The Reason Why the Forsaken Fake Returned Chapter 28

“It’s truly spring now. Flowers are blooming everywhere. Do you see the robin over there?”

 

As soon as she got permission, Doris opened the door and set the meal she brought on the table in front of the fireplace, then opened the window to let in some fresh air.

 

“Really?”

 

“Of course. They were quite common in the neighborhood where I lived.”

 

For a moment, Shailoh felt a bit awkward, wondering if Doris had noticed what happened last night, but that quickly passed. Shailoh, whose curiosity was piqued, approached the window. Sure enough, a small nest was hidden in the hawthorn bush that reached up to the third-floor bedroom. A pair of robins were chirping, busily feeding their chicks. Watching them, the fresh spring breeze from the moor tickled her nose and filled her lungs. She closed her eyes, enjoying the breeze.

 

“I remember the time I stayed at Baroness Kildare’s territory. In winter, it was all barren land, but come spring, heather and ferns would sprout everywhere, and rabbits, just waking from their slumber, would scurry beneath them. It was a place where snowdrops, white daffodils, lilies, and colorful crocuses thrived.”

 

“Kildare territory? Isn’t that near the Duchy of Yesiol in the north? I thought that area was all desolate and deserted. Especially the Sigurd Plateau near the Alkadara Mountains, where they say outsiders disappear the moment they set foot.”

 

Sigurd Plateau. At Doris’s words, a fleeting sense of déjà vu brushed past Shailoh’s mind. It felt like something someone had once told her. She tried to recall what it was, but with Doris’s expectant gaze on her, she gave up the attempt.

 

“Although Barony Kildare is in the north, it’s a bit distant from Duchy Yesiol and Sigurd Plateau. There are many robins, and peacocks roam freely in the barns. There’s a very beautiful lake there, and it’s said that fairies live by it. And…”

 

Most importantly, it was by the lake that Shailoh first met Caleb. Though she could have confided in Doris, who had been her close friend for a long time, Shailoh kept silent. It felt like she was reluctant to show a precious treasure to others.

 

As Shailoh savored the unfamiliar sensation of her feet lifting off the ground, a strange unease stirred in her chest due to a mysterious incongruity.

 

One reason people hide their past is when they want to keep it a secret from everyone. …Had Claire ever spoken in detail about her time with the gypsy group? For ten whole years. No matter how much time has passed, couldn’t she at least mention who those gypsies were and what their names were? Yet Claire never shared that story, not even with her mother and father.

 

If Claire had been abused, knowing Claire’s personality, she would have sought revenge to the ends of the earth. So, if not that, then why? Was she ashamed of the time spent with those lowly people? Was that the only reason?

 

In Shailoh’s case, it was only two years, but she often found herself talking about her life with the Kildare family without even realizing it. But in Claire’s case, it was ten years. You’d think she might mention something about the people she spent a decade with, even if just in passing, but she kept her lips sealed as if locked with a padlock. No matter how much Shailoh thought about it, it seemed strange.

 

While Shailoh was lost in thought, Doris, who had been busily opening all the windows, changed the subject. “By the way, Milady. What’s your schedule for today? You were originally supposed to meet with Baroness Boris in about an hour. You also have a stage rehearsal in the afternoon. If you’re feeling tired, should we postpone the morning appointment? Also, the playwright who’s been sending scripts regularly has come by. Would you like to meet them this time?”

 

“No.” Snapping back to reality, Shailoh opened the wardrobe door. “Help me get dressed. I’m going to Baron Boris’s estate.”

 

“Understood.”

 

“And one more thing.” Shailoh, who had been silent for a moment due to a lingering unease, added. “I have something I need you to look into secretly.”

 

“Something to look into?”

 

“Could you find out the whereabouts of a certain group of gypsies?”

 

Understanding her implication, Doris nodded immediately.

 

* * *

When Shailoh arrived at the Boris estate around noon, the atmosphere was strangely tense. As soon as the guest arrived, the maids, sensing the mood, moved briskly and served refreshments with oddly excited expressions. The butler, who was of a dignified age, welcomed Shailoh with a bright smile, as if he were greeting his granddaughter. The excitement was shared by the estate’s owner, Olivier. Blushing slightly, Olivier shyly confessed.

