Chapter 104

Chapter 104

Though they had combed the river thoroughly, Ines's body could not be found.

Word came that the imperial guard, having achieved nothing more, had called off the search.

In effect, it was an acknowledgment of Ines's death.

In the end, on the day of the funeral, it was decided that Ines's coffin would hold a torn piece of clothing and a single shoe in place of the body that had never been found.

Even those had been found only with great difficulty.

Count Greenwood said nothing.

His hollow eyes were those of a man who had failed to grasp reality.

He seemed unable to hear anything, and his gaze, staring blankly at his daughter's coffin, was empty.

“Brother…”

“Lea. Where is Ines?”

“Brother.”

The Imperial Consort bit down hard on her lip.

The sight of her brother, who had always shielded her like a mountain, now so fragile,…