Chapter 21
If the room written on the note wasn’t a meeting point or a location for information exchange, then it was highly likely that this was where the target was.
“Behind the bookshelf, right?”
Sticking close to the wall to avoid casting a shadow by the window, I silently made my way toward the bookshelf.
Wherever there was a chance of a shadow being cast, I quickly rolled across the floor.
I did end up banging my shin on the leg of a sofa placed midway—distracted by the window—but managed not to make a sound and rolled on calmly.
‘…The sofa’s okay, right?’
I had bumped into it with quite a bit of speed, but since it didn’t budge and felt sturdy, I decided not to check.
Luckily, there was only one bookshelf I needed to investigate.
The window beside it had thick curtains tightly drawn to block out light—as if the folds of the curtain were beckoning me forward.
And right behind the bookshelf was a large, obvious safe.
“Perfect. It’s totally suspicious and looks fake and, well…”
…What could I do? It’s not like the safe would turn into a glass display case if I came back later.
It didn’t look custom-made, either. Just a regular commercial safe that would lock permanently if the password was entered incorrectly three times.
Not a magical safe with barriers, just a normal one—lucky for me.
Besides, when something’s hidden this obviously…
Click.
“Easier than expected.”
The safe opened smoothly, without even a metallic creak.
I had expected to try at least twice, but it opened immediately?
“No way, really? Hehehe.”
Heart racing, I shone the small, finger-sized magic lantern I had brought with me into the safe, revealing two compartments.
In the upper one were a few old notebooks—likely diaries—and several small brooch-style necklaces, presumably for framing portraits.
In the lower compartment sat a single velvet box, clearly expensive.
Naturally, that was my target.
I brought the light closer to the box, tilting it slightly to check the engraving at the bottom.
“Original design jewel box from the House of Flame.”
Initial release weight: 563.35g. No additional decorations visible.
Holding the lantern in my mouth, I carefully took the box out with both hands and closed my eyes for a moment.
“Hmmmmmmmmm.”
I lifted it up and down a few times lightly, then tried it with one hand.
“…112.67g. Spot on. This is the real box containing the Star of India! Kyaaa!”
And 11267 was even the password to the safe.
It just so happened the first number I tried was the correct answer—the weight of the Star of India, as known publicly.
Clutching the box to my chest, I crouched beneath a nearby window, hiding behind the curtain.
I was different from others—a pro’s pro.
Just because I had the target in hand didn’t mean I would let my guard down like a fool.
“Ten minutes. If no one shows up in that time…”
If the safe had a silent alarm, someone would be rushing here soon. If I had to face them, I’d rather stay hidden and strike first than get caught off-guard.
If they all came running in together, that was even better—it meant the outside would be left unguarded.
If no one came, I could just quietly sneak out of the mansion.
I had detailed plans for every scenario.
“Plans A through Z, all perfect. But just in case…”
I carefully tucked in the hem of my skirt that had slipped under the curtain and heightened all my senses. Even my breathing was silent.
This was one of the elite skills I’d honed with Uncle Vincenzo around age thirteen during our “Secret escape to Haraka Island” mission. Even Uncle wouldn’t be able to find me right now.
“The real Star of India is really in here…”
Crouching behind the curtain, I lifted the box slightly toward the windowlight.
Under the soft moonlight and glow from the lantern, the box looked undoubtedly antique and refined.
“Selling just this jewel box could buy me two mansions on Haraka Island. Tsk.”
Okay, that’s enough. Let’s not get greedy. I should leave the box behind.
That would serve a second purpose too.
If I got out quietly, the jewel box left behind would delay the realization that the Star of India had been stolen, and also…
“Yes, that’s my girl! Only common thieves steal what belongs to someone else!”
…Well, the box was just a shell anyway. Heavier than its contents, and kind of a letdown.
The original jewel box that once contained the Star of India was still being kept at the Duke of Fernant’s estate.
More importantly, the goal of this entire job was never the box—but the jewel itself. Fernant’s lost property, Chester’s pride, and my golden ticket! The Star of India.
“It’s not like it’d be easy to find a buyer for the jewel either. What would I do with the box?”
Really, truly, I had zero desire for the box.
…Now that I think about it, finding a buyer for the jewel might be tough too.
“I stole it so blatantly—they’ll definitely come after me, even from Chester.”
Maybe I should flee north?
Or even strike a deal with the Duke of Fernant’s family?
Would they really slam the door in the face of someone who returned their heirloom just to avoid the hassle of a dispute?
“When’s the first train from Elray to the north?”
Now that things were wrapped up early, I could even ride the imperial express across the continent and enjoy some travel…
“Ah—my bad!”
Realizing that already five minutes had passed, I quickly put my hand on the lid of the box. I was planning to take just the gem and put the box back.
Fortunately, there were still no signs of anyone nearby.
“Knock knock, I’m going in.”
The velvet under my fingers felt very soft.
Creaaak—
The box, clearly unopened for a long time, let out a soft creak as it began to open, and I found myself inexplicably salivating—though it wasn’t food.
Before catching the train, I’d have to stop by that strawberry juice stand and fill my belly first.
“Ssssh.”
I was just starting to open the lid halfway when—
“Stop.”
Click!
The lid closed firmly, as if it had answered in my place.
“…Someone’s here?”
From where?
How?
I had been vigilant the whole time…
Whish! Thud!
In the blink of an eye, a foot smashed down on the spot I’d been crouching.
I rolled out from the curtain and sprang up, but before I could steady myself, a fist came flying at me.
I reflexively twisted my body, but the attacker in the dark was faster.
Smack!
“Ugh.”
The punch changed trajectory midway and grabbed my wrist roughly.
I barely regained my balance and aimed a kick at his shin—but then, the scent hit me.
“…Citrus?”
Faint—but unmistakable.
It was the scent that had been deeply embedded in the handle of the dagger stuck in my scope.
Ever since that night, I’d pulled out and examined that dagger countless times. I knew it well.
“So it’s you, the culprit.”
Just as I thought. Another person in the same line of work, also after the Star of India.
Like him, I quickly changed my plan—not kicking his shin but yanking open the closed curtain.
Shraaak!
Light poured in through the hastily pulled curtain, tearing through the darkness.
“What kind of crazy guy throws daggers at people’s faces… Huh?”
Swish!
The man instantly moved to shut the curtain again.
So fast—the light vanished before I could blink. It felt like lightning had flashed inside the room.
Darkness returned in just a second.
“…”
The man and I stood there, silently facing each other, as if we had agreed to it.
The brief flash of light from the open curtain lingered like an afterimage.
He wasn’t wearing a full black mask this time, and I was still dressed like a maid.
“…”
“…”
…Eh?
……Ehhhh?
“Let me help you.”
That can’t be right.
“It’s not a bad thing to search for something precious.”
I blinked, and the afterimage burned deeper into my mind.
…No, wait. Maybe it wasn’t an afterimage.
My wrist, still gripped tightly in his hand, was starting to ache.
This wasn’t a dream.
