Encounter.

Though briefly flustered by her father’s words, Sauvel was already trying to calm herself, taking a slow breath.

…Wait. Why would Raffilia, someone who should never be leaving the manor, be the one swept away? What happened to the household staff?

The Vanklyft Family employs only seasoned, battle-trained servants.

And it’s daytime now. To slip past them all and take Raffilia—this person must be something beyond belief. Reality snapped back into focus, and Sauvel regained her composure.

I saw only a single child leaving the manor by herself. There was no one else with her.

Around her, the others looked confused—what did that even mean?—but her father urged Van to explain in detail.

“The voice I heard was that of beasts trying to snatch the girl who carried the medicine. I followed their trail, intending to wipe them out completely. I wanted to know where their stronghold was.”

Van spoke as if it were obvious. Sauvel and the others went utterly still—eyes wide, expression drained.

Father’s brow furrowed, already thinking the enemy had moved. I felt my grip tighten on him, panic clawing at my ribs. He noticed, pulled me closer with a firm, comforting squeeze. His hand rubbed my back. Just a little less afraid now.

“They started as two, but one joined them later. They’d been searching around the estate when a child suddenly came out from behind—alone.”

“…No way.”

“The child was heading toward town. Right after that, they were taken. Since it wasn’t the princess they took, we came straight here to report it to Lord Lovell.”

"Why aren’t you helping!? A child’s been taken!!?"

"I’m a spirit. And the princess’s guardian. Why should I save a human child? If the princess had been taken, I’d have torn that human apart on the spot."

Van’s dismissive words made Sauvel’s face crumple in despair.

He stood there, fists clenched, unsure where to direct his rage.

"Why did Raffilia go out alone? Or… could she even leave the estate? Is that really Raffilia…?"

"Raffilia? I saw a child. Just a human girl."

"...Could’ve been a messenger from the manor. Let’s go back and check!"

Sauvel turned to leave in a hurry, but his father stopped him, saying calmly, "The manor’s just a teleport away. Stay calm."

"Albert and Kai, take the carriage back to the manor. We’ll follow shortly."

"Wait! Let us come with you too!"

"Stay put until you get back. We’re just checking if Raffilia’s here. Got it?"

Albert and the others reluctantly nodded, silenced by their father’s blunt command.

"Alright, then, Sauvel. Let’s go."

"Yes, my lord. Please."

With me cradled in one arm, my father took Sauvel’s hand and vanished back to the manor in an instant.

＊＊＊

"Someone! Is anyone here?!?"

The frantic shout from Sauvel sent Lauren and the other maids scrambling into the great hall. Their wide eyes and trembling hands betrayed their fear—something was seriously wrong.

"Master, what’s the matter?"

Lauren blinked, startled by Sauvel’s panic. This wasn’t normal. Not at all.

"Where is Raffilia?! Tell me! Where is she?!?"

"D-don’t know, Master... Miss Raffilia was studying in her room earlier..."

Sauvel dashed toward Raffilia’s room at the maid’s words.

“Raffilia! Where are you, Raffilia!!”

He flung open the door after door, slamming them open one after another.

Even Lauren and the others seemed to notice something was off about Sauvel’s behavior.

“Everyone, split up and search for the young mistress!”

“Y-yes!!”

The maids ran off one after another, rushing into room after room.

People gathered, curious. The entire household scoured the manor for Raffilia, but there was no sign of her.

＊＊＊

Sauvel clutched his head, grinding his teeth.

He was trying desperately to keep his rage under control. When he heard Raffilia had been taken, Aria had collapsed.

The air in the room felt thick. No one dared speak.

Father had told Sauvel not to act rashly—wait until Albert returned. In the meantime, he’d promised Sauvel he’d mobilize every spirit to search for Raffilia.

“I… I’m sorry… I’m so sorry…”

I was mistaken for Raffilia… and she was taken instead.

I don’t know how to handle Sauvel’s fury.

All I can think is how I wish I hadn’t made that medicine.

Sauvel noticed me trembling, and suddenly snapped back to himself.

“Ah… Elen… I’m sorry… It’s not your fault… Don’t cry…”

“Ugh… uuu…”

I couldn’t stop sobbing, and Sauvel pulled me into his arms.

