Chapter 83

Il said, "I want to live in this house from today on. I will protect Victoria and Nonna." However, I cannot give an answer on my own.

"Wait a moment. I need to confirm with Lord Edward and Jeff first."

"I understand."

Nonna, who said, "I want to join the discussion," was included, and the three of us talked with Il.

"Il, you know that Victoria and I never skip our training, right? And you must have noticed something about my background, haven't you?"

"I knew that Victoria wasn't just a noble lady since I was at home. My grandfather said, 'Victoria is in the same line of work as us' after seeing her training, which was quite early on."

"Yes, he said 'in the same line of work'... The excuse 'my brother is a soldier' was seen through from the beginning."

"My grandfather said, 'The combat style is from this line.'"

"Hehe. The eyes of a family of assassins that have lasted a thousand years can't be fooled, can they?"

"That's right."

Nonna, who had been listening silently, furrowed her cute brows and asked a question.

"Mom, aren't you going to contact Lord Clark?"

"Once it's decided that Il will live with us, I'll inform Lord Clark."

Nonna cares deeply for Lord Clark. She probably doesn't want to worry him.

Il raised one eyebrow and spoke to Nonna.

"Will that guy be mean to Nonna when I move in? Is he jealous? If Nonna is troubled, I'll go and explain directly. I'll tell him that there's no need for such worries between me and Nonna."

"That's fine. I'll explain it myself. Besides, Lord Clark won't be mean to me, and he's not jealous. He's not that kind of person."

"Hmm, that's how it looks to you, Nonna."

Il smiled wryly.

Lord Clark likes Nonna so much that he wants to monopolize her. I know this, but Il has never spoken with Lord Clark. Why did he think Lord Clark was jealous? I'll ask him about it later.

"Il, I or Jeff will inform Lord Clark about the attack on me. More importantly, since you are under Lord Edward's care, whether you can move to a new residence depends on his answer. I'll send letters to Lord Edward and Lord Clark immediately."

"I understand."

After that, we visited the MacGregor family with Il.

It was our first meeting since we were separated at the border, but Lord MacGregor looked unwell. I wonder what kind of interrogation he underwent with the Third Knights.

"Lord MacGregor, you don't look well. Please lie down. We will leave."

"No, I cannot rest. Lady Asher, please forgive me. Because I carelessly associated with such a person, I caused you tremendous trouble. I don't know how to apologize..."

"Thank you for your words. I heard that the matter has been resolved. Lord MacGregor, you are not to blame. Please don't worry."

"Thank you for your understanding!"

"By the way, how is Miss Elizabeth?"

When I asked, Lord MacGregor clearly showed a pained expression.

"Elizabeth is bedridden. The interrogation by the state was too much for her. It's a pity."

"I see..."

Miss Elizabeth was interrogated by the Third Knights, which must have been a terrible experience. Despite appearing strong, she is still a young girl, like a princess in a box. It's pitiful.

"My lord, Elizabeth is my best friend. Can I see her, at least me?"

"Yes, Nonna's visit might cheer her up. Shall we go to her room together?"

"Yes!"

Nonna and the lord went to Miss Elizabeth's room, while Il and I waited in the parlor. It seemed they were talking with Miss Elizabeth, as they didn't return for a while. During the wait, Il spoke to me.

"Victoria, I've been thinking. Why did the enemy attack after entering Ashbury?"

"From what I heard at the castle, the mercenaries were gathered in the Kingdom of Randall."

"Then, the employer is from Randall, right?"

"We don't have enough information to say for sure, but if the incident happened in Ashbury, it's unlikely that Ashbury would send people to investigate in Randall. If I were a higher-ranking noble, it might be different, but as a viscountess, I don't think they would make it an international issue. If I were killed, they would likely say it was an accident to save face."

"Then, the one who targeted you is probably from Randall, right?"

"Maybe. I'm not sure."

Is it someone from Randall or Hager? I don't think it's someone from Ashbury, but there are too many suspects to pinpoint.

More importantly, will the mercenaries come to our house? That's the real issue.

No matter what happens, I will protect Nonna. I've been thinking about that all the time.

Eventually, Nonna returned.

"Elizabeth was doing okay. She couldn't sleep because the interrogation at the castle was scary. So, I told her that her family is no longer suspected."

"That's good. Let's visit her again after some time."

"Sure. We promised to do embroidery together."

"That's good. If she has the energy to think about the future, she'll be fine."

We said goodbye to the lord and returned home. In the evening, a reply from Lord Edward arrived.

'Our house is fine. I trust Il.'

He readily agreed.

Jeff also gave permission as soon as he returned from the castle.

