Chapter 27

It was night when Lord Edward came to our house.

"You did a great job, Jeffrey. It seems those people started with the commoners in the South District and then moved on to the lower nobility. I heard there were many unfinished forged contracts in the attic of the Goodwill Loan Company. According to the Second Knight Regiment Commander, they plan to recover as many of the commoners' homes in the South District as possible."

"Is that so? I'm relieved that the Records Management Department determined the contracts were forged. I'm glad I could be of help."

"The lead came from Victoria's ointment, I hear."

"Yes, Lord Edward. When I told Jeffrey, he immediately said, 'That's suspicious' and took action."

"I see. No, you really did a great job."

Lord Edward, perhaps because he was the superior of the person who identified the forged contracts, left in a good mood.

After the raid on the Goodwill Loan Company, I visited Aure several times with Nonna. Aure's sentence was decided, and considering he was not the ringleader and it was his first offense, he was given a three-year imprisonment. We applied to visit him and brought some gifts, but while he accepted the gifts, he did not grant us a meeting.

On the way back, I always had to encourage the dejected Nonna.

"But, Aure said he was 'deceived,' right? I bet he joined them reluctantly. He must have run away from home, had trouble finding food, and joined them out of desperation."

I remained silent.

"Mom?"

"Are you trying to believe Aure's side to help him? Or because you can't accept being betrayed? Do you really think believing Aure's excuses will help him?"

"What do you mean by 'can't accept myself'?"

"When you cover for obvious lies, it's usually because you don't want to admit you were deceived."

I was aware that I had been harsh. We didn't feel like going home, so we headed to the book rental and antique book store we had visited before. The carriage, driven by Reed, had our family crest. Nonna calls it 'excessive,' but the family crest on the carriage has its significance. I'll have to endure it.

The sign on the door of Zachary's Antique Books and Book Rental read "Open."

"Welcome. Please take your time."

The store owner, Will Zachary, greeted us with a gentle smile. After greeting us, he went back to reading a book behind the counter. I looked at the bookshelf with the expensive antique books, but today there were no suspicious books. Perhaps the fake one had already been sold.

Nonna excitedly walked around the store, and soon returned with three books.

"Mom, can I borrow these?"

"These are not rental books but for sale. Yes, you can."

"You can buy them? Great!"

The three books Nonna brought were part of a series called "The Messenger from Hell, Del Dorgar," an adventure novel. I thought it was the kind of story boys would like, but I didn't say it out loud. I took the books to the counter and paid.

"Do you like adventure novels, miss?"

"Yes! I love them. I usually borrow them, so it's the first time I've bought them, and I'm really happy."

"I see. Please continue to support us in the future."

Will's smile turned his eyes into crescent lines, a smile that made me smile involuntarily.

Nonna was engrossed in the books on the way home in the carriage.

"You'll get motion sickness reading in the carriage," I warned, but she didn't seem to hear me. After dinner, she went straight to her room and read late into the night.

"Reading is a good thing," I said.

"Yeah. But, 'The Messenger from Hell'... *snicker*"

"Don't laugh in front of her. It seems Del Dorgar is Nonna's idol."

"The Messenger from Hell? An idol?"

Jeff, who was scratching his head, seemed to have trouble understanding girls' feelings.

To be honest, when I was a trainee in the organization, I had a crush on the protagonist of an adventure novel.

"Novel protagonists have a charm that real people don't have."

"Is that so? Even so, 'The Messenger from Hell.' *snicker*"

I decided to take my first love story to the grave.

A few days later, an unexpected guest visited our house. A carriage pulled up, and a girl of Nonna's age, wearing a deep pink dress, got out, supported by the driver. She was a beautiful girl with curly hair.

"I am Elizabeth Magrath. Is Nonna here?"

The red-haired, strong-willed young lady stood stiffly at the front door. I happened to be arranging the flowers in the entrance hall, so I answered.

"Nonna is in her room. I'll call her now. Please, come to the parlor."

"Are you perhaps Nonna's mother?"

"Yes, I am."

"I am deeply sorry. I am Elizabeth Magrath, the eldest daughter of Lord Roderick Magrath. Please remember me."

"Thank you for your politeness. I am Anna Asher. Please, this way."

I responded with the perfect manners of a noblewoman to her perfect lady's etiquette.

Elizabeth was momentarily surprised by my manners but quickly regained her composure and followed me with a stiff expression.

When I opened the parlor door, Nonna was lying on the sofa, reading a book.

"Nonna, get up. Elizabeth is here."

"Huh. Welcome."

"Nonna! That's rude. Get up."

"Nonna, I have something to tell you. Please sit up."

Nonna got up with a reluctant look and asked, "What is it?" without any expression.

"I asked you an impolite question in front of everyone. I am sorry. It seems my behavior reached my father's ears, and he scolded me severely. My father also experienced unpleasant things about his grandmother's background when he was young, and he said what I did to you was the same as being impolite to him."

"Hmm."

"Also, you showed consideration by speaking softly about my grandmother, didn't you?"

"So?"

"I owe you a favor. In the future, I will return that favor by helping you when you are in trouble. Despite my appearance, I am quite... capable in society."

"I don't need your help. Please don't worry about it. You can act as you please. *chuckle*"

Stop that laugh.

"You, that's rude. I came here to apologize. How can you refuse my help?"

"Look, I'm sorry, but your help is like a drop in the ocean. It doesn't affect me either way. I'm busy reading Del Dorgar. Go home."

Elizabeth glared at Nonna and approached her. I found it amusing and decided to watch silently.

"You like Del Dorgar? We have the complete set at my house."

"Really?"

Nonna's expression, which had been blank, suddenly lit up with excitement. It was so honest that I couldn't help but laugh.

"I'm not lying. My brother was once obsessed with it. Would you like to come and read them?"

"Yes! Can I come now? I've already read the ones I bought three times each."

"Sure. You can come now. Our chef's cakes are famous, and I'll treat you to them."

"Yay! I'll go. Is it okay, Mom?"

Should I allow this? Should I give her a refresher on lady manners first?

"Mom!"

"Mrs. Asher, I also ask for your permission. If I bring Nonna back, my mother will be very happy."

"Oh, Elizabeth, you don't seem to have many friends, do you?"

"I do! I do!"

"Weren't the people around you at the tea party just servants? Servants and friends are different, you know?"

"Ugh."

"It's okay. I won't be a servant, but I'll be your friend. Mom, can I go now?"

Unable to refuse the two beautiful girls, I said,

"Okay, but..."

"Yay! It's okay. Let's go!"

Elizabeth seemed delighted as she led Nonna to the carriage.

(Is it okay? Was it right to let her go like that?) I suddenly felt very anxious. Then, Bersa spoke from behind me.

"Mrs. Asher, Nonna is quite a charmer. To get that high-and-mighty young lady to open up so quickly is no easy feat. I am impressed by Nonna's skills."

Is that so? Was it okay?

Before dinner, Nonna came home in high spirits.

"Elizabeth's mother's sweets were really delicious. And Del Dorgar was really all there."

She placed a basket full of gifts on the table.

"I'm glad you had fun, but what's with all the sweets?"

"Elizabeth's mother told me to take them all."

"O-Oh, I see."

If Nonna had fun, that's good, I told myself.

When I told Jeffrey about Nonna and Elizabeth's conversation,

"Seems like Nonna was trained by Il in Shen. She must have become stronger in these matters. Still, Nonna is quite something."

Jeffrey laughed heartily, wiping away tears. I didn't realize he was such a laughaholic until recently.