Chapter 12 Lancôme’s hesitation and invitation to an evening social gathering

Translator: Tseirp

The chief’s workplace of the central management room of Haggle Kingdom’s particular mission unit.

Lancôme was considering as he ran his fingers ran via his mild brown hair.

The assembly between Lancôme and Chloe dated again to Lancôme’s time as a younger agent.

Chloe was her identify within the group. Her actual identify was discarded when she entered.

On his manner residence from work within the countryside, Lancôme noticed a woman portray on the bottom with a nail in entrance of a common retailer. (She appears to be like good. And she or he appears dexterous). He was barely within the woman as a result of her drawings have been detailed.

Brown hair and eyes. She had neither excellent magnificence nor ugliness that may assist in recollection. Her gown appeared poor. Whereas ingesting tea on the retailer throughout the road, he noticed the woman and the final retailer that gave the impression to be the woman’s residence. Her mother and father, who enter and exit the final retailer, have been additionally of medium construct. Sooner or later, she was prone to have a medium construct too.

“That youngster could also be appropriate.”

With that in thoughts, he entered the abandoned common retailer, confirmed the ID card he ready in case one thing like this occurred, and stated, ‘I’m on the lookout for a toddler to function a maid at a nobleman’s mansion. Would you entrust that youngster to me?’.

Her mother and father appeared to mistrust the unusual proposal from the younger man and refused it as soon as, however when he introduced the sum, they accepted it instantly. The shop seemed to be going via unhealthy occasions.

Three days later, he picked up the kid and paid the cash. If the kid was discovered not appropriate as an agent, she would discover a job as an actual maid. Many such locations have been ready by the group.

As a younger man, Lancôme was not very busy and typically labored as a task mannequin for the kids at a coaching faculty. Since she was a toddler he discovered, he turned inquisitive about Chloe and infrequently talked to her.

The woman was reticent however resolute. When she realized that she can be nicely paid for assignments, she volunteered to tackle the coaching faculty’s duties.

Earlier than lengthy, Chloe stood out. In any scenario, she instantly understood what was required of her and took motion. When she turned fifteen, she was assigned to Lancôme, who had grow to be a squad chief. Lower than 5 years into her profession, Chloe rose to the highest of their information.

Chloe liked Lancôme like an older brother and obediently adopted his directions.

In the future, Lancôme realized that Chloe’s household home was on hearth whereas she was at work for a job solely she might do. He couldn’t assist her household however didn’t inform Chloe, who was in the midst of an enormous job.

“Chloe cares about her household. It could be an issue if she loses her calm at this important juncture.”

With that in thoughts, he waited for the appropriate second to interrupt the information to her in regards to the loss of life of her household.

He had supposed to tell her after she accomplished the important work she was coping with, however the work that required Chloe’s abilities got here one after one other. As he continued to place off telling her, Chloe started to really feel unwell.

Moreover, after discuss of Lancôme’s marriage got here out, she received thinner and thinner. After that, his subordinates heard rumors that ‘Chloe had a crush on her chief’.

That was unattainable.

He didn’t recall ever seeing such a glance from her.

He ought to have been like an older brother or mother or father to her. Lancôme puzzled if there was one thing else at foot, but it surely was true that she had out of the blue began to drop extra pounds after his marriage announcement.

Chloe’s bodily situation was poor, so he continued to cover the information about her mother and father’ home. If even one individual can’t focus on their work, the remainder of the operatives within the staff can be in danger.

Chloe turned so skinny that it appeared like it might intrude along with her work and her bodily energy was additionally declining. He determined to let her relaxation for some time, however as quickly as she began resting, Chloe disappeared.

It was extremely possible that she went out to her favourite cliff and fell. There have been traces of blood on the rocks. Certainly one of her sandals was discovered on the backside of the cliff with the pendant that she wore all of the occasions besides when she was working. Lancôme had given her that pendant when she efficiently accomplished her first job.

The tough waves and speedy currents made it unattainable to search out Chloe’s physique so he submitted a report of ‘suspected loss of life’ to his superiors.

He defined to his subordinates that ‘Her hat was caught in a tree slightly below the cliff, and she or he in all probability fell whereas attempting to retrieve it’.

Lancôme wished to just accept that rationalization, however he couldn’t. He couldn’t do away with the discomfort he felt, as if a bit of meals caught at the back of his throat.

Earlier than she received sick.

