Chapter 44: Still worried

Elan City

“Fratina, try this!”

Lucia, acting like an excited child, offered a piece of cake to Fratina.

Fratina accompanied Lucia, the two looking like close sisters.

Taking the cake with a smile, Fratina didn’t eat it but wrapped it up and tucked it into her bag.

She wasn’t hungry, and someone at home loved food.

Lucia didn’t comment. She loved treats, but that didn’t mean Fratina had to. She wouldn’t push.

Passersby admired the two stunning girls, who seemed straight out of a painting. When they lingered at a stall only to leave quickly, vendors wondered if their goods were lacking, unable to keep such beauties.

They wandered until Lucia grew tired, entering a restaurant and ordering pastries while waiting at their table.

Fratina was amazed by Lucia’s wealth.

She’d tried to avoid spending, but Lucia’s expenses alone were extravagant.

Her appetite seemed bottomless, especially for sweets. She’d buy every type at a stall before moving on.

Fratina watched Lucia spend nearly half a gold coin on pastries before they entered the restaurant.

“By the way, Lucia, you mentioned your family’s in business…”

Fratina propped her face, watching Lucia eat, curiosity sparking. “Does your caravan travel far?”

“Mm…”

Lucia set down her spoon, tapping her lips with slender fingers, thinking.

“We cover a lot of ground, but the scale’s not that big.”

“Hm?”

Fratina’s curiosity grew.

Larger caravans traveled farther, chasing profit. Why would a small one roam so widely?

Their goods must be… unusual.

Sensing it might be private, Fratina didn’t press.

Seeing Fratina about to ask more, Lucia looked at her curiously. “Fratina, were you going to say something?”

“Well, I was curious what your family trades, but if it’s personal, I won’t pry.”

“Hehe, it’s not a secret.”

Lucia grinned slyly.

“Our business just looks small.”

As expected, Fratina’s heart sank.

Lucia wasn’t from an ordinary family—she might even be on an opposing side.

“Your family deals in… contraband?”

“Depends on how you see it, Fratina~”

Lucia was crafting her persona, making future encounters smoother.

“You know, in this world, where there’s demand, there’s supply.”

“We just sell things some folks might frown upon to those who need them. Whether they use it to harm or help, that’s out of our hands.”

“Like a blacksmith selling weapons—do they care if the buyer kills or protects?”

“Our family’s business is similar.”

After a few words, Lucia resumed eating, while Fratina’s gaze drifted to the street.

Her pupils narrowed.

The street, bustling before, was thinning out, replaced by burly men in laborer’s clothes, out of place here.

Among them, she spotted a familiar figure—Ernst, the man she’d driven off earlier.

Fratina gently tapped Lucia’s wrist. “Lucia, stop eating. Something’s off outside.”

Lucia glanced through the glass, set down her spoon, and looked nervously at Fratina. “Fratina… what’s going on? Are those guys after us?”

“Hard to say.”

Fratina shook her head, her pretty face turning stern. “But if they try anything, I’ll protect you.”

*

Elan City, Royal Palace

King Duncan had been in a foul mood lately.

Fratina’s rescue by the Church had thrilled him at first.

But what followed was a nightmare.

Lucia had revealed her conflict with Londe to the Church and Fratina, and the Church sided with Lucia.

He understood they helped Lucia to save Fratina.

But was Londe so easy to cross?

This soured relations with the Church to a freezing point, and Fratina, realizing Londe’s deception, grew distant.

That was bad enough, but after the Church left, he learned Fratina had returned to Elan City.

After forcing him to sign that humiliating treaty, was she back to rub it in?

Freeman, at his side, offered comfort. “Your Majesty, look on the bright side. The Hero’s a valuable asset, and we’ve got troublesome bandits to deal with.”

“Her stance is frustrating, but if we avoid conflict, she’s a useful force.”

Duncan sighed. “Fine, you’re right. Let her stay and deal with those pests. We’ll call it using a tiger to swallow wolves.”

He changed the topic. “Freeman, still no sign of that person?”

Freeman shook his head. “Sorry, Your Majesty. She vanished years ago. With her upbringing, she’s likely dead on the streets.”

“No.”

Duncan’s unease lingered. “As long as she’s not found, my throne isn’t secure.”

“Keep looking. If anyone resembling her appears, eliminate them, whether it’s her or not. Understood?”

“I understand.”