When I rushed over, startled by the scream, Seo Yeon was already gone.

Lucy wore an expression as if she had no idea what had happened, and Reidox, who had come running at the sound of the scream, sank down in stunned disbelief.

Sikar Blake couldn’t bring himself to tell Kian Blake, who was still confused about what was going on, that Seo Yeon had vanished.

Kian was a king so astute he might even demand to know whether his own mother could vanish next.

Sikar only told Kian that the maid Seo Yeon had collapsed, greatly startling Lucy, and for her peace of mind, she had been sent ahead to the Marquis’s residence.

“I wish my nanny were my real mom. When you get all better, I’ll call you Mom. So you mustn’t die. Okay? You have to come back alive. Hmm? Nanny… please…”

It was said that Lucy, thinking Seo Yeon might die while Reidox was momentarily away comforting Luid, spoke those words believing it might be her last chance.

But at that precise moment, Seo Yeon vanished completely.

Sikar, having witnessed Lucy’s memory, said Seo Yeon had suddenly evaporated, just as Gillian had claimed.

Even Sikar, who rarely showed surprise, was so shocked he kept repeating that Seo Yeon had vanished as though erased by an eraser—leaving not even a wisp of smoke behind.

Sikar was quite shaken upon confirming Seo Yeon had truly disappeared.

The moment I confirmed Gillian’s words were true, I too was struck by indescribable shock.

Since we couldn’t reveal to others that Seo Yeon had vanished, the tournament was halted under the pretense that Lucy had been deeply frightened.

Lucy, having witnessed someone vanish right before her eyes, eventually fainted.

“Lu. Why is Lady Lucy like this?!”

Kian, alarmed, asked as he looked at the unconscious Lucy.

Reidox, his face grim, lifted Lucy into his arms and said,

“The nanny who cared for her was struck by an arrow, which frightened her terribly. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll withdraw for today to ensure Lucy’s peace of mind.”

Concerned for Lucy, Kian acquiesced to Reidox’s decision.

“Please do so.”

The shock Sikar received was greater than I had imagined.

A few days later, Sikar sought out Gillian amidst the chaos.

He said he had left Gillian alive as a precaution—perhaps because Gillian had seen many Easterners, he might hold a clue to the solution.

So, grasping at straws, Sikar went to Gillian, but the man offered no answers.

Sikar returned with a disappointed expression.

“How is the Marquis?”

“He hasn’t returned to work yet…”

To witness Seo Yeon vanish right before one’s eyes—how shocking that must have been.

Lucy and Luid mistakenly believed Seo Yeon’s disappearance was their fault, and Reidox fell into despair.

With Seo Yeon gone, I needed a new maid. It was hard to believe that someone who had been beside me just days ago had suddenly vanished.

“I think I’ll be busy for a while.”

Though Sikar’s expression was very dark, I didn’t yet understand why he would be busy going forward.

“What’s going on?”

“For now, I need to work with Reidox to find a way to bring Seo Yeon back. I could let him do it alone, but since I can view memories, I might gather better information. I’m going to try.”

“You’re trying to find people from the world I lived in?”

“I plan to look for people with black eyes, visit temples, consult sorcerers—I’ll try anything possible.”

If Reidox is searching without regard for obstacles, it must be because he’s that desperate. And Sikar didn’t seem to think of this as someone else’s problem.

“What will you tell the ministers?”

“I’m planning to take temporary leave. In the meantime, Vika Lamberst and Durion will be busier helping out, so please understand.”

“No. Lord Durion and Lord Vika aren’t people I command.”

Apparently, Vika hadn’t been consulted yet, because she suddenly burst into the study and slammed both hands down on the table where we were talking.

“Sikar Blake! You rotten scoundrel! You promised to cancel our pact, yet you’re dumping more work on me?!”

Sikar didn’t even show annoyance; he simply stood up from his seat.

“Circumstances being what they are, you’ll have to bear with it for now.”

“No wonder you agreed so readily to break the contract. I never should’ve trusted you.”

“I’m currently speaking with my wife. Once you’ve finished your complaints, please leave.”

“Then promise me—once this matter is settled, you’ll absolutely cancel the pact.”

Sikar didn’t even glance at the fuming Vika as he replied,

“Fine.”

“This is a promise made before the Lady—you must keep it!”

Vika, seeming satisfied she’d said her piece, huffed again and turned away.

“I was just wondering when our pact with Vika would end. So now you’ve decided to cancel it.”

“I intended to end it amicably, but unintentionally, it’s dragged on. I hope we find a solution soon, so this delay won’t feel meaningless.”

Sikar’s voice, usually so confident, sounded unusually deflated today.

He gently brushed my cheek and said,

“I’ll be busy for a while. But I’ll definitely find a way. If I can find how to bring Seo Yeon back, I might also find how to prevent you from vanishing.”

