I Ran Away And The Reverse Harem Started – Chapter 114

Author: Asternkm

“Sorry to keep you waiting so long. The two of us were so busy, we couldn’t even properly welcome our guests… But dinner is ready and delicious, so please, come in. Our chef made grilled trout—it turned out wonderfully.”

“Oh, yes!”

She had changed into a fresh evening dress at some point. I stood up, momentarily enchanted by the calm smile on her face.

The two of us left the parlor, following the viscountess down the hall.

The dining room was on the first floor—apparently, it was the one they usually used when guests came. No wonder I could already catch the rich scent of grilled trout wafting through the large doors.

I swallowed instinctively and then leaned over to whisper to Colin.

“Colin, look at my face—do I have any marks or anything?”

I’d just been asleep, dead to the world, so my blouse had gotten slightly wrinkled. What if my face had pillow marks too?

“No marks. You just look pretty.”

“Let’s hope that’s not just your bias talking…”

I mumbled with a frown, and Colin chuckled softly.

Just as we were about to open the doors to the dining room, we spotted Yvette and the butler slowly approaching from the opposite end of the hallway.

The viscountess called out to her.

“There you are. Did you take care of everything?”

“Yes, Mother.”

Standing behind the viscountess, I peeked at Yvette from behind her shoulder.

Her eyes, red and puffy when we came back from the garden, had calmed. It seemed she had pulled herself together in the short time since.

‘That’s a relief.’

I felt myself relax a little. It wasn’t as if Yvette and I were especially close. She was a noble, and I was just a commoner.

But when she had finally let her tears fall, it had unsettled me.

Before Yvette could turn her gaze toward me, I quickly lowered my head. I could still feel her eyes lingering on my face, but I pretended not to notice.

“Shall we go in?”

Yvette spoke calmly. The elderly butler beside her moved to open the dining room doors—

When suddenly—

“Lady Yvette, Madam!”

A servant came hurrying down the corridor from where Yvette had just walked. It was the same one who had escorted Colin and me to the estate earlier.

“Madam, there is a guest at the front gate!”

“A guest? I don’t recall inviting anyone. Who is it?”

“Well, it’s…”

The viscountess glanced around, puzzled.

The servant took a deep breath, wiping the sweat from his temple, then said,

“Count Drunia has arrived, madam.”

*****

The news that Daniel had arrived shocked not just the Büllossen household, but also Colin and me. It was clear that after receiving the urgent telegram from Deborah, Daniel had come directly to the Büllossen estate.

Had he come because he heard we were here? But even for close acquaintances, showing up at someone’s home without notice was considered quite improper.

Yvette seemed to be thinking the same thing, her face puzzled.

“Count Drunia appearing so suddenly… I wonder what this is about. Has he come to fetch you two?”

“Well, we’re not stray children in need of rescuing. We even sent word we’d be visiting.”

At Yvette’s glance, Colin simply shrugged, just as baffled.

If he hadn’t come to pick us up, then it must’ve been something urgent. Either way, meeting Daniel took priority.

So we left the dining room behind and headed outside the manor. As we stepped out onto the white marble steps, we spotted Daniel in the distance, having just stepped down from his carriage and walking toward us.

I squinted in the dusk, trying to read Daniel’s expression.

But there wasn’t really an expression to read. No irritation, no anger, not even a smile. If anything, he looked pale and drawn, like something was deeply wrong.

He approached us where we stood at the front of the estate and offered a polite greeting.

“My apologies for showing up unannounced, Madam, Lady Yvette.”

“What brings you here so suddenly, Count? To visit without notice…”

Yvette asked, though seeing Daniel’s pale face, she couldn’t bring herself to scold him harshly.

The viscountess added from beside her,

“Hm, I’m not sure what’s going on, but if you’ve come because of these two, why not join us for dinner? We were just about to eat… After dinner, you can all head back together.”

I was about to agree, thinking it was a good idea.

But Daniel shook his head.

“Forgive me, madam, but now isn’t the time for a meal.”

“What do you mean, Count?”

