Chapter 87
Nina swallowed hard.
A suspicion she had never entertained before began to creep up inside her.
The fact that Lavián was strong was evident from objective measures, even without Cheshire’s words.
For example, his fame in participating in naval wars, or the incident where he took out Anubis’s former leader overnight and swallowed the entire organization.
But there was no information about Léopart.
Léopart had never participated in a war, never joined any tournament, and had never faced a notable opponent.
Could Léopart possibly be stronger than Lavián?
“Why the face? Suddenly you look troubled,” Cheshire’s voice pulled Nina back to reality.
“No, it’s nothing. I just wish I could be as strong as you guys,” Nina replied.
If that were the case, she wouldn’t have to worry about all these things right now.
She could always protect Lavián and everyone else.
“…Much stronger.”
“Huh?”
“Much stronger than us. Nina.”
“How? I don’t have any sealed powers or anything.”
“Ah, haha. I didn’t mean it like that.”
“Then?”
Just as Nina asked curiously and turned her gaze, something in the shop across the street caught her eye.
“Uh…?”
She stopped in her tracks, staring intently at the figure behind the display window.
It was Charlotte.
But Nina didn’t stop just out of happiness.
She couldn’t tell who Charlotte had come with, but Charlotte was standing alone between the stalls.
Charlotte seemed to be examining various items with a thoughtful expression, and the moment the clerk turned away, she discreetly slipped a sparkling item into her sleeve.
It was probably an earring or a similar small accessory.
‘What is she doing?’
Confusion flickered in Nina’s eyes.
What Charlotte was doing was clearly theft.
But unlike Katya, who had been a pickpocket from the slums, Charlotte was a noble lady from the imperial city. Why would she steal?
Moreover, the jewelry sold at a shop like that wasn’t even that expensive.
“Isn’t she a noble?”
Nina quickly looked up at Cheshire.
He had stopped walking and was also staring at Charlotte.
A crease formed on his otherwise smooth forehead.
“Then why does she have such sticky fingers?”
“Um, sir…”
Nina unconsciously grabbed Cheshire’s hands tightly with both of hers.
He blinked and looked down.
“Let’s just go, okay?”
“…Alright.”
Cheshire surprisingly nodded obediently and started walking again.
Nina swallowed a sigh of relief and bit her lip.
‘The more I see her, the more she differs from the first impression… Charlotte, that girl…’
Anyway, she planned to pretend she hadn’t seen what just happened, at least for the time being.
After all, Charlotte was Dité’s niece, and telling anyone wouldn’t bring any benefit.
“Um, sir…”
Nina, still holding Cheshire’s fingers tightly and walking briskly, looked up at him and finally spoke, just as Cheshire, silently being dragged along, suddenly said:
“By the way, our tailing is pretty sloppy.”
“Huh? Tailing…?”
Nina was bewildered by the unexpected comment.
Cheshire gestured over his shoulder with his thumb.
“They’re hiding in that alley over there.”
“What?”
“The disguise is a bit over the top. Definitely Kiss and the two friends Nina met last time.”
Nina’s mouth dropped open.
Oh my, they had just been letting them go easily, and now they’re talking about tailing!
And even Meshi joined in—she couldn’t believe it.
‘What exactly do they intend to do by tailing us?!’
“Since when…?”
“I actually noticed it back at the parfait shop.”
“What? From then?”
“I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want Nina to worry, but by now, they’re almost back…”
Nina had no idea how to respond to Cheshire’s nonchalant attitude.
Her face burned with embarrassment.
“I’m sorry, sir! I really didn’t know!”
“It’s okay. Honestly, I expected it to some extent.”
“Still… they came to see me, and I got tailed, and on top of that, I didn’t even realize you were being pickpocketed…”
“Hm?”
“Ah, no, anyway, I’m sorry.”
Cheshire looked at Nina, slightly confused, then chuckled.
“Really, it’s fine. Seems like everyone likes you a lot, Nina.”
“Not at all. If they like me, why tail me?”
“They were probably worried I might lure you and kidnap you.”
That was truly a reckless worry.
Nina shook her head and sighed.
“I really can’t stand it…”
“…Heh.”
“Why are you laughing all of a sudden?”
“Hm? No, I’m not laughing.”
Cheshire quickly covered his mouth with his hand and coughed.
Soon, they arrived at the hotel where they had first met.
Nina stopped at the main entrance leading to the lobby and looked up at Cheshire.
“Today was fun, sir. Thanks for playing with me.”
“I should be the one thanking you.”
“But sir, what did you mean earlier?”
“Huh? What did I say…”
“The part about me being stronger than you guys. What did you mean by that?”
“Oh, that.”
It was probably a joke, but Nina tilted her head in curiosity.
“I can’t fight.”
“You shouldn’t fight your friends.”
Cheshire teased her with a smile, lowering himself to meet her gaze.
Nina pouted a little.
“You always fight.”
“Not always.”
“You’ve never lost to anyone in your life. Neither you nor Lavián.”
“That’s true, but still… we….”
Trailing off, Cheshire slowly reached out and gently cupped Nina’s cheek.
“…We fell apart completely against you.”
Nina’s eyes widened at his low whisper.
Her clear eyes, bright as a summer sky, still carried none of the rebellious cynicism he knew.
“Sir? What did you just say…?”
“Ah, I just meant I can’t win against you in a fight.”
“What?!”
Nina, feeling treated like a child, let out a deflated sound.
“I’m serious.”
“Fine. And why would I even fight you guys in the first place?”
“Hmm?”
Cheshire tilted his head playfully, then suddenly his eyes turned serious.
“Nina, can I hug you?”
Nina was momentarily shocked.
‘Is he thinking about that girl again?’
No matter what complicated situation was going on, it was strange—and a little sad—to hear a man like Cheshire say something like this. She nodded.
“Okay.”
Cheshire hesitated briefly, then wrapped his arms around her firmly.
He hugged her so tightly that her breath was slightly cut off, but she remained still.
It felt strange, but not unpleasant.
‘He must have been really distressed after losing that girl…’
At that moment:
“Hey, you…!”
A familiar voice pierced their ears, and both turned in alarm.
“Kiss, sir?”
Nina frowned in confusion.
Something felt off. She thought she heard Kiss’s voice, but she couldn’t see him anywhere.
Moreover, Kiss wouldn’t just say “Hey” and leave.
Cheshire seemed to think the same and came up with a plausible guess.
“Kiss probably tried to yell at us but was silenced by his companions.”
“Ah… that seems right.”
“Exactly, isn’t it?”
As they nodded at each other, thud!
This time, the glass wall of the lobby on the opposite side shook violently.
When they turned in surprise, they saw a fake security team member clinging to the wall, staring down at them with a terrifying gaze.
