Chapter 62

Nonna and I were sent home in the carriage of the Third Knights. As soon as we entered the gate, Bersa came running up in a hurry.

"Madam, Miss, welcome back. Madam, have you finished your work?"

"Welcome home, Bersa. I've finished my work successfully."

"Miss, you're back too. That's good. The mansion felt like it was on fire without Madam, Miss, and Sir."

While talking busily, Bersa looked at my clothes with a puzzled expression, but I was so overwhelmed by all the events that I could only think, "Hmm, what's this?"

Nonna smiled at Bersa as if nothing had happened.

"Welcome back, Bersa. Uncle's house was fun, but I still prefer my own home. Oh!"

"What's wrong? Nonna"

"I got separated from Elizabeth in the square and it's been like that ever since!"

"We need to contact Elizabeth's house."

"Mom, please also contact Aunt Brides. I'm sure she's worried."

"I understand. I'll write a letter right away."

Hearing my words, Bersa promptly responded with a smile.

"Madam, I'll have Reed send the message. Please don't worry. Since you've been away for so long, please take it easy."

"But I'll write the letters."

I wrote a thank-you note for Nonna's hospitality. Then I wrote about my work being finished, meeting Nonna in the square, and escaping the commotion to return home together.

"Here, please give this to Reed."

Bersa said, "I'll take it to him," and left the room.

Like Nonna, I was relieved to be back home after a long time.

However, Jeff's absence from the house made me uneasy. I wondered what he was doing now. Was the negotiation with the Kingdom of Subaru going well? I hoped it hadn't turned into a battle.

"Mom? What's wrong?"

"I was thinking about Jeff."

"Should we go see him if you're worried?"

I had thought about it many times but gave up each time.

The drawbacks of me showing up at the negotiation site and declaring it was for Jeff were too significant.

"No, that's not a good idea. We shouldn't do that now. We might lose sight of why we went to the Kingdom of Shen. With thousands of soldiers from both the Kingdom of Subaru and the Kingdom of Ashbury, what difference would I make alone?"

"You're right. If Mom and I went there, it might make things worse for Dad."

"You're right. Nonna, you've grown to think like that. I wanted you to grow up slowly, but you're growing so fast. I'm happy, but a little sad."

"Why?"

"Because there's only a little time left before you become an adult. Once you're an adult, you'll eventually leave my side. I want you to grow up slowly."

"But I'll always be your daughter, even when I'm an adult."

"That's true. You'll always be my daughter."

I wrapped my arms around Nonna's body and hugged her tightly. Her slender body smelled good. Nonna made a contented "mufu" sound.

"So, Mom, how long are you going to wear that maid's uniform?"

"Oh! I forgot I was wearing it. That's why Bersa was looking at me strangely. What am I doing?"

"Are you going to return it?"

"Yes, I can't have Reed take it back. But the castle is still in chaos, so I'll wait until things calm down."

That night, the cook prepared a feast for us.

I ate leisurely for the first time in a long time, soaked in the bath, and went to bed with Nonna. I thought I would fall asleep quickly because I was tired, but I couldn't.

In the middle of the night, I got out of bed to drink water from the water pitcher, and Nonna spoke to me.

"Mom? What's wrong? Can't you sleep?"

"Oh, did I wake you? Maybe I'm too tired to sleep."

"Mom, you were pretending to be Delphine, right?"

"Nonna, about that—"

When I tried to hush her, Nonna smiled.

"I won't tell anyone. Does Dad know what you were doing?"

"Yes, he was against it, but in the end, he prioritized my feelings."

"Hmm. I saw Mom working for the first time, and you looked so cool. You were so sharp, even cooler than Del Dorga!"

"I might have been too intense. I didn't want to show that side of me."

"I protected Delphine. What I learned in the Kingdom of Shen was really useful."

That was something I was afraid to ask.

I wondered if Nonna had taken someone's life. The question had been swirling in my mind. Then Nonna, as if reading my mind, answered brightly.

"I didn't kill anyone. My master said, 'Don't kill people easily. Killing them takes away their chance to reform.' What? Mom? What's wrong? Are you okay?"

"I've been worried about that, so I felt a bit relieved... I'm sorry if I involved you in the commotion because of the job I took. If it had changed your life, I would have suffered for a long time."

"Oh, that's a relief!"

Nonna pressed her hand to her chest and sighed deeply.

"What's a relief?"

