Chapter 336 (1/2)

Obviously, only someone with previous experience in the field would have done it skillfully, except for those with a high position in the intelligence organization.

If so, it’s logical to think that they have been doing it for a long time. Why? Normally, the knights’ divisions are created for a combat mission, not this kind of job. Of course, as they are assigned various assignments, they would become proficient at it. To be so skillful now, they must have been doing this for a long time.

Then, is my guesswork correct?

When I asked him curiously, my father nodded slowly with a light smile.

“Yes, I’m the Robin Hood-like thief.”

“I see. That’s why you …”

Now I know why my father had an embarrassed expression when I asked him if I could use the Robin Hood-lie thief to steal Duke Jean’s family seal. He made a strange expression when I was so happy after receiving the stolen seal from him, praising the Robin Hood-like thief’s exceptional skills.

Now that I uncovered the identity of the thief, I began to solve the questions about all the events that I could not understand until now.

For example, I came to understand why the successor of the Jena family stared at my father when he mentioned the thief at the banquet. I now know why the two dukes and the current emperor who had known the thief’s identity didn’t mention him to me.

As expected, if the culprit of the arson incidents in the capital was really my father, I now understand why the late emperor just overlooked it when he heard the news.

But why did my father do it?

Suddenly, I looked up at him and asked, “By the way, why did you set fire during the drought?”

“At that time, I heard that the noble faction was planning to kill you. So, I sent them a warning that the righteous thief was watching them.”

“I see. Then, why did you do it after the current emperor took office?”

“Well, I wanted to take revenge on those who tried to harm you and to gather the evidence. ”

“Oh, I see.”

My father, who smiled at me watching him bashfully, gently stroked my hair and said, “I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you in advance. However, if I revealed my identity, you would know all the things that I have been doing. I didn’t want to let you know because it’s all I could do behind the scenes.”

“Ah…”

When I nodded in a rather subdued mood, the torch flames got big and shook heavily.

“Be careful, my lady!”

Sir League hurriedly held the sparking hem of my skirt and put the embers out with his jacket.

“Don’t you know that anybody who goes to sleep after playing with fire urinates in their sleep? So, please go back and take rest.”

“Yes, that’s right. We’ll take care of it here. So, please go home and relax.”

“Please go back. It is still autumn, but the night air is quite cold.”

Although I couldn’t see my father’s expression because I stood with my back to him, I could clearly see the knights in the darkness, who were pounding on their chests, asking me to trust them.

I smiled at myself, touched by their loyalty to my family, and said, “Okay, then. Let me leave now. Let’s go, Daddy.”

“Good night, my lady.”

“Have a good dream!”

Flames flared up against the darkness.

After looking at the formal dresses burnt black, I headed to my house with my father, returning their greetings. I felt secure and warm while going home.

***

I had a dream, which was very long.

The dream was so vivid that I was scared about it, but I missed it so much.

I wanted to go back to the old me who knew nothing because I was innocent.

I regretted it. I vowed that if I had one more chance, I would never make that mistake again.