The Abandoned Princess, Yet She Is Loved - Chapter 99

“Vladimir hiding troops in the Reinhardt territory… who would’ve thought…”

 

Rubens let out a sigh.

 

“You’ve brought us incredibly valuable information, Madam. It’s staggering. You must have been in great danger…”

 

“No, I was fine. I had help from the Imperial Knights.”

 

Grace replied with a gentle smile.

 

She explained everything she had seen at Castle Reinhardt to Rubens. Then, she handed over the letter she had copied by hand at the castle and the map of the basement she had drawn from memory after returning.

 

Rubens examined the letter and let out a heavy sigh.

 

The script used in the letter was an archaic form of formal writing that hadn’t been in common use for centuries. Only some nobles occasionally used it for secret communications.

 

“I can’t believe they were using this script to communicate…”

 

“It’s a script that’s not easily readable, especially not by commoners. I figured they probably had a maid manage the correspondence, since it’s not something a noble would want to be seen with.”

 

Frederick chimed in.

 

The letter detailed plans for how many troops the Bahorn Empire would deploy at different points in time. It also included a list of supplies and budgets necessary to manage the soldiers and wage war.

 

The planned attack on the imperial palace by Vladimir was scheduled for roughly three months later. A slight delay in uncovering this information would have left them completely defenseless. Realizing this, cold sweat trickled down Rubens’ back.

 

“We can’t pinpoint the exact location of the portal connecting Castle Reinhardt’s basement to the imperial palace, but it appears to be somewhere in the west… If we search thoroughly, we should be able to find it. I’ll issue orders to the Mage Tower right away.”

 

“Once we identify the location, I’ll have the Imperial Knights stationed nearby permanently.”

 

“Please do.”

 

Rubens, replying to Frederick, turned his gaze back to Grace.

 

“But how did you manage to draw such a vivid and accurate map after only seeing it once?”

 

“Well… I’ve just been drawing for a long time. I guess it comes naturally.”

 

Grace lowered her gaze and answered shyly.

 

“I knew you were talented, but this is truly remarkable. I won’t forget this contribution. Frederick, is there anything else to report?”

 

“Do you remember when I mentioned the temple seemed suspicious? About the children who escaped a facility on temple grounds and gave testimony?”

 

“Ah, yes. They said they were being imprisoned… and their blood was being drawn, right? Were you able to investigate? Last I heard, it was difficult to move in because it’s temple property.”

 

“I’ve posed as a noble patron. I plan to visit the facility soon under that guise.”

 

“Good. Report back immediately with anything you find.”

 

Rubens placed the letter and map on his desk and gave a faint smile.

 

“I’m truly glad I called you and your wife to the capital. Even if you weren’t so thrilled about it.”

 

“Well… It happened. Can’t be helped.”

 

“Just hang in there a little longer—for the empire. Can I count on you?”

 

“Do I have a choice?”

 

Frederick answered bluntly. He hated being dragged into troublesome matters, but when the fate of the empire was at stake, he had no room to complain.

 

“Please, endure a little longer—at least until Vladimir is dealt with.”

 

“I’ll return to my estate when it’s over. No more after that.”

 

“I promise. If it weren’t for that bastard, I would’ve let you live peacefully out in the countryside.”

 

Rubens nodded solemnly.

 

“But thanks to this, I’ve also discovered what an amazing woman your wife is.”

 

“…Thank you.”

 

Grace replied in a tiny voice, her face still flushed bright red.

 

“You’ve done enough. Frederick and I will take care of things from here.”

 

“Yes, I understand.”

 

I’m glad I could help…

 

Grace felt a warm sense of pride in her chest. When she thought about copying the letter in secret, or the terrifying moment she had to flee after being discovered, it still made her dizzy.

 

She couldn’t quite believe she had stormed such a vast castle all by herself. But in exchange for that courage, she had gained critical information. Any trace of her recent hardships had already melted away.

 

 

The orphanage looked utterly ordinary.