“I’m just glad you’re safe, Elen. The people are alive because of the medicine you made. The ones who took Raffilia—they’re the guilty ones. Not you, Elen.”

"But... but... it's because I made this medicine... that..."

"Elen, don't regret it. Please... don't regret it..."

Sauvel cried out in anguish, his voice breaking—otherwise, the reason Raffilia had been taken would vanish entirely.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry, Uncle..."

Clinging tightly to Sauvel’s chest, I burst into tears, sobbing uncontrollably.

Just then, the maid stepped in, having politely declined to speak earlier.

"What is it? What's wrong?"

The maid, steeling herself at my father’s prompting, finally spoke.

"Before the young lady disappeared... a letter arrived from the Prince... addressed to her..."

At the maid’s words, both Sauvel and I snapped our heads up, staring at her in shock. My father frowned, puzzled.

"Why would the Prince send a letter to Raffilia?"

"Madam and the Prince have been meeting regularly as playmates for about four years now. Lately, letters from the Prince have become more frequent than his visits to the estate..."

"Impossible... you're saying the Prince is the one who took Raffilia?"

"Wait. You're saying the Royal Family is after Elen's medicine?"

The feud between the Vanklyft Family and the Royal Family wasn't something easily explained.

But this was a mistake. I never thought the Royal Family would go so far just to get their hands on the Vanklyft medicine.

"...So you're saying they targeted me when I was called to the Prince's presence?"

My father nodded in agreement.

"Can't say why he summoned you, but that's the likeliest explanation... Hey, Van!"

Father shouted toward the sky, and Van appeared instantly.

"Sir?"

"Any rumors floating around about the word 'Prince'?"

"Yeah, they’re whispering around somewhere, poking about like they’ve got a nose for trouble."

Father’s eyes snapped open at Van’s words.

"Here? In the estate?"

"Indeed. They said they’re investigating the princess’s medicine."

Van had caught those specific words on the breeze.

"Vanclift," "princess," "medicine." He’d singled out the ones tied to Elen, double-checking every time.

Sauvel’s face lit up instantly.

"Where?! Where is he?! Show me now!!"

I didn’t miss it—the brief flash of shock in Van’s eyes, the sudden vertical pupils, the sudden burst of ears and tail flaring from head and spine, fur puffing up like a startled cat.

＊＊＊

Gadiel and the others were整理ing the information they’d picked up at the inn when they stiffened at the furious shout coming from below.

“…What’s that?”

“Could there be a fight down there?”

The guards were murmuring among themselves when one of them, Troke, said he’d check and headed for the door.

*Thud!* The door exploded open.

Troke slashed the flying door in half with a single, swift motion of his sword. The others instantly shoved Gadiel behind them and drew their blades.

Only Gadiel and Hume stood frozen, stunned by the sudden turn of events.

Through the split door, Troke caught sight of their attacker.

It was Van, lord of the Vanklyft Family—his face twisted in fury, eyes blazing with murderous intent. Troke’s breath hitched.

"……Lord Van of the Vanklyft Family, to commit such a desecration..."

"Shut up! You’ve kidnapped my daughter. Give her back. Now. Right now!!!"

The crowd stared, bewildered, at Sauvel’s furious expression.

"……Daughter? Kidnapped...? Raffilia?"

Gadiel frowned, confused.

"Playing dumb, are we?!"

Enraged, Sauvel drew his sword. The air instantly thickened with tension. At that moment—

"Uncle, noooo!!!"

I teleported in, throwing myself at Sauvel and clinging to him desperately.

"She’s not here! The spirits confirmed it!! So please, Uncle, calm down!!"

Clutching Sauvel’s neck tightly, I felt him flinch, his eyes darting, thrown off balance.

"...Not here? Raffilia isn’t here?"

Sauvel collapsed to his knees, as if his strength had vanished. I called out desperately, "Uncle, uncle, please stay with me!"

But suddenly, a dazed voice sounded from behind.

...Elen? Is that really you, Elen?

I know that voice.

That voice… I’ve been listening from behind the stone monument all along.

That voice—always saying how much they’d wanted to see me. How sorry they were. Just once more, they said. Just one more time, please.

I was crying every time I heard a pleading voice.

I turn around, startled, and there’s Gadiel—almost nothing left of the boy I first met, grown now.