Chapter 317: When did he leave?

Damian met Toby shortly after lunch. He found the young man seated on the floor, eating from a plate placed before him. The moment Toby noticed the Duke approaching, he hurriedly got to his feet and set the plate on the nearby table.

"Your Grace," he said, bowing deeply.

"You should finish your meal first. Then come to the garden and see me," Damian instructed before turning away.

Toby quickly returned to his food. He finished the remaining meal as fast as he could, picked up the empty plate, and stepped outside. A servant was passing through the corridor, and Toby handed the plate to him before looking around uncertainly.

"Excuse me. May I know which way leads to the garden?" he asked.

"Follow me."

The deep voice made Toby turn. Maurice was standing a short distance away, waiting for him. Toby immediately hurried after him without asking any further questions.

When they reached the garden, they found Damian seated on a wooden chair with Eilika sitting beside him. The Duke looked up as the two men approached.

"You told the Duchess earlier that you knew where Garrett was hiding," Damian said, addressing Toby. "Is that still true?"

"Yes, Your Grace." Toby lowered his head respectfully. "I can guide you to the place where Garrett is staying."

"Good. Maurice will accompany you," Damian said.

Maurice gave a slight nod and stepped forward, but before he could leave, Eilika spoke.

"But Garrett has already seen Maurice. Wouldn’t it be risky to send him? If Garrett recognizes him, he might realize that we have found him and escape before we can capture him."

"He doesn’t know that we are looking for him," Damian replied calmly. "And he has no reason to believe that Maurice would come after him. Rest assured, I have already considered the risk."

Eilika studied his expression for a moment. The certainty in Damian’s voice made it clear that he had already made his decision and had a plan in mind. She therefore chose not to argue further.

"Come with me," Maurice told Toby.

Toby hesitated before following him. He glanced back at Damian, clearly still uncertain about what awaited him.

"Will I be granted my freedom once I take you to Garrett?" he asked.

"If you succeed, we will discuss your freedom," Damian answered sternly. "But if you fail to lead us to him, you will remain under our custody."

Toby’s expression fell at those words. He had hoped his cooperation would immediately secure his release, but he understood that he was in no position to bargain with the Duke.

"I understand, Your Grace," he replied quietly.

He bowed to Damian and Eilika before following Maurice out of the garden.

Once they had gone, Damian rose from his chair and straightened his coat.

"I must go as well."

Eilika immediately stood.

"What?" she exclaimed, surprised by his decision. "You are going with them?"

"Garrett needs to be captured today," Damian replied. "I don’t intend to give him another opportunity to disappear."

"But you just sent Maurice with Toby."

"They will lead us to him. I will make certain Garrett does not get away once we find him."

Eilika watched him closely, still uneasy about the situation.

"Stay here," Damian told her. "I will return soon."

Without waiting for another objection and given her a nod, he left the garden to join the men who had already set out to find Garrett.

~~~~~

Xenia hurried to the rest house as soon as she learned that August had helped reveal the truth. She wanted to thank him in person for everything he had done, especially because she had never properly expressed her gratitude during the past few days.

When she reached the rest house, she went straight to the owner, who was standing behind the counter with his ledger open before him.

"Can I see Prince August?" she asked, still trying to catch her breath from hurrying there.

The owner looked at her with mild amusement.

"Why do you wish to see a prince?" he asked with a chuckle. "Prince August has already left for Varos."

Xenia’s expression changed at once.

"What? When did he leave?" she asked anxiously.

"I believe it was about thirty minutes ago," the owner replied. He closed his ledger and tucked it beneath his arm before walking past her.

Xenia remained standing there for a moment, stunned by the news. She had come with the intention of thanking August properly, only to discover that she had arrived too late.

Her heart sank. She had not even been able to say a proper word of gratitude to him.

Over the past few days, she had behaved awkwardly whenever he was around. Instead of expressing what she truly wished to say, she had only managed to make one mistake after another. Now that he had left, she regretted not having gathered the courage to speak to him sooner.

With no reason to remain at the rest house, Xenia turned around and made her way back home.

As soon as she entered the courtyard, she saw Lara sitting there with the youngest of her brothers in her arms. Henry and Charlie were seated nearby, and both had their hands bandaged.

Lara noticed Xenia approaching and immediately looked toward her brothers’ injured hands.

"Brothers, what happened to your hands?" she asked worriedly. "I knew something was wrong."

Before either of them could answer, Lara noticed Xenia.

"Sis, look. Our brothers are injured."

Xenia’s gaze immediately fell upon the bandages wrapped around Henry and Charlie’s hands. She frowned and stepped closer.

"Yes, I can see that they are injured," she replied. "But why are you both sitting outside? You should be resting inside."

"We were waiting for you," Henry answered.

Xenia looked at the two of them, her expression softening slightly. "Just get some rest. Both of you need time to recover," Xenia said with a sigh.

Without waiting for a response, she turned and headed toward her room.

Charlie watched her leave and frowned.

"What happened to her?" he asked, looking at the others.

The others exchanged uncertain glances and shook their heads. None of them had any idea what was troubling Xenia or why she seemed so down.