Chapter 78

Buying a birthday gift for Nonna in the Kingdom of Randall was a great pleasure for me.

"Nonna, if there's something you want, can you tell me? I'll try to get something as close as possible."

"Hmm, I'd like a Randall language book. If you have any recommendations, Mom."

"Okay, I'll look for one then."

Before I knew it, Miss Elizabeth was listening to my conversation with Nonna with a "Huh?" expression. I get a bit flustered in situations like this.

I was thoroughly trained in noble manners at the academy, and I learned quite a bit about the languages and customs of various countries, but I don't really know much about the little bits of everyday common sense that aren't written in books.

"Miss Elizabeth, why are you so surprised?"

"I apologize. Was it that obvious on my face?"

"Yes, a little. How do you handle birthday gifts in the MacGregor family?"

"I'm not sure if our family is typical, but birthday gifts are kept absolutely secret until the day. My parents say that the gift is complete only when the recipient opens the box and is delighted."

Hearing this, Nonna tilted her head.

"But what if you don't like the gift?"

"It happens."

"Right? What do you do then?"

"There was a time when a gift from my father was completely not to my taste, and I showed it on my face. My mother scolded me. 'A gift is not about receiving an object, but about receiving the sentiment of celebration. Showing disappointment is against the etiquette of a lady, no, of a person.' She was very strict."

I've hardly ever spoken to Lady MacGregor, but hearing Miss Elizabeth's words made me think, "I'd like to have a conversation with her someday." It's a very educational story.

"Hmm. Don't you think that gifts you don't like end up being stored away and the money wasted?"

"In theory, yes."

"What about in practice?"

Miss Elizabeth explained to Nonna with an expression like an older sister looking at a younger one.

"Sometimes, even a slightly off-target gift can become something you like after it sits in the closet for a while. Even if you don't like it, imagining your father putting in a lot of effort to choose it makes it cute and soothing. In that sense, it's not a waste."

"Wow," "Oh."

Nonna and I both let out impressed voices at the same time.

"Elizabeth, the more I get to know you, the more I'm glad we're friends."

"Oh! Nonna!"

Miss Elizabeth blushed and looked adorable.

"But I think our current method is good. Mom, can I have a Randall language book?"

"Sure, sure. I'll look for one today."

In addition to the book, I also plan to buy a small, Randall-specific gift.

Il, who had been keeping a low profile until then, put down his teacup on the table.

"I'm planning to go to the history museum today. What about Nonna and Miss Elizabeth?"

"If it's not a bother, may I join you?"

"Of course. What about you, Nonna?"

"I might go too."

I looked at the map of the capital. There were three bookstores around the history museum, so I decided to go with them up to the museum.

We got into a carriage and headed for the museum.

The museum we arrived at was a magnificent building that made me think, "This is impressive." It was made of white stone. Upon closer inspection, it seemed to be entirely marble. The stone pillars, which narrowed slightly as they rose, were engraved with delicate lines. The ornate decorations on the eaves depicted a battle between demons and angels.

"Nonna, I'll take a look around this building first. Then I'll go to the bookstore. You two can explore as you like."

"Okay."

I waved goodbye to the children and slowly walked around the garden, admiring the museum building.

After walking halfway around the building, I suddenly felt a gaze.

I kept a calm expression and casually looked around. I couldn't see who was looking at me.

"Who is it? Where are they looking from?"

Randall is contiguous with Haggle, so I can't say for sure that I don't know anyone, but the capital is vast and has a population of hundreds of thousands. I thought it was unlikely to run into someone I knew. Maybe I just had bad luck.

Should I leave quickly for the children's safety?

Or should I stay here to prevent them from being taken hostage?

I was most worried about Miss Elizabeth. After a short time to decide, I calmly entered the museum.

Nonna and the others were looking at the exhibits with two guards.

"Huh? Mom came too?"

"Yes."

My expression must have been different from usual, as Nonna noticed and quietly approached me, away from the exhibit where Miss Elizabeth was looking.

"Is something wrong?"

"Nonna, can you listen to me calmly? I felt someone staring at me outside. It might be someone who knows me from my agent days. If they try to threaten me to make me do what they want, I think you might be taken hostage."