“I came here without notice for one reason—I have something important to tell the both of you.”

Daniel’s gaze briefly flicked up toward the manor’s second floor.

“And something I need to share with the viscount as well.”

“With our family? What could it possibly be…”

At the mention of the viscount, the lady’s expression hardened slightly. She sensed something serious in Daniel’s tone.

“There’s a place I’d like to take you. Someone I need to show you both.”

“Someone you need to show our family…? Who in the world could that be? Please, explain clearly.”

Yvette stepped forward, her voice laced with caution.

Daniel hesitated. His eyes scanned the two women uneasily. He lowered his gaze slightly, then murmured:

“Twenty years ago… the one who kidnapped your second daughter. I have them with me.”

The two women were nearly frozen in shock.

The viscountess, who had worn a gentle smile all evening, now stared at Daniel, pale and trembling. The gloved hands at her sides were shaking.

“What… what are you saying…”

“…”

“You found the person who kidnapped Irene? After twenty years? And now, suddenly? Count, why on earth are they with you?”

Her voice verged on a scream. The viscountess didn’t even know whether to feel joy or grief.

For twenty years, she had searched for her daughter. And only recently had she begun to let go, to allow herself a sliver of peace. She had forced herself to move on from the past.

And now, Daniel’s words shattered her.

She collapsed onto the stairs, as if a sandcastle had crumbled beneath a crashing wave. The skirt of her evening gown sprawled messily over the steps.

“A-ah…”

“Mother!”

Yvette rushed to support her. Colin quickly stepped beside them. Yvette was just as shaken.

‘They found the person who kidnapped Irene?’

She had always believed someone had kidnapped her sister. But for twenty years, both the child and the culprit had vanished without a trace.

And now… just when she had decided to let it all go…

Yvette squeezed her eyes shut, then opened them. After a brief moment of hesitation, she rose to her feet. She was stunned, yes—but her resolve came quickly. In fact, this was the moment she had long awaited.

“I don’t know why Count Drunia has the kidnapper, but we can hear the details in the carriage.”

“…”

“You came to show us the culprit, didn’t you? If it’s true you’ve found them, then I must go too.”

“Yvette, I…”

“Madam, please lean on me.”

The viscountess rose slowly, with Colin supporting her. Her face was still deathly pale.

Meanwhile, Yvette stared down at the ground, her voice like a bitter spit of anger.

“…I always wondered. Who the hell kidnapped my sister? I’ve always wanted to see the face of the wretch who did it.”

“…”

“And now it turns out today’s the day. Of all days.”

She steadied her breathing. Daniel silently stepped aside and gestured toward the carriage—it was ready.

Yvette strode off toward it. Colin, still supporting the viscountess, followed her.

Rosieta stood frozen under the gaslight. So much had happened in just a few short moments—it was like being hit by wave after wave.

“What is going on? They’ve already found the kidnapper?”

Deborah had said the guild was searching for the culprit, but for them to be caught this quickly…

It was shocking—but maybe also fortunate. The Büllossen family had spent decades wondering who had taken Irene.

‘It’s been twenty years, but still… it’s good that the culprit has been found now, isn’t it?’

She remembered her conversation with Yvette in the hydrangea garden. How frantic Yvette had been, knowing her father didn’t have long. Maybe this would ease her burden, even a little.

Dinner had fallen apart, but perhaps this was for the best.

Just then, Rosieta noticed Daniel. While the others made their way to the carriage, he remained frozen at the base of the steps.

“You’re not going? Why are you just standing there?”

At her question, Daniel slowly lifted his head. Even under the orange glow of the gaslight, he looked clearly unwell.

Something was definitely wrong. It felt like there was more going on than just catching the kidnapper.

‘Wasn’t he supposed to be with Deborah? Why is he here alone?’

Rosieta was about to ask when Daniel’s lips parted.

“You have to come too.”

“…What?”

Rosieta stiffened.

While the others went to confront the kidnapper, she had been wondering whether she should just return to Roan’s townhouse alone.

“I have to go too? Why me?”