"By the way, Bonnie actually belongs to someone else," Luna said, glancing down at the cat. "I can tell you wouldn't use an accessory of this color as her collar."
A yellow ribbon was tied around the cat's neck.
If it were Lynette, she would likely have chosen a gray-toned collar, perhaps with a small tag indicating Bonnie's identity and letting others know she was her owner.
Assuming Lynette's preferences haven't changed.
Luna knew the Lynette of the past well—her tastes and inclinations. But the current Lynette... that was less clear.
"Hasn't her owner come looking for her?" Luna asked.
"No. I haven't seen anyone around here looking particularly anxious either. They might be coming from far away."
Luna said, "That's true. Some cats just love to wander around and never come home."
Lynette stared at her intently.
"You're one of them too."
Luna smiled faintly. "But I'm back now, aren't I?"
"But you were gone for so long. I..."
I think about you every day—those words felt too heavy. They had only just reconciled, and needed time to ease back into things.
Such intense emotions might sound like blame.
Just as Arlecchino had advised: Control your emotions.
"...Let's put up a notice first. If its master is frantically searching, they'll definitely check the bulletin board for information."
Lynette took Bonnie and cradled her in her arms.
This way, if Luna wanted to pet the cat, she'd have to get closer to her.
Luna nodded. "It's a shame Lynette's hands are full with the kitten. I wanted to hold your hand."
Lynette: "..."
She glanced down at Bonnie cradled in her arms and whispered, "Can you walk on your own?"
Bonnie let out a reluctant meow, as if saying, Ugh, Lynette.
After posting the notice, the pair decided to return to House of the Hearth first.
The journey was silent, not because they didn't want to speak, but because they didn't know where to begin. Too many words remained unspoken, too many feelings unshared.
They could manage a few words when others were around, but when alone, they fell into awkward silence.
"Luna, you're just in time."
Chevreuse approached, her expression serious, clearly on duty.
"What's the matter, Miss Captain?" Luna asked with a mischievous grin.
Lynette stared at her. Miss Captain... that title was far too intimate.
Yet Chevreuse seemed accustomed to it, selectively ignoring Luna's words.
"There's a case you need to be informed about, since you're considered relevant parties."
"A case? Relevant parties?" Lynette frowned slightly.
Could this be related to our previous operation?
"Don't misunderstand, I'm referring to the Lefebvre Family."
Another unexpected name.
Hadn't Arlecchino wiped out the Lefebvre Family completely? How could their ghosts still linger?
Chevreuse tipped her hat. "Do you know about 'Counterfeit Sinthe'?"
"Pierre, a researcher at the Fontaine Research Institute—now a former researcher—secretly developed a batch of Counterfeit Sinthe and smuggled it overseas. It's an extremely serious transnational smuggling case."
"Using Primordial Sea water?" Luna asked.
"No, 'Counterfeit Sinthe' is just a general term. We're temporarily referring to all illegal liquid addictive substances as such. The raw materials aren't from the Primordial Sea."
As Chevreuse spoke, she noticed the cat Lynette was holding. Her gaze sharpened. "That's Pierre's cat..."
"The criminal's cat?" Lynette asked, slightly surprised.
"Yes, the Marechaussee Phantoms found this cat and a pendant in his residence in Poisson back then—"
Chevreuse handed over a photograph.
The image showed a pendant featuring two snakes entwined around a sword, one of the emblems of the Lefebvre Family.
Chevreuse mused, "The cat vanished afterward. So it was in your possession all along."
"Don't make it sound like we stole it."
"I didn't say that. Still, it's better off with you. Even though it's just a cat, it's connected to a criminal and can't be overlooked."
Lynette nodded. "Then is this Pierre also a member of the Lefebvre Family?"
"Not necessarily."
Luna pondered aloud, "I find it hard to believe that any surviving descendants of the Lefebvre Family—assuming there are any—would be so careless, considering the family was practically wiped out."
There was no direct evidence to prove Pierre was a Lefebvre.
"Moreover, some of the Lefebvre Family's assets were auctioned off. After several transfers and twists, this pendant could easily have ended up in Pierre's hands."
Chevreuse smiled approvingly. "Exactly as Miss Luna said, this case has many unclear points. It's best not to jump to conclusions."
"However, Pierre is indeed the creator of the 'Counterfeit Sinthe,' and his current whereabouts are unknown. Please keep an eye out for him as well."
She produced a portrait of Pierre, a close-up of his face.
Chevreuse bowed. "If anything comes up, you can contact me directly. I'll be investigating near the Fontaine Research Institute."
"Stay safe," Luna said with a gentle smile.
"Hmph, I hardly need to be told that," Chevreuse replied before rejoining her team and departing.
Lynette lowered her head, stroking Bonnie as she sighed. "I never thought I'd hear the name Lefebvre spoken aloud again after all these years."
"It seems 'Father' didn't clean house thoroughly enough," Luna remarked.
"Like cockroaches in the kitchen," Lynette added with a slight nod.
With the Head of the House and most of its members annihilated, the remaining Lefebvre Family members could hardly pose a threat. Their most likely course of action would be to flee, praying that The Blade wouldn't catch up.
Lynette turned to Luna. "What do you plan to do?"
"I'll drop Bonnie off at home first. We can figure out the next steps later."
"Hmm..."
But Lynette knew perfectly well that Luna would inevitably begin investigating this case.
It wasn't just her inherent nature; the name "Lefebvre" held a special significance for her, making it impossible for her to ignore.
"I'll go with you," Lynette suddenly said.
If she had noticed Luna's odd behavior before she left, if she had convinced Luna to stay, or if she had chased after her and pulled her back, everything might have been different.
Her own immaturity had contributed to the current situation.
Time couldn't be reversed, but at least she wouldn't let Luna be alone again.
Nor did she want to be alone herself.
Luna's eyes widened, then she smiled. "Alright, let's go."
"Wait."
"Hmm?"
Lynette glanced at the beverage shop beside them. "I need to replenish my sugar levels before activating 'serious mode.' Plus, I'm holding Bonnie, so—"
She said expressionlessly, "You'll have to manually replenish my sugar levels."
Bonnie, tired of being held, tried to jump down from Lynette's arms, but Lynette tightened her grip slightly, forcing the cat to reluctantly settle back into her embrace.
Bonnie protested with a few meows, but Lynette murmured, "I'll give you some small dried fish later."
Bonnie fell silent again.
I'll endure.