"Elizabeth is in danger."

"Yes. Nonna and Il might be okay, but Elizabeth is the one. No matter what happens, don't leave the guards and Elizabeth."

"Got it."

"I'll go check outside. If I don't come back in half an hour, don't look for me. Go back to the hotel and lock the door. Got it? Il is talking to Elizabeth now, so tell him when he's alone. Even if I don't come back, don't say anything to Il and the guards that could cause trouble for me and Jeff."

"Got it."

Fear showed in Nonna's eyes, but it wasn't fear of the enemy; she was worried about me. I hope nothing troublesome happens before her birthday.

"See you later."

As I was about to leave, Nonna hugged me tightly.

"It's okay. Nonna, focus on keeping yourself and Elizabeth safe."

"Okay."

I gently patted Nonna's golden head and pulled away, starting to walk. At the corner of the hallway, I lifted the hem of my dress and took out a multi-bladed dagger from the holder on my thigh.

I draped my thin jacket over my left arm and walked while hiding the knife in my right hand.

I slowly walked to the spot where I had felt the gaze outside the museum.

I could feel it. Someone was watching me. I tensed all my nerves and searched for the source of the gaze.

(Left rear diagonal!)

I turned and ran with all my might. The person watching me would surely panic and move. Keeping my field of vision wide, I ran and saw someone running ahead.

(Not a chance.)

I run five times a week for situations like this. Wearing laced boots was a good choice. I ran with all my might.

(Huh?)

The person running glanced back for a moment...

"Wait!"

The person running stopped.

"What, it's you."

The person running was Mills from the Third Knight Regiment. Both Mills and I were out of breath.

"Sorry, sorry. Mrs. Asher, you run fast. Pant... Pant..."

"Why were you watching me?"

"Well, I didn't expect to see Mrs. Asher in a place where you shouldn't be, so I just..."

"Why did you run?"

"I didn't want to be thought of as approaching Nonna again."

While saying this, Mills was looking at my right hand.

I casually hid my favorite dagger under my jacket.

"You've already seen it."

"I'm sorry to have scared you. I didn't expect it to be you. I heard you were tailing a brown-haired man. Nonna saw you."

"Wow. She saw me? Nonna is here too? No, I won't approach Nonna anymore."

"Nonna and two of her friends are here. Because of the situation, I'd like you to pretend not to know me if we happen to meet."

"Of course. Um, can you keep this a secret from the boss?"

"I have no reason to tattle."

"Thanks. Well, I'll be going..."

"Hey, Mills."

I don't know why I stopped Mills or why I asked such a question. But I wanted to confirm something that had been nagging at the back of my mind. I wanted to confirm and think, "Oh, I was overthinking it," and feel relieved.

"Mills, the brown-haired man you were tailing isn't a middle-aged man in his forties with brown eyes, a lean build, and a nondescript face, is he?"

Mills' expression froze for half a second before quickly turning into a cheerful, carefree smile.

"Who is that? Do you know him?"

"Is the man you're tailing possibly a Haggle agent?"

My voice sounded stiff, as if it belonged to someone else.

"I don't have any concrete information, so I can't answer that."

"Mills, if the man is someone I know, he was the head of a special unit in Haggle. It's dangerous. Be careful. I'll be going now."

"Mrs. Asher!"

"Shh! You don't know anything. You don't know who I am or that Nonna is here. Understand?"

"...Yes."

I walked straight into the museum.

From Mills' eye movements, I could tell he was surprised by my question. He clearly had no intention of telling me anything. But that won't do. If Mills is tortured, he might reveal it with his eyes, even if he doesn't speak. It's probably due to his youth.

How many middle-aged men with brown hair and eyes are there in this capital? There's no need to worry. The unease in my chest is probably just an overreaction. Still, I want to avoid avoidable dangers.

When I took Nonna out of Ashbury, we managed to escape from assassins. Bad feelings are more often right than good ones. Now I have the children.

(I need to leave this capital as soon as possible.)

With that thought, I walked quickly to Nonna and then started running.