The enthusiastic cheers and joyful cries continued. The woman retreated further and turned around hurriedly. At that moment, Kyle’s body moved along with her. The moment he quickly broke away from the procession and ran away, the parade began to move forward again.
“Kyle? Where are you going! Je, Jerome, where are you? Hurry up and catch the Duke!”
Suddenly, Leticia was left alone and panicked. She tried to get out of the carriage to follow her husband, but when the procession started moving again, she was at a loss.
“I’ll go. Everyone, escort the Duchess, and don’t show your presence until the parade is over.”
As the guards on the Trieste side were at a loss, Jerome quickly gave instructions and rode out through the crowd on horseback. The carriage door closed. Left alone again, Leticia stared blankly, her mouth open and her eyes blinking. Her eyes, glued to the glass, scanned the crowd, showing extreme agitation.
“He definitely said Angie. Angie... He called her name!”
Either she resembled Angie or she was the real Angie. Either way, the husband found a woman in the crowd who seemed to be Angie. And without any consideration for the situation, he jumped into the middle of the crowd to find her. In the middle of a royal parade for a state visit, in the middle of a foreign capital, not even Trieste! Without even looking at his wife!
“Crazy... Crazy... How could that be?”
Leticia's hands shook. But the anger didn't last long. A huge wave of anxiety came over her. It couldn't be Angie. It had to be someone like her. It had to be. It had to be. But...
“What if it really is Angie? What if that girl survived the storm and is living in this empty lot...?”
Anxiety and nervousness soon turned into murderous intent. It was an intense emotion that consumed all of them at once: wounded pride, humiliation, shame, and intense anxiety.
Her heart felt like it was going to burst. She felt as if all her life was being sucked out of her through her panting breaths. But Angie didn't stop. She couldn't stop until she entered the house.
She barely made it to Bryn's mansion through a shortcut known only to her, her family, and a few servants. Angie looked back, clutching her exhausted heart. Fortunately, no one was there. She continued her last steps toward the stairs leading to the basement laundry room at the back of the mansion. Bryn, who was sitting on the living room sofa reading a book, suddenly got up.
“Angie! I was going to call someone because it was getting late... Are you okay?”
“Yeah... I ran for a while so I’m out of breath... I’m just a little out of breath. It’s okay.”
Martin, who happened to be from the police station, was also coming out of the nursery. They were both shocked to see Angie, who was staggering as if she would collapse at any moment, her hat disheveled and crooked by the wind.
“Angie! What’s going on?”
The couple helped her up and sat her down on the sofa. Angie drank the water that Bryn had brought her and untied her hat. Her hands were shaking like aspen trees as she took off her wig. Her large eyes were shaking as if they were about to burst into tears.
“The parade should be ending by now. What happened? Surely it wasn’t... something to do with the Duke of Blackwell?”
Angie clenched her fists at Martin's words. She felt scared and anxious all the way home. But when she saw the two worried faces, she strangely felt courage. She wasn't alone. There were people here to protect her and Noah.
“I saw that guy. Kyle... He was in the procession.”
“What? How could that be! He changed his plans at the last minute? There was no change in the cooperation document from the Metropolitan Police Agency...”
“Oh my goodness! But don’t worry. From this moment on, let’s stay home for two weeks. That’s what we decided from the beginning.”
Angie opened her mouth again at Bryn's words, trying to comfort her. There was not a trace of blood in her lips.
“Kyle saw me too.”
Martin and Bryn gasped and opened their eyes wide. They were too surprised to even ask a question. Angie stood up hesitantly and pointed toward the study. A maid could come to the living room and hall at any time.
“I think we should talk quietly among ourselves.”
Just then the door opened and brisk footsteps echoed from the hallway. Angie turned around in surprise. Bryn’s father, Willem van Armitage, was entering, walking in, his usual gentlemanly figure, holding a cane in one hand.
“The parade through the city just ended. Everyone was probably at home, so I came here to tell you the news. But... Why is the atmosphere like this? Did something happen?”
Willem took off his top hat and looked around the room in bewilderment. His only daughter, his son-in-law, and even Angie all looked bewildered.
Thirty minutes later, Angie was sitting on the sofa in the study, holding a cup of herbal tea in each hand. The crib where Patricia and Noah were sleeping had been moved to the side room in the study. It seemed safer to have the baby within arm's reach, at least while they talked.
The four people who finished their story each kept their mouths shut. The heavy red curtains were tightly drawn so that the inside could not be seen at all from the outside.
But the room was not dark, for candles were lit on golden candlesticks on every corner of the wall. It was evening, but it was not yet time for the gas lamps on the street to be turned on. It was Willem who spoke first.
“I haven’t heard anything about any unexpected incidents during the parade. But that’s not surprising. Even if something had happened, they would have pretended not to know and handled it without any trouble.”
“I’ll leave for Lorsha Village tomorrow. I think it would be a good idea to hide there for two weeks before the Trieste delegation completely leaves Vintergar. I’d like to go to Revan, where Grandmother Catherine is, but... When we took the children from the orphanage and shelter on Cullinan Island, we didn’t know their true identities, but just in case. Depending on the situation, I’ll consider moving them to Revan. Lorsha and Revan used to be a few hours apart, but now the roads have been improved, so it only takes about an hour...”
