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Chapter 26: Kidnapping I

While Raymond exercised his right to remain silent, Janice's eyes grew sharper.

Sitting on the sofa, Janice scrutinized Raymond across from her.

The boy—so pretty it almost made his gender irrelevant—kept his head bowed, fiddling with his fingers, apparently aware he'd done something wrong.

He pulled at each finger, wiggled his bitten nails, and kept stealing glances at Janice.

That was when Janice's disapproving gaze softened slightly.

From what she remembered, Raymond was always confident. Even when he'd trashed the Empress's garden or set fire to the Zachary kitchen and faced punishment, he'd never been this submissive.

And through that posture, Janice caught a glimpse of the truth Raymond didn't want to admit.

"Wait! You're not scared, are you?"

"What?"

"Wow! You were scared? Being alone?"

She could understand. No matter how much of a little delinquent of the Empire he was, that was within the protection of adults.

For a ten-year-old suddenly left alone in a strange place with no one to protect him... of course he'd be scared. That was only natural.

Even if that little delinquent had run away voluntarily.

"I'm not!"

Raymond shouted in denial, but the more he denied it, the more Janice was convinced she'd guessed right.

"Sigh, so childish!"

Arms crossed, Janice shook her head with a knowing air, showing off her seniority.

Perhaps because she had memories of her past life, Janice believed she might be young in age, but her maturity and intellect far surpassed her peers—and even many adults.

Now she could understand why Raymond had followed her. She could even forgive him. If necessary, she was willing to stay by his side until they returned home.

It was clearly annoying and unpleasant, but since the other party was "little" Raymond, what could she do? The mature and clever Janice would just have to be understanding!

"I said I'm not!"

"Right. You're not."

"I'm really not!"

"Who said otherwise?"

"Ugh!"

Looking at Janice's slightly raised lips, Raymond couldn't help but realize she didn't believe a word he said.

Raymond hopped up and down, insisting on his innocence, but unfortunately, his protests didn't get through even a little.

"I—"

"You what?"

"Because I was worr—argh!"

He felt wronged and frustrated.

Raymond wanted to tell the truth—that he'd followed because he was worried. But Janice sitting across from him was just too annoying.

If he said he'd come because he was worried about her, he could already picture her reaction.

'Oh, really? Aww, our widdle Waymond was wowwied?'

She'd mock him with a lisp, or just laugh outright.

'You? Worried about me? You? Pfft!'

It wasn't the first or second time. Wretched Janice!

No matter how bad their first meeting was, it was also partly Janice's fault that they still didn't get along after over a year.

I was an idiot for worrying!

Raymond ground his teeth, thinking he should have just left Janice alone and gone to watch the cavalry parade.

Watching him, Janice let out a small giggle.

Idiot!

She didn't know the real truth, but judging by Raymond's reaction today, the "truth" for the time being would have to be that he'd followed Janice because he was scared to be alone.

Janice planned to tell everyone—Grandma, Grandpa, Garren, Fernando, the Grand Duke and Duchess—about this.

And also to Raymond's "good friends"—the Empire's little delinquents!

She giggled to herself, imagining Raymond's flustered expression. Thinking of Raymond being embarrassed somehow washed away the gloom she'd felt moments ago.

Your misfortune is my happiness!

Janice hummed softly and checked the clock.

She'd recklessly joined Raymond in his scheme because she wanted to come to the Bakers' house, but Janice knew Garren wasn't an easygoing man.

The moment he found out she'd disappeared toward Fifth Street, Garren would think of the Bakers' house first.

And he'd come here soon. Raymond would get scolded too!

Janice would also be punished, but at least she'd gotten to visit the Bakers' house.

Thinking of Raymond, who would get thoroughly scolded without even seeing a single horseshoe of the cavalry parade, lifted her spirits a little.

And then—

"...Huh?"

Perhaps because she'd been thinking Garren would come soon, she felt someone outside.

No bell had rung and no door had been knocked, but it seemed someone was there. She caught a glimpse of a figure passing by the living room window.

She guessed they hadn't just sent bodyguards—Garren or the old couple had come themselves. Whenever they came here, they always waited outside the front door for her to come out.

"Just a moment. I'll open the door now."

Janice said as she walked toward the entrance. Raymond, who had been clutching his head in frustration, looked up sharply.

"What? Who are you talking to?"

"Who else? The people who came to find us. Do you think you're the only one who knows our house is on Fifth Street?"

Janice laughed, telling Raymond he was about to get in big trouble. She also mocked him for missing the cavalry parade.

"Hey, you!"

"You what? Think I won't get in trouble and only you will? That's what you get for being a troublemaker. Idiot."

Janice stuck out her tongue at Raymond's frustrated expression. Then she dashed toward the front door.

Like a good child, Janice immediately apologized upon opening the door.

"I'm sorry—huh?"

But something was off. The person before her wasn't Garren, the old couple, or anyone from the Ducal residence in bodyguard uniform.

Janice was about to ask who he was. But just then—she saw a hazy cloud of smoke and smelled something strange. All strength left her body.

"Ray... Run..."

She wanted to shout.

Raymond, run! Get help from the adults!

But no voice came out, and her vision grew blurry. That was when Janice lost consciousness.

At the same time—

"We have a problem! The young lady and the young master have disappeared!"

The news of Raymond and Janice's disappearance was delivered to the Ducal residence and the Grand Duke's household.

---

Drip. Drip. Drip.

The sound of water droplets echoed in her ears, and a musty, heavy smell filled her nose.

Her head throbbed as if it would split, her body felt damp and clammy, her arms and legs were weak, and her eyelids were impossibly heavy.

"Mmm..."

Janice let out a faint groan and shifted her body. But moving even a finger or toe felt harder than death.

Instinctively, Janice called for Garren. He was more like an older brother or uncle than a father, but she felt that Garren would surely rescue her from this strange situation.

But no matter how desperately she called, Garren didn't come.

He'd always come running and held her whenever she had nightmares—so why wasn't he coming this time!

You slowpoke, you idiot father!

Janice suddenly felt like crying.

Grandma! Grandpa! Daddy didn't hold me! I called him so much, but he didn't come!

Janice was about to tattle on Garren's negligence to her reliable supporters, the old couple. That was when she realized something was wrong.

Janice's bed was always soft and fluffy, and her blanket smelled of sunshine. Her room always smelled of the flowers Grandma picked for her every morning, and the only sounds were the chirping of the little bird that lived in the oak tree beyond the terrace.

Of course, there were exceptions—days she woke to the smell of Grandpa's freshly baked bread or cookies, or to the booming shouts of Grandma's disciples training.

But never—never on any exception day—had Janice ever woken up in a situation like this.

It felt like cold water had been poured over her. That was when Janice recalled her last memory.

"...!"

A strange man, white smoke, a strange smell, and then—blacking out.

The word "kidnapping" flashed clearly through Janice's mind.

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