Rebecca’s sudden disappearance had thrown the entire city of Rucadan into chaos. Even ordinary citizens, who had no stake in the matter, sensed an unusual tension in the air during her absence.
Seated inside a carriage heavily guarded by soldiers, Rebecca was escorted toward the Duke’s Manor. She could feel the city’s unease—just look at the soldiers swarming every street. Had her quiet getaway really caused such an uproar? All these troops were clearly searching for her…
Sure enough, the moment Rebecca arrived at the Duke’s Manor, before she could even step inside, Duke Ruta—who had been waiting outside upon hearing the news—pulled her into a tight embrace.
Rebecca froze, feeling the elderly man tremble slightly as he held her. For the first time, a flicker of guilt stirred within her for deceiving him. It no longer mattered whether he truly saw her as a granddaughter or, as Charles claimed, was merely an old man blinded by grief over his lost son. All Rebecca knew now was this: the old man had been terrified of losing her.
“Where have you been?! You had us worried sick!” Kami frowned beside them, now thoroughly convinced Rebecca was the most restless girl she’d ever met—vanishing without a word every time.
“I… went to find medicine…” Rebecca offered the excuse she’d rehearsed on the road.
Duke Ruta finally loosened his hold, scanning her up and down. He didn’t seem to care where she’d gone—only that she was safe.
“Are you hurt?” he asked, voice tight with worry.
Rebecca shook her head.
“*Medicine*?” Kami arched a skeptical eyebrow.
“Mm… medicine… Grandpa’s sick…” Rebecca met the Duke’s eyes as she spoke. It was the first time she’d called him “Grandpa.” Perhaps it was his genuine concern that moved her. Or maybe her conscience pricked her. Or perhaps she simply thought an old man like him deserved the title.
“You…” Duke Ruta choked up, utterly speechless at the word.
“You can cure Father’s illness?” Mia asked, astonished.
“Probably…”
Though Rebecca’s answer was uncertain, Mia’s hope flared. After all, Rebecca had revived Anna after she’d stopped breathing. The Duke’s illness was a dire threat to the Ruta Family—he was irreplaceable. And Mia, fiercely devoted to her father, had worried endlessly.
Rebecca gave Mia a reassuring smile, then turned to the Duke. She blinked rapidly, took his hand, and whispered, “Grandpa… let’s go home…”
“Y-yes… yes…” Duke Ruta stammered, allowing himself to be led like a child toward the manor gates.
Rebecca’s return shattered the manor’s gloom, replacing it with joy. Laughing heartily, Duke Ruta clasped her hand as they walked to the dining hall. The family had skipped dinner, waiting for her.
“Rebecca, next time you need medicine, tell Grandpa! I’ll send people to find it. A young girl like you shouldn’t wander outside the city alone—it’s dangerous! Never do this again!” Duke Ruta’s stern tone betrayed his lingering fear. With enemies lurking, he’d braced for the worst when she vanished.
“Others… wouldn’t recognize it…” Rebecca knew how primitive this world’s medicine was. How many here would know those specific herbs?
“Wouldn’t recognize it?”
“I… visited apothecaries… herb shops today… none… had it… no one… knew what I meant…” she explained.
“Then tell me next time! I’ll send guards to help you search. But never disappear like this again.” Duke Ruta’s voice softened, though inwardly he ached. He blamed her recklessness on growing up among the Demon Race—she’d never learned proper caution.
“Okay…” Rebecca nodded obediently. *Phew. That worked.*
“Father…” Charles entered, having dismissed the search parties.
Duke Ruta gave a curt nod.
Everyone gathered—even Anna, who’d been resting in her room after hearing of Rebecca’s disappearance. The delayed dinner finally began.
“Rebecca, can you truly cure Father’s illness?” Charles asked immediately, having heard rumors from the servants.
“I… should be able to…” She’d invented the medicine excuse after being caught outside the city. But seeing the Duke’s raw worry, she’d resolved to heal him. Still, heart conditions were tricky here, with no advanced tools. She couldn’t promise miracles.
Charles showed no reaction to her vague answer.
“Oh, is that so?” he replied flatly—a stark contrast to Mia’s excited state. Rebecca sensed it instantly: Charles didn’t doubt out of indifference. He cared *too* deeply. He didn’t trust her.
How could he? Rebecca was a stranger claiming to cure the Ruta Family’s most vital pillar. With her origins unclear, suspicion was inevitable.
But the others, overjoyed by Rebecca’s return, missed Charles’s cold demeanor. They bombarded her with questions, undeterred by her halting speech.
“Rebecca, where did you find this medicine? If apothecaries don’t carry it, would it even grow wild?” Carina dragged her chair beside Rebecca, clinging to her arm.
“Silly Carina! Apothecaries get their herbs from the wild too!” Anna sighed.
“Really?” Carina blinked, utterly blank.
“*Really?* Did you think herbs sprouted from shop shelves?”
Carina nodded earnestly.
Anna shot her a look that said, *This can’t be my sister.*
“Rebecca, I’ve finished your enrollment at Hobi Academy. I came today to tell you—but you vanished again! Now I haven’t even gone home!” Kami huffed, torn between exasperation and relief.
“Enrollment?” Rebecca knew she’d attend Hobi Academy eventually, but not so soon.
“Yes! You start the day after tomorrow~ Study hard, okay?” Kami grinned.
Rebecca glanced at Duke Ruta’s kind face—she’d promised him this. She nodded. “Okay.”
“Eat up~ It’s late. Everyone must be starving~” Mia urged the chattering girls to focus on dinner.
“Yes, yes~” Carina made a silly face.
The meal passed in warm, peaceful chatter.
…
“Investigate Rebecca’s whereabouts today in detail. She claims she visited apothecaries—verify it at every shop in the city. I want to know if she’s lying.” Charles left the dining hall first. In his study, he summoned his most trusted aide and issued the order with a sharp command.
“Yes, sir!”