He normally left the items to ship to her mother and father’ home in a room he rented individually as an alternative of within the dormitory, but it surely was ransacked by a burglar. After Chloe’s disappearance, he suspected that the burglar may need been Chloe, who truly knew about her household’s loss of life.

Nonetheless, even after the housebreaking, Chloe entrusted Lancôme with items for her household. The cash hidden inside was the identical quantity as earlier than.

Even when he accepted the idea of her damaged coronary heart, would such a powerful individual select loss of life for one thing like an unrequited love? Chloe was the sort able to separating work from unusual life even when he entrusted her with a mentally burdensome job.

Simply to ensure, he did some analysis on individuals who handed via a number of border checkpoints, however he couldn’t discover anybody who appeared like her.

However she was good at disguise, so she may need managed to slide via. As well as, she was significantly expert at doc forgery. Making a faux ID can be a bit of cake for her.

“I can’t deny any chance as a result of she’s so good at it.”

Lancôme was unconvinced of Chloe’s loss of life. Nonetheless, there weren’t sufficient folks to seek for her, whereas her life or loss of life was unsure, and if Chloe disappeared of her personal accord, it might be ineffective to ship a half-hearted individual.

Three months handed since her disappearance and no data had come out, so his superiors have been slowly dropping curiosity.

Nonetheless unable to surrender, Lancôme made a replica of Chloe’s investigation report and put it in a drawer.

Ashbury Kingdom, royal capital. The mansion of historian Bernard Fischer.

Jeffrey, who was on obligation, stopped by.

“Quickly, there will probably be a night social gathering hosted by the royal household on the royal citadel, would you want to affix me?”

“A night social gathering? Sponsored by the royal household? That’s unattainable for me.”

“I’ll put together the gown and equipment. For those who can’t dance, you don’t must. You simply have to remain by my aspect and present that you’re near me.”

“What sort of position are you planning for me to play?”

The troubled face of the large man appeared cute and I can’t assist however smile.

“An individual such as you, there should be many ladies keen to tackle that position.”

“I’ll find yourself in hassle if I ask a lady who has a crush on me to do one thing like that.”

“So that you hope I take part to function insect repellent?”

“There may be that too.”

“Other than that?”

“I wish to make my superior who persistently insists on citing marriage proposals surrender. I feel you may play the position of the daughter of a noble.”

I let loose a sigh.

Whether it is a night social gathering hosted by the royal household, the likelihood is extraordinarily low, however there may be nonetheless a chance that I stumble upon an acquaintance. Some aristocrats and brokers are energetic throughout borders. Pretending to be an aristocratic daughter is one thing I’m good at, however I don’t wish to go.

(Okay, let’s say no) I resolved my expression and raised my head however Eva, who was visiting the mansion at this time, interjected.

“You’ll be able to’t? Might you please take it as a favor for me and attend? I’ll deal with it as work and offer you an allowance along with your wage. Day by day you need to take care of my grumpy uncle, and if you get residence you’ve got a grumpy previous lady too, proper? Work and previous folks and youngsters, day in and time out. That’s too pitiable, my coronary heart aches for you. You might be nonetheless younger.”

“No, however I…”

As I hesitated, Eva …

“I’ll maintain Nonna, so don’t fear, go away it to me. Consider it as serving to poor Jeffrey. Nonna, you may go away Victoria for one night time, proper? I’ll spend the night time with you. Simply come to my home.”

“I’ll be okay. Vicky, go along with Commander.”

“Eh. Nonna…”

Thus, my retreat was reduce off.

I reluctantly agreed. I must anticipate a variety of issues which may occur on the day. ‘Assume the worst and do your greatest’ is ingrained in my bones. Or ought to I pray to God to not meet my acquaintances?

At night time, once I lean over to say goodnight to Nonna who was in mattress, she was nonetheless awake.

“Nonna, you may’t sleep?”

“…”

“You don’t like staying alone at residence in spite of everything, do you?”

“I can keep at residence. I don’t want others to pity Vicky.”

“Nonna…”

I instinctively grabbed Nonna’s small face with each fingers.

“I get pleasure from dwelling with Nonna. I don’t really feel a touch of being pitiable. Eva didn’t say that with that in thoughts. Don’t fear.”

“Vicky, will you put on a gown?”

“Sure”

“Gems too?”

“Maybe.”

Nonna giggled just a little.

“Hmm? What about it?”

“I wish to see Vicky grow to be a princess.”

“I see… Okay. I’ll present you. Nonna, I don’t really feel depressing. Don’t fear about that, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Then, good night time.”

“Good night time.”