The four hours were almost up, and we hadn''t talked much.


    Being with Valencia wasn''t as bad as I expected, but I still wanted to make it a pleasant experience, especially since we were in the city that had inspired my dreams.


    I also wanted to revisit my favorite spots in Mn, so I ended up leading the way, with Valencia quietly following.


    I wasn''t sure if she was enjoying herself, but at least I felt nostalgic about each ce we visited.


    First, I bought her lunch at a small trattoria near the canals.


    I didn''t want to deal with any hungerints, and the food was decent.


    Then, we strolled through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a magnificent shopping arcade with a ss ceiling and ornate architecture.


    Valencia was genuinely impressed, saying she''d never seen anything like it.


    Afterwards we went around countless shops since she wanted to buy something, and to my surprise, she even got me a red scarf.


    Though the weather was still chilly, I considered giving it back to her.


    But she insisted it matched my outfit and kept muttering something about me looking good in it?


    Well as a bit of a fashion enthusiast, I wasn''t sure if it would go with my all-ck trench coat, sweater, and baggy jeansbo, but I appreciated the gesture.


    Besides, buying a scarf had been on my bucket list.


    After that, we got gto and wandered through the Piazza del Duomo, the grand square dominated by the majestic Duomo di Mno.


    It wasn''t quite the peak of the afternoon, but the ce brought back memories.


    I remembereding here a week after graduating high school.


    ...


    ...


    ...


    Standing at the center of the Piazza del Duomo Valencia and Rel stood side by side.


    "This ce..." Rel said, gesturing towards the cathedral. "It inspired me the most."


    Shit... I blurted that out randomly. Valencia was looking at him with a questioning expression.


    "Really?" she murmured, too softly for Rel to hear. "Now that I look at it... this ce is inspiring."


    The two stood among the crowd massive crowds rushing in Valencia would be touching shoulder to shoulder with Rel.


    "..."


    Ah... what do I do? she thought. I want to lean my head against him. We''ve been standing all day.


    WOOSH!


    A sudden gust of wind knocked Valencia off bnce, and she fell into Rel''s arms.


    "I''m just d it exists," he murmured, his gaze fixed on the cathedral. His hands had caught her instinctively, and a soft smile yed on his lips.


    Valencia followed his gaze, but couldn''t understand his fascination.


    Seeing him like this, holding her like this, sent a strange warmth through her chest.


    Rel gently helped her back to her feet.


    "You look cold,"


    He unwrapped his red scarf and looped it around her neck.


    "...!"


    Her eyes widened as he wrapped it a second time, pulling it snug.


    "Let''s go," he said, ncing at his watch. It was time to leave.


    Valencia watched him walk off and couldn''t but drift off to his hands.


    She impulsively leaned in and reached out, but stopped short when Rel turned around.


    "Are you noting?"


    "Ah!... Y-yes...ing," she stammered, flustered.


    Rel turned back and waited.


    Valencia who hurried to catch up, smiled brightly under his scarf.


    ***


    [Mn, Via Palestro - Montir Residence]


    After 30 minutes of taking an uber, Valencia and I arrived at the Montir mansion.


    I had expected the typical rich estate, but this ce was on another level.


    Instead of just seeing one mansion it was actually abination of two mansions.


    The imposing structure blended seamlessly with the rolling hills on the outskirts of Mn. A wrought iron gate marked the entrance, leading to a long, paved driveway that wound through manicured gardens towards the main building.


    The mansion itself was a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture, with towering columns, arched windows, and intricate stonework.


    Even I, who had only ever seen it in my imagination, was impressed.


    "Hey, look! Rel and Valencia are finally here," Bazz announced.


    I initially ignored him, but then I felt a burning re and a cold stare directed at me.


    "Is there something wrong, Louise?"


    Jae asked, leaning forward.


    I realized Louise was barely suppressing his emotions.


    He was doing a good job hiding it, but I suspected trouble might arise if I didn''t defuse his brewing anger.


    "What are you talking about?"


    Louise gritted his teeth, trying to maintain hisposure. Despite his efforts, his veins were bulging on his forehead.


    "There''s nothing wrong. You''re probably just thinking about other things."


    "Okay..." Jae shrugged nonchntly and moved on to Alice, who had also been ring at me since we arrived.


    "Alice?"


    "What?" she snapped, her voice cold. Jae furrowed her brow, confused.


    "Are you okay?"


    "Of course I am. Hmph." Alice shrugged, and Jae couldn''t help but find her reaction amusing.


    I wonder what''s going on with them? I thought. They just get crazier by the day.


    Lan pped his hands to get everyone''s attention.


    "Okay, guys," he said, "please be mindful that the rooms you''ll be staying in are within the Montir residence. And I beg of you all, please don''t touch things you''re not supposed to touch. After that hotel incident in France, I heardints about phone lines and toilets being destroyed."


    Bazz''s shoulders tensed. I remembered what he had done to the toilet back in Paris. He had identally clogged it, and in trying to fix it, he had smashed the entire thing.


    Jan nudged Bazz, who nearly fell to his knees. "Ack!" he yelped.


    "And also," Lan continued, "I''m here on official Villerion business, so for the next two days, your task is to find an artifact of Montir''s history that you find most interesting."


    Just then, a man in a crisp ck suit appeared at the gate. He opened it, revealing a sweeping pathway leading down to the mansion.


    "Wee, fellow guests," he said with a polite bow. "I hope you all enjoy your stay here. I''ll give you a quick tour, and right after that, I''ll have our workers organize your rooms."


    Jan and Bazz exchanged surprised nces. "Are all the servants here like that?" Jan asked.


    "Of course not," Cam replied, appearing next to Jan with a smile, "but he sure looks experienced."


    Yeah, an experienced smuggler. Though I didn''t have a name for this viin yet, I was determined to find out who he was.


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    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!