I gently caressed Sikar’s hand as it touched my cheek.

“You were very shocked, weren’t you?”

Sikar gave a bitter, weary smile.

“For the first time, I truly felt this wasn’t someone else’s problem. You must’ve been shocked too, my Lady? I’ll do my best so you won’t be startled like this again.”

It was impossible not to be shocked when someone you saw every day suddenly vanished before your eyes. But I knew Sikar had been even more shocked than I was.

“Don’t push yourself too hard.”

“Even giving my all might not be enough, yet you tell me not to push myself? Please understand if I’m busy for a while. By the way, have you found a new maid?”

“No… not yet…”

Sikar kissed my forehead and stood up.

“Find one soon. Even if it’s just another maid, it might ease the emptiness left by Seo Yeon. I’ll be back.”

While Sikar was busy searching for a solution, I too became busy seeking a new maid.

Many nobles volunteered, but none suited my taste.

They were all so desperate to impress me that I found them burdensome.

Amidst this, Hersia came to see me.

“Duchess. I heard the news. They say Lady Seo Yeon resigned as your maid for health reasons and returned to her hometown?”

We had publicly announced Seo Yeon’s absence in this way so anyone could understand it easily.

“Yes. That’s what happened.”

Hersia frowned, her face troubled.

“I hope Lady Seo Yeon regains her health soon… It’s such a pity.”

I couldn’t tell her the problem wasn’t health but disappearance, so I sighed deeply.

“She’ll get better soon.”

Since they said they’d find a way, I had no choice but to believe she’d return.

“I also heard many have applied, yet the Duchess still hasn’t chosen a new maid.”

“Since I must face them daily, I can’t just pick anyone. It’s not easy to find someone as comfortable to be around as Lady Seo Yeon.”

Hersia hesitated briefly, then spoke as if gathering courage.

“It’s indeed very difficult to find someone who understands others’ hearts as well as Seo Yeon did.”

“By the way, Hersia, how is your wedding coming along?”

“The wedding… we’ve postponed it for now because we couldn’t secure an officiant.”

“Could the officiant be…?”

“Yes. We asked the Marquis. Aaron insisted the Marquis must officiate, and I wanted him to as well. So this time, I’m willing to wait. I’ll hold the ceremony once the Marquis’s situation improves.”

Reidox certainly isn’t in any state to officiate right now. But who knows when he’ll recover? Hersia’s wedding seems fraught with adversity.

Then Hersia rummaged through her things and handed me something.

It was a velvet box edged with gold.

“What’s this, Hersia?”

“We found Gillian’s hidden fortune. This is the money you lent me before, plus interest.”

“Did Lady Mobiat give you money too?”

Hersia laughed incredulously, as if even she found it hard to believe.

“Our house originally belonged to Gillian. When he became king, he gave it to us. When we dug beneath the large tree in the garden, we found it filled with all kinds of jewels and gold coins. I thought Mother would take it all, but she gave me half—saying I should use it to marry Aaron.”

What possessed Countess Mobiat to make such a decision? Hersia smiled, as if understanding why I looked so surprised.

“I made the same face you’re making now, at first. But now I understand. Mother is afraid of you, Duchess.”

“Of me?”

“In the recent trial, she paid a huge tax and claimed Gillian’s fortune. Mother believes you know all about it.”

“Hersia, I still can’t understand what my knowledge of the fortune has to do with anything.”

“Mother said you’re honorable—if you found out she took all the money, you’d confiscate it again. That’s why she gave me half. And she insisted I tell you about it.”

Ah. So that was the reason. I see. I thought she’d changed her nature…

I felt sorry for Hersia, speaking so casually about it.

“Hersia…”

“I’m fine. Mother said she never received love from her own mother, so she never learned how to give love.”

Still, it was truly fortunate that Hersia was nothing like that.

“Actually, forget the interest. Take it back.”

When I pushed the box back toward her, Hersia waved her hands vigorously and refused emphatically.

“No! I must give you the interest—it’ll ease my conscience, and Aaron will be pleased too.”

After I vanish, I won’t be able to use the money anyway…

Unconsciously, I had been thinking about vanishing. No. I mustn’t think like that.

“Then I’ll gladly accept it, Hersia.”

Hersia smiled brightly and added,

“Now that we have some financial ease, Aaron will manage the business while I rest.”

Hersia truly looked at peace now.

Though Gillian had thoroughly exploited her, since she received some compensation, she could now smile again.

“That’s wonderful. Congratulations, Hersia.”

“Actually, I’d like to apply to become your maid, Duchess. I want to serve you well in place of Lady Seo Yeon. I’m truly sorry for refusing before.”

If Hersia became my maid, it would be very convenient. But just as I was shocked when Seo Yeon vanished, I worried Hersia would suffer great shock if I disappeared.

So I had no choice but to refuse.

“I’m sorry, Hersia. I must decline.”