The Queen Who Shares Love
Chapter 26 Behind the Door

Gerald noticed that there were about ten more children injured. Gerald went inside without a sound. They are in different bars, each child one room. They fell asleep with a cringe. Seemed bruises and wounds that had not dried on their hands and feet. Their bodies were also injured, visible from the piercing bloodstains on the clothes. 

Gerald was furious to see this. These children were likely missing children in the village near the temple. They were kidnapped and tortured to please Viscount Gremaroft. Viscount Gremaroft tortured them to vent his anger. The business he runs is almost bankrupt so he vents it out on these innocent children. Viscount offers Gerald to work together to save his business.

Gerald opened one of those iron-tested rooms. He saved the boy to be treated at his residence. The boy was still asleep in Gerald's arms exhausted. The child he saved will bear witness to Viscount Gremaroft's cruel deeds. 

Gerald saw the kids. There's no way he's taking them all. The time is not enough. Viscount Gremaroft can wake up at any time if he makes a noise. 

Gerald closed the door again, as well as the wooden door without carvings and decorations. He immediately returned to the main door where Isabella and Gerald met after finishing investigating this place. Isabella must have been there waiting for Gerald.

Gerald's guess is right. Isabella had been waiting for him at the main door. 

"Who is he, sir?" ask Isabella.

Isabella approached her Master. He stopped looking at the state of the child held by Grand Duke Faust. The child's situation is very concerning.

"There's no time to explain. Let's just go back to the residence" said Gerald.

Isabella complied with her master. They ran towards the horse they had previously parked outside Gremaroft's residence. They rode up to the horse then spurred it very quickly. There was no time to worry that their existence would be discovered. Their priority is to save this child.

***

By dawn, Gerald and Isabella had reached Gremaroft's residence. They immediately took the child to the living room to treat him. Isabella took a basin filled with water and a cloth to clean the child's wound. 

The boy frowned in pain and then woke up. He was surprised to be in an unknown place. He was also terrified to see Isabella.

The lap Isabella held on the boy's side. He gripped Isabella's arms tightly while crying.

"No, don't take me to that place again. I don't want to fight!" whining the boy.

"It's okay, now you're safe. I'll clean your wounds and wrap them up" Isabella said gently

The grip on Isabella's arm loosened. Isabella took a lap to continue what she did.

Gerald clenched his hands tightly. Innocent children become toys of nobility.

After he finished treating the child's wounds, Gerald gave the child food. The boy ate like he had never eaten for a few days. 

Gerald asks Isabella to get information from the boy. Gerald's cold face frightened the boy, so he handed it to Isabella.

The boy is still wary of Isabella and Gerald. He was afraid that they would treat him like Viscount Gremaroft. Isabella tried to persuade him. His parents in the village were worried because their son was missing. His parents are waiting for him. Isabella promised to take the boy home.

The boy told Isabella all the events he had experienced. He often played until night. Actually his parents had warned him because there had been a case of missing children in the village before. However, he ignored the advice of his parents.

That night was the same as the night before. He went out to play at his friend's house. No one expected him from behind. He is unconscious. Waking up, he arrived at the iron bars. 

The children in the lost village were in another iron bars. He felt scared.

Suddenly the fat man came. The man ordered the children into the basement in the middle of the iron bars.

The children came to a very large room. The man forced the children to fight each other, he promised to return the child who was able to become the winner. The man laughed loudly as the children beat and injured each other.  

There is only one winner. The child who is the winner is happy to be able to meet his family, without regard to the sadness and pain of other children. Viscount Gremaroft brought the winner. The winner never came back. The boys continued to fight about once a month. Every time a child comes out, a new child comes to the bars.

The boy Gerald saved fell asleep after recounting all the unfortunate events that had happened to him. Isabella and Gerald were stunned to hear that. They did not expect Viscount Gremaroft's actions to be that instant. 

There is one thing that disturbs them, where does the winning child go? There was no way that Viscount Gremaroft would let the child return to the village. No child is reunited with their parents. There was only one greatest possibility, Viscount Gremaroft silenced the child who was the victor forever, lest there be any witnesses alive.

"Isabella, quickly go to the palace. Report the heinous deeds of Viscount Gremaroft!" gerald's orders.

"Good, Sir." Isabella left the room immediately.

Gerald's going back to Gremaroft's residence. It was certain that Viscount Gremaroft realized that there was one child missing. The fat man will wrath and take it out on the other children. 

Gerald's actions by saving the boy were quite rash, with no planning at all. He should have asked the First Empress for an opinion first. However, there is no time. The longer they act, the more the children suffer. 

Gerald immediately headed for the train, then immediately got up from there.

***

The sound of men screaming filled the room. Viscount Gremaroft cursed, scolding his servant who could not keep his toy with a becus. One of his toys has escaped. And the Viscount's life depended on that child. Once the boy opens his mouth, the entire Viscount secret will be revealed.

He told everyone in his residence to find his missing manian, except for the children behind bars. They have to find him, otherwise they'll all be fired.

One of Viscount Gremaroft's servants again gave word that Grand Duke Faust was coming back. The viscount immediately fixed his untidy clothes in a hurry. He must look perfect so that his cooperation with Grand Duke Faust is smooth. It must be Grand Duke Faust returning to accept his offer immediately.

Viscount Gremaroft smiled widely. He forgot his lost toy for a moment. The frenzy of money floating before him filled his head. 

Grand Duke Faust stood in front of him. With a sharp look as if he was going to kill her. Unfortunately, Viscount Gremaroft was unaware of it. He thought that was how Grand Duke Faust looked. He didn't think he was welcoming the executioner.