"If I had killed someone, I would have made Mom suffer for life. I thought it was impossible to take a life, even with my master's words. I couldn't do it. But now I feel really relieved."

Because of what happened, there was something I needed to tell her now.

"The organization I was in in the Kingdom of Hagel had a special operations team and an assassination team. I was in the special operations team. The assassination team's job was to assassinate, so young people, not much older than Nonna, were doing it as their job."

"Wow..."

"The people in the assassination team become desensitized to killing. They 'cross the line.' They have to stop feeling to avoid breaking down. But—"

"What happens to them?"

"People who become desensitized to killing, even when they finish their job and return to this side of the line, part of their soul remains on the other side."

"Hmm..."

"Nonna, I don't want you to cross that line."

After saying that, I felt very lonely. I wanted to see Jeff.

Nonna, who unexpectedly came to me while I was working. I had no choice but to do what I did, but what would Jeff have done? I wanted to know Jeff's opinion and hear his voice.

"Mom?"

"I'm fine. I just want to see Jeff."

"I'm here. Dad will come back safely. I'm here now. Cheer up."

"Yes, yes... You're right. Thank you. I'm glad you're my daughter."

"Me too. I'm glad I'm your daughter."

Feeling down won't bring Jeff back. I need to be strong. Still, I didn't expect Nonna to comfort me so soon.

I fell asleep while Nonna patted my back and didn't realize when I drifted off.

When I woke up, it was already past seven. It was the first time in two months I had slept without being on edge. I wanted to dream about Jeff, but I slept soundly without any dreams.

Just as I was thinking about how to spend the day, a letter from Lady Brides arrived. The letter said, "I have something to discuss. Please come when it's convenient."

"Nonna, we're going to Lady Asher's mansion. You should thank her for her hospitality."

"I'll go. I didn't say goodbye to Grandma, so it's perfect."

Nonna and I are alike in that we can't stand being idle.

We changed into our going-out dresses and visited the Asher mansion.

"Welcome, Anna and Nonna."

"Lady Brides, Nonna was well taken care of."

"Aunt, I'm sorry for leaving suddenly after the festival."

"I'm glad you're safe, Nonna. I heard something terrible happened at the festival. I was really worried. If Anna hadn't told me in a letter, I would have sent people to search for you."

"I'm really sorry. The commotion separated me from Elizabeth, and I was so happy to meet Mom that I came home."

"Anna, have you finished your work?"

"Yes, successfully."

"I see..."

Lady Brides seemed down. What was wrong? Nonna, being considerate, said, "I'll go greet Grandma," and left the room. Lady Brides dismissed the maid, leaving only the two of us in the room.

"Lady Brides? Is something wrong?"

"Actually, my husband hasn't come back. He's never been gone without contact before. I've heard rumors about a big commotion at the castle, but I don't know what's going on and I'm worried. I couldn't sleep last night because I don't know if Edward is safe."

Edward Asher, the head of the Department of Institutional Maintenance and Management, also oversees the Repair Department and the Records Management Department. None of these departments are involved in the military rebellion.

However, after what happened, even departments not directly involved might have been mobilized.

I remember entering Edward's office once during the commotion. It was the room on the third floor of the North Wing. At that time, the Third Knights were gathered, and there wasn't a single civil servant, not even Edward. They must have all evacuated, but what happened to Edward after that?

"Lady Brides, I need to return something I borrowed and will have to go to the castle eventually. The castle might still be in chaos, but if Lord Asher hasn't returned in a few days, I'll check the Department of Institutional Maintenance and Management."

"Would you do that? I'd be grateful. I think he'll be back tonight, but if he's not, I'd like to ask you. My husband strongly dislikes me going to the castle. I've never been there since our marriage."

"I see. You might need to change clothes. I'll take care of it. Hasn't there been any contact from the servants?"

Lady Brides shook her head sadly.

"Usually, someone would bring a message, but not this time."

"That's worrying."

"Yes. He works in a safe department, not a glamorous one, but I've never been worried like this before."

I understand Lady Brides' anxiety, especially since Jeff hasn't come back either.

"Then I'll go to the castle tomorrow, not in a few days."

"Thank you. But if the castle is still in chaos, please turn back and don't worry about this."

"I understand."

Tomorrow, I'll go to the Department of Institutional Maintenance and Management. I want to reassure Lady Brides.

I said goodbye to my mother-in-law and left the Asher mansion.