Chapter 840

The shop assistants at Arcane Sanctum were familiar with Amelia. Paul recounted yesterday's events: “She must have pawned some jewelry to get here. When she arrived, she looked dazed and was clutching a pawn ticket from a pawnshop called Treasure Exchange. She immediately asked to buy seven or eight Evergreen Pills. I suggested two—one for childbirth and one for postpartum recovery. There’s no need for more at other times,” he said, based on his observations.

“You could tell she’d been crying, right?”

“Absolutely. She hadn’t even dried her tears.”

Carissa thanked him, wanting to avoid further questioning. She then had a staff member lead her to Treasure Exchange.

Dressed in her official uniform, she asked about the items Amelia had pawned. The shopkeeper produced them—gifts Carissa had given Amelia. “She said she’d redeem them,” the shopkeeper explained, “so they’re not permanently pawned.”

This meant Amelia had hoped to retrieve her jewelry. She only decided to leave after returning home to face scolding, slaps, and threats of being kicked out.

Amelia was timid and afraid of the dark. Leaving home in the middle of the night suggested a significant trauma. There was a real possibility she might consider suicide. But where would she go? The capital city was vast, and with no missing person report filed, the Capital Guard or Garrison Unit were unlikely to conduct a widespread search.

Carissa sent someone to check Amelia’s natal family’s residence. The report was swift: the front gate locks were rusted, indicating prolonged absence. Inquiries at the city gates revealed no woman had left the city alone that morning.

Amelia was still in the capital. Unable to travel far on foot, she couldn't have gone far. If she was wandering the city or hiding in an alley to escape the cold, finding her was possible.

Michael and the guards from Hell Monarch Estate searched extensively, checking every major and minor inn, but found no trace of Amelia. Discreet inquiries at Valor Estate confirmed she hadn't returned.

As the sun set and the wind picked up, the night promised to be colder. Carissa sent additional searchers, including Violet. She then summoned Barrett to Capital Guard headquarters. He arrived unsure of the reason, only knowing Carissa had requested his presence, leaving him anxious yet vaguely hopeful.

Without preamble, Carissa confronted him: “Your sister-in-law is missing. Are you aware?”

Barrett blinked, confused. “Missing? What do you mean?” He’d been at court that day and knew nothing of Amelia’s disappearance. Given family tensions at home, he’d planned to stay late at the palace before returning