Chapter 68

Jeff returned home after the date had changed.

"Welcome back, Jeff."

"Thanks, Anna. You were still awake?"

"Yes. It must have been tough. What was the result?"

"I'm sorry. I ended up being appointed as the Deputy Minister of Military Affairs."

Jeff hugged me and apologized, looking truly remorseful. Even though it was something that would make any other wife proud, I felt guilty thinking about it.

"It's okay. I'm sure we can manage somehow. I heard the other day that Lady Brides hardly ever goes to the castle after getting married. I can just not go to the castle, too."

"That's... "

"Hmm?"

"That's not the case. You have a role to play. As Lady Delphine's conversation partner and language teacher."

"Wh-what...?"

"I'm sorry, Anna."

"Oh, no. I don't think this is your fault. Yes, I was given this role. What did Lord Edward say?"

"Brother? No, I didn't meet him. The meeting was only for the elders. I repeatedly argued that my wife is too frail, but for some reason, Prince Conrad wouldn't listen. He said, 'It's fine, I won't push her too hard,' and wouldn't budge."

As I fell silent, lost in thought, Jeff looked worried and peered at my face.

"Anna? Did something happen with Lady Delphine?"

"I don't know why Lady Delphine chose me. But during that incident, I met Prince Conrad in a shadowy state. Lady Delphine knows I'm your wife. She must have heard about me from him."

"Did he find out that you're not frail?"

"It's okay, Jeff. I've handled more difficult jobs before. We'll manage somehow. If it really doesn't work out, we can renounce the title. We can live by spinning wool on the sheep farm if we have to."

"Anna..."

Jeff hugged me tightly, and my bones creaked. I patted his back to ease the pressure.

"It's an honor that Prince Conrad likes you. We'll get through this together. So, don't look so sad. It ruins your beautiful face, you know?"

"Oh, you really... "

"Um!"

We both turned to the door when we heard a cough. It was Nonna, looking stern and avoiding our gaze.

"Sorry to interrupt."

"Nonna, what is it so late at night?"

"Can I go and train with Miles tomorrow?"

"Sure. Take the carriage, and don't run there."

"Okay. And... um... there's someone else I want to train with. Is that okay too?"

I had a bad feeling.

"Who is it? Is it someone your mother knows?"

"A person named Mills. Someone who used to protect the Queen."

Jeff, who was hugging me, stiffened. He let go of me and slowly turned to Nonna.

"Is he from the First Knight Regiment?"

"I don't think so."

"Nonna, is he from the Third Knight Regiment?"

"Yes, probably."

"No. Don't get involved with the Third Knight Regiment. If you want to train, I can be your partner, or you can train with your mother. Who is this Miles?"

"The sheep farm manager. He used to live behind Lady Yolana's house."

"Is that so? Anna?"

"Yes. He applied when we had an opening. His father used to run a sheep farm. He's a former soldier."

"I see. If you approve, I'll feel better. But Mills is out of the question. Understand?"

"...Okay. I understand."

Miles was also involved with the Third Knight Regiment, but I didn't want to complicate things by mentioning it now. Nonna nodded obediently and went back to her room.

At that moment, I should have paid more attention to Nonna's expression, which was typical of a difficult age. I was complacent, thinking Nonna was always well-behaved and didn't need much attention.

The next morning, around nine o'clock, Nonna said, "I'm going to train with Miles," and left in the carriage.

Around noon, Reed, who had gone to pick her up, returned in a panic.

"It's terrible! Miss has already returned. She said, 'I'll meet the carriage, so I'm going home,' and was back by eleven. I searched the streets on the way back but couldn't find her!"

"It's okay, Reed. It's not your fault. I'll look for her. I'll ride a horse. No need to tell Jeff. Just inform him of the facts when she returns."

"Madam, I'll help you look."

"No, it's okay. I'll go alone. Reed, stay home. If Nonna returns, detain her. Don't let her go out."

"Y-Yes."

I quickly changed into riding clothes, led out a horse, and mounted it.

