Reinhard followed Lianna's direction, paying no heed to captivated gazes she had captured. It was a sight Reinhard was used to by now.
"...."
Staring at Lianna's delicate back, Reinhard couldn't help but reminisce the first ti he had t her.
eting Lianna a little over a year ago had changed his course of action. While in the past, when he was sixteen, would often sneak into the backwater alleys of the city, attempting to forge connections with the underbellies of society.
For reasons being, peering out for any information directly connected to his family's murder.
But all he was t with were grubby scams, and attempts on his life.
It was only during the sumr break, right before he was admitted into Astrea Academy—when he t Lianna, a peculiar woman who owned most of the establishnts in the red–light district, and accepted his request.
That was all Reinhard really ever needed.
Initially, Reinhard was skeptical. Maybe this woman was another scamr?
However, to his surprise, Lianna had shown results.
In just a day, she had managed to easily present the ti–fra of when the ti occurred, who was around the vicinity, the weapon used at the scene of the cri, officers directly related to the case, and so on.
For that reason, Reinhard couldn't help but trust her.
But that was really it.
Lianna provided him the resources, but couldn't pinpoint exactly who the suspects were.
Regardless, Reinhard couldn't begin to appreciate her from the bottom of his heart.
Lianna had helped him without ever asking for anything in return. How can he leave her when she had done so much for him?
Others may call him gullible, maybe she had a hidden agenda?
But no, Lianna was never that kind of person. He had never seen any hint of malice, nor any hidden intentions.
After all, while Lianna engaged in a rather questionable business venture. Her funds directly went to sponsoring the Imperial Army.
For that reason, she was regarded as an Imperial Army sponsor, and due to her strength, was offered a spot inside the Imperial Army itself.
However, Reinhard had been secretive about the whole thing.
His uncle, and last remaining family mber, Bellion, was unaware of his relationship with Lianna.
Now that he thought about it, it was quite peculiar why Lianna decided to help him.
No, Reinhard had several theories in mind.
From what Lianna had told him, she was looking for her brother, who went missing over a decade ago.
Maybe…. she had seen herself in him.
A lost child, trying to solve the mystery regarding their family.
"We're here."
"Ah?"
Her soft noblewoman-like voice reached his ears, snapping him out of his thoughts.
After walking down the sealed basent for a while, they entered the room at the end of the corridors.
Reinhard had been in this room a few tis in the past.
It was Lianna's personal chamber—where she kept a lot of hidden docunts stored.
Lianna walked towards the desk and lightly traced the wooden fiber with her fingertips.
"Recently, I've discovered sothing new."
"Hm?"
Reinhard listened attentively, digesting Lianna's words.
"My brother….. he was never missing. I only found out a few days ago."
"Really? That's great. That ans you can find him, right?"
Reinhard spoke with genuine happiness for her.
"No."
However, Lianna shook her head and took a seat.
"Then?"
"He's dead. Or more precisely, murdered."
"...."
Reinhard's brows knitted upon hearing the revelation.
"Do you know who did it?"
But still, he had to ask. He wanted to help her find the perpetrator and seek the justice Lianna deserved.
"Sadly, no. But…. I know soone who does. But I'm unable to reach her at the mont."
"Who?"
"A woman nad Evelyn Cessna."
That….
He knew that na.
How could he not when it was his professor a year ago?
A na he could never forget. After all, Evelyn Cessna was now regarded as the second coming of Lucian Frost.
"Should we ask her then?"
"Well, I can't. It's hard to arrange a eting with soone high in stature such as her."
"Then let arrange it."
Reinhard volunteered himself.
He was confident he could do it.
After all, he was close–friends with soone who harbored a close relationship with Evelyn Cessna.
Who else but Brandon Locke?
"Hm?"
The depressive look in Lianna's face vanished as she blinked her eyes out of curiosity.
"I know soone who can help us. Leave it all to , Miss Lianna."
"Really? You'd do that for ?"
"Yes, after all you've done for , I can at least do this much."
"....Thank you."
Reinhard nodded his head after Lianna thanked him.
Finally, he could return the favor to her. Not once had he contributed to finding her brother.
But now, she finally found him…. And to their surprise…. he was dead.
He wanted to console Lianna in any way he could.
'Leave it all to ….'
***
There was not much Brandon had found out regarding Reinhard's circumstances. Just that, there was a connection between him and the woman nad Lianna.
For that reason, right before he attended his first lecture in his new class, Brandon stopped by Bellion's office.
Laying several photographs on the table, Brandon sat back and allowed Bellion to scrutinize the photographs.
In his hand was a cigarette.
*Puff*
Seeing Bellion taking a drag, he was reminded of Evelyn.
Evelyn should've been discharged a few days ago. However, not once had she appeared nor contacted him.
But in the first place, why would she even contact him?
"I know I told you to look out for him. But I didn't expect you to blatantly stalk him….."
Bellion, who had just finished scanning the photographs, raised his head and looked at Brandon.
"Still…. I guess I should talk to him."
Clearly, there were miscommunication issues between the uncle and nephew duo. If Bellion had wanted to, he could've asked one of his officers to stalk Reinhard.
However, it was clear to Brandon that it wasn't what Bellion wanted. Giving Brandon the impression that Bellion was being cautious about all this.
Regardless, Brandon paid no heed to it.
He wanted results fast.
But still… since he had already disobeyed Bellion's unspoken instructions, it was finally ti to ask.
"I'm still in the dark about all this. What exactly is going on with Reinhard?"
"Has he ever talked about his family with any of you?"
"No."
From what he rembered, Reinhard lived a lavish and happy childhood. But soon afterwards, he had a fallout with his family and lived with his uncle shortly after.
That's at least what he could recall from Raven's mories.
After that, Bellion told him sothing that was quite unexpected.
"When Reinhard was eight, he lost his family…. I…. lost my sister…."
"...."
This wasn't how things were supposed to go.
It seems like there were variables that had affected Reinhard.
Variables that only existed in this progression.
"My condolences."
"I know you're still a child yourself, but…. I'm pretty sure you're an old man inside your head."
"...."
The fuck?
"I'm sure others think the sa way. Whenever I speak to you, it doesn't feel like I'm talking to a 17–year old."
"....?"
But Bellion's statents were quite understandable.
Who in their right mind would think a 17–year old was a mber of a rcenary group?
"I know most of your secrets. It's only fair that I share a little bit about myself."
"Yeah, okay. Spill."
However, what Bellion said next had truly taken him aback.
"The perpetrator responsible for Reinhard's parent's demise…."
Brandon's eyes widened in shock, hearing the next set of words that ca out of Bellion's mouth.
"Was ."
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