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Join the Server“Grrr…” Lucia’s stomach let out an untimely growl. Only then did she remember the unfair treatment her belly had suffered over the past two days.
On the day of the Grand Ritual, she had only eaten breakfast before being kidnapped. The very next day, she had again only managed breakfast before being punished for her failed escape. Now, with a moment of relaxation, her stomach rumbled loudly.
Realizing Betty Lane was still watching her, Lucia covered her stomach, a blush creeping onto her cheeks.
“Please wait a moment, Your Eminence. I’ll fetch your meal.”
“No, there’s no need. I can get it myself.”
Lucia moved to follow Betty Lane, but was gently stopped. Betty Lane cautioned her:
“The manor employs servants, people who work for money, not those to be trusted. If they were to see your eyes, problems might arise.”
“Please wait in the room. I will bring your meal.”
Lucia nodded in agreement. After seeing Betty Lane out, she settled back onto the windowsill, observing the manor through the morning light filtering in from outside.
This was a residence in the noble district, and although it was ‘adjacent’ to other nobles, the main buildings were separated by at least three thousand meters.
After all, every noble residence had to be accompanied by a garden befitting their status.
Centered around this main building, a radius of fifteen hundred meters was covered in lush green grass, enclosed by walls. This made Lucia realize, with even greater clarity, how laughable her escape attempt had been yesterday.
That iron gate the ‘maid sister’ led her through was likely just a side door connecting the inner garden to the outer garden.
She had truly been led in circles by that ‘maid sister’.
****
Returning to last night, the ‘maid sister,’ following Crowlina’s orders, changed into a set of leather night-armor and stealthily made her way back to Crowlina’s estate.
Under the cover of night and with her familiarity of the terrain, she skillfully avoided the patrolling knights, creeping back into the room to retrieve Lucia, who was trapped within the stuffed bear.
Only upon reaching the bed did she discover that both the stuffed bear and Lucia were gone.
In that instant, a myriad of thoughts flashed through her mind. There was confusion, worry, and dread.
Confusion was her initial reaction to losing her mission objective.
Her worry stemmed from Lucia’s disappearance, fearing she had encountered danger. That concern caused her to unconsciously touch the bracelet on her left wrist.
Lucia had given her that bracelet as a ‘thank-you gift.’ Though she felt she wasn’t worthy of accepting it and had only been waiting for an opportune moment to return it to Lucia.
Finally, dread—the most potent emotion that surged once she pieced together the answer.
The estate was already surrounded by Valga’s knights. The angel’s disappearance could only mean she had been taken by Valga’s knights.
This was bad. News of the two Highnesses kidnapping an angel would quickly reach the Valga Royal Family. At that point, the two Highnesses, isolated and vulnerable, would not escape the royal family’s reckoning.
She returned to Crowlina Yass’s side with the utmost speed, relaying her deduction.
Consequently, Crowlina, who had just lain down last night, scrambled out of bed in a panic, fleeing through the night like a stray dog.
****
Lucia finished her last bite of bread and drained the juice from the bottom of her cup, then looked at Betty Lane, who sat opposite her, wearing a mysterious smile.
Betty Lane asked softly, “These dishes were prepared to your liking. Do they suit your taste?”
“Mm-hmm, they’re delicious.”
Lucia wiped her mouth with a napkin and countered, “Aren’t you hungry?”
“Thank you for your concern, Your Eminence. I’ve already eaten.”
Betty Lane produced a clean, white, wide bandage and placed it on the table.
“This bandage is for you. When I am not present, if you need to leave the room, please tie this bandage over your eyes.”
“I’ve already informed the servants that I’ve arranged for a girl with an eye condition to stay here. They will attend to your daily needs but will not enter this room.”
“You may order them to do anything you require, but you must not leave this manor yourself.”
Lucia picked up the bandage and tried wrapping it twice around her eyes. The bandage was thin and somewhat translucent, merely casting a white film over her vision; her sight wasn’t significantly impaired.
Lucia was quite pleased with the bandage. “Are you leaving here, having made these arrangements?”
Betty Lane walked to the window, pulled back the curtains, and saw the sun already high in the sky, indicating it was mid-morning—time for work.
“Yes.”
“Yesterday, I led the lockdown of Duke Yass’s manor. Today, I must thoroughly investigate the estate to avoid arousing suspicion.”
“I see.”
“Your Eminence must wait obediently for my return, okay?” Betty Lane teased, a remark slightly informal for their positions. Yet, this subtly presumptuous tone was precisely their private conversational style, after all, they had been together for eight years.
She stepped out of the room.
Lucia, having donned the bandage, followed her out, walking by her side.
“Are you here to see me off?” Betty Lane looked at Lucia with a touch of surprise, a faint sweetness blossoming in her heart.
“I just felt like walking.” Lucia slightly averted her face. For some reason, she simply didn’t want to admit she was there to see her off.
Betty Lane chuckled heartily and spontaneously took Lucia’s hand, eliciting a small gasp from her.
The cleaning servants cast surprised glances, watching their unknown mistress grow intimate with their master. It almost seemed as if their Viscountess was throwing herself at a young girl, only to be rejected by the girl shaking her hand away.
Betty Lane, taking advantage of the situation, swept Lucia into her arms. As she walked, she playfully ruffled Lucia’s head: “Since your eyes are inconvenient, don’t try to be strong. Big sister will just carry you.”
“You!…”
You’ve got to see this next! The Moon Reflected In The Water will keep you on the edge of your seat. Start reading today!
Read : The Moon Reflected In The Water
