Chapter 56

I had already written about Nonna's movements on Twitter, but the video I'm referencing for her actions is this one. It shows a high school girl (at the time) performing incredible acrobatics, climbing a high wall, doing forward and backward flips, leaping from a narrow foothold, and jumping down. Watching it while imagining Nonna doing the same is quite thrilling. The video has sound.

https://youtu.be/9ftxDsHM6X8

"Victoria, from Gunther, also known as Grayson's interrogation, we learned quite a lot."

"…You were still interrogating him? I thought you had already sent him back to Egal."

"It was the decision of my superiors. The truth serum from Shen worked exceptionally well."

"You used that drug! Even though he is a relative of the Egal royal family?"

"He pretended to be someone else and got close to our royal family, so it was only natural."

It's not natural at all.

You could have sent him back to Egal to gain favor, or used him as leverage in negotiations between countries. Instead, you treated him as a criminal and used the truth serum.

I don't know who the leader of the Third Knight Regiment is, but I now understand that they are a person who shows no hesitation or mercy to anyone.

During my stay in Shen, I witnessed the use of the truth serum on criminals. I saw with my own eyes the chilling effect of that drug.

When questioned, the person would immediately and fluently confess. They would talk without realizing they were leaking information. The drug is extremely expensive, and its manufacturing method is a closely guarded secret.

"Regarding the attack on Delphine, we don't have much time."

"Could it be related to that gold mine?"

"No. A struggle for the throne has begun in Egal."

"Oh, the king of Egal is quite old, isn't he?"

"Yes. As long as Delphine is the crown princess, if there is a civil war in Egal, our country's army will intervene to support the Egal royal family."

"The people who want to eliminate Delphine to prevent that. They are the anti-royal faction, right?"

"Yes. The king of Egal is in very poor health, so the side targeting Delphine doesn't have much time either. That's why they used poison, I think."

If they are in a hurry, we need to act quickly too.

"We don't have solid evidence yet, but we have a general idea of how the poison was put into Delphine's food."

"…Victoria, you hardly have time to go out. Impressive. Please tell me."

"Before that, I have a question for Mike. Is the Third Knight Regiment not involved in the security of the royal family, or are they in a position where they cannot be involved?"

"That's not the case."

Mike answered immediately without changing his expression or moving his eyes, but he was lying. I realize now that he is well-trained.

It's clear that the Third Knight Regiment is not significantly involved in the security of the royal family.

Erie must have put the poison in herself.

Because the management around the royal family is lax, Erie, who lives in the castle, could obtain poison. The people who can meet Erie, who is attached to the crown princess, are quite limited.

This means there is someone inside the castle who gave Erie the poison.

"Erie drank the poison herself. She couldn't bring herself to kill the beloved Delphine, and if she just committed suicide, her family would not be safe. So she tried to make it look like she failed in an attempt to poison Delphine, thinking it would clear her family's debts. She must have been very desperate."

"Hmm."

"However, the poison Erie took was replaced with a weaker one by someone. Erie, who was prepared to die, must be confused now. She must be struggling with what to do next. We need to act before she resorts to other means of suicide."

"Do you have any suspects for who replaced the poison?"

"I think it was Nina, my replacement. She is the only one who can enter Erie's private room without arousing suspicion."

"But...?"

"She is probably a noble from this country, like me. If we consider that she was sent by the pro-royal faction to temporarily protect Delphine until the throne struggle in Egal calms down, it all makes sense. Mike, you and the others must have noticed this, right?"

"…"

"I am an outsider, but with so many secrets, I can't properly fulfill my role as a shadow. I can't protect Delphine without sharing information. The enemy is already on the move. Mike, is Nina from Egal?"

"Yes… that's right."

"Moreover, Erie doesn't know this, does she? Otherwise, she wouldn't have been so careless as to let the poison be replaced."

The reason I realized Nina is from Egal is simple.

When I first spoke with Delphine, she pointed out the northern accent of the Egal Kingdom. Nina spoke with a similar accent twice.

Accents that are deeply ingrained in the body are easy to slip out in casual conversation. I was able to work in various countries because I could speak without a Hagle accent.

"She was probably sent to this country because of her proficiency in Ashbury, but she hasn't completely eliminated her northern Egal accent."

"Hmm."

"When I spoke with Erie, it seemed like she was the only one who came with Delphine from her family. Considering all of this, I realized Nina's true identity."

