Chapter 56

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The sound of multiple footsteps approached, and Olivia suddenly looked up.

The room had become completely dark, so Taylor, who had been sitting still with Olivia, also got up from the chair, thinking it was dangerous to move around recklessly.

Her eyes had adjusted to the darkness, so she could vaguely make out the room.

Taylor and Olivia cautiously made their way to the entrance of the room and, while knocking on the door with their fists, called out to the outside.

"Is anyone there?"

"Please help us!"

Next to Olivia, Taylor pounded on the door vigorously.

Almost immediately, a voice from outside called out, "Olivia!?" and Olivia felt her strength drain from her body.

It was Silas's voice. He had indeed come to look for her.

"Why are you in a place like this... I'll open the lock, so please wait a moment!"

As he said, the sound of the lock being turned could be heard, and the door creaked open.

Before Olivia could step out of the room, Silas rushed in and hugged her tightly.

The strength of his embrace made her realize how much worry she had caused, and she wanted to apologize, but for some reason, she couldn't utter a word.

She buried her face in Silas's chest and took a deep breath.

She had believed that Silas would come to look for her, and Taylor had been by her side. Being locked in for six or seven hours wasn't that long, and she hadn't been hungry or in pain.

Yet, feeling the warmth of Silas, tears threatened to spill.

Perhaps, more than she realized, Olivia had been deeply anxious about being locked in. Even though she understood intellectually that everything was fine, her heart hadn't caught up.

Struggling to hold back the tears, Silas gently stroked her head.

She could hear Edward and the others talking outside, but she couldn't lift her head just yet.

"Are you hurt?"

"...No."

"There are many things I want to ask, but let's go back to the room first. It seems Edward and the others will give a report. Taylor also... seems to be doing well."

Silas chuckled and lifted his head.

Olivia took a deep breath and raised her head from Silas's arms. Taylor was complaining angrily to Colin, explaining that they had been locked in.

Colin was trying to calm Taylor, who looked ready to storm to Moana's place.

Taylor often becomes emotional, but as a maid, she is excellent. She wouldn't mention Lady Moana Arnett's name here, but with her intensity, it was uncertain when she might slip up.

As Silas said, it would be better to move to the room.

Back in the room, it was past dinner time, so light snacks were prepared.

Silas, Colin, and Ritzburg hadn't eaten anything while searching for Olivia, so they all had a light meal before talking.

Edward and Elizabeth were also going to come to Olivia's room after eating.

When Olivia and the others had finished their meal and taken a moment to relax, Edward and the others arrived and asked for an explanation of why they had been locked in. Olivia told them that when she was in the basement, Lady Moana Arnett had called her and they had gone to that room together.

"She left the room with a light, but at that moment, the door was locked, and we were left there..."

"Such a thing, Moana...?"

Elizabeth covered her mouth with both hands and gasped.

Elizabeth and Moana were friends. Not wanting to cause her any distress, Olivia chose her words carefully.

"It's not certain that we were locked in. Perhaps she had some reason and couldn't return."

"Reason? What kind of reason could keep a guest of another country locked up for hours?"

Edward sighed and shook his head.

"I appreciate your concern for Elizabeth, but this is a serious issue. It can't be brushed off with excuses like 'accident' or 'coincidence.'"

"I agree. Olivia was locked in, and we need a proper explanation."

Silas narrowed his eyes. It looked like a smile, but it was his angry face. Olivia didn't want to make a big deal out of it, but with Silas angry, she couldn't just say nothing happened.

Elizabeth's face was pale, but she didn't defend her friend. Given that she didn't say anything, it would be better for Olivia not to interject.

"It's late today. Tomorrow, we'll summon Lady Moana Arnett to the castle and ask for an explanation. Agreed?"

Edward confirmed with Elizabeth, who closed her eyes tightly and then nodded vigorously.

"Yes. I also want to know why Moana did such a thing."