Chapter 34

Ramilio, on that day, after everyone had fallen asleep, carefully wrote several secret letters without anyone noticing.

The recipients were the King of Illuminati, the King of Rai, and the bank headquarters.

He wrote about how Prince Antonio had targeted his daughter's assets and fled with the certificate to the safety deposit box. He also mentioned that Antonio had been cruel to Lucrezia for years and that his daughter had finally had enough of him.

He added that if they could help recover Lucrezia's set of jewels, he would pay a suitable reward.

--- Well, the world isn't that sweet, but still.

The main purpose of the letters was not to recover the jewels.

The goal was to inform them that Prince Antonio had no value as a hostage.

No matter how noble he was, the fate of someone who couldn't get a ransom was tragic.

Ramilio thought that if he could get rid of this trouble, it would be for the best, and he sent the secret letters to various places.

***

Prince Antonio's whereabouts were unknown.

Ramilio had pretended to search for him in the city for a while but eventually gave up.

During this time, news came that the Rai army had entered the capital of Illuminati and occupied the city.

"I wonder if Father is safe..."

"Even if he is, he won't come back. He has enough money to play around for the rest of his life."

Father wasn't the type to feel lonely and come to see Rosa or Lucrezia. She knew that.

"I didn't get the approval for the marriage, after all."

"It's not necessary. I love you."

Lucrezia smiled broadly and replied, "Yes."

***

--- It's almost time. Soon I'll be a billionaire.

Prince Antonio managed to evade Ramilio's pursuit and returned to the border of his homeland, Illuminati.

Once he reached this point, the rest was like a walk in the park.

The war between Illuminati and Rai was worsening day by day, and there were rumors that the national army was approaching the capital. It was fortunate that he had just managed to cross the border.

--- Once I get the jewels, I'll live abroad until the war with Rai is over.

Prince Antonio thought this casually and arrived safely in the capital two days later.

He slipped through the city's checkpoint and entered through a back route, immediately noticing the unusual atmosphere of the city.

There were no signs of people on the streets. Instead, soldiers on horses and camels were strutting around as if they owned the place.

Most shops were closed, but soldiers drinking alcohol could be seen in various restaurants even during the day.

Prince Antonio had arrived too late.

The capital had been completely occupied by the Rai army.

--- This is bad.

If he was suspected and questioned about his identity, it would be disastrous. If it was discovered that he was a noble, he would definitely not be allowed to escape.

Tense, he headed for the bank.

It appeared to be operating as usual.

--- Is it safe?

No country that invades another would refrain from looting.

Rai would have also raided the bank after the invasion, and the usual Prince Antonio would have realized this.

However, he was desperate and anxious because he had no other options.

--- Should I try to go in?

As he tried to pass casually, the guards on either side moved.

"Hey! What are you doing!"

"I have valuables stored here."

"This bank has been seized by the military. You don't have anything here!"

Prince Antonio should have retreated immediately, but the thought of a billion in the vault made him hesitate for a moment.

At that moment, a young man came out of the building.

He had black hair and black eyes and wore a turban that clearly identified him as a Rai national.

He recognized Antonio clearly. Their gazes met, and tension appeared on the young man's face.

A sharp voice in a foreign language rang out, and the guards' attention turned to Antonio.

Instinctively sensing danger, Antonio started to run, and angry shouts followed from behind.

Even though he didn't understand what they were saying, he could feel the danger.

As he ran, Antonio was filled with the thought that it was almost successful.

--- I didn't expect someone at the bottom to know me.

He was hit with a loud curse and a severe blow from behind as he entered an alley.

Rai soldiers were waiting there.

Resistance was futile. Antonio experienced the humiliation of being prodded like a slave.

--- Am I going to be captured?

Nobles were respected as captives because a ransom could be paid. If it was discovered that Prince Antonio had no such assets, he would be treated like trash.

Desperately, Antonio tried to think of a way to escape. If the certificate he cherished was worth no more than a piece of paper, he had to offer something else.

The only one who might pay a ransom for him was his daughter, Lucrezia.

"Wait! Let me go! If you let me go, I'll pay a suitable reward later!"

He pleaded desperately, but the Rai soldiers ignored him, speaking in their own language.

"Is there no one here who understands Illuminati? I am a great noble! I have royal blood! Someone!"

The Rai soldiers taunted Antonio, implying that he must be crazy.

So, when he learned that he was being taken to the royal palace, he felt a glimmer of hope.

--- That's right, I am of royal blood. I won't be allowed to die like a dog here.

Surrounded by rough Rai soldiers, he struggled to suppress his anger. It was the first time in his life that he had experienced the humiliation of being made to sit on the floor.

Eventually, the young man he had encountered at the bank arrived.

"I recognize you as the former Duke of Selavalle, now Prince Antonio."

The young man spoke smooth Illuminati and offered him a chair, and Antonio genuinely thought he was saved.

"I'm sorry, my men were a bit rough."

"No, it must have been a misunderstanding. By the way, who are you?"

The young man's eyes widened slightly.

"Ha ha ha! I can't believe you don't remember my face! What a funny family!"

Hearing the young man's loud laugh, Antonio instinctively knew he had made a fatal mistake.

--- Did he just say 'family'?

His daughter had caused a major incident by being rude to the Crown Prince of Rai, which was still fresh in his memory.

Memories connected, and Antonio recognized the faint sense of déjà vu he had felt about the young man.

"Could you be... Crown Prince Reisch of Rai...?"

"Did you remember me? We had meals together many times with your daughter Lucrezia. We must have met in the palace more than five or ten times."

He smiled sarcastically with his exotic features.

"Of course, a prince of a country like Rai might not be worth remembering for the nobility of Illuminati."

"I... I'm sorry... I was in shock... I could never forget you!"

"Interesting. Then, take your time to remember one more thing. Take your time, but... it's important, so don't get it wrong."

His eyes narrowed slightly, and the pressure on Antonio increased.

"Where is the certificate to the safety deposit box that you took from Lucrezia?"

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