Chapter 87
Claudio disliked moving on suspicion alone.
Yet every detail pointed clearly to Lucas.
The fact that four years ago neither the constables nor anyone else had suspected him was because Lucas had always enjoyed an excellent reputation and, of course…
He must have handed out plenty of bribes.
Turning another page, Claudio’s lips curled into a crooked smile as he read through the records of money Lucas had distributed.
Just how many sheets of this evidence are there?
Merchants who dealt in trade, especially those exporting goods overseas, had countless procedures to clear when crossing borders.
Since time was money, it wasn’t unusual to grease a few palms to move things along.
But Lucas hadn’t limited himself to bribing the border officials.
He had spread money over a much wider range—and had started aggressively, a full year before the incident.
Naturally, the constables never even considered suspecting him.
Had they allowed themselves the slightest suspicion, they would have noticed the oddities in his travel schedule.
But there’s still no direct evidence tying him to the murder.
Of course, Claudio didn’t need evidence to dispose of someone like Lucas.
He could even fabricate convincing proof if necessary.
But Marsha would never accept that.
And if, by chance, this bastard really isn’t the culprit…
If Claudio fixated on Lucas and overlooked the true criminal, that would be disastrous in its own right.
He had to find undeniable proof.
The question was—how?
Was Tom Buck really killed?
Claudio never believed the man had died four years ago.
The body had been mutilated beyond recognition, and Claudio was certain that wasn’t his handiwork.
The reason for sparing Tom Buck was unclear.
Perhaps it was mere whimsy, or cruel amusement.
Even if he survived back then, there’s no guarantee he’s alive now.
Still, if Tom Buck was alive, then where could he be?
As Claudio scanned the records of Lucas’s connections, his eyes landed on a name that had recently become familiar.
A sly grin crossed his lips.
That one might know something.
Petrix Miles.
Once Lucas’s business partner for quite a long stretch of time…
And—leader of the group branded with that tattoo.
“Hm…”
Claudio crossed his arms, breathing out a low sound.
He had been saving Petrix as the perfect card to play at just the right moment.
And now it seemed this man might even be tied to Marsha’s case.
As much as he wanted to seize Petrix immediately, Claudio would soon be leaving for the West.
If I rush it now, I could ruin everything.
Yes, it was better to go west first, and then capture Petrix.
That was the soundest course.
And yet—why did this gnaw at him so much? He knew there was no better plan, so why did it feel so unsatisfying?
***
When Marsha heard from Claudio that he needed to leave for the port of lubanan, she asked,
“How long will it take?”
“Well… about ten days?”
The journey normally required at least two weeks.
If he rode hard without rest, he could manage ten.
But Claudio spoke as though it were an easy, leisurely trip.
“That’s far.”
Her expression carried a faint trace of regret. Claudio chuckled.
“Why? Will you miss me?”
“T-that’s not it…!”
Marsha’s cheeks flushed like a ripe apple as she hurried to deny it.
Claudio’s eyes crinkled slyly.
“If not, then what?”
“…”
She couldn’t answer.
The truth was, she would miss him.
But how could she just nod and admit it?
That would be far too embarrassing.
Why am I blushing like this? I wasn’t like this with Wilford.
Back then, she had even gone out of her way to show her affection.
A proper lady was supposed to.
No matter how corny the words, she had never felt this shy or overheated.
Ugh…
Seeing her squirm like an indignant kitten, fists pressing into her lap, Claudio nearly burst out laughing.
“Haha. Thank you for missing me so much.”
She pouted, glaring at his bright laughter.
He always has to tease me.
But the sharpness in her eyes softened almost instantly.
She liked seeing him laugh.
His smile was like warm, gentle sunlight condensed into its most beautiful form.
She had known from the start he was dazzling, but she had never realized he could smile so tenderly.
“In truth, I’ll miss you terribly too.”
His voice carried from lips curved in a gentle smile.
Playful though it was, it rang with surprising sincerity.
“Ten days will feel unbearably long.”
To Claudio, time had always been something that simply passed.
He had never mourned its swiftness, nor felt it drag. But now it was different.
He regretted each fleeting moment, and the thought of ten days without Marsha felt endless.
“…Yes, it will.”
Marsha mumbled.
When Claudio’s eyes widened, she quickly turned her face aside, flustered.
“Y-you’re leaving at dawn tomorrow?”
“Yes. So today, I want to do everything I wish.”
Marsha blinked. What on earth does that mean?
He stretched out his arms.
“Come here.”
“What?!”
She jumped like a startled cat.
“Don’t want to? Then shall I come to you?”
“N-no, that’s not—”
Before she could finish, Claudio stood and swept her up in his arms.
“Kyah!”
She let out a short scream.
He, in contrast, looked delighted as he sat back down and settled her lightly onto his lap.
“Wh-what are you doing…?!”
Clenching her fists, Marsha protested.
Claudio only smiled, eyes warm.
“I wanted to hold you like this.”
It wasn’t their first embrace.
He had held her once before, when she was trapped in a nightmare.
Yet this felt entirely new.
Up close, her emerald eyes flustered and darting about were a sight to treasure.
The closeness was intoxicating, the sound of her racing heartbeat nearly audible.
To have this warmth entirely within his arms felt like an honor.
I want to hold her forever.
The realization struck him.
He was born to live with Marsha in his arms. Without her, he was incomplete.
Before her, he had been hollow inside, though he hadn’t even realized it.
My heart… it feels like it’ll burst.
Marsha was so tense she could hardly breathe.
Even though they had already kissed, this somehow felt more nerve-wracking.
Perhaps even more so than their first kiss.
Claudio nearly let his forehead drop to rest against her slender neck—but restrained himself.
If his lips brushed that delicate skin, he would be unable to stop.
…I’m losing my mind.
To drive the thought away, he bit down on the inside of his mouth, the sharp taste of iron forcing him back to his senses.
“…Marsha.”
“Y-yes?”
Her voice trembled unconsciously, her face blooming red.
The innocence of her expression steadied him.
With a long breath, he said,
“Leaving you alone drives me mad. You’re always stumbling into danger.”
Feeling as though she were being scolded like a misbehaving child, Marsha pouted.
“That’s not true.”
“How many times have I seen it myself?”
“T-that may be, but… before I met you, I never got into such dangerous situations.”
After the terrible incident four years ago, Marsha had lived a relatively ordinary, peaceful life.
Her heart had been heavy, and men like James had made nuisances of themselves, but she had not often faced physical threats.
“Ah, so you’re saying it started after meeting me? That I bring misfortune with me?”
“No, that’s not what I—”
She floundered for words.
Before she could manage, he pressed a quick kiss to her cheek.
“Ah—!”
Startled, Marsha cupped her face in both hands, cheeks blazing.
Claudio didn’t stop.
He peppered kisses across her skin, one after another—cheek, temple, jawline.
“Stop…! It tickles…!”
Her laugh mixed with protest, but Claudio only smiled at her.
How could he possibly stop?
Her laughter was too precious, her smile too lovely.
All he could wish for, foolishly, was that time would freeze in this moment forever.
