When Baron Bruno agreed to meet me, Logan and I were both taken aback.
Logan, in particular, stated that he had no idea he would respond to the letter he had sent because of what had happened previously.
Logan asked me if I really didn’t want to go with him. I shook my head.
“Let’s hurry up and get permission.”
Logan gave me a few gentle pats on the back. It was none other than Lucas I needed to ask for permission from.
“You’re going to meet Baron Bruno?”
Lucas appeared distressed. He sent a questioning look towards Logan, who was standing behind me.
It appeared almost as though he was accusing him of failing to stop me. I coughed lightly and pretended not to notice that look before speaking softly.
“I need to ask Baron Bruno a question regarding Sophia Bruno’s disappearance.”
“And you believe I’ll permit you to do that?”
“But……”
It was true that meeting Baron Bruno simply because Sophia Bruno had gone missing didn’t make sense.
Furthermore, ever since hearing Lucas’ conversation with Duke Bluea, I’ve found it difficult to deal with him.
No, I’m not the only one. My three older brothers are probably in the same situation. Logan, who was behind me, said in a light voice as I paused.
“Let them meet.”
“Logan Riley. Are you on her side?”
“Baron Bruno might be able to help, you know.”
Logan’s words caused Lucas to sigh. I cast a quick glance Logan’s way.
What possibly could Baron Bruno help with? Lucas ran a hand through his textured orange hair.
“Then shall we have Baron Bruno in the Grand Duchy?”
“Well, that’s kind of…”
I shook my head.
“Father is sick, so we can’t just call someone else for no reason.”
Lucas, who had been contemplating, finally agreed to let us meet at a villa in Conler, which was close to the castle and had knights guarding it, so it would be safe. Baron Bruno said I could choose the rendezvous point, so I don’t think he would object.
There was no more stopping me from meeting Baron Bruno now that I had Lucas’s approval.
I didn’t believe there were any.
“Sister, please take me with you.”
Rex had heard that I was meeting Baron Bruno and came to see me. I wasn’t thrilled about Rex meeting Baron Bruno.
In the original story, he succumbed to Baron Bruno’s plot and turned evil. Rex would have left Conler castle by now, making all the preparations to be a villain. He’s still here, though, so perhaps he won’t end up being a villain after all.
“Well, wouldn’t that be a bit…”
I couldn’t help but have a bad feeling. Even though I knew it would be dangerous, I couldn’t say no.
“I want to know, too, why Sofia Bruno disappeared.”
“I’ll come and tell you.”
“I want to hear it directly.”
“I can impersonate Baron Bruno well.”
“Impersonate?”
Rex responded to what I said for the first time, whether or not he was aware of my hesitation in bringing him along.
It’s really suffocating. Why are kids these days so scary?
“If it’s because you don’t trust me…….”
“No, who else can I trust if I don’t trust Rex?”
“So take me with you. Baron Bruno might be able to talk more comfortably because I threat.…talk to him like last time.”
Rex looked at me with sparkling eyes. I thought I could see why Lucas let out such a deep sigh when he gave me permission.
So this is what it feels like when you finally have to give in and lose to someone who you can’t communicate with…
“Okay, come with me.”
That’s how Rex ended up joining me.
Baron Bruno wants to see me as soon as possible.
The three brothers were very suspicious and protested vehemently, but I felt a strange sincerity in the letter that I couldn’t place.
Perhaps it’s my meager sympathy for Baron Bruno. He had lost his daughter after all.
The three brothers told me to reconsider until the moment I left, but a no-show on the scheduled day would be the worst. In addition, I myself had way too many questions.
If it was possible, Baron Bruno wanted to speak with me alone. He stated that he did not wish to speak in front of others. Instead, the door would be left unlocked, and the knights would be stationed there. Rex will be there too. So that if I ever need assistance, Rex can go outside and open the door.
“You’re here.”
Baron Bruno, who I hadn’t seen in a while, was incredibly frail.
Just displaying Marquis Bruno’s face would be sufficient to explain what it means to be “skin and bones” to someone.
Even though I already found his face to be a little intimidating, it now appeared so pale that it was a little frightening. I greeted him nervously.
“Hello… Sir.”
Baron Bruno quietly stared at me as I greeted him in a trembling voice. It felt strange to meet his gaze head-on.
His eyes were filled with a sorrow that could only come from someone who had felt great regret.
Baron Bruno suddenly knelt down in front of me as he kept those eyes fixed on me.
“Why, why are you doing this?”
“Please save my daughter. I beg you!”
“What?”
Taken aback by Baron Bruno suddenly kneeling down, I looked at Rex for help. Rex and I tried to help him up from his seat, but he didn’t move. He just kept his head down. I thought he might be crying, because I could hear him sobbing.
Rex shook his head with a cold expression as if he felt my resolve weaken.
“Please forgive me for all the disrespect I have shown to the Grand Princess. It’s all because I’m a despicable father. What did my child do wrong? She used to be such a nice kid…….”
Typically, a child is innocent, right?
Not all fathers would say that…….
As I looked at Rex, who was standing beside me and giving me a concerned look, Duke Bluea came to mind
It made me realize how much Baron Bruno loved his daughter. But really… If you think your daughter is precious, you should think that other people’s children are precious too.
“What can I do to help?”
However, my heart grew weaker once more as I listened to Marquis Bruno’s fervent plea.
Marquis Bruno must have something important to say, for him to go to such lengths, even kneeling before me.
“It’s all because of that bastard.”
“……bastard?”
“You must speak politely.”
Rex, who was sitting next to me, spoke in an abruptly serious tone. Your sister isn’t the nicest person in the world.
Marquis Bruno muttered something while displaying a furious expression.
“I was fooled. I shouldn’t have believed them, the ones who turned Jessica into that……. The same bastards who turned my sister, my wife, and my daughter into……!”
“What do you mean?”
Baron Bruno kept mumbling words I couldn’t understand. Rex and I looked at each other in bewilderment.
Why did he start mentioning his sister so suddenly? Baron Bruno, who had been muttering something to himself, suddenly raised his head and looked at me.
“I shouldn’t have fallen for their tricks. I need to bring back Sophia! Please bring Sophia back. That Tia Bluea……!”
After mentioning Tia Bluea, Baron Bruno suddenly stiffened like a rigid figure.
He then stumbled forward. Rex and I were so taken aback that we shook Baron Bruno’s body.
“Baron, Baron, Get up.”
“I’ll get some people outside!”
When Rex tried to turn the doorknob, it remained stuck. It shouldn’t be locked. Rex pounded on the door, screaming for anyone to come in.
Baron Bruno collapsed. I continued to shake him, but he did not wake up. His body was as solid as a rock.
“Don’t worry. He’s not dead.”
I heard a familiar voice in front of me.
The words were not reassuring. My hand that had been shaking Baron Bruno to wake up was now trembling.
“It’s been a while. I followed Bruno because he said he was going to see you. I’ve been in contact with him for quite some time, so our wavelengths are aligned.”
“X…”
“Wow, you remember me?”
X was grinning from ear to ear. It was a mischievous smile I saw at the hunting ground.
