Find the One Who Abandoned Me - Chapter 76

Calliope finally took a sip of the now lukewarm tea. Duke Glenn patiently allowed her that brief pause after all, the real conversation was only just beginning.

But the Duke made the first move.

“There are quite a few things I’m curious about,” he said.

“What would you like to know?”

Just as she expected.

“How did you know Otis had been kidnapped? And how did you manage to show up at the Glayderth estate so quickly?”

“Well, doesn’t it strike you as odd? It’s one thing for the young lord to be asleep—but his maid, too? And their carriage just so happened to veer off into a secluded forest where no one ever goes? Anyone would find that suspicious.”

“Fair enough. I know you’re sharp, so let’s let that one slide. But now I have another question.”

“Yes?”

“How did you find Otis before the knights did? The culprit knew the location, so it made sense he got there first—but you shouldn’t have been able to.”

His golden eyes narrowed. There was suspicion behind the words, as if he believed Calliope might have been manipulating things behind the scenes. And in truth, it was hard to believe that a mere temporary deputy and an old coachman had planned such a bold act on their own. From his perspective, it was more reasonable to assume there was someone orchestrating everything behind the scenes.

Unfortunately for him, the truth was far more pathetic: a moody fool had simply overthought everything and attempted a sloppy kidnapping on his own.

Calliope decided to be honest—or at least, honest in her own way.

“I’m not sure how you’ll take this, Your Grace,” she said, setting her teacup down and folding her hands solemnly in her lap.

“But I can see the future.”

Glenn’s mouth twitched.

“…The future?”

“Yes. The future.”

Calliope smiled brightly, as if to say: I’m not lying, I’m not embarrassed, and whether you believe me or not is entirely up to you.

“I was working in my study when I saw a vision—Otis in a carriage with his maid, and then another man appeared. I was so startled, you wouldn’t believe it.”

“…I see.”

Surprisingly, the Duke nodded as if he understood.

“So you’re not going to make it easy for me.”

He gave a short chuckle. It only confirmed what he already suspected: she was not someone to be underestimated.

This young lady’s information network must be far more extensive than I thought, he mused.

He already knew the Anastas family had an excellent network, but this was beyond that. He also knew what kind of experiences Calliope had endured since returning to the capital. Even the mysterious death of Dietron years ago hadn’t sat right with him. Though officially ruled a suicide, it had left more questions than answers.

If she’s not on my side… I’d better be careful.

Calliope, unaware—or unconcerned—with his assumptions, simply smiled politely and commented, “The tea has a lovely aroma.”

Then, picking up the thought she had paused earlier, she reflected on that strangely familiar voice. Glenn… that voice. I’ve heard it recently, haven’t I?

And then, like lightning, a long-buried memory surfaced.

“Ah?”

Glenn looked up. “What is it?”

“Could it be…?”

But she didn’t get to finish the thought. There was a knock at the door.

“Your Grace, an urgent document has arrived.”

That voice… it was familiar too.

And then the man entered—a man she hadn’t expected to see.

“Wait… you—?”

It hit her. That inn. The man she encountered on her way to the Glayderth estate. The voice that had almost slipped from her memory suddenly came rushing back.

‘Oh? So, it was a little lady using our room? I must’ve been speaking too loudly. Didn’t mean to bother you.’

‘Apologies, Miss. That room is one we frequent. It’s usually vacant, so we were just curious. My brother tends to speak before thinking sometimes.’

The red-haired man who had called Glenn his “brother.”

“That man… was you?!”

“Oh? You just realized?” Glenn replied, amused. “I thought you’d figured it out already.”

“How could I? Your face looked completely different!”

“But you’re clever. Clever enough to be my daughter-in-law, even.”

He said it with the exact same tone as he had back at the inn. Calliope rubbed her temple, speechless.

Wait… don’t tell me—

“You were the one who arranged that marriage meeting with Otis?”

“Indeed, I was.”

“…Unbelievable.”

She laughed—half from disbelief, half from pure frustration. What kind of ridiculous conversation had they even had back at the inn? She remembered it being completely trivial. And he had seriously considered her as a match for his son?

While she stood there wide-eyed, Duke Glenn added shamelessly,

“That tea you’re drinking? It’ll taste even sweeter soon. Care to stay for dinner?”

Calliope, caught off guard, frowned slightly. For all his charm, he was clearly the type to enjoy teasing her.

“I’m afraid I have quite a busy evening ahead.”

“I had hoped to discuss what kind of reward might be appropriate for your help.”

“Oh my. I happen to like roasted poultry dishes, if that helps.”

But minds can change quickly. Calliope rose to her feet with elegance, having just hinted at her taste in food as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“Then, while I have some free time, may I take a look around the esteemed Glayderth estate? I’d like to go for a walk.”

