?


    Hana noticed my surprise, paused momentarily, then continued, "It wasn''t until my grandfather''s passing that he revealed this secret to my father and repeatedly urged him not to open the treasury unless it was absolutely necessary.


    "He insisted that it belonged to Yare, and it was a national asset for times of crisis. Despite being the umtion of generations of the Av family''s efforts, it was not to be misused or imed as our own. It was meant to be passed down through the generations as a national reserve.


    "But our adversaries, in collusion with foreign powers, targeted this secret treasury. Their financial backing is escting, and they''re actively nning to overthrow the Av family."


    Though I maintained a calm exterior, I grew increasingly uneasy internally.


    "Ross has earned the trust of his officials and has the support of the people. However, the other party is using the treasury as leverage to use the Av family of corruption. With the public unaware of the truth, their support is dwindling due to the other party''s relentless propaganda.


    "In the event of a coup, Yare would face a major crisis. The opponent''s allies are dangerous individuals and will cause global instability. Losing power would spell disaster for the Av family. That''s secondary, but the people of Yare would suffer catastrophic consequences."RêAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    As Hana spoke, her smile vanished, reced by a worried expression.


    After pausing briefly, she continued, "Before my grandfather''s passing, he entrusted three brooches to his three children. Each brooch was indispensable for essing the treasury. So...


    "This is a crisis. Opening the treasury is crucial to safeguard the Av family''s economic standing, stabilize the situation, suppress the coup, and ensure the people''s welfare."


    Hana looked at me. "Actually, the Av family didn''t intend to neglect you back then..."


    I raised my hand to stop her. I didn''t want to hear any excuses, and whatever the reason, it was nothing to me.


    "Sorry. I don''t want to know any of that. Besides, I don''t have the brooch." I coldly interrupted Hana.


    "I probably saw it only once when I was young. I was only ten years old when my mother passed away, and the situation developed too suddenly.


    "I didn''t realize I needed to protect her jewelry. My life was in jeopardy, so how would that have been useful for a child like me?"


    My words sounded pessimistic, but I was also pondering the question.


    Where could it be?


    "I was sent away once she died. I barely had time to save my own life, let alone know where anything was." I recounted the situation at the time. "Before my mother''s death, she was alone, helpless and couldn''t trust anyone. No one showed her any pity after her death. It''s a pity. Back then, she was still a princess of Yare."


    My voice was dry, tinged with sorrow.


    Then I looked at Hana. "You may


    have heard that I lost all memories before the age of thirteen. When I returned to Nocturnia a few days


    ago, everything there was able set


    te to me. All my memories are just made up of stories As told me. That''s why I only vaguely understand what happened back then."


    "And your dad''s return..."


    "I asked my father about it too, but he only saw the brooch once and didn''t know what it was for or where it is. So, it''s not that I don''t want to help Ross. I''m just powerless." I shrugged.


    Hana looked at me. She was silent for a long time, then whispered, "I''m sorry, Chloe."


    Her words left me feeling perplexed. I looked at her and asked, "What do you mean?"


    "I''m sorry about everything," she replied bluntly.


    I stared at the girl in front of me, feeling speechless.


    Before she left, she looked at me again. Finally she said what she wanted to say. "Chloe, if you can, please help Yare and Ross. He


    would be an outstanding leaded


    Afterall, you''re a member of the Av family, and you have a responsibility to do this."


    After speaking, she turned and left. I remained still, watching her figure disappear from my sight.


    I leaned back in my chair, feeling a mix of emotions.


    Where could the brooch and the map be?


    I never imagined that the brooch held such a significant secret. My mother must have known its importance, so she had never casually revealed it.


    Now, it seemed her discretion stemmed from this vital mission.


    While I was lost in thoseplex thoughts, my phone suddenly rang. I snapped out of my reverie, reached for the phone, and nced at the screen.


    It was a call from an unfamiliar number.


    I answered without hesitation, and the person on the other end immediately said, "Chloe, something''s happened!"