Breaking Off The Engagement… Bring It On! Chapter 118

Changed Lillina's father's line in the previous chapter to "I've also called for Ricardo just now. I informed him it's urgent, so he'll come back in a little while." Whoops.

Umm, what do you mean by Elise-san's being kidnapped?
I asked father to solve the mystery.

"Um, umm, father… why was Elise-san… kidnapped?"

"Hmm. I've heard about it from Count Kukuul, apparently she was kidnapped when she went out to town."

Town… Ah!
Could it be, the case of going out incognito?

"Aaaah, why was Elise alone… As she has run into danger before, I told her not to go out unaccompanied."

Before, as in when she fell in love with brother?

"Kidnappers are demanding money, aren't they?"

Grandfather asked the count.
To grandfather's question, the count took out a piece of paper from his pocket.

"There was a report from a servant that Elise disappeared, and when I was looking for her this letter was delivered to the mansion."

The count showed the letter to grandfather and father.
The two read it with a complicated expression.

"This… it was committed for money."

"Yes, probably Miss Elise was targeted from the beginning. There's a high possibility the culprit realized she was sneaking outside. Otherwise it would be strange if there was a letter so soon after she left in the morning."

Indeed, perhaps they've seen her going incognito into the city.
Moreover with no attendant accompanying her.

"Ah! If I knew that would be the case I would have given Elise an escort. If something happens to Elise, I…"

The count held his head.
I wonder where Elise-san is right now.
I can't bring myself to interrupt them, all I can do is watch over the course of events.
Then, the sound of knocking on the door could be heard.

"It's Ricardo. Alek is here too."

"Ah, enter."

Hearing brother's words, father let them enter.

"I just came back. Alek said it was an urgent matter, what happened?"

Brother seemed surprised to see father, grandfather, grandmother, and moreover Count Kukuul in the room.
Following brother, Alek-sama came inside, similarly surprised.
Of course, it wasn't reflected on his face as much as on brother's.

"For the time being, please don't tell anyone else about it. Miss Elise was kidnapped."

"Eh! Miss Elise?"

"Yes. It seems she was targeted when she went out alone to town today."

Father explained to brother and Alek-sama.
Then the count, who was listening to their talk, vigorously stood up and approached brother.

"Please! Ricardo-dono, please cooperate! Elise, please help Elise."

"Yeah, of course. Father, did you call for me and Alek to mobilize the chivalric order?"

Father shook his head in response.

"No, I didn't. It's the opposite. This story cannot grow big. If a story of a n.o.ble daughter's kidnapping spreads, it will invite unnecessary speculations. So, it must be resolved quickly with a few powerful people. For that reason, I called for Ricardo and Alek-dono. Of course, Lillina will also cooperate."

I see, for a n.o.ble, much less for an unmarried n.o.ble lady such a scandal would be fatal.
We must do something before it turns into an uproar.

Listening to father's story, Alek-sama opened his mouth.

"Prime Minister, I am sorry to interrupt. Actually, a little rumor reached me. No incidents are happening… At least that's what's being said, but I think the parties involved simply don't report them, so the talks of kidnappings are only a rumor. Moreover, only children of n.o.bles who go out incognito are aimed at. It's not reported because victims are returned safe and sound. Especially when you are kidnapped, there will be a lot of troubles."

Eh? Does that mean the kidnappings are rampant?
But, the criminal only takes money without raising a fuss, does he know the circ.u.mstances of n.o.bles?
Apparently there are people who use their heads for such useless crimes.

"Well then, first of all, the count will deliver money to the designated place. Because he's been appointed. Afterwards there's a possibility the criminal won't release Miss Elise immediately. At that time, I'd like to have him shadowed… Could you ask that ninja Sasuke-dono for it? If he does, I think the probability of success will rise considerably."

"Ah, say that I asked for Sasuke."

Grandfather is asking for Sasuke-san.
Recently Sasuke-san is being asked for anything and everything.
Is he that dependable?

"After ascertaining their hideout, father-in-law with Lillina, Sana and perhaps Allen-kun and Ange-san will go together and punish the criminals. Be careful not to stab them to death. If they act violently, Ricardo and Alek-dono will move in as the chivalric order representatives to arrest them. Continuously targeting children of n.o.bles is too suspicious. Of course, rescuing Miss Elise takes priority. Rescue her without fail."

After listening to father's explanation, everybody started performing their respective roles.
I also left the room to find Sana, Allen-kun, and Ange-san.