“Um... I agree. If your eyes had actually met, it might have been safer. It might have been that he didn’t recognize Angie, or if he had forgotten her for a long time, that would have been fortunate, but nothing is certain.”
Bryn objected to Martin's agreement.
“Then you’re going to take Noah with you? If it’s Revan, Noah will be fine since he has his grandmother Catherine, but Lorsha is in a completely unfamiliar environment.”
“So, Bryn.”
Angie put down her teacup as if she had made up her mind.
“What are you talking about!”
Bryn grabbed Angie's hand.
“I also think Noah is better off here. The sitter and I will take good care of him as we have always done, and Patty will be with him, so don’t worry about that. But Angie, are you okay? I know that I’m a mother too, and I’m anxious about not seeing my baby for even a day, especially if I have to be away from him in this situation...”
“I’m fine. I’ll just endure it for two weeks. Exactly two weeks.”
Angie forced a smile. As Bryn had said, her heart was already breaking. She had never been away from her baby for even a single day. But she had to think as rationally as possible.
“The Duke’s family doesn’t know about Noah. Not a single person knew about him until we left the island. My mother was the only one who guessed I was pregnant but at that time...”
Angie couldn't continue. She suppressed her agitated emotions again and added:
“So... I don’t think Noah should be by my side just in case.”
If by any chance she were to be caught in Revan Village with Noah, then it would be no different from revealing Noah's existence on her own. Everyone there seemed to understand Angie's feelings and were silent for a moment. Angie broke the solemn atmosphere and continued to speak calmly.
“I’m sorry for bothering everyone... I believe that it won’t happen since Uncle Willem is here, but if something were to happen to Martin and Bryn because of me and Noah...”
“What are you talking about? This is Vintergar, and my Father is the richest businessman in Vintergar and an honorary citizen. I can assure you that we are safe.”
Bryn shook her head sharply, contradicting Angie's words. Then she asked again in a softened voice as if she was still worried.
“So, why can’t Angie stay here instead of going to Revan? Just stay at home...”
“No, Bryn. With the workers coming and going all the time, Angie won’t be able to rest until the house itself is completely shut down.”
“It’s exactly as Martin said. Then I’ll leave tomorrow morning. And there’s one last thing I’d like to ask you...”
Angie paused for a few seconds and then spoke calmly.
“If anything happens to me... I’ll leave Noah to you.”
“Kyle? Where are you going! Je, Jerome, where are you? Hurry up and catch the Duke!”
Suddenly, Leticia was left alone and panicked. She tried to get out of the carriage to follow her husband, but when the procession started moving again, she was at a loss.
“I’ll go. Everyone, escort the Duchess, and don’t show your presence until the parade is over.”
As the guards on the Trieste side were at a loss, Jerome quickly gave instructions and rode out through the crowd on horseback. The carriage door closed. Left alone again, Leticia stared blankly, her mouth open and her eyes blinking. Her eyes, glued to the glass, scanned the crowd, showing extreme agitation.
“He definitely said Angie. Angie... He called her name!”
Either she resembled Angie or she was the real Angie. Either way, the husband found a woman in the crowd who seemed to be Angie. And without any consideration for the situation, he jumped into the middle of the crowd to find her. In the middle of a royal parade for a state visit, in the middle of a foreign capital, not even Trieste! Without even looking at his wife!
“Crazy... Crazy... How could that be?”
Leticia's hands shook. But the anger didn't last long. A huge wave of anxiety came over her. It couldn't be Angie. It had to be someone like her. It had to be. It had to be. But...
“What if it really is Angie? What if that girl survived the storm and is living in this empty lot...?”
Anxiety and nervousness soon turned into murderous intent. It was an intense emotion that consumed all of them at once: wounded pride, humiliation, shame, and intense anxiety.
***
Her heart felt like it was going to burst. She felt as if all her life was being sucked out of her through her panting breaths. But Angie didn't stop. She couldn't stop until she entered the house.
She barely made it to Bryn's mansion through a shortcut known only to her, her family, and a few servants. Angie looked back, clutching her exhausted heart. Fortunately, no one was there. She continued her last steps toward the stairs leading to the basement laundry room at the back of the mansion. Bryn, who was sitting on the living room sofa reading a book, suddenly got up.
“Angie! I was going to call someone because it was getting late... Are you okay?”
“Yeah... I ran for a while so I’m out of breath... I’m just a little out of breath. It’s okay.”
Martin, who happened to be from the police station, was also coming out of the nursery. They were both shocked to see Angie, who was staggering as if she would collapse at any moment, her hat disheveled and crooked by the wind.
“Angie! What’s going on?”
The couple helped her up and sat her down on the sofa. Angie drank the water that Bryn had brought her and untied her hat. Her hands were shaking like aspen trees as she took off her wig. Her large eyes were shaking as if they were about to burst into tears.
