Chapter - 11

Late that evening, Jacob sat at his desk with a messenger pigeon perched beside him — a method he rarely used except for matters of importance. After finishing his message, he carefully folded the small piece of paper and secured it around the pigeon’s leg before releasing it through the window. The bird quickly disappeared into the darkening sky, carrying the letter to Count Fritzki.

The next morning at the Fritzki estate, Plumette was walking down the hallway when a carriage arrived outside.

It stopped quietly near the side entrance of the estate. What immediately caught her attention was the absence of any family crest on the carriage. Curious, she lingered near the window, watching.

A man wearing a hooded robe stepped out of the carriage and entered the estate without announcing himself.

The secrecy of the arrival sparked her curiosity. Without thinking much further, Plumette hurried downstairs, determined to find out who the visitor was.

She caught sight of the man just as he turned down the corridor leading to the second floor — the area where her father usually received personal guests. He entered one of the private rooms and closed the door behind him.

Not daring to intrude, Plumette remained outside the room and pressed closer to the door, hoping to overhear their conversation. Unfortunately, the thick walls of the estate made it impossible to hear anything.

With a quiet sigh, she stepped back and waited in the hallway, hoping the mysterious guest would come out soon.

Inside the room, Jacob sat calmly while waiting for Count Fritzki. A cup of tea rested in his hand as he took a slow sip.

Earlier, he had briefly felt as though someone was following him, but he dismissed the thought. No one should have known about his visit today.

After a short while, Count Fritzki entered the room. They exchanged brief greetings before moving directly to the matter at hand.

“We have located where the iron supplies are coming from,” Jacob began. “However, we still need to determine who is orchestrating these transactions. As I mentioned in my letter, I would like you to investigate the recent movements of Marquess Crowe.”

He paused briefly before continuing.

“He recently contacted Count Crudnick and arranged for his daughter, Grace Crowe, to meet with Chester. I suggest we remain cautious.”

Count Fritzki listened carefully, reviewing the information in his mind.

“I understand,” he replied. “I will hasten the investigation and gather more information.”

He leaned back slightly before adding another observation.

“There is something else. According to recent reports, the groups we suspected of being bandits along the trade routes do not behave like ordinary bandits. Their movements and coordination suggest trained individuals operating as an organized group.”

Jacob considered this for a moment.

“That possibility seems likely,” he said thoughtfully. “I will keep a close eye on them as well and inform you if I discover anything.”

Their discussion continued for some time, exchanging details and speculations, until both eventually decided to conclude the meeting due to other commitments awaiting them.

Much later, the door finally opened.

At the far end of the hallway, Plumette was quietly standing near the balcony when she heard approaching footsteps. Trying to appear casual, she began walking down the corridor as though she had simply been passing by.

But the man ahead of her suddenly stopped.

He turned slightly, glancing back — and their eyes met.

Plumette gasped.

“Lo—Lord Jacob…”

Even though she had suspected it might be him, part of her had hoped she was mistaken. After their last conversation, she was not entirely prepared to face him again.

“Lady Plumette,” Jacob greeted her politely, lowering the hood that had been covering his face. “It’s nice to see you again.”

“Ah… yes. Nice to see you too, Lord Jacob,” she replied quickly, attempting to sound casual despite the sudden embarrassment rising within her. “I didn’t expect to run into you here.”

She tried to walk past him.

“Wait, Lady Plumette,” Jacob said quickly.

She paused.

“Do you… perhaps have time for some tea?” he asked, his voice slightly rushed.

Seeing her hesitation, he quickly added, “Please.”

Left with little room to refuse, Plumette reluctantly agreed

.

To avoid attracting attention from the rest of the household, Plumette led Jacob to her room so they could speak privately. She gestured for him to sit on the couch while she stepped out briefly to prepare tea.

Jacob, now alone in her room for the first time, allowed his gaze to wander carefully around the space. He had no intention of touching anything, but something soon caught his attention.

A painting rested near a stand, with brushes and paint still beside it.

He stepped closer.

The scenery depicted on the canvas was unmistakable — the exact place he and Plumette had discovered together in the woods.

Just then, the door opened.

Plumette entered carrying a tray of tea. The moment she noticed where Jacob was looking, her eyes widened in alarm.

She quickly placed the tray on the table and hurried in front of the painting.

“Don’t! Don’t look!” she exclaimed.

Startled, Jacob immediately stepped back and turned away.

Plumette quickly turned the painting around so that it faced the wall.

“Forgive me, Lady Plumette,” Jacob said apologetically. “It looked beautiful, so I couldn’t help but admire it.”

“You can turn around now,” she said quickly, still sounding flustered. “Please sit on the couch, Lord Jacob.”

“Oh… yes,” he murmured, returning to the couch.

Plumette poured tea for both of them.

“I—I’m sorry if I upset you by looking at the painting without permission,” Jacob said awkwardly, worried he might have offended her.

“You don’t need to apologize,” she replied. “I forgot it was there when I invited you. That’s my fault.”

After a moment of silence, she asked, “What was it that you wanted to talk about, Lord Jacob?”

Jacob hesitated briefly before gathering his thoughts.

“That day… at the hunting grounds…”

Plumette’s eyes widened the moment he mentioned it.

I’m afraid? she wondered suddenly. What am I afraid of? That he might… take back his confession?

The thought startled her.

But why would that bother me? Do I… like him?

Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t notice that Jacob had stood up until he suddenly reached toward her.

“Lady Plumette, are you alright?” he asked.

She blinked and looked down.

Tea had spilled from the cup she was pouring.

“Oh—yes, yes, I’m fine,” she said quickly, setting the teapot aside. “I was just distracted.”

Jacob paused before speaking again.

“As I was saying… if my words or actions at the hunting grounds made you uncomfortable in any way, I sincerely ask for your forgiveness, Lady Plumette.”

He lowered his gaze slightly.

“I realized afterward that I may have been inconsiderate when I… confessed to you that day.”

Before he could continue, Plumette quickly interrupted.

“Wait. There’s no need to ask for forgiveness.”

She hesitated before adding,

“But I do have a few questions for you.”

“Questions?” Jacob straightened slightly. “Of course. Please ask anything, Lady Plumette. I’ll do my best to answer.”

Plumette hesitated for a moment before asking the first thing that came to her mind.

“Since… when did you start liking me?”