First, I went to Mr. Chester's house. I could have directly contacted the Third Knight Regiment at the castle, but I wanted to avoid seeing Lord Edward again.

※...※...※

"Oh, Mrs. Asher, are you contacting Mike?"

"Nonna is missing. Last night, she said she wanted to train with a boy named Mills. My husband said absolutely not, but she might be with Mills. Can you check?"

Mr. Chester hurriedly mounted his horse and left, returning shortly.

"Mills is on leave today and said he would be back by evening. No one knows where he went."

"I see... Mr. Chester, I don't want Nonna to get involved with the Third Knight Regiment. Can you convey that clearly to Mills and Mike?"

"Y-Yes, of course. If she's with Mills, I don't think anything will happen, but..."

"Yes, Nonna can handle a group of men, but that's not what I'm worried about."

Mr. Chester was sweating on his forehead.

"Yes, yes, I understand. I'm sorry."

"No, it's not certain that she's with Mills, so don't apologize. Nonna is acting on her own. I'll search the capital and head back home."

I reassured the embarrassed Mr. Chester, saying, "It's not your fault. She's our daughter," and left the house.

I mounted my horse and slowly rode through the city. I knew that out of a hundred possibilities, ninety-nine were not a problem. But the world often deals the one remaining card.

During my days as an agent, I took every precaution to avoid that one card, which I believe improved my success rate.

"I was so focused on completing the tasks at the training facility at that age. I overlooked what a normal girl might think."

I reflected on my carelessness while riding. That age is when one often wants to defy their parents.

The capital is vast. Searching without a clue would be futile, but it was more comforting to search than to wait anxiously at home.

I decided to treat it as exercise for the horse and me and searched until evening. The result was fruitless.

"She might be back by now."

Nonna must be back. She must be hungry. I decided to think that and returned home.

But when I saw the faces of Berta and Reed, I understood she wasn't back.

"She hasn't returned yet?"

"Shall I contact the guard?"

"No, not yet. Did you hear from Mr. Chester?"

"No, nothing."

"I see. Reed, I have an errand for you. Go to Mr. Chester's house behind Lady Yolana's house. I'll write a letter."

'Nonna hasn't returned yet. If you have any information, please contact us.'

Reed left, and I decided to wait without changing clothes.

"Madam, I have something to tell you."

"What is it, Berta?"

"Once, when Miss was in the garden, a letter arrived. She took it and said it was for her, so I didn't check who it was from. I'm sorry. Could it be related to that letter?"

"Did you not know where it came from?"

"Yes."

Around eight o'clock at night, Jeff returned from the castle and asked, "Why don't you contact the Second Knight Regiment or the guard?" but I stopped him.

If we assume Nonna is up to something, involving the guard or the Second Knight Regiment at this stage would reveal her skills to many people. My intuition told me to avoid that. Jeff accepted my reasoning, but his worry and anger made him expressionless. I had never seen Jeff so cold and distant.

In the end, Nonna returned after ten o'clock at night. Mills accompanied her and apologized profusely to Jeff and me.

Nonna didn't seem injured, but the shirt and pants she wore to train with Miles were torn in several places, revealing her skin.

"Did you use a weapon?"

"Yes, but I'm not hurt."

I stopped Mills from speaking with a hand.

"So, what happened? Can you explain it now, Nonna?"

"Yes, I'm sorry for being late. Actually, I saw some bad guys and took them down to help someone in trouble."

"That's a very simple explanation."

"Would you like a detailed one?"

"Yes, no matter how long it takes. I can't sleep without hearing the whole story."

Jeff and I decided to listen to Nonna's story carefully. We asked Mills to stay to fill in any gaps in the explanation. Reed was sent to Mr. Chester's house to inform them that "Nonna has returned safely, and Mills is with her."

I asked Berta to bring warm milk and bread for two.

In front of Jeff and me, who were crossing our arms, Nonna started to explain the whole story while drinking milk and eating bread.

As I listened to Nonna's story without interrupting, I noticed several points that made me think, "Hmm?"

I wondered if Nonna and Mills were making a big misunderstanding. When I looked at Jeff, he was frowning and looking at me.