Chapter 53

I am currently serializing "Victoria 2: A Game with More Cards." https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2535hp/

If you have a moment, please feel free to visit.

The next day, Mike came to collect the documents. Jeffrey was away on business.

Mike, like me, had a rather unremarkable appearance; he was the kind of person who would easily be overlooked in a crowd and quickly forgotten. However, his movements were flawless.

"Yesterday, Lord Asher was here, so we couldn't delve into the details. You were once Hagar's ace, weren't you?"

Mike glanced at me with a look of interest and immediately said, "I have a few questions for you." They were about the reasons and methods behind my escape from the special forces.

Thinking of the people who were working to ensure the safety of my family and me, I decided to answer honestly as a way to show my gratitude.

"Hmm, I see," Mike said, listening intently. "Anna, did you help a death row inmate escape? My boss says you must have helped. Of course, your answers will be kept between us and my boss. No one else will know."

"...Yes. I was the one who helped him escape," I replied, having made up my mind.

Mike's face lit up with a "Hm" and he murmured, "I knew it. That person is truly remarkable." Then he began to ask detailed questions about the reasons and methods. I answered honestly for the most part but didn't mention the siblings I had helped escape.

"I handed over living expenses to a man outside the castle and parted ways with him, so I don't know what happened after that."

"I see. A wire saw hidden in the heel of a shoe. I see, a wire saw."

After muttering this, he asked more questions.

"Did you also knock out the man at the royal banquet?" When I answered "Yes," he asked for the reason. I answered honestly.

"Wanting to prevent a murder. There are agents who think like that. No, I apologize."

Mike, who had been talking to himself, suddenly came back to his senses and turned to me.

"That's all the questions I have. Thank you for your cooperation. If you're interested in the medicine, you can study it with Lord Asher in Shen."

"Absolutely! I would love to learn."

"Sure, I thought you would say that. I look forward to your achievements in Shen."

"Um, you're not asking me to steal information, are you? If so, I can't—"

Mike laughed heartily.

"No, no. I just want you to study normally, interact with the people of Shen, and absorb everything you can. Oh, by the way, there's something important I forgot to mention. When you return in five years, you can meet your old acquaintances. Hagar's organization isn't so idle as to chase you that far. Lord Asher will be a viscount upon his return, so Hagar's side won't commit the folly of killing the wife of a noble from our country. It wouldn't be worth it."

Why was he helping me, a mere agent, to such an extent? When I asked, Mike said, "If I told you, I'd lose my job. Just think of it as the will of someone important."

The procedures for my marriage to Jeffrey were completed. I received a new background, new identification, and a new last name. I also received letters from the prime minister to give to the captain and the head of the household where I would be staying.

"Mike, I once told someone at the royal banquet that I was from Randall."

This had been bothering me for a while.

"Don't worry. You're not the type of person who leaves a lasting impression. If you only met someone once, you can just say it was a case of mistaken identity. Besides, only my boss and I know that you are Victoria. The king, prime minister, and crown prince only saw you from a distance at the banquet."

Mike's boss, who was part of the government, seemed to be keeping my true identity a secret from the king and prime minister. I wondered why.

I almost said, "Lord Cedric knows about me," but I held back, not wanting to reveal that I was the cause of his broken leg.

"Jeffrey may seem like he's all about action, but he's also good with paperwork. I look forward to your return. Goodbye, and good luck."

"Thank you."

"Anna."

"Yes?"

"Congratulations."

I wasn't sure if he was congratulating me on leaving the organization or on getting married, but I smiled and bowed.

The day before boarding, Jeffrey returned home after resigning from his less than a year-long position as a security officer. Lord Cedric had apparently been disappointed until the end.

The time to set sail had arrived.

The ship slowly turned and began to head out to sea.

"Mom! Look at me!"

"Hm?"

Nonna ran across the deck, her golden hair shimmering, and then jumped, spinning in the air before landing gracefully.

"Hehe, well done!"

As I clapped, Jeffrey walked over from behind Nonna.

The girl I met on the day we arrived in Ashbury's capital is now my daughter, and the knight who vouched for me is now my husband.

Jeffrey, now my husband, is always worried and wants me by his side. I am always protected and pampered.

"Mom!"

Nonna clung to me tightly.

"You look like you're having fun, Nonna."

"Going to Shen and sailing are both fun!"

A crew member from Shen approached and spoke to us in fluent Ashbury.

"Madam, do you have any special requests for the menu?"

"My family and I will eat anything. Please give us the same as everyone else."

"Shen's cuisine is delicious. I hope you enjoy it."

"Thank you!"

The ship will sail along the coast, resupplying with food and water, heading for Shen. The voyage will take more than two months.

If there are any books on board, I want to learn to read and write in Shen. Learning a new foreign language is always exciting.

"Anna, the sea breeze is cold."

"Jeff, it's summer. It feels good."

"Is that so? Then don't stay out in the sun too long."

"Dad worries too much!"

Nonna started calling Jeffrey "Dad" from the day she was told he would be her father. She said it made her as happy as getting a blue ribbon. Even when told she would live in a distant country for five years, she didn't seem fazed.

"It's okay as long as Mom is with me. It's even better if Dad is there too."

She smiled, and I wondered if she was really that calm.

"When we get back, we'll teach Lord Clark Shen's language!"

"He'll probably say, 'I want to learn it too.'"

The voyage was smooth, with no sign of a storm.

"Jeff, am I really free now?"

"Yes, you are."

Jeffrey wrapped his arms around me from behind, and we silently gazed at the sea and sky together. Nonna pushed her way between us, hugging me, and we all laughed.

One day, after ten days at sea, Nonna and I were watching the sun set over the sea when she started talking while still looking at the water.

"A long time ago, when I was sitting alone in the square, I knew I had been abandoned. But you stayed with me in the square until evening that day."

She turned to me.

"I never said thank you. Back then, I didn't know many words. Thank you, Mom, for helping me even though you were running away too. Thank you for cooking delicious lamb for me. Thank you for buying me a blue ribbon. Thank you for becoming my mom."

I could only stroke Nonna's head and say, "Yes, yes."

The sun had almost set, leaving only a sliver on the horizon. Night was beginning.

If it weren't for Nonna, I wouldn't be alive now. I would have returned to the special forces without knowing about the assassination order and been killed.

"Hey, you two. It's time to go inside. Dinner will be ready soon."

"Okay."

"Okay, Dad."

Cherishing my family.

Maintaining long-term relationships with those I've met.

Helping others.

There are many more things. This time, I will fill in the gaps in my life and live fully.

I walked toward the ship's interior, holding Nonna's hand, with Jeff protecting me from behind.

Thank you for reading to the end.

I hope to see you in Victoria 2.