise, thinking a fleeting emotion wasn’t a big problem.

In keeping with the reputation of the McClift family.

Just as his predecessors had always done.