“So you’re openly admitting you want to inspect the estate? Bold of you—I like it. I’ll assign someone to escort you.”

“Thank you.”

Glenn turned to his aide and gave an unexpected order.

“Go fetch Otis.”

“…Pardon?”

“Isn’t the young lord busy?” Calliope asked, narrowing her eyes slightly.

Glenn grinned wide.

“You’re only engaged, not married—yet.”

“Hearing you say that makes me want to get married even faster. But fine, I’ll take it as a sign you’re treating me like an honored guest.”

“Of course.”

Calliope couldn’t help smirking. Otis Glayderth always frowned like the mere idea of her was unpleasant, so she doubted the Duke’s intentions would go anywhere.

She stepped out of the reception room with quick, light steps. Susan quietly closed the door behind her.

“Wow… he’s as slippery as a snake, isn’t he? He’s not easy to deal with,” Susan muttered.

“He’s the head of a ducal house. No way he’d be easy.”

“Well, if we’re expected to stay for dinner, we might as well enjoy a stroll in the meantime.”

Then Jack cautiously spoke up.

“Would it be alright if I… took a quick nap somewhere?”

“You mean sleep, you lazy brat. There’s probably a bench in the garden. Go doze off there. I’ll come find you later.”

“There truly is no master like you, My Lady. I’ll serve you with every ounce of devotion I have.”

“Don’t lie. You sleep the moment I turn my back.”

“It’s just a figure of speech. Thank you, My Lady.”

“If you want to keep calling me ‘My Lady,’ drop the fake flattery.”

“Understood.”

Calliope waved him off, then turned to Susan.

“You’re coming with me.”

“Of course.”

She gave Jack a pointed look as she said it. The two of them really had grown close.

Calliope and Susan headed for the garden. The moment Jack spotted a bench, he claimed it without hesitation and was dozing within seconds. Susan sighed and tossed the blanket she’d been carrying over his face.

It was the first time Calliope realized Susan always carried a blanket for Jack.

“You’re surprisingly thoughtful, Susan.”

“If he catches a cold from sleeping in the cold, it’s just more of a headache for me.”

“Ah, so it’s a preventative measure. Very efficient.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

It felt like Susan’s personality had changed a bit too. With that idle thought, Calliope began wandering through the garden.

As expected from one of only two ducal estates in the entire kingdom, the Glayderth garden gleamed like it had been gilded. In the warmth of the season, flowers bloomed in full, and the greenery filled the air with a fresh, fragrant breeze.

She made her way to a flowerbed where bright yellow blossoms stretched in every direction. The flowers were small, but clustered tightly together, they looked like a golden carpet.

“What kind of flower is this? Susan, do you know?”

The answer came from someone else.

“Those are adonis flowers.”

“I see.”

Calliope straightened her posture and gave a polite nod.

“Good afternoon, Lord Glayderth. Have you been recovering well?”

“Thanks to you.”

“I don’t think I can take credit for that.”

“No—I mean it. If you hadn’t come when you did, I’d probably still be in bed.”

“Well… you’re not wrong.”

Calliope took a brief moment to reflect. After that incident, Otis had developed a deep aversion—almost a phobia—toward women, especially any who showed affection toward him.

He’d been unconscious for most of the kidnapping, drugged into a stupor. By the time the knights found him, he’d already heard that Dolly had supposedly abducted him. Since she’d cared for him since he was a child, the betrayal hit hard.

He hadn’t been able to get out of bed for weeks. He rejected any female attendants entirely, and his staff had to be replaced entirely by men. Calliope gave a bitter smile.

If I hadn’t intervened, Dolly would be dead, Otis would still be dealing with severe trauma, and that pathetic deputy would still be living well under the Duke’s roof.

Back then, Otis had practically been terrified of women. Though he eventually recovered enough to manage public duties, right after the incident, he’d been unable to control his anger—even smashing furniture at the mere sight of a woman.

I basically saved him.

She puffed up her chest a little, proud of herself.

“I understand that you’ve earned the right to be proud, My Lady—but please don’t boast about it right in front of me.”

“I’m sure you’re just feeling overwhelmed with gratitude.”

“…Sure.”

Listening to his weak response, Calliope continued her train of thought.

Come to think of it, back then his phobia was so bad he couldn’t even consider an engagement. I wonder if things might go differently this time. It seems… the future is already starting to change.

She studied him for a moment, then stepped off the flower path and walked over to stand beside him.

“Well then, would you be so kind as to give me a little tour of the estate? When else am I going to get a chance to boss around the young lord of House Glayderth?”

“I’m not being bossed around—I’m guiding you.”

“Same thing.”

“More importantly, your aide… Ah. There he is.”

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