Chapter 20

"Did they find the princess's whereabouts or a vein of gold?"

In a room on the fourth floor of the north wing of the castle, Edward Asher was reading the report submitted by his nephew, Clark. Victoria, who was thought to have the potential to find the grave of the missing fifth princess, had found something far beyond his expectations. However, the report was framed as "During a trip near the border with the Subaru Kingdom, I happened to discover a vein of gold while traveling with others." It made no mention of Jeffrey, Victoria, or Nonna.

"This must be because Jeffrey told him to keep quiet. But hiding it completely is not a good move. It will inevitably lead to questions about who the meritorious person is and why their name is being hidden. If someone does something great and says they don't want a reward, it will only pique more interest."

The credit should go to Victoria. Normally, she would receive a substantial reward. But she probably has no interest in the reward money. His brother would likely say the same, preferring to keep Victoria's existence unknown rather than receive a reward.

Five years have passed since the incident with the Hager assassin group. The royal family and the prime minister should have forgotten about Victoria, the escaped agent. He wants to avoid reigniting their interest, but the discovery of the gold vein cannot be left unreported.

Edward stood up, ran his fingers through his silver hair, and gazed out the window for a while before calling Mike. When Mike arrived, Edward silently handed him Clark's report. Mike took it with a puzzled look and began to read. Edward watched with interest as Mike's eyes and mouth gradually widened.

"Victoria must have discovered this, right? She's so capable! It's a shame. If she could work as an instructor here, that would be great. No, she could easily continue in the field with her skills."

"Neither my brother nor Victoria would want that."

"Of course. Hager tried to get rid of such an excellent person. What a fool."

Edward laughed darkly at this.

"Their foolishness helps us. Mike, our team will go to the site for verification. Choose about five people who are good at hiking. I'm going out for a bit. This report is missing crucial information. When I asked Clark, he said he didn't know anything, so I want to find out why she didn't tell Clark the important details."

"Missing? If the chief's intuition says so, it must be true."

◇ ◇ ◇

Edward was at his uncle Bernard's house.

"Uncle, have you heard about what Victoria and the others found? It's a bit of a problem."

"I've heard. What's the problem?"

"Clark submitted a report about the discovery of gold ore, but Jeffrey and the others don't want their names mentioned."

"Is that so? I haven't heard anything about it."

"Uncle, I need your help. How about we say that you and Jeffrey deciphered the 'Lost Crown' code and read the markers to find the crown?"

Bernard's eyes widened in surprise.

"No. Taking credit for Victoria's achievement is out of the question."

"It's not taking credit. Jeffrey and Victoria probably don't want the attention and don't care about the reward."

"That might be true."

"But it will only draw more attention. You know Victoria was running from someone important, right?"

"Yes, I do."

"If we say that you, Uncle, deciphered the code in the novel and Jeffrey found the gold vein, both of you will receive the reward. Victoria won't be investigated. If you don't want the reward, you can give your share to Jeffrey."

"Hmm, but..."

Edward smiled gently, determined to push a little more.

"Also, I need to ask Victoria something. There were five skeletons at the site, but the report doesn't mention them at all. It's unnatural for Elmar, who tried to communicate about the gold vein through a code, to not mention five skeletons."

"That's it! I also felt something was off. Yes, that's it. But there's a possibility that the parchment was lost halfway, right?"

Edward shook his head slowly.

"No. If it was sealed in a jar, the possibility of it being lost is low. From the content of the markers, it must have been Elmar who sealed the bodies in the cliff's crevice. As the head of the Records Department, I want to know this. If Victoria knows, can you ask her? If you say it will help your research, she might talk."

Bernard thought for a moment.

"Uncle, Jeffrey is a viscount without any land. In the future, money will never be a hindrance. Nonna is already twelve. She will be of marriageable age in a few years. I don't want her to feel uncomfortable in her new home. Jeffrey would definitely refuse financial support from me or you."

The mention of Nonna feeling uncomfortable swayed Bernard.

"Hmm. If Jeffrey and the others can receive the reward they deserve... Victoria has done a lot for me. I want to repay her. If they agree, I will help Victoria and Nonna."

"Thank you. As expected of Uncle. Then, please mention Jeffrey's name and ask about the skeletons."

With that, Edward left the house.

As a brother, he wants his younger brother to receive the reward he deserves. Being a viscount comes with expenses for maintaining a certain level of dignity.

If he had remained a knight, he could have lived comfortably, but his brother had given up his position for Victoria.

"But ultimately, Victoria will suffer economically. I want to help her in any way I can. If the prince hadn't offered a title, this wouldn't have become such a complicated issue."

The first prince's fondness for Jeffrey led to the offer of a title, but Victoria would have been more comfortable as a commoner. That's why he wants Jeffrey to receive the reward. It's a mix of brotherly and paternal affection.

◇ ◇ ◇

Jeffrey and I came to this house in response to Bernard's summons.

"What? Uncle, you want to mention my name?"

"I'll give up if you really don't want to, but if we say that you and I deciphered the code and you found the gold vein, you'll receive the reward. I'll give my share to you."

"But..."

"Also, you can present the process of this great discovery to the academic community. As a historian who loves literature, I want to reveal the truth hidden in the novel to the world."

"Hmm..."

"Being a viscount comes with expenses for living and socializing. Nonna will eventually get married. It would be sad if she felt uncomfortable in her new home. Money is never a hindrance. Think of it as for Victoria and Nonna. Will you accept this offer?"

Jeffrey and I looked at each other.

If I don't have to appear in public, I don't mind. I can say, "My wife is ill and bedridden."

Seeing the deep wrinkles on Bernard's face and the lack of elasticity in his skin (well, it's fine) made me feel more relaxed.

In the surrounding countries, including Ashbury, turning sixty is described as "the time given by God."

If you survive to sixty, you have lived a full life and can leave at any time. Bernard is quite long-lived.

"Jeff, if my name isn't mentioned, I don't mind. Bernard probably wants to fulfill his duty as a scholar. If we are called to a public event, I can say, 'My wife is ill and bedridden. I apologize.'"

"I'm sorry, Victoria. I know you have reasons for not wanting to appear in public. You were running from someone important, right?"

"Yes, well..."

The meaning of "falling in love" is quite different from what Bernard thinks, but it's best to agree here.

"I won't do anything to endanger you. I need you to tell me the details again so my presentation doesn't seem unnatural."

"Yes, Bernard."

"Thank you. Did Elmar leave any notes about the five skeletons? That part seems to be missing."

Jeffrey stiffened for a moment but quickly smiled.

"Yes, there was a piece of paper with some incomprehensible writing. Victoria?"

"Yes. I thought it was a draft and set it aside, but it might be that. Here you go."

We answered, "We'll have it delivered to you tomorrow," and left Bernard's house.

I was impressed by the historian's keen observation, and Jeffrey chuckled, saying, "I underestimated scholars."