“The parade should be ending by now. What happened? Surely it wasn’t... something to do with the Duke of Blackwell?”
Angie clenched her fists at Martin's words. She felt scared and anxious all the way home. But when she saw the two worried faces, she strangely felt courage. She wasn't alone. There were people here to protect her and Noah.
“I saw that guy. Kyle... He was in the procession.”
“What? How could that be! He changed his plans at the last minute? There was no change in the cooperation document from the Metropolitan Police Agency...”
“Oh my goodness! But don’t worry. From this moment on, let’s stay home for two weeks. That’s what we decided from the beginning.”
Angie opened her mouth again at Bryn's words, trying to comfort her. There was not a trace of blood in her lips.
“Kyle saw me too.”
Martin and Bryn gasped and opened their eyes wide. They were too surprised to even ask a question. Angie stood up hesitantly and pointed toward the study. A maid could come to the living room and hall at any time.
“I think we should talk quietly among ourselves.”
Just then the door opened and brisk footsteps echoed from the hallway. Angie turned around in surprise. Bryn’s father, Willem van Armitage, was entering, walking in, his usual gentlemanly figure, holding a cane in one hand.
“The parade through the city just ended. Everyone was probably at home, so I came here to tell you the news. But... Why is the atmosphere like this? Did something happen?”
Willem took off his top hat and looked around the room in bewilderment. His only daughter, his son-in-law, and even Angie all looked bewildered.
Thirty minutes later, Angie was sitting on the sofa in the study, holding a cup of herbal tea in each hand. The crib where Patricia and Noah were sleeping had been moved to the side room in the study. It seemed safer to have the baby within arm's reach, at least while they talked.
The four people who finished their story each kept their mouths shut. The heavy red curtains were tightly drawn so that the inside could not be seen at all from the outside.
But the room was not dark, for candles were lit on golden candlesticks on every corner of the wall. It was evening, but it was not yet time for the gas lamps on the street to be turned on. It was Willem who spoke first.
“I haven’t heard anything about any unexpected incidents during the parade. But that’s not surprising. Even if something had happened, they would have pretended not to know and handled it without any trouble.”
“I’ll leave for Lorsha Village tomorrow. I think it would be a good idea to hide there for two weeks before the Trieste delegation completely leaves Vintergar. I’d like to go to Revan, where Grandmother Catherine is, but... When we took the children from the orphanage and shelter on Cullinan Island, we didn’t know their true identities, but just in case. Depending on the situation, I’ll consider moving them to Revan. Lorsha and Revan used to be a few hours apart, but now the roads have been improved, so it only takes about an hour...”
“Um... I agree. If your eyes had actually met, it might have been safer. It might have been that he didn’t recognize Angie, or if he had forgotten her for a long time, that would have been fortunate, but nothing is certain.”
Bryn objected to Martin's agreement.
“Then you’re going to take Noah with you? If it’s Revan, Noah will be fine since he has his grandmother Catherine, but Lorsha is in a completely unfamiliar environment.”
“So, Bryn.”
Angie put down her teacup as if she had made up her mind.
“Can you have Noah for a couple of days? I'm so sorry, I don't want him to be a burden on you or Patricia under any circumstances.”
Bryn grabbed Angie's hand.
“I also think Noah is better off here. The sitter and I will take good care of him as we have always done, and Patty will be with him, so don’t worry about that. But Angie, are you okay? I know that I’m a mother too, and I’m anxious about not seeing my baby for even a day, especially if I have to be away from him in this situation...”
“I’m fine. I’ll just endure it for two weeks. Exactly two weeks.”
Angie forced a smile. As Bryn had said, her heart was already breaking. She had never been away from her baby for even a single day. But she had to think as rationally as possible.
“The Duke’s family doesn’t know about Noah. Not a single person knew about him until we left the island. My mother was the only one who guessed I was pregnant but at that time...”
Angie couldn't continue. She suppressed her agitated emotions again and added:
“So... I don’t think Noah should be by my side just in case.”
If by any chance she were to be caught in Revan Village with Noah, then it would be no different from revealing Noah's existence on her own. Everyone there seemed to understand Angie's feelings and were silent for a moment. Angie broke the solemn atmosphere and continued to speak calmly.
“I’m sorry for bothering everyone... I believe that it won’t happen since Uncle Willem is here, but if something were to happen to Martin and Bryn because of me and Noah...”
“What are you talking about? This is Vintergar, and my Father is the richest businessman in Vintergar and an honorary citizen. I can assure you that we are safe.”
Bryn shook her head sharply, contradicting Angie's words. Then she asked again in a softened voice as if she was still worried.
“So, why can’t Angie stay here instead of going to Revan? Just stay at home...”
“No, Bryn. With the workers coming and going all the time, Angie won’t be able to rest until the house itself is completely shut down.”
“It’s exactly as Martin said. Then I’ll leave tomorrow morning. And there’s one last thing I’d like to ask you...”
Angie paused for a few seconds and then spoke calmly.
“If anything happens to me... I’ll leave Noah to you.”
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