Chapter 79

I wanted to run at full speed, but there were signs everywhere saying "No Eating or Drinking" and "No Running." I hurried to the children as fast as I could.

Soon, I could see Nonna and Il with their guards ahead.

"Mom!"

"Nonna, I'm sorry. It was nothing. I just thought I felt someone's gaze, but it was just my imagination."

"Really? That's good!"

"Miss Elizabeth? You're with the guards, right?"

"Yeah, I'm with them. Ah, they're here. Elizabeth, this way!"

Miss Elizabeth, with a smile, and her family's guards walked over.

(That's good. Everyone is safe.)

"Mrs. Asher! This museum has a wonderful collection. I'm glad I came with Il!"

Miss Elizabeth, with a smile, and the guards... and a man with brown hair walked over.

It was Lancôme.

Lancôme walked over with a smile, calmly.

I had thought we would meet again someday.

I kept staring at Lancôme.

Lancôme looked happy and nostalgic as he approached me.

I didn't want to see him, but seeing him made me feel so nostalgic.

"Mom? What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I'm fine, Nonna."

Lancôme was closest to Miss Elizabeth, so I couldn't make a scene here.

"Mrs. Asher, this is Harry, a tourist. He explained the pottery to me."

"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Asher."

"Nice to meet you. Um?"

"My name is Harry Notte, Mrs. Asher."

"Mr. Notte, what's in that room?"

"There are vases lined up. They are all wonderful works. Would you like to see them together?"

"Yes, I would. Please, Mr. Notte."

We exchanged smooth conversation and headed to the next exhibition room.

I turned and waved with a smile, and Miss Elizabeth and Il smiled. Only Nonna looked worried.

(I'm fine), I mouthed.

Nonna nodded slightly, looking worried, and saw me off. The two guards smiled at me.

The next exhibition room was decorated with pottery from various countries. White and large vases, black pots, and plates with paintings.

Items that looked valuable were displayed on square marble stands.

Lancôme and I stood side by side at a subtle distance, looking at the pots.

"Chloe, I always thought you were alive."

"Is that so?"

"Why did you disappear?"

"Don't you know?"

I must have had a sad smile. Lancôme's face clouded as he looked at me.

"Was it because of your family?"

"You made me work without telling me about my family's death."

Sadness welled up, not anger.

I had looked up to Lancôme like a brother. The days when I worked to make him happy came flooding back from the memory box.

"I'm sorry. You were on important missions back then..."

"You thought I would fail my mission if you told me?"

"My judgment was wrong. I'm sorry."

I looked at Lancôme. In the six and a half years, Lancôme had gained a lot of white hair.

"Lancôme, if my family had died, you would have been the only one left. If you had told me about their death, I would have worked even harder for you."

"I see."

"But it's all over now."

"Not really."

"What do you mean?"

I adjusted my grip on the dagger hidden in my coat.

"Victoria Serrers, a traveler from Randall, is a victim of robbery and murder and is supposed to be gone from this world. However, the king seems suspicious."

"The one who ordered me to kill...?"

"The king. I argued that you would return and hoped you would. But it seems you don't want to."

Lancôme didn't answer and looked at my face.

"Chloe, you look happy."

"Yes, I am. It's the first happiness I've ever had. I won't let anyone take it away, no matter who they are. Lancôme, I won't, absolutely."

Lancôme chuckled, a gentle laugh I had known since childhood.

"I won't take your treasure away."

"I hope so."

"Be careful. You'll be eliminated as soon as your comrades find you."

"Yes, I suppose so."

"I'm going back to the country soon."

"Is that so?"

"Because my business partner has disappeared. You know the situation, right?"

What do you mean?

The interpreter for the Earl of McGrath had also disappeared. Is it the same person?

But I had no reason to tell Lancôme what I hadn't noticed.

"Well, I have no idea."

"Hehe, I see. I'm tired of being followed by a puppy. I'm going back."

"Sure. I have no idea either."

Lancôme peeked into my eyes for a second, chuckled, and looked away. In his left hand, which I couldn't see, he must have been holding a butterfly knife.

"Still using your dagger?"

"Yes. And you, the butterfly knife?"

"Yes."

Lancôme started walking in the opposite direction from where Nonna and the others were. After a few steps, he turned around.

"Chloe, you were my best student."

"Yes."

(You were like an important brother to me.)

I didn't say it out loud.

The next time we meet, we might have to kill each other. So, if I'm going to say it, now is the time.

"Lancôme, I hope you find happiness too."

"Chloe, for us, ordinary happiness is... poison. I'll pass. See you."

Lancôme raised his right hand and disappeared.

"Victoria?"

"Yes? Oh, Il, what's wrong?"

"Who was that man? His movements were flawless, and I was wondering..."

"I don't know him. He's just a tourist."

"I see."

Il didn't seem convinced and went back to Nonna.

That day, I didn't leave the children.

I even went shopping with Nonna for her birthday gift. Nonna was grumbling at the crystal paperweight shaped like a cat, so when I said, "I'll buy two for you," she smiled like a flower blooming.

Miss Elizabeth said, "It's surprising to buy it in front of the person, and it's also surprising to let them choose it."

"But this is how we do it in our family!" Nonna said, and Miss Elizabeth seemed to understand.

I spent the whole day with the children and had dinner with the Earl of McGrath and four others.

"Thanks to Mrs. Asher, the business has progressed smoothly. I'm very grateful."

"I'm glad I could be of some help."

The interpreter might have been related to Lancôme. Of course, I didn't mention it.

If the earl knew nothing, he could respond with a clear conscience if he was suspected of any connection to the man.

That night, I muttered to myself in my room.

"Should I report to Lord Edward?"

I looked at Nonna, but she was sound asleep.

The next day, Nonna seemed suspicious because I didn't leave the children.

"Mom, something's strange. Did something happen with that man?"

"Nothing happened. Nonna, you're overthinking it."

I didn't say anything.

I didn't want Nonna to get involved with that organization. That was my only thought.

The leisurely days of sightseeing in the Kingdom of Randall passed quickly, and a month had gone by. We were leaving tomorrow.

"A month went by so quickly, Mom."

"Yes, it did. Jeff must be waiting for us."

"I bought gifts for Dad and everyone else, so we can leave anytime."

I bought crystal accessories and cufflinks, which are specialties of the Kingdom of Randall, for those who had helped us, and we left the hotel for Ashbury.

The journey went smoothly, and we crossed the border into Ashbury.

A few hours after returning to Ashbury, our carriage, passing by a forest, was surrounded by men in black, and the Earl of McGrath, Miss Elizabeth, and I were restrained.

"Mom!"

"I'm fine, Nonna, stay calm."

Nonna was getting agitated. It would be troublesome if she attacked the men around her. I showed Nonna a bright smile and said, "It's nothing, I'm fine."

"Mrs. Asher, please come with us."

"What's the reason?"

"We will explain it at the destination."

"I see. I don't have a choice, do I?"

"No."

They treated us politely and seemed to know I was a viscountess, so I wasn't too panicked.

"Nonna, don't worry. I think it's a misunderstanding. You should go home. Tell Jeff. Il, take care of Nonna."

"Understood."

I was told to get into a black carriage and rode in a different one from the earl and Miss Elizabeth. I recognized the man who got in with me. He was one of the Third Knights who acted with me when the army rebelled.

I spoke to him.

"Does the 'Chief' know about this?"

"Yes, it's by the Chief's orders."

I see. It seems the time has come to face Lord Edward.