After leaving the small reception room, Charles walked back to his room, because he had just received the news from the Marquis, and he was already so preoccupied that his steps were much heavier.

When did Fran suddenly have such a friend? What's going on? What should I do about this?

His mind was so confused by these questions that he couldn't come up with a good idea. He has always been clever on other issues, but he has a feeling of being at a loss on these issues.

In all fairness, he knew that Fran should be about this age, but he didn't know why he felt so uncomfortable and wanted to talk to her, but he didn't know what to call it.

After thinking about it for a while, he finally decided not to tell Fran about it yet, and to investigate the young man named Ezreal Walter first—and if there was any ill-intention, he would be punished with the most severe means.

But what if it's a normal relationship? He asked himself again.

If it was a normal relationship, there was no way to stop it, after all, she should have her own social life...... When Charles first thought this, his heart suddenly tightened, as if he was disgusted by the question.

Is it jealousy? Jealous that she's somehow out of your sight? Already completely subordinate to you anymore?

Suddenly, such a sentence flashed through his mind, and a chill ran through his heart.

Forget it, don't think about it. Even if it's for the safety of my sister, I should ask about this matter, and I can't follow her arbitrarily. Until the end. Charles gave up on digging any further, wanting to use sleep to dispel this qiē annoyance.

However, there was a sudden soft sound at the door, and the familiar sound of footsteps made his sleepiness disappear completely in an instant.

Charles reopened his eyes.

Sure enough, it was Fran, who was holding a small candelabra and carefully closing the door.

"What's the matter? Dear Miss? Charles sighed softly. Sighing, he sat up from the bed.

"Anyway, you can't always be uninvited like this, can you? I've just come back from outside. ”

Although he seemed to be reluctant in tone, but in addition to annoyance. In fact, he still vaguely missed it - at least she still needed my brother's help, didn't she?

"It's because I know you're back that I came to look for you, because it's important. So I didn't care so much. I'm sorry, sir, but I have something important to look for you this time......" Fran carefully closed the door and walked over lightly.

By the time she walked in, Charles was finally able to get a good look at Fran today.

Because it was late autumn, Fran wore a thicker white velvet pajamas, which set off her face even fairer, in the dim candlelight. The blonde hair was casually draped over the shoulders, because the expression was solemn. The turquoise eyes are even more unfathomable. Also, I don't know if it was an illusion or what, Charles always felt that the bulge on her chest seemed to be slightly higher than it had been in previous months...... Well, maybe that's a delusion.

To be honest, Charles has always been quite proud to have such a beautiful sister, which is one of the reasons why he has almost been obedient to Fran since he was a child.

"I was taken aback by this welcome ceremony, and I didn't come to say hello to me because I thought you were asleep......" Charles chuckled reluctantly, "What's the matter this time, Fran?" ”

Since he had not yet fully grasped the situation, he decided to conceal the matter that Mademoiselle Marquis had just reported to him.

"There really is something very important, sir." Fran carefully placed the candlestick on Charles' desk, then walked over to Charles's bedside, sat down on the edge of the bed as well, and looked at Charles.

Compared with the past, although she was polite at this time, she did not have the intimacy of the past, as if she was trying to sit on the same level as her brother.

At the same time, because the other party's expression was very strict, Charles also unconsciously became serious.

"Well, tell me about it now," Charles nodded, "you know, I just came back and wanted an early rest. ”

Fran nodded slightly.

Then, she was silent for a moment, as if she was hesitating about something. But in the end, she made up her mind to open her mouth. "Do you remember the last time I asked your mother about it?"

Charles's heart suddenly tensed.

"What?"

"Be quiet...... Fran patted his hand gently, "I've learned something now......

"What's going on?" In the midst of tension and panic, Charles finally calmed down again, trying to make his expression look as calm as possible, "Didn't I tell you? We don't have to worry about what happened so many years ago, we all have our own new lives, don't we? ”

"Even if you say that, there are still a lot of things that are very concerning." Fran shook her head slightly, "Sir, haven't you ever found anything strange growing up?" ”

"What's the matter?" Charles struggled to suppress the uneasiness in his heart.

