She might have whined about wanting to go home about twelve times. Whenever she wore clothes, he took them off, and even if she lifted a sock, Claude just ambushed her. It was now afternoon. Canillia couldnât take it anymore so she took clothes and quickly ran into the bathroom to get dressed.
Claude was absent for a phone call for a moment and when he came back, he saw her dressed. He frowned and put down new clothes in front of her.
âI told you to stay in the palace for ten days.â
âI canât. I need to go. Pepe will be worried.â
âShe probably knows youâre in the palace already.â
âEven so⊠Just let me go. Tomorrow! Iâll come back tomorrow.â She blushed while she said tomorrow.
Canillia looked at scoffing Claude and scanned the messy room.
âFine, Iâll allow it. But⊠Take my car. Youâre going to tell your maid that youâre fine and coming back. This time, not to the palace, but to my townhouse. There are too many people interrupting here.â
She looked sad when he said to come back immediately.
Claude held back his laughter as her expression changed to his every word. Canillia nodded in the end and he kissed her on the forehead.
âGood.â
***
Pepe saw Lia coming out of the car and ran out bare feet.
âY, young master!â
She teared up in relief as she saw Lia.
The police came by in the morning and just a moment ago the inspector and chief came by to ask Canilliaâs whereabouts. That wasnât all. There was a mystery flower delivery.
âAre you ok? What happened.â
Pepe was about to spill everything but she kneeled in surprise as she saw the Grand Duke come out.
âMy Lord the Grand Duke.â
Claude was wearing a black suit with black gloves.
He scanned the mansion sharply and nodded.
âDid someone come by?â
âAh, the police kept looking for the young master.â
âSo?â
âI wasnât told that he was in the palace⊠So I told them I donât knowâŠâ
âYou didnât hear the news?â
âYes.â
Claude wrapped his arm around Liaâs shoulder, who was frozen not knowing whatâs going on. Pepeâs eyes widened at such gesture.
âI heard that Marquis Gliadâs place was robbed last night. They took diamonds and the Marchioness is saying youâre the culprit.â
ââŠPardon?â
âIt was the anarchists. They bribed people to say that they saw you near Louvre. But I donât know why theyâre after you.â He kissed the top of her head while mumbling. âBut since you were with me last night, you canât be the culprit.â
Pepe looked like she was going to faint.
Canillia was lost at words as she let go of Claude and went into the house. She then looked around the drawing room.
The anarchists attacked the Marquisâs townhouse?
But why did the Marchioness claim that Iâm the culprit?
She was looking around the drawing room with mixed emotion and saw a flower vase. More like the jasmine that was in the vase.
âPepeâŠ. Pepe!â
Lia shouted sharply and pointed at the vase full of jasmine and asked.
âWhat is this?â
âSome men brought it with the vaseâŠâ
âMen?â
âThey wereâŠ. Someone who knew your actual name. They said to give it to youâŠâ
The men that knew Canillia Vale.
Lia covered her face with her hands.
The anarchists that attacked the Marquis townhouse at night.
The Marchioness that indicated her as the culprit.
And the jasmine.
â46 Brill Street. On the day full of jasmine.â
Lia remembered the message the doctor left. She felt nauseated at the smell of jasmine. She wanted to burn all the purple and white flowers there.
That moment, Claude picked up the vase of jasmine. He frowned slightly.
âItâs heavy.â
Much heavier than a normal vase.
Claude broke the vase against the marble wall.
The vase broke with water pouring. But Canillia saw diamonds instead of water.
The diamonds that were in the vase spill on the floor with water. There were a few hundreds of diamonds the size of an adult thumbnail.
âThis isâŠâ
âThey seem like the diamonds that were stolen.â
âWhat isâŠâ
âSomeone really wants you to be the culprit. Maybe the Marchioness. Or⊠Someone else in your mind.â Claude patted Canilliaâs head as she stood there looking blank. His calm eyes stared at her and asked, âDo you want me to help? Canillia.â