Chapter 11

The Count let out a deep sigh.

“It was Karina’s birthday, but it overlapped with the picnic, so she might have been upset. I should have scheduled it for another day.”

Enrich spoke with a troubled expression, furrowing his brows.

Two days ago, he had asked her to understand, but Karina hadn’t seemed entirely accepting of it. If he had known this would happen, he would have tried talking to her a bit more.

She did seem a bit off.

She wasn’t someone who got angry easily, so if she had been upset, there must have been a reason.

As Enrich rubbed his forehead with the back of his hand, he recalled the conversation he had with Karina two nights ago.

“Even if she said it was fine, she must have felt hurt.”

“She’s not a child, so why on earth…”

Count Leopold clicked his tongue.

As if looking at the actions of a thoughtless child, he skimmed the note once more before placing it on the table.

“No matter how upset she was, how could she just leave a single note, knowing we’d be worried.”

The Countess swallowed a sigh.

If she had simply said she was going on a trip, they would have let her go without issue. To anyone, this seemed like nothing more than a childish act of defiance.

“She’s not some late-blooming teenager. What kind of embarrassment is this for a fully grown noble lady?”

“She went on a trip alone?”

Ferdinand’s eyes sparkled.

His dream had always been to one day set out on a journey with a sword in hand, seeking adventure.

As expected, my sister is amazing.

To travel alone. What a feat.

Ferdinand barely held back his urge to whine. He had recently been told by his older brother that he could only travel once he came of age.

His excitement made him shift in his seat.

In truth, he wanted nothing more than to dash outside and join his sister on her journey.

“For now, discreetly send a few people to find out where she’s gone. She couldn’t have gone too far. The southern territories don’t have many bandits, so she should be safe.”

“If she was that upset, she could have just said something.”

At Count Leopold’s words, the Countess added with a worried expression.

If Karina had been there to hear it, she surely would have scowled, but for the Countess, facing this situation, her concern was genuine.

Of course, it was questionable whether she would have reacted the same way if Karina had actually voiced her feelings.

“How much money is missing?”

“Ah, I-I will check right away.”

The maid quickly lowered her head and hurried out of the dining room.

Count Leopold clicked his tongue once more. What an unexpected headache this was.

“When is Sister coming back, Mother? Father?”

“I don’t know.”

At Abelia’s question, Count Leopold glanced at the note and let out a sigh.

It was obvious that she had done this to make them worry, which he found utterly infuriating. How could a child use their parents’ affection in such a way?

Count Leopold tried to calm his simmering anger.

“Still, I’m worried. The South may not be cold in winter, but she’s never traveled before.”

“If she hasn’t gone far yet, I’ll go after her, Father.”

At the Countess’s concerned voice, Enrich spoke with determination, looking ready to rise at any moment.

As a knight in training with a noble title, if he rode without rest, it wouldn’t be difficult to catch up to Karina, no matter what mode of transport she had taken.

Count Leopold, however, waved his hand dismissively.

“Sending a few people will be enough. You know as well as I do that the southern territories aren’t particularly dangerous. You’ve only just received your title and joined the order—don’t do anything to fall out of favor.”

“But…”

“Leaving home over a birthday party. Does that even make sense? It’s not like we refused to celebrate it. I never imagined she could be so immature.”

Had Karina heard this, she would have jumped in place, pounding her chest in frustration and indignation.

Who was it that said even if you do ten good deeds, one mistake will overshadow them all and bring everything crashing down? That was exactly what had happened to her.

Despite all the patience she had endured, all she received in return was being called immature.

The dining room door opened again. This time, it was the head butler, who had heard the situation from the maid. He must have rushed over in haste, as his usually immaculate attire was slightly disheveled.

“Butler, did you find out what I asked you to investigate?”

“Yes, the total amount of money missing from Lady Karina’s personal funds over the past two days is just under 2 gold.”

“See? She couldn't have gone far.”

Count Leopold lifted his chin as if to say, "I told you so."

At last, he relaxed his previously tense gaze. Hearing something that aligned with his expectations, he let out a deep sigh of relief.

“She’ll last a week or two at most before coming back. And when she does, she’ll get a proper scolding. Tsk. How could she do something so thoughtless and break her parents’ hearts?”

“Still, send someone after her, dear.”

At the countess’s words, Count Leopold nodded.

As much as he was irritated, he didn’t want to be a completely heartless father.

No matter how exasperating she was, he couldn’t simply ignore the situation.

“Hire someone reliable to find out where Karina has gone. But tell them not to offer any help. Let her come back on her own.”

“If they find her, they should bring her back. What are you saying?”

“She needs to experience just how hard it is to be on her own and realize how privileged she has been.”

“…”

“She couldn’t have gone far anyway. She must have rented a private carriage or something, so finding her won’t be difficult.”

Count Leopold firmly shook his head.

Perhaps going through this would finally make her grow up a little.

Of course, he believed that Karina would humble herself and return within a week or two.

At most, he thought it would take a month.

However, what he never anticipated was that news of Karina would vanish once she left the southern region, nor that even after two months, she would still not return.

***

The first week of Karina's disappearance passed quietly. Count Leopold, as if to prove his indifference, even went on the planned picnic.

Since she had always been a quiet child, her absence was not strongly felt. Except for the Countess occasionally glancing at her seat with concern and Abelia and Ferdinand occasionally bringing her up, there was nothing particularly different.

The first news about Karina reached the Count’s household just as the second week was about to end.

"You've finally located Karina?"

"Yes. Well, at least, that's what it seems."

"I knew it. She wouldn't have been able to go far anyway. What could an ignorant noble lady do after running away from home? No matter how intelligent she may be."

Count Leopold shook his head from side to side.

Despite his words, a faint sense of relief flickered in his eyes. Even though he had acted unconcerned, going two whole weeks without news had been somewhat unsettling.

Unlike the Count’s composed demeanor, however, the butler appeared restless, anxiously waiting for the Count to finish speaking.

"Why that expression? Has something happened to Karina?"

"No, it's just that..."

The butler spoke in a hushed voice. After a moment of hesitation, he clenched his fists tightly and lifted his head.

"The trackers we assigned have reported that they can no longer continue the pursuit."

"What do you mean by that?"

"It seems that Lady Karina has left the southern territory."

Count Leopold's face twisted instantly.

The butler bowed and held out a written report with both hands. The count snatched it from him and swiftly scanned its contents.

[The target has boarded a carriage bound for the capital and has left the southern territory. As leaving the southern region is beyond our contractual agreement, we are ceasing the pursuit. Please note that if further tracking is required, it will cost at least three times the original contract fee.]

For the dozens of gold coins spent, it was an exceedingly brief report.

"Karina Leopold!"

At Count Leopold’s furious roar, the butler held his breath, not daring to make a sound.

"How can a grown girl be so utterly thoughtless!"

The Count shouted, crumpling the letter in his hand.

She had undoubtedly left because she didn’t understand how dangerous it was outside the southern territory. As long as she remained within his domain, he could track her easily, but once she had crossed the border, finding her would be incredibly difficult.

"No matter how upset she was, how could she do this! Does she have any sense at all?!"

His voice echoed through the room.

Hearing the commotion, the countess cautiously stepped into his study.

"Dear, what’s the matter?"

"Karina has left the southern territory." Count Leopold said, his face twisted in frustration.

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