"Having a skilled Il in our house is reassuring. It will help a lot."

"If there are many of them, we need more people. According to the guards who protected Victoria and Nonna, the group targeting Victoria was about dozens in number."

"Yes, I heard the same from the prime minister. Thank you, Il."

The problem was Lord Clark.

The Anderson family's carriage arrived with Lord Clark. He ran to the door from the carriage. Jeff and I greeted him at the door.

Lord Clark must have read my letter upon returning home and rushed to our house. He still had his civil servant's badge and his hair neatly combed.

Without much greeting, Lord Clark asked Jeff.

"Uncle Jeff, please tell me the details. What does it mean that Il will live with us for safety? Is Nonna being targeted? Or is it you, Victoria? If it's you, are the attackers the same as before?"

"Clark, calm down."

"I am calm. Please tell me the truth. What happened?"

I need to explain this well.

"Lord Clark, I think I'm the target. We don't know who hired the mercenaries to attack me, but the Third Knights are investigating."

"I heard that you went to Shen because a high-ranking official from another country was obsessed with you. When you left the country, someone from the castle came to our house and explained it that way. Is it the same person who is now trying to kill you? It doesn't make sense."

Sharp.

Last time, we escaped from a Hager organization, but this time, since they hired mercenaries, it's probably not an organization.

"Lord Clark, we don't know who is targeting me yet. Sometimes unexpected people can bear grudges. I asked Il to live with us to protect Nonna. I'm truly sorry for worrying you, Lord Clark."

Lord Clark bit his lip and thought. Living under the same roof with a peer like Il must be unpleasant, but he didn't say anything about it.

"I understand. I'll think of ways to protect you, Victoria. I regret not being skilled with a sword, but there's nothing I can do about that now. Il, please take good care of Nonna and Victoria."

He bowed deeply.

"Sure, I'll do that. And, I consider Nonna like a younger sister and a martial arts companion. So, there's nothing to worry about. I swear on my mother's name."

"Thank you. I believe your words. Nonna, are you willing to stay at my house until things calm down?"

"Sorry, Lord Clark. I might not be as helpful as I think, but I want to be with my mother. If something happens to my mother, I want to protect her."

"Ah... I see. I understand."

Lord Clark looked disappointed but gently stroked Nonna's cheek and slowly let go.

"I'm sorry for worrying you, Lord Clark."

"It's okay. I'll think of ways to protect Nonna."

Lord Clark left with a stiff expression. I hope he doesn't worry too much.

We had a late dinner, and then everyone went to their rooms.

Jeff and I entered the bedroom, and I sighed.

"I asked the prime minister what happened to the mercenary group that targeted you, but the Third Knights couldn't confirm it."

"It can't be helped. They prioritized our safe escape. Jeff, I'm truly sorry."

"Don't say that. Don't say anything more. You have no reason to feel guilty. It was the only way to survive. It's not your fault."

I empathize with Jeff's anxiety.

His fiancée died, and now this is happening after marrying me.

My life was beyond my control, but my efforts to meet his expectations are causing Jeff pain. Thinking about this makes me feel like giving up.

I'll ask Lord Edward if he has any information.

Even a small piece of information might help me connect the dots with my memories.

As I thought this, I received a message from Lady Delphine the next morning. Seeing the short note, 'I want to talk to you,' Jeff said, "It's safe at the castle. Go ahead."

In Lady Delphine's room at the castle, Lord Edward was there. Indeed, this might be the safest way to talk without going through Jeff.

"Lady Asher, I'm glad you're safe."

"I'm sorry for worrying you."

"Lady Asher, Lord MacGregor has something to say. May I join the discussion? I want to know the truth to protect you."

"Yes, thank you for your consideration."

"Let's start. Victoria, have you ever been targeted by a woman?"

A woman? All the targets I dealt with in my work were men. There was a woman who loved pink dresses, but I protected her, so I don't think she would bear a grudge.

But then, one woman's face came to mind. Mary, a special agent from Hager. She hated me, but is she still an agent?

If she were an agent, she wouldn't cause such a big incident. She would be immediately punished if it were known.

"No, I can't think of anyone."

"I see. We received information that a long-haired, noble-looking woman might be the employer of the mercenaries."

"Lord Edward, I don't know any long-haired women. If the woman is a special agent, her hair color is irrelevant. Her age can be easily faked by about ten years."

"Yes, that's true. The woman is said to be in her late thirties to early forties, but that's not reliable either."

"Yes, she might have been hired. I'm sorry, but there are too many suspects, and I have no idea who it could be."

"I see."

Lord Edward said, "I see," casually, but I felt truly sorry.

However, ten days later, Lord Clark brought unexpected information.