Chapter 33

While listing the missing items, Lamirio returned.

"I'm back. You seemed more energetic than I thought."

Lucretia felt all the strength drain from her body.

She had been worried sick about what had happened to her agent.

"I managed to have a brief conversation. The thief, for some reason, demanded the documents for the safety deposit box where the jewels were kept, so he handed them over," Lamirio said.

Lucretia's face turned a bit silly.

She wondered what the thief's aim could be, and it turned out to be the certificate for the safety deposit box.

"…That’s quite a specific robbery. It’s as if the thief knew in advance that we had valuable jewelry documents."

"Yeah. I have a feeling I know who the culprit is. By the way, where is the safety deposit box? Can we get there in time if we act now?"

"In the capital of the Illuminati."

Following Lucretia’s lead, Lamirio also looked silly.

"If that’s the case, we should have plenty of time. Messengers are faster than humans, after all."

"That’s not necessarily true. We are currently at war with Rai…"

"Didn’t they just occupy a port town recently?"

Lucretia shook her head solemnly.

"It’s currently in Ternya."

"That’s still quite far, isn’t it?"

"Not really. Once you cross the major river in Ternya, there are several well-paved main roads leading directly to the capital, allowing for a swift assault on horseback."

Lucretia, educated as a marshal’s wife, knew the geography of the country well.

"If it were me, I would storm the capital and negotiate for favorable terms."

"That means…"

"There’s a possibility that the messenger won’t be able to get through due to the military. It might be taken amidst the chaos…"

"Amidst the chaos… I see."

Lamirio repeated meaningfully.

As she reflexively considered the implications, Lamirio suddenly spoke in a bright voice.

"Well, if that’s the situation, there’s nothing we can do. Just think of it as getting rid of a nuisance. I’ll buy you new ones. How much did you lose?"

Lucretia silently wrote down the numbers, added them up, and came up with an estimate.

"…About this much."

Lamirio’s face twitched.

"You must have been incredibly wealthy…"

"I’m relieved that no one lost their life."

If they were alive, they could eventually recover the money.

Lamirio patted her back comfortingly.

"We can’t replace everything immediately, but we’ll work on it one by one. For now, we need a set of jewelry for the parade."

Lucretia’s face lit up with joy.

He had already thought that far ahead for her.

"It would be nice if it became a family heirloom in the Lamirio household."

"What are you saying? It’s your home too."

Lucretia tried to respond with her best smile, but Lamirio flinched.

It must have been her gloomy expression that scared him.

Feeling a bit sad, Lucretia was still happy.

—The jewels were taken, but…

Lucretia thought she had gotten what she wanted most.

Her encounter with him was the greatest treasure of all.

…She must have been lost in thought.

When Lamirio embraced her, Lucretia’s reaction was delayed.

"…L-Lamirio-sama…"

She called out in a small, hesitant voice, and he squeezed her even tighter.

"I won’t listen to complaints. We’re going to be a family, after all."

She hadn’t intended to reject him so clearly, but being embraced like this in front of others was incredibly embarrassing.

"I’m glad you’re safe. If you had been attacked, I don’t think I could bear it."

Lucretia’s head was boiling, and she couldn’t say anything more, so she gently returned the embrace.

***

When they returned home, Prince Antonio was nowhere to be found.

There was no note left behind.

He had even left Rosa behind. When asked, Rosa said she didn’t know where he had gone.

"Father is missing…?"

"Yes. The documents for the safety deposit box were also taken from my office. While he may not be the culprit, if he is involved, he probably won’t return."

Rosa seemed deeply shocked.

"…What about me…?"

"Perhaps someone will come to fetch you later."

It was a comforting lie, but Rosa saw through it.

Her younger sister suddenly started crying.

"…I’ve been left behind…?"

Seeing her cry, Lucretia couldn’t remain detached.

"Rosa, what should we do…?"

Rosa sobbed.

—She’s only sixteen.

A noblewoman without her parents’ protection can do nothing. With her father abandoning her and no promising marriage prospects, she was essentially homeless.

If she were thrown out of the house with no place to go, it would be better to enter a convent where at least her basic needs would be met.

"If you decide to enter a convent, I’ll provide the necessary funds."

When Lucretia said this, Rosa started crying even harder.

"I’m… I’m sorry, big sister, I’m sorry…! I was so stupid…! Please, don’t make me go to the convent…!"

Rosa cried and begged desperately.

"I was jealous of you! That’s why I said such stupid things… I knew it was wrong… I knew it…!"

Lucretia watched her crying sister, feeling a mix of emotions.

"I’ll be a good girl from now on…! Please don’t kick me out…!"

—What a problem.

Lucretia wasn’t a saint, and she still harbored some resentment towards her sister.

However, Rosa had truly lost everything and had nowhere else to go.

Lucretia had received help from her grandfather and contracted agents to build her own wealth. It would be very difficult for Rosa to do the same.

"…That’s not my decision to make. It’s up to Lord Lamirio. Can you apologize to him properly?"

"I will…! I can, of course…!"

"Alright. Don’t worry, Lord Lamirio cares for me, so if I ask him, he’ll surely consider it."

Rosa, crying, clung to Lucretia.

—What a materialistic girl. She was mocking me just a few days ago.

Since there was no other choice, Lucretia stroked Rosa’s head until she stopped crying.

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