Mike sighed softly. I wanted to ask what that sigh meant but continued speaking.

"Mike, I will take action before Erie, in her desperation, tries to commit suicide by other means. Is that okay?"

"Understood. If it's Victoria, I trust you, but make sure neither Erie nor Nina dies. If there is a suspicious death near the royal family, you will be investigated too. You are considered one of us. If your true identity is revealed, people will wonder why the wife of Lord Asher is doing such things."

"Of course, no one will die."

"Then I will leave this matter to you. I can't easily enter the royal living area. Also, there is another important matter today. We have a guest for you."

Mike approached the door and opened it slightly. The door was then forcefully opened, and a large figure slipped in.

"Jeff!"

"It's been a while, Anna. A month, right?"

I ran to Jeff and hugged his neck. I deeply inhaled his familiar scent. My husband still smells wonderful. Mike quietly left the room.

"What's going on? Has something happened to Nonna?"

"Nonna is staying quietly at my brother's house. She's getting along with my mother, who is taking care of her. I came here today because I'm leaving for a while."

"You are? Where to?"

"The Western Forest."

"The Western Forest? Are we going to war with Subaru?"

"I'm accompanying a diplomatic mission to prevent that. It's by the noble council's designation."

"What? You're not a member of the Royal Guard or the Second Knight Regiment anymore!"

I glared at the door Mike had left through.

"Don't glare at me or the Third Knight Regiment. I was knighted for establishing a trade guild in Shen and received a reward for discovering the gold mine, so I stand out. Being singled out is inevitable. Besides, I am the most knowledgeable about the Western Forest among the nobles. I will be the guide and liaison with the Subaru army and the diplomatic mission."

"Will the Ashbury army be accompanying the diplomatic mission?"

Jeffrey nodded slightly.

"Yes. Our country's army will also accompany the mission. The Subaru army has been gathering near the Western Forest for a while. The diplomatic mission can't go unarmed and risk being captured."

"What about the possibility of a battle if negotiations fail?"

Jeff didn't answer.

There must be a significant possibility. The nobles who don't like Jeffrey's success probably nominated him for this mission.

There are no guarantees in war. Even if Jeffrey is a skilled swordsman, there is no guarantee he won't die.

I thought that even if the worst happened to me as a shadow, Nonna and Jeff would be safe.

For a moment, my thoughts froze with the fear of losing Jeffrey and the worry of leaving Nonna alone again.

"I understand. You're worried about me, and you're afraid that Nonna might lose both her parents, right?"

"Jeff, I never thought you would participate in a war. And I don't want to leave Nonna alone again…"

"Calm down. Focus on fulfilling your role as Delphine's shadow. I've thought about Nonna too. If something happens to us, I've asked my brother and his wife to take care of her. My brother said, 'If anything happens, I'll become Nonna's guardian or adoptive father. Go and fulfill your mission with peace of mind.'"

"That's… that's very kind of them."

Jeff's work in Shen and the discovery of the gold mine were both because of me.

Suddenly, a deep, black regret welled up inside me.

It's me.

I am the one who put Jeff in danger.

To hide my regret, I buried my face in Jeff's chest, pretending to be affectionate. But Jeff pulled me away and looked into my face.

"Anna, listen to me. I know you better than anyone. Don't blame yourself just because I'm being sent to a dangerous place. I will definitely come back safely. And please don't suddenly disappear for my sake. I don't want to go through that again. I will never allow you to leave me. You promised to live with me for the rest of your life, didn't you?"

Jeffrey hugged me with a gentle smile as I bit my lip and remained silent.

"I haven't seen that look on your face since we reunited on the beach in Cadiz. Did you know? When you, who are usually so calm, cry, you look incredibly cute. I want to keep you in my arms forever."

"Jeff…"

I held Jeffrey's face in my hands, determined never to forget it. He kissed me gently.

After a long kiss, Jeffrey said brightly, "I'll be back. Take care," and left the room as if he were going for a walk.

I could feel the brightness in Jeff's "I'll be back." He must want me to remember his bright face, in case this is our last goodbye.

As I stared at the door where Jeffrey had left, I remembered the day I was eight years old.

When I was led out of the house by Lancôme, my mother stroked my head and looked at me without saying a word. Now I understand how she felt and what she wished for at that moment.

"Mom… it must have been hard for you to sell me."

I closed my eyes, thinking of Jeffrey and my late mother.

I was determined not to cry, but a tear slipped out as I closed my eyes.