 

“It’s truly an honor to have Sasha visit us.”

 

“An honor between friends?”

 

“I’m sincere. Sasha is currently the most famous person in society. Moreover, you’re the first to visit officially.”

 

“What?” Shailoh widened her eyes and put down her teacup. “Not a single person until now?”

 

“Yes… Though you know the reason.” Olivier, feeling awkward, lowered her head and took a sip of tea to quench her thirst. “By the way, remember the conversation we had before, Sasha? About searching for Oliver’s whereabouts last night.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“After hearing that, I thought I might have missed something, so I went over everything from the beginning.”

 

“And?”

 

“Still, nothing came up. Maybe I pushed too hard and scared him off…”

 

A flicker of hope vanished like a candle blown out by the wind. Shailoh, hiding her disappointment, forced a cheerful smile. “Well, they say starting is half the battle. It’s too soon to be discouraged. Let’s go over everything step by step again.”

 

The conversation that began around lunchtime only concluded after the sun had dipped below the horizon. Contrary to their expectations, the discussion yielded little of value. It was merely a lengthy recounting of what Olivier had previously mentioned about Oliver.

 

“He was a responsible and diligent child. He wasn’t the type to gamble or anything like that.”

 

“What about people he was close to?”

 

“I checked, but apparently, there wasn’t anyone in particular. It seems even the servants of the duke’s household, including even the errand boys, shunned Oliver.”

 

“Isn’t it strange? They ostracized him like that, yet lent him a large sum of money?”

 

The only thing they had to show for their efforts was the certainty that the duke’s household was hiding something. However, without knowing what that was, it was a useless card to hold.

 

Upon returning home and sharing her conversation with Olivier, Caleb, who was picking grapes, fed one to her.

 

“So, is there no way?”

 

As she chewed the grape he offered, its sweetness spread through her mouth. Swallowing, Shailoh muttered. “Unless we infiltrate the duke’s household directly to find out. But that’s…”

 

“It’s too dangerous, and there’s no one we can trust. It’s such an exclusive household that even getting a job there undercover would be tough.”

 

“It’s difficult unless you’re a child. I think it’s better to use someone from the Barony of Elton to investigate instead. There are likely quite a few servants and maids from the Diponz family who followed Claire.”

 

“Not sure about that.”

 

Contrary to her expectation of support, Caleb shrugged and offered a counterargument.

 

“I think Baroness Boris has already tried that. And yet, she couldn’t find any clues.”

 

At the calm observation, Shailoh let out a shallow sigh. It felt like the faint thread she’d barely grasped was slipping away again. In her frustration, Shailoh pressed her temples with both hands.

 

“We were so close, but now we’re back to square one. We don’t have much time. If we don’t act soon, Claire might make a move first. She could tell the duke’s family about my story.”

 

“Sasha.”

 

Warmth enveloped Shailoh’s anxious hands as Caleb interlocked his fingers with hers, drawing her attention.

 

“This is chess. What’s the most important thing I always say when playing chess?”

 

“Composure.”

 

“Exactly. You can’t predict what moves your opponent will make or how many steps ahead they’re thinking. Even if you’re in a disadvantageous position, you mustn’t let it unsettle you.” He smiled as if he found it endearing, tracing her lips with his hand as if sketching a smile.

 

Understanding his intent, Shailoh replied with a faint smile. “Keep your eyes serious, but always wear a light smile on your lips.”

 

“The game isn’t over until you’ve toppled the opponent’s king. Even if you’re checkmated, if you keep smiling, an opportunity will eventually come.”

 

Instead of responding, Shailoh nodded.

 

Caleb, smiling gently, asked in a low voice. “This is an important clue to take revenge on the Diponz family, but even if your suspicions are correct, it might cause a scandal, but it won’t deal a fatal blow. After all, Baroness Boris’s brother is undeniably a commoner, and their opponent is an incomparable noble.”

 

“Are you saying it’s foolish to try to break a rock with an egg?”

 

“I wouldn’t say you’re wrong.”

 

Shailoh responded to his teasing with mock annoyance.