Chapter 42

### The Capital of the Kingdom of Hagel

Chef Dave returned to Hagel and was busy every day trying to recreate the delicious dishes he had tasted in Ashbury. His cooking was excellent, and Lord Highland seemed pleased.

"Today, I'll try to make that dish with venison."

Dave hurriedly looked around the market and decided to buy the venison he was looking for.

On his way, he noticed a nobleman coming out of a bookstore. It was his benefactor who had introduced him to the Duke of Angard before the duke's fall.

Dave stopped his cart and called out to the earl, who was about to leave in his carriage.

"Lord Iglesee! It's been a long time. I'm Dave, the chef you introduced to the Duke of Angard."

"Ah, it's you. How have you been?"

Lord Iglesee only turned his eyes slightly toward Dave while remaining seated. His attitude was cold, but Dave, who hadn't forgotten the favor, approached and bowed.

"The Duke of Angard is gone, but thanks to you, I now work for Lord Highland."

"I see, I see. Keep up the good work."

Lord Iglesee was about to tell the driver to go when Dave's next words made him stop.

"I'm sorry, but I couldn't make much use of Carol, whom you entrusted to me. I saw her in Ashbury, and she seemed to be doing well."

"Carol? You saw her? Was it definitely Carol?"

"Yes. Carol used to be a quiet girl, but now she's very beautiful and seems happy."

Lord Iglesee opened the carriage door and told Dave to get in.

"No, I can't. I bought venison, and I don't want to dirty your carriage..."

"Just get in!"

From there, Dave was bombarded with questions about Carol. The place where he saw her, the people she was with, her clothes, and even her hairstyle. He answered all the repeated questions and was finally released. Lord Iglesee then ordered Dave to get out and drove away quickly.

"What's going on? He didn't seem interested when Carol disappeared, but today he was so enthusiastic."

Shaking his head, Dave returned to his cart.

"Well, it's fine. Carol seemed happy, and I got some good venison."

### Central Management Office of the Special Task Force of the Kingdom of Hagel

"Is that true, Lord Iglesee?"

"Yes. I believe it's true since it's from a chef who worked with her for five months."

From there, Lancome grilled Iglesee and took notes. Iglesee was the one who had arranged a natural meeting between the duke and a potential new wife to gather evidence of corruption, and he had sent Chloe and the chef to the duke's house. He was closely working with the special task force.

After Iglesee left, Lancome announced to the team.

"Chloe has been found."

"What?!"

"She's alive?"

"Where was she?"

The team gathered around.

"She was in the capital of Ashbury."

"So... Chloe escaped?"

"It seems so."

The team members looked at each other.

"Ashbury?"

"Why did she escape if she was the ace?"

"Did she defect to Ashbury?"

Lancome, who had been listening to the commotion, finally spoke.

"I will go to retrieve Chloe. Dan, Jacob, come with me."

"Yes, but do you really need to go yourself? We two can..."

"Can you two convince her, get her to agree, and bring her back unharmed? The special task force wants her alive and well, not a lifeless body. Our goal is to recover her skills and talent."

Lancome's piercing gaze made Dan tense.

"Sorry!"

Lancome immediately sought permission to leave, but the prime minister made him wait before entering the room.

"Chloe's escape is a shame. She contributed so much. You don't need to go yourself. It's a pity to lose Chloe, but give up on bringing her back."

Lancome was disappointed. He thought it was a waste to let Chloe go. If he could train her and make her a teacher at the training school, she could contribute so much to the special task force. He believed he could convince her.

"I've been training Chloe since she was eight. I will definitely convince her and bring her back to serve this country again. Please, let me."

Lancome bowed deeply. The prime minister smiled faintly.

"Lancome, you're dealing with Chloe. Bringing her back alive is impossible. If it comes to a fight, we won't come out unscathed. Even if you bring her back, can you trust a defector? Most importantly, the king doesn't want it. He said, 'A dog that no longer swears loyalty to its master should be put down.'"

"..."

"If Ashbury doesn't realize her value, we don't want to reveal it. If Chloe is taken in by Ashbury, it will be troublesome. We'll dispose of her in a way that looks like a random act. The decision to dispose of Chloe is final. This matter is out of your hands."

The mission to retrieve Chloe was canceled. It became an assassination mission.

"Submit all information about Chloe's sightings."

"...Yes."

### The Kingdom of Ashbury

At Victoria's house, Victoria was burning unnecessary items and things she didn't want others to see in the fireplace.

"Vicky, what are you doing?"

"Hmm? Cleaning up. Nona, can you really pack only the most important things in the shoulder bag?"

"There's only one important thing."

"What is it?"

"This!"

Nona showed her the blue ribbon she had bought her when she first took her in.

"Only this."

"I see. Then, can you put one day's worth of clothes and underwear in the backpack?"

"Sure."

I'll keep the move a secret from Nona until the last minute. If she accidentally tells someone, it will be a problem. If the captain tries to stop me. If Lord Clark looks sad. If Lord Bernard and Lady Yolana are disappointed.

(No, it's time. It's what I decided from the beginning.)

Thinking this, she looked at Nona.

(I can't give Nona a peaceful life for a while, but I promised to never let her go.)

She noticed that Nona's face was unusually red, and her eyes were moist. She quickly pressed her forehead to Nona's.

"Oh no, you have a fever."

Victoria gently placed the small bag with the new identity documents she had made in the corner of the room and hurried to put Nona to bed.