 

A yard full of flowers and grass, red-brick buildings, and a clean, beige-toned interior—there was nothing that set it apart from a regular family home.

 

“Welcome, Your Grace. Madam.”

 

As Frederick and Grace entered, the head nun and other sisters greeted them politely.

 

“Thank you for visiting. The support you provided last time helped us in ways I can’t even describe.”

 

“It was just a small gesture.”

 

“How could you call that amount small? We’re grateful beyond words.”

 

The head nun bowed deeply to Frederick, practically gushing.

 

“Is that so? We brought some snacks for the children in the carriage. Would you be able to hand them out later?”

 

“Thank you, Your Grace! I’ll have the workers bring them in. Please, let me show you around inside.”

 

Frederick and Grace followed the head nun up the stairs.

 

As they stepped into the upper floor hallway, children came into view. Their ages varied—some were as young as two or three, while others looked well past ten.

 

“How many children are here?” Grace asked.

 

“Around eighty. We used to have more, but there’s been a rise in adoptions recently.”

 

The head nun turned to the children.

 

“Children, come greet our patrons.”

 

“Hello!”

 

The children bowed in unison at the nun’s command.

 

“This is Duke Winstaine. He’s one of the few Swordmasters on the continent.”

 

“Whoa…”

 

The children’s eyes grew wide. They seemed to have a general idea of what a Swordmaster was.

 

“This is where the children stay,” the head nun said as she opened one of the doors along the hall. Inside was a neat bedroom with four beds, a wardrobe, and a small table.

 

“Four children per room.”

 

“It’s quite comfortable. The space is generous, too.”

 

“Yes. We do our best to raise the children in a clean and pleasant environment. It’s all thanks to kind patrons like Your Grace.”

 

The head nun answered with a benevolent smile. No one would suspect she played a role in sending children to their deaths.

 

“Do you get many visitors?”

 

“Not too many, aside from patrons like yourselves. Oh, we’ll actually be gathering all the children in the large hall soon. Someone’s coming to adopt today.”

 

It was just as the escaped children had testified. A noble patron would visit and take one of them away under the guise of adoption.

 

“Is that so? Do they already know which child they’re adopting?”

 

“It’s not predetermined, but it’s usually a child between four and eight years old.”

 

“Do adoptions happen often?”

 

“Not usually, but in the past few years it’s become more frequent. I think it’s because people believe the temple does a good job of raising the children.”

 

While Frederick conversed with the nun, Grace cast a glance out the window. A carriage was approaching the orphanage.

 

That must be it.

 

Grace gave Frederick a subtle nod to indicate the carriage. That’s the one. It’s here to take a child.

 

Frederick gave a small nod in return.

 

“What kind of criteria do people use when choosing children to adopt?”

 

Grace smoothly re-entered the conversation to avoid alerting the nun.

 

“It varies widely… but boys tend to be more favored, since many adopt to continue their family line. Younger children are generally preferred, too.”

 

“I see.”

 

“But girls are popular as well. They’re quiet and obedient…”

 

“Are there more boys here? Or girls?”

 

Grace continued talking to the head nun, deliberately keeping her attention focused, so she wouldn’t notice Frederick slowly slipping away and heading toward the stairs.

 

“Well then, let me show you the next area—”

 

The head nun, in the middle of their tour, suddenly looked to the side in confusion. Duke Winstaine was gone.

 

“Oh, where did His Grace go?”

 

“Hmm? I guess he went upstairs to see more of the children’s rooms.”

 

Grace smiled innocently as if she knew nothing.

 

“Maybe we were chatting too much. I’ll go find him. Oh… but I’m a bit thirsty.”

 

“Oh dear, I’ll prepare some tea and light refreshments for you. Let’s meet in the first-floor drawing room.”

 

“Yes, that sounds lovely.”

 

The head nun went downstairs to prepare tea. Grace stood quietly in the hallway for a moment—then descended the stairs.

 

But she wasn’t heading to the drawing room.