Chapter 28: The Attack — Part 2
“They were pieces passed down from her grandmother, and Maria inherited most of them.
The designs were rather old-fashioned, so I and my younger daughter did not care for them much.
But thinking about it now, perhaps it is true that older pieces are of better quality.”
“Oh?
So Lady Maria carries on the precious history of your family.”
“It is nothing so grand.
They are merely items I am fond of.”
I replied as coolly as I could.
“Old pieces often include unusual designs.
Some you no longer see nowadays.
Do you possess anything particularly interesting?”
The man smiled affably and directed his question to Mother.
He had judged that she would be easier to draw into conversation than I.
Desperate to change the subject, I forced the words out.
“Mother, I do not think it wise to speak too much about items passed down in the family.”
Even to my own ears, my tone was sharp.
“My, what is this all of a sudden?”
Mother shot me an irritated look.
At that moment, Brian-sama stepped in to assist.
“Eric is quite slow.
What is he doing?
Soldiers who move sluggishly are useless, would you not agree, Madam?”
Mother blinked in surprise at that.
She immediately summoned a nearby servant.
“Go and tell Eric to hurry.
Lloyd went earlier as well—what are they doing?
This is unacceptable.”
Mother seemed to have forgotten all about Grandmother’s jewelry.
Good.
I exhaled softly and gave Brian-sama a grateful glance.
After a short while, my brother finally appeared.
He walked toward us at an unhurried pace, looking first at me, then at Mother and the man.
His expression was relaxed, almost leisurely.
I turned to Brian-sama beside me.
“Shall we inspect the goods?”
Brian-sama took my hand and led me toward the wagons stacked with apology items—toward where Brother stood.
Hidden behind the piled cargo, a belt and sword were handed over.
Brian-sama fastened the sword at his waist beneath his long coat, concealing it from sight.
“Thank you, Eric.
I feel better now.”
“Not at all.
It may not be perfectly balanced, but I chose the sturdiest one.
By the way, are you certain it is that man?”
Brother looked to me.
“Yes.
I am certain.”
“That one, huh.
To attack in broad daylight…
And what are these goods?
Where did he procure them?
This is a fortune.”
I had wondered the same.
Had he stolen them from somewhere?
“I do not know the details, but Lady Maria says he is the murderer.
What shall we do?”
“We capture him and his accomplices.
Three wagons, nine attendants?
Unfortunately, we have only three of us here.
Five if we include Maria’s two guards.
The others are out with Father and guarding Noel.”
“Understood.
I will assist.
Allow me to be present during the interrogation.”
They exchanged these words with pleasant smiles upon their faces.
Truly noble sons.
And with that same pleasant expression, Brother told me,
“It will turn violent.
I will stall for time.
Return to the house with Mother and secure the doors.
Three knights will guard you.”
“Only three against nine?
That is reckless.”
“It will be fine.
The Vice-Captain can handle five men easily.
I can manage three.
So do not worry about us.
Just run.”
We returned to Mother.
She and the man were still conversing amiably.
“Yes, there were many pieces, but the designs were old-fashioned.
I said I did not want them.
Even my younger daughter only took a gold bracelet.”
The man smiled.
“Indeed.
Outdated items can be troublesome to handle.
So nearly all were given to Lady Maria?”
“Yes.
Not only jewelry, but various other things as well.”
“I see.”
Brother stepped in, greeted him, and questioned the sudden visit.
The man repeated the same explanation and claimed he believed prior notice had been sent.
“I apologize for the miscommunication.
However, I was instructed to deliver these goods.
It would greatly assist us if you would accept them.”
He looked genuinely troubled and apologetic.
Mother began to waver.
“Well, perhaps it is fine—”
“Very well.
Then we shall begin unloading at once.”
“Wait.
I have not given permission.”
“Eric!
What are you saying?
You would have them take it all back?
How rude.”
“Leave this to me and return to the house.
Go.”
Brother signaled to two knights behind him.
They moved to stand beside Mother and me.
“Honestly, that temper of yours.
If your grandmother were here, she would be striking you with her favorite fan.”
Mother huffed as she began walking toward the house.
Then she paused and turned to me.
“Speaking of that fan, the pivot is set with a beautiful cat’s eye stone.
Is that not what you were searching for, Maria?”
I froze mid-step.
That was it.
And worse—
the fan should be in the man’s possession.
The man’s head snapped up.
For a split second, he grinned—the same smile he wore when he killed Merry.
“In that case, we shall take our leave.
Apologies for the disturbance.”
Suddenly, he gave his farewell with startling ease.
Even Mother looked surprised at the abrupt shift.
He turned sharply and headed toward the wagons.
“No.
Do not let him go.”
I grabbed Brother’s coat.
“Inside.
Run.”
At his low, controlled command, I seized Mother’s arm and pulled.
“What are you doing?”
“Run.
We must get inside.”
“Why?”
“If you do not wish to die—
if you do not want anyone to die—run.”
Seeing my desperate expression and sensing the tension of the knights at our sides, Mother fell silent.
I ran as hard as I could.
But Mother was heavy.
She never ran normally and stumbled awkwardly.
One knight muttered, “Forgive me,” lifted her in his arms, and sprinted.
I kept running ahead, aiming for the mansion doors.
They still seemed far.
It felt unreal, like running in a dream.
But from behind us came the sharp, metallic clash of swords striking—
A high, ringing sound.
A cold shiver ran down my spine.
This was no dream.
I had to move faster.
Yet the doors would not seem to draw closer.
The pounding of my shoes against the stone pavement and the thunder of my heartbeat filled my head with noise.