Adam’s face darkened. He felt that there was really not much useful information.
“I have not yet confirmed her whereabouts before she turned thirteen. Despite her unusual appearance, there are surprisingly few people who claim to have seen her. …It seems she took precautions in advance.”
“That seems likely.”
Ariella nodded as if it were obvious. If Lizzy were not a fool, she would have organized her information right away if she had decided to commit such a significant act.
‘What a relief.’
She felt reassured. The fact that the information obtained by paying a capable informant was so limited meant that her father would also not be able to obtain information proving that Lizzy was a fake.
“Have you inquired about the servants who worked at the Duke’s residence fifteen years ago?”
“Yes. All those I contacted denied ever meeting Lizzy. While there is a considerable chance of deceit… it seems there is no one who would know the memories Lizzy mentioned. Those who held positions high enough to meet the Duchess are strangely not in the capital, and we are still searching for their whereabouts.”
“Yes, please continue searching. I would appreciate it.”
“Appreciate? A command would suffice.”
Adam bowed deeply.
Anyway, how stiff. Ariella smiled as if she were used to it and stood up, walking toward the bookshelf. She then found a document secretly hidden between thick books and handed it to him.
“And could you also look into the whereabouts of these two people, Smith Chestnut and Jane Chestnut?”
The edges of the document were slightly worn, suggesting it was quite old.
Adam took the document and examined it closely. The document had portraits of a man and woman with mischievous expressions attached to it.
“They are a common couple who lived in the Portney area until seven years ago. They probably left Portney by now. There may be a lot of lost information.”
“Who are they? I don’t recognize their faces.”
“They are the ones who raised Lizzy until she was thirteen. She grew up under this couple from the age of five. If we investigate the couple, we might uncover Lizzy’s past as well.”
Adam stared at Ariella with a blank expression. After a moment of hesitating lips, he slowly asked.
“…Where did you obtain such information? Even the informant didn’t know…”
“It’s information I gathered when I met Lizzy seven years ago. She is a child I brought in and kept by my side. I couldn’t just let her be without any investigation.”
Her tone was calm as if it were nothing, but Adam couldn’t help but be astonished.
When she brought Lizzy in, Ariella was only fifteen years old. How could she be so thorough at such a young age? It was both admirable and pitiful. Ideally, a child should grow up just being a child.
“Is there anything I can do as well?”
Amira, who had been listening carefully, cautiously interjected.
“You?”
“Yes! I want to help the lady too!”
Her face sparkled with pure enthusiasm.
Ariella looked down at her with a faint smile. Her face was kind, but her gaze was cold.
“…Then could you find out about the servants? What positions they take regarding Lizzy and me?”
“Yes! I have quite a wide network, you know. I’ll find out for sure! Leave it to me!”
“Thank you. I appreciate it. Oh, and as you know, I lack talent in dressing up. I would be grateful if you could help me choose a dress when I call for a seamstress later.”
“Oh my, of course!”
Amira seemed to have been waiting for that very statement, jumping for joy.
“Well then, Adam, I’ll be counting on you as well.”
“Yes. I will ensure the truth is revealed and that they receive the punishment they deserve.”
Adam declared solemnly.
Ariella smiled without answering. Their purposes were quite different.
While they both aimed to find a flaw in Lizzy, she had no intention of using that to reveal the truth.
On the contrary, it was the opposite. If a flaw appeared, she intended to fill it herself.
Until she passed this position, it would be troublesome for the truth to come out. Of course, after leaving Bedford, she would use it in another way.
‘Lizzy, you should have chosen me as an accomplice from the start.’
It would have been much easier that way. Ariella genuinely felt regretful.
At that moment, another knock was heard.
Knock, knock.
“Miss. I apologize for interrupting your rest, but I have something urgent to convey.”
“Come in, Rose.”
As always, Rose entered, neatly dressed, holding a letter.
Ariella checked the words written on the letter. Seeing which family it was from, she fully understood why Rose had rushed over.
“Amira. It seems that a task for you has come up sooner than expected.”
“After all, it’s a limited time, so I have no regrets.”
The sentence adorned with a blue star and moon symbolized the Lancashire Count family. A letter from there was predictable.