"Don't you notice?" Fran tilted her head slightly and looked at Charles suspiciously, "Growing up, we have never seen a portrait of my mother, and my grandfather has never mentioned her, and he has said it a few times...... But I never mentioned my mother, as if I was trying to make us forget my mother......"

Dangerous, too dangerous, no, can't let her ask any more, a cold sweat ran across Charles' forehead.

"It's nothing, is it? Everyone just takes care of your feelings, you see, even I never mention it. ”

"No, it's different." Fran shook her head slightly, apparently not accepting Charles's words, "And, even to take care of our feelings, you won't even leave us a portrait, right?" ”

Enough is enough, really enough......

"Maybe it wasn't in the first place?" Charles replied reluctantly.

"No, there is." Fran shook her head again, "I got one, it was left by my mother. ”

“…… You ......"

"Not only outside, but also at home." Before Charles could finish, Fran continued, "I spoke to our cook, and I heard her say that our family used to have a lot of portraits of our mothers, all of whom were painted by my father. ”

Then, she looked up and looked at Charles in a daze, "Don't you think it's weird?" After her mother died, all her portraits disappeared from the house, and then grandpa never mentioned her, dad...... Dad also disappeared very quickly......"

"What does that mean?" Charles asked rhetorically, "Fran, listen to me, don't worry about it so much, let the past pass, what's the point of getting to the bottom of it?" ”

"But that's our mother? That's the one who gave us life! Fran refused to budge, "If there are so many things to wonder about, can we act as if nothing has happened?" ”

"So did you draw any conclusions from this?" Charles forcibly suppressed his mood and asked in an astringent voice.

"I don't know yet." Fran frowned slightly, then looked up at Charles again, "However, maybe we can ask someone else, maybe they can tell us something." ”

"So who to ask? Ask grandpa? Charles asked angrily.

"Ask Grandpa and he won't tell us anything......" Fran sighed, "I mean ask the other insiders." ”

"So who do you mean?"

"Our grandfather passed away a while ago." Fran replied thoughtlessly, "Looks like our family didn't go to the funeral, right?" We weren't even informed...... Brother, don't you think this situation is strange? Generally speaking, even if you look down on poor relatives like us, you won't get to this point, right? And...... And now we are not poor relatives, they still have a lot of places to rely on us, right? I also sent someone to find my grandfather a while ago...... So, so I think they haven't been with our family for so many years, there must be some hidden reason in that, and we should go for ......"

Her words were abruptly interrupted.

"You must think this detective game is fun, right?"

Charles knew that his expression must be scary now, but he couldn't care so much, "Do you ignore my advice and still take care of those things?" And you want to go to that family? Didn't I say you weren't allowed to look for it? Why don't you listen to me? Why? ”

"But...... But ......" Under Charles's questioning, Fran finally cringed a little.

"I know you're not happy with me because of your marriage to Charlotte...... But even because of that, you shouldn't be against me in everything, right? Charles continued, "Is it so hard to get you to obey me once?" ”

"What do you mean to be wrong...... You're going too far! Fran reached out and pinched Charles hard.

Then, she lowered her head, and her tone seemed to be a little sad and dissatisfied, "She is also your mother!" Do you really not care about her at all? ”

But I never thought of her as a mother - I'm sorry, but it can't be helped, who called this a boarding shell?

Charles sighed inwardly.

Just as he was about to say something, there were suddenly several knocks at the door.

"Charles, are you already asleep?"

The two siblings glanced at each other at the same time, and their hearts became nervous at the same time.

It's grandpa.

Before he could come to his senses, there was a knock on the door. "I have something to talk to you about, let me in."

Charles winked at Fran. What to do?

"Let him in." Fran said softly, "Slow down when you open the door, I'll hide." ”

"But......" Charles frowned, and finally he nodded, "All right." ”

Damn, how could this be today. He cursed inwardly and stepped out of bed. (To be continued......)