Chapter 7

Historian Bernard was now feeling very elated.

After Victoria and Nonna left, he quickly entered the living room where his wife's portrait hung. He sat on the single sofa facing the painting and spoke to it.

"Helen. You were angry with me back then for buying an expensive old book without consulting you. You didn't speak to me for ten days. But, Helen, my wish seems to be finally coming true."

At that, Bernard drank the cold tea.

"I was apparently a relay in delivering that book to Victoria. The book and Victoria were destined to meet here. It's been so long since my heart has raced like this. The gods of fate have a rather interesting way of thinking. Helen, I want to see this through. I'll stay here a bit longer, even though it means keeping you waiting."

Just then, there was a knock on the front door.

"Ah, the door is open. Feel free to come in."

"Uncle, you're as careless as ever."

"Oh, it's Edward. It's rare to see you at this hour. What's the matter?"

"Uncle, you gave Victoria 'The Lost Crown,' didn't you?"

"Yes, I gave it to her as a wedding gift. It's something she should have."

"Hmm. What do you mean by that?"

"Victoria solved the mystery of the book that I couldn't figure out for twenty years in just a few days. It seems the book had been waiting for her in this house for twenty years."

Edward's blue eyes sparkled.

"You mean she deciphered the code in the book?"

"Do you remember how I always said there might be a code written in the book?"

"Yes, I remember. I saw it too, but it didn't seem to have any special meaning."

"Victoria deciphered the code. It turned out to be quite simple once she explained it. Today, we spent the whole day deciphering the code hidden in the book. It was really enjoyable. I had a great time."

"So, what was hidden in it?"

"Here it is. Victoria and I read it together, and Nonna wrote it down for us."

Saying this, Bernard handed the paper with Nonna's lovely handwriting to Edward. A small look of surprise appeared on Edward's face as he read it.

"Uncle, this was really hidden in that adventure novel?"

"Yes."

"So, the author, Elmar Archibald, found something that he compared to a crown but didn't bring back, or couldn't bring back. And perhaps the missing princess is involved?"

"The part about the princess is just my speculation."

"Then, what did Victoria say? Is she going to go there?"

"Of course not. She's about to become a viscountess. Nonna is also here. The place indicated by the code is Cybil. She won't go that far. I'm more than satisfied to have the long-standing mystery solved."

"I see. Then I'll be on my way."

"What brings you here?"

"I came to check on you. Good night, Uncle."

After leaving Bernard Fitcher's house, Edward didn't go home but hurried back to the castle. He arrived at the third floor of the north wing, the Records Management Department, one of the workspaces of the Third Knights, also known as the intelligence agency. When he opened the door and entered, the men inside looked surprised.

"Hey? Chief, we thought you had already gone home."

"Yes, I had a bit of a concern, so I went to check, and it turned out my hunch was right."

Tension spread across everyone's faces, as Edward Asher's hunches were known to be infallible. The men, who were working on documents, glanced at Edward sideways. Edward stood in front of the back shelf where old documents were stored and repeatedly took out and opened documents, then put them back.

Eventually, he took one document and went to his desk on the floor above in the 'Institutional Maintenance Department.' Edward flipped through the document and read it carefully. Mike arrived.

"Chief, is something the matter?"

"Yes, Mike. It seems 'she' might solve something."

Mike was in charge of managing all information related to Victoria for the time being. She was now a free woman, but Edward and Mike were secretly working to protect her from Haggle. Only Edward and Mike knew that she was once the ace of the former Haggle Kingdom's special forces and that she had become Jeffrey's wife. The royal family and the prime minister did not know that Jeffrey's wife was Victoria. Edward was well aware that if this were known, he would be seen as mixing personal feelings with official duties, so he was being cautious.

"So, what is she doing this time?"

"Do you know about the princess's disappearance a hundred years ago?"

"Ah, the fifth princess who disappeared and was never found?"

"Perhaps we might find out what happened to the fifth princess. So,"

Edward stopped speaking.

"No, I'll hold off. It's not good to be too greedy all at once."

"Chief, what is it? Don't stop now that you've started."

Edward looked at Mike intently.

"What is it?"

"You know, Jeffrey might not like it."

"What are you talking about?"

"It's just a hunch, but I think she might go to find the lost crown. Her talent seems to be driving her. A woman who became the ace of the special forces won't give up easily. And with her talent, she might really find something."

"The lost crown from the novel? What does 'giving up' mean?"

"You can go back now."

"Ah, I see."

Mike tilted his head and returned to his desk.

Edward was thinking while looking at the documents about the fifth princess's disappearance.

There are many people who can protect themselves and fight against enemies.

There are a fair number of people who are good at deciphering codes.

There are a few people who can obtain expensive old books.

However, there are almost no people who can do all three. Victoria is one of those rare individuals. Moreover, she has the good fortune and personal charm to receive a valuable old book as a wedding gift.

His brother had married a woman who was far beyond the reach of an ordinary man, and at the same time, an exceptionally wonderful woman.

"Wow, Jeffrey, you've got your hands full."

He felt sorry for his serious and earnest brother. He must be worried about losing such a charming woman.

His intuition was telling him, "She will definitely go to find the crown. Make sure to have someone who can observe and record the process."

This might be a chance to solve one of the country's historical mysteries. Edward couldn't let this opportunity slip by. He thought of people who could accompany her and serve as a recorder without her disliking it.

"Mike would make Jeffrey unhappy. Miles would be a problem because Victoria has already realized his true identity."

After pondering for a while, Edward couldn't reach a conclusion, so he decided to go home and think about it more carefully.

"I'm home, Mother."

"Welcome back, Edward. Was your work busy today?"

"Yes, it was, but not too bad."

"Is Jeffrey busy with his duties as the head of the knights? I hope they get married soon."

"Mother, Jeffrey is already married."

"Oh, is that so? I forgot again."

"Mother, Jeffrey's wife is a very good person. Please don't worry."

"Yes, that's good. That child has had a hard life. I couldn't protect her, and she had a pitiful upbringing."

As he comforted his mother, who was shedding tears, he realized that she was traveling through the river of time, and now she was in the upper stream, thinking Jeffrey was still a young bachelor.

His father, unable to control his own heart, not only failed to build a normal family but also destroyed his mother's heart and deprived him and his brother of a happy childhood.

However, the fact that such a father was the reason he was born in this world was a bitter pill to swallow.

Edward left his mother's room and entered his own. His wife, Brie, was diligently taking care of him.

"Mother's not feeling well today."

"That happens sometimes. We're human, after all."

"I see. Thank you always. I'm really glad I married you."

"Oh, you're being so dramatic."

It wasn't dramatic. Having grown up in a hellish family, the home that his beloved wife, who had been loved and raised happily, naturally created was incredibly precious to Edward. It was his ideal home, his heaven.

While relaxing in this heaven-like home, a face suddenly came to mind.

"That's right, there's Clark. He's a civil servant and would be perfect as a recorder."

Just as he decided this, a servant brought a letter. The letter was from Jeffrey.

"In Shen, I didn't have a proper rest for five years, so I'm going on a family trip soon to relax. The destination is around the Cybil forest. I think I'll be back before the ennoblement."

Edward smiled, realizing that his intuition had been right once again.

The next chapter will be posted at 16:00 today.