Chapter Eight

  Part Three

  Line immediately turned away from Duchess Martagon, her shaking suddenly no longer noticeable.

  How could a mother’s instincts be so strong as to recognise her daughter at a glance? Maybe it was because that Line closely resembled her father. Or maybe it was just a wild guess. Either way, Line was not ready for this.

  A long delicate hand was placed on Line’s arm “Liliene?”

  “I don’t know that name” Line moved, intending to walk away.

  “how could I not recognise my own daughter?” Duchess Martagon asked.

  Line couldn’t help but stop walking.

  Duchess Martagon continued “do you think our blood could be so easily confused?”

  Line’s eyes widened. So that was the reason. Her mother must have caught sent of her familial blood, and turned to see the fleeing back of Line. Her mother then excused herself and followed after Line.

  Line slowly turned to face her mother, she didn’t get to take a good look at her before Line was being held in the arms of a crying mother. And Line found herself hugging back.

  “Liliene...I-I finally found you” her mother pulled away and observed Line “what happened to you” she was very obviously eyeing Line’s exposed muscles “how are like this? Why are you like this?”

  “...um mother, I-“ Line realised her panic attack was over, and she was no longer a mess.

  Her mother lightly smacked her arm, her tears fully dispersed “do you have any idea what your father and I have been through trying to look for you? How much resources we spent?” she sighed deeply "I suppose that doesn’t matter anymore. We can take you home now”

  “Wait, mother. I can’t go home yet”

  “And why not?”

  “...um” she had forgotten her mother was like this “I just, have a lot of unfinished things I need to do”

  Her mother tutted “you’re a lady, we can just send some of our people to do it”

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  “no, mother. This, this is something I need to do myself”

  Her mother blinked up at her.

  “but I promise you, I’ll return to you when it’s done”

  “And what is this thing you must do by yourself?”

  “I... I can’t explain right now, mother. You also can’t tell anyone about this”

  Her eyebrow raised.

  “Especially not outsiders, don’t trust them”

  “outsiders?”

  “and stay away from Jonah Ridley. His reputation is not at all what it appears to be”

  “Liliene? What’s going on?”

  “do you trust me?”

  “Of course I do. You’re my daughter after all”

  “then please, do as I say”

  Her mother gazed at her in complete silence.

  “My good Inspector”

  Line’s back immediately relaxed, then immediately straightened.

  While her mother said “Inspector?”

  Vax’dian appeared on the balcony, flanked by Hyde as always.

  Line’s mother bowed “your highness” and when she didn’t see Line bowing, she elbowed her and pulled her into a bow as well “your highness” her mother repeated. Line eyed her mother as if to say “mother!?”

  Her mother eyed Line as if to say “the Prince!?”

  Vax’dian laughed “please, there’s no need for formalities. Aren’t we family?”

  It was Vax’dian’s turn to be eyed by Line, and those eyes said “what are you doing!?”

  Vax’dian ignored her.

  Her mother smiled “indeed. You are betrothed to my daughter after all”

  Line began wishing that she wasn’t a part of this conversation anymore.

  “I apologise Duchess Martagon, but I need to borrow your daughter for the moment. But I promise not to let any harm come to her”

  Her mother tightened her hold on Line “Your Highness, I-“

  Line placed a hand on the arm of her mother “Mother, remember I said I have things that I need to do. Va- Prince Vax’dian, is helping me. It’s alright”

  “Liliene... come home” It looked as is her mother’s tears were about to fall again.

  “I will. I promise I will. But not now”

  Her mother sighed “... Liliene”

  “... Mother, please”

  Her mother very slowly released her hold on Line.

  Line smiled “thank you”

  Vax’dian linked arms with Line “let’s go”

  Line gave a nod and one last smile to her mother, before being pulled away by Vax’dian.

  When they could no longer see her mother, Line spoke up “Hyde said you were looking for me?”

  “Indeed. We’ve found it. The place that ‘Miracle Elixir’ is being taken to” Vax’dian glanced around the throngs of people around them “I doubt anyone will miss us, but I’ll have Hyde look for Ali for you”

  “alright, thank you”

  Hyde disappeared into the crowd, as Vax’dian led Line up the curved stairs to the exit.