Read Novel Full Chapter 113
Chapter 113
Beloved Woman
Sofia brought the teacup to her lips, and then continued her words in a seemingly indifferent manner.
“Soon after, the man stopped visiting the prostitute. Right when he was supposed to be succeeding such a distinguished family, if people found out that he had an ongoing affair as well as a child with a prostitute, it’d become quite the scandal after all.”
“……..”
“If the child that was born turned out to be a boy, it would even cause problems with the succession. He must’ve been thinking of simply pretending that the child was not his but——that plan out of the window when he realized that the son that was born was basically a complete replica of himself in looks.”
Now she was sure that Sofia really was talking about Graziano’s father and mother.
“So, where did the prostitute go to next……?”
“She left this house and family. It was impossible to just stop the birth of that child at that point, and she was reluctant about raising the kid here together with the others.”
She could sense the sadness steeped in Sofia’s voice.
“That girl was probably afraid that her newborn could get assassinated by her now former lover. That’s why, she abandoned her position as one of Ranieri family’s high rank prostitute, and ran away from the father of her child.”
(…….? But, if that was the case then…….)
“That’s why you see, missy..”
Sofia put her cup down back on the saucer and smiled with her wet lips.
“You should take this story as a lesson as to not get deceived by bad men okay? When my younger brother heard reports about you, he was also quite worried you know?”
“Your younger brother?”
Sofia’s younger brother, David, was also a fellow second year like Francesca and others.
He belonged to a different class, and Francesca had made sure to mostly avoid him completely, however she had noticed him from afar a couple of times.
While Sofia was the current head of the family, according to the game, she planned to retire early and hand over the responsibility of the family head to her younger brother at some point later down the line.
(But why was David, who I’ve never even met once, talking about me with Sofia-san? And that they were ‘worried’ for me…….)
Francesca had a clear question mark above her head so Sofia rest her chin on her hand and clarified.
“As per my little brother, [There’s a transfer student who seems to have caught that Aldini’s eye for some reason. Her name is Trovato] or so he said.”
“Trovato…….”
That was of course the last name Francesca was using while at school.
It wasn’t a completely fake name, but the family name from her mother’s side. Hearing all that, Francesca was a bit taken aback.
“Wait a minute, were you acquainted with my mother!?”
“Fufu, Serafina-san used to dote on me quite often you know.”
“Whaaa…..!!”
She had never even imagined that she’d find someone who knew her mother here of all places.
“Connected to Aldini, and the surname Trovato. I figured that this transfer student might just be the Calvino’s daughter perhaps, that’s all.”
“A-actually……..I’m keeping it a secret that I’m from the Calvino family while at school you see.”
“That’s the right decision. It’ll only bring more problems to you after all…….As expected of Serafina-san’s daughter I suppose, you’re quite clever.”
“…….!”
For some reason, being complimented that way made her more happy than usual as her cheeks flushed red.
To Francesca who truly loved her parents, hearing a compliment that praised them as well made her feel both embarrassed and extremely happy as well.
“You know, She would often pray in hopes that her daughter grows up to be a healthy and happy kid. She was always talking to you and pat you a lot while you were in her stomach as well.”
“……..Mama did that……..”
Sofia leaned forward and stretched her hand to gently touch Francesca’s head.
“Even before you were born, and ever since then, you have always been a treasure to someone. So please, take better care of yourself okay?”
“………Yes, thank you very much, Sofia-san…….”
“Good girl.”
Sofia laughed satisfied, making her look so cool that Francesca’s eyes began to sparkle at the mere sight of her.
“Your fiancé is a good man, but he’s also kind of a bad man as well. If you’re ever in trouble, you can always come to me for help okay?”
(Sofia-san, really is the kind of person you can’t help but look up to. Even though she’s also a family head, somehow, she feels a lot less dangerous than members of other families…….)
“If you ever end up having a dispute with him, I’ll even go out of my way to help you break off your engagement if you want.”
“No thanks!! I think I’ll be fine!!”
Suddenly such a heavy and dangerous topic was brought up, making Francesca straighten her spine.
(Yeah, nevermind, she’s a family head of the five great families alright! She’s no exception after all…….!!)
Thinking that to herself, she noticed Sofia’s calm gaze.
“Sofia-san? Is something the matter?”
“………..Nah, it’s nothing. That aside, how about another cup of tea? I have all sorts of stories about your parents you know.”
“Yay, thanks a lot! And, um, if possible, can you also tell me more about the story of those two lover with different statuses from before as well—–……”
***
About an hour had passed since then.
Having left Sofia’s villa, Francesca was walking through the forest alongside a certain man.
“phew! Still, it’s quite hot today eh…….”
Surrounded by the sounds of cicadas chirping, the thick shades of the trees tried their best to stop the sunlight from seeping through and yet, they were unable to fight against the heat. Inside this sweltering forest of green, Francesca looked up towards the person walking beside her.
“Even though you’re already helping us with the investigation, thank you once again for even being my escort, Ricardo.”
Even under this heat, Ricardo showed no change in complexion.
“Don’t mention it. I was just coming back from my investigation anyway, and besides not much time has passed since your little incident. With the chance that Graziano himself may be a target, I can’t have him act as your escort either, could I?”
“Sorry………but looks like Graziano really has been affected a lot by that incident it seems…….”
Although she had been able to erase his extreme thoughts of [never being beside her], he still believed that [while we’re in this forest at least, I can’t be your bodyguard.]
He looked a dejected puppy as he said that so she figured there was no point trying to console and cheer him up there, and instead asked Ricardo to guard her instead.
On the other hand, Leonardo had been absent since the morning. [I’m off to do some independent investigations] or so he said so she accepted it but, as always she was unable to read through his true intentions.
(I wonder if Leonardo’s investigations aren’t in regards to the assassination but more aimed at the mastermind instead. I still haven’t been able to talk in detail about the ambush yesterday with Leonardo either.)
Seeing Francesca hang her head, Ricardo changed the topic as an act of consideration.
“Speaking of, while I was waiting for you, I went around and checked the area where you were attacked yesterday. I’m surprised you really came out with no injuries even after falling from such a high place.”
“A, ahaha. You found the place quite easily eh? I imagine the carriage tire tracks may make for a good landmark but, were they not washed away with the heavy rains yesterday?”
Even the ground they were walking through right now was quite muddy and slippery so she looked down towards Ricardo’s feet as well.
As expected of the ever diligent and methodical Ricardo, his boots were still clean and shiny even now.
“……….hey Ricardo, do you happen to have like the cleaning and maintenance tools for shoes and stuff on you now? You know Isabella-san from Sofia-san’s place, who got caught up in the ambush as well? Apparently she had both her dress and shoes ruined due to it as well.”
“Tools? No, even I don’t carry them with me here. They’re with one of our servants back at the villa though. Should I ask him to arrange a visit to her as well?”
“Oh, no it’s fine……..I think I’ll go myself once…again…….”
Francesca stopped both her feet and words because she noticed a certain man walking towards them from the other side.
(Graziano’s father.)
A lapis lazuli brooch, akin to the colour of the summer sky itself, was shining on his coat.
And the target of the assassination, Marquis Savini as well, stopped in his tracks when he noticed them as well.