Please Let Me Live a Lazy Life!

Chapter 16: I Want to Live a Lazy Life (1)

One, Thomas was not the intended target. His involvement was entirely accidental.

Two, according to Mr. Al-Amin's accounts and interactions with Mason Smith, Edward was supposed to be the target instead.

Three, Conrad Hernandez was an unfortunate casualty, if only because his side of the garden, the one he dedicated to the youngest Rosetta full of lavender and herbs, was the least patrolled by their knights.

And lastly, today was supposed to be the day they would execute their schemes. Otherwise, why would they risk discovery by knocking out Mr. Hernandez and having a carriage readied near the estate walls?

Smith had been under their care for more than a month before then; Edward wasn't sure if he was contacted by his employer before or after his acceptance into their ranks, but the eldest son of the Rosetta didn't make an effort to hide his busy schedule. He was always moving from one place to the next, never lingering unless he was attending his classes in the academy or visiting the palace. He had never liked staying in Rosetta Manor for long-- until Thomas had gotten sick.

All of the sudden, his sporadic and often full timetable was trashed to accompany his easily lonely and clingy little brother. For a week and a half, he would leave classes just as they ended (sometimes along with Xander) and stay next to his bedside until dinner or any other appointments he couldn't avoid or push back. At the very least, he would always stay with Thomas for a few hours to help soothe his fever and his aching body, and Smith probably saw that as an opportunity.

It was only a lucky coincidence that Edward had left earlier than expected today. In order to avoid the attention of some unsavory people, only a few people knew he left the manor in order to pick up Xander and the Royal Family's own personal doctor and therefore, his departure ruined Smith's planned just as it began.

As for who was the mastermind behind this whole fiasco? Edward had a few ideas...

After reading through Mr. Armstrong and Mr. Volkov's report, his father set them aside and picked up Edward's comprehensive statement, which was bigger than the two previous ones combined. The older man read through it quickly and thoroughly, before commenting solemnly, "It's unlike you to be so careless."

Edward restrained a flinch at the subtle admonish, lowering his head in a chastised manner. "It's my mistake, father. I should have been more careful."

"Yes," Kyron agreed as he lowered the large stack of paper down onto his desk, closing his eyes briefly. His expression was as cold as his son's, clear of anger or disappointment, but his voice was stern and severe. "The nature of the investigation aside, even if their power is steadily declining, they still held the title of Marquis. Therefore, they have more means to perform unsavory acts in the dark."

The eldest son usually blank face held a grimace. "I know, Father."

"And yet, you still underestimated them," the older man pointed out as he opened his eyes, displaying his own intimidating ice-blue orbs. "And in turn, you endangered yourself and the people around you."

Lowering his head, Edward had no viable excuse he could give. After all, he never thought that the McGowan Family would be desperate enough to hire someone to kidnap him. What little he had gained from his previous investigations over their underhanded business wasn't enough to implicate them of anything just yet. "I... didn't find anything conclusive."

"You haven't," his father allowed, crossing his worn fingers together. "But you need to take into account of Marquis McGowan's personality. He's paranoid by nature and even if you find something small, he will react to it. Combined with his detail-oriented character, there is rarely anything that slips past his control. He runs a tight ship on his businesses, which makes it difficult for us to incriminate him in anything-- if we can find anything to incriminate him with."