The Arranged Suitor Was the Kidnapper

Laria was so startled that her fur stood on end.

She turned her head to glare at Herdin.

‘Why is Herdin Rohan so perceptive?’

Even though white foxes are rare, most of them look alike.

She waited for Herdin to say it was a mistake, but instead, his confidence grew.

“It felt strangely familiar…”

As Herdin relieved his curiosity, Semela chimed in:

“Is it the Grand Duke’s fox?”

“The one on the flyer looks just like this.”

“Why is the Grand Duke’s fox in Laria’s room?”

Theodor couldn’t comprehend what was happening.

Neither Semela nor Herdin could provide an answer.

“Has anyone heard news about the Grand Duke looking for a fox?”

“I heard the pamphlets about the fox are still being distributed.”

Herdin’s response left everyone perplexed.

“What on earth is going on?”

No one could fathom why Zenox’s lost fox would be in Laria’s bedroom.

“Could it be that Laria brought it? She’s always been good at taking in stray animals.”

She even had a history of picking up fallen birds from nests and secretly bringing home cats abandoned in boxes.

‘Should I escape now?’

Unfortunately, the bedroom door had closed, making it seem like she would be caught before she could leave.

She decided to bide her time carefully…

“Regardless, let’s take it to the Grand Duke for now.”

“This cute little fox?”

Theodor was still puzzled and asked back.

Then Herdin wagged his finger, implying:

“He’s obsessed with the fox, isn’t he? If we hand it over, Laria might lose his interest.”

“It might be better to go right away. Take Laria with us too.”

Although it was already evening, Semela’s proposal made sense. Amid the rapidly unfolding events, Laria shouted when she heard the decision.

“Kyung! Kyuu!”

No, no! This can’t happen!

Everyone was shocked by her intense reaction.

“Oh, why are you acting like this all of a sudden?”

Laria realized that she couldn’t let this happen and jumped off the bed.

But before she could open the bedroom door, Semela grabbed her with a firm hand.

“Squeak!”

Although she let out a sharp noise, Semela didn’t let go. She petted Laria while holding her.

“I’ll take you to your owner.”

‘I’m my mother’s daughter…’

It’s like offering her daughter to Zenox with her own hands. If Semela found out the truth, it would be a dangerous situation.

‘This is insane. When will I return to my human form?’

If only she could speak like Zenox…

When Laria groaned, Herdin suddenly spoke.

“You don’t want to go to the Archduke, do you?”

“Kyaaung!”

That’s right! That’s right!

When Laria nodded vigorously, Herdin looked bewildered.

“What the, do you even understand what I’m saying?”

It ended up like this because my brother looked into unnecessary things. Fix it, please.

Laria eagerly sent a signal in her mind.

However, Laria’s earnestness didn’t reach Herdin.

“That’s impossible.”

He shook his index finger dismissively, in stark contrast to his persistent demeanor earlier.

‘I’ll give this guy a good talking-to when I get the chance.’

To break free from Semela’s grasp, Laria wriggled her legs.

“If you don’t want to get scolded, you’d better behave.”

At Semela’s words, Laria furrowed.

Laria was used to her mother’s affectionate nature, but now, it was scary to see her like this. She felt like she finally understood why Herdin couldn’t even yell at his mother.

When Laria quieted down, Theodore, who had been watching intently, chimed in.

“But isn’t the baby fox’s opinion also important?”

“Having it hidden might make the Grand Duke misunderstand we’re hiding her for a reason.”

“…That’s also true.”

Theodor, easily swayed, agreed.

In the end, Laria found herself firmly held in Semela’s arms as they boarded the carriage.

Laria’s half-distracted eyes scanned the surroundings.

‘I wish I had returned in my human form.’

…Or not?

While contemplating what would be worse, Laria gasped.

‘Then everyone will find out that I’m Whitie!’

She suddenly envisioned herself going to Krassium’s mansion, leading to an impending war.

‘It must not happen now.’

She was relieved to be in her fox form. At least they wouldn’t know she was Laria.

‘Zenox is probably not home, right?’

He must be busy with his aftermath work.

Laria turned her head to look outside, and the world was bathed in a vivid bluish light. Summer was approaching, and the sun hadn’t set yet.

How far had they gone when Krassium’s mansion, brightly illuminated, came into view?

Laria, who was extremely tense, started hiccuping.

“Did you get startled when you came out?”

Theodore, as if feeling sorry, continued to pat Laria’s back.

The carriage they were riding in came to a brief halt.

The knight guarding the gate demanded sternly:

“Please state your identity.”

“I am Theodore Rohan.”

“…Rohan? Ah, my apologies!”

The knight’s posture, which had been rigid, softened immediately as he opened the gate. They maintained their salute as the carriage passed through, treating them like esteemed guests.

In the meantime, another knight rode off to announce their arrival.

The expressions of the Rohan family members turned subtle for a moment. The carriage crossed the garden and finally arrived at Grand Duke Krassium’s Residence.

Semela, who was the first to step out of the carriage, hesitated for a moment. A group of servants, led by their butler, Verdo, was lined up in front of the entrance.

Could it be that they were invited?

Excluding Laria, the Rohan family members exchanged glances.

“Welcome to Grand Duke Krassium’s Residence.”

Verdo said, even though their visit was quite impolite at this late hour.

“We will escort you inside.”

“No, thank you.”

Semela, who was in charge, declined.

“We’re here just to take care of some business.”

Before Verdo could respond, Semela took Laria out of her arms and presented her.

“Is this fox the one the Grand Duke is looking for?”

Verdo’s eyes widened as he examined Laria.

“Wh… Wh… Whitie!”

The exclamation from Verdo shocked the other servants who had been standing behind him. They started buzzing with excitement.

“How…?”

Verdo, who had believed that Whitie had died, couldn’t believe his eyes and kept muttering, ‘Oh my God’, as if he couldn’t believe it. Finally, he managed to confirm:

“Yes, it’s Whitie.”

Even addressing a fox with such respectful tone…

Semela and Herdin had the same thought, but they didn’t show it.

“And I came to pick up my daughter.”

“The daughter… are you talking about Lady Laria Rohan?”

Verdo, overcome with emotion, stammered:

“She didn’t visit today.”

“… She didn’t come?”

“Then is the Grand Duke at home?”

Herdin, who had been silent until now, suddenly interjected.

“He went out for urgent business yesterday. He should be back tomorrow.”

The unexpected situation left the three of them looking at each other. They had naturally assumed that Laria would be at Krassium’s mansion.

“So where is she?”

At that moment, Laria, who had been listening to the conversation, couldn’t hold back any longer.

“Kyuuu!”

When she finally couldn’t contain herself and barked, Verdo reached out with both arms.

“I’ll take you in.”

As Semela, who couldn’t shake off her uneasiness, handed Laria over, Theodore took Semela’s hand with a regretful look.

“It seems she went out for a bit.”

“She… might be in the lab or something.”

Semela nodded her head.

‘This is bad.’

If her family returned home and couldn’t find her, it would cause chaos. After all, there had been a record of her going missing once before.

“Are you going back like this? Still, have some tea…”

When Verdo hesitated because he couldn’t send his benefactors away, Herdin quickly refused.

“It’s too late. We’ll be on our way.”

It wasn’t something someone who came by unexpectedly at such a late hour would say, but Herdin was shameless.

Disappointed, Verdo stepped back.

“…Alright. Then how would you prefer to receive the reward?”

They recalled the substantial reward mentioned on the flyer.

But they didn’t want a single penny from Zenox; they just wanted him to part with Laria.

Herdin, swallowing his true feelings, shook his head.

“We don’t need it.”

Verdo’s eyes widened.

Did they really not want a reward?

“Anyway, I’m so glad you found the fox. Don’t lose it again.”

Verdo was amazed by Theodore’s words.

Are there only people with great character in the Rohan family?

It was a truly unbelievable situation for Verdo, who had been suffering from false reports aimed at receiving money for the past few years.

Soon, the three people got back into the carriage.

Laria struggled with all her might to get away, but Verdo wouldn’t let go.

In the end, Laria could only watch as the Rohan family’s carriage moved further away.

‘Take me too…’

And when the carriage had completely disappeared, Verdo turned to the servants and said:

“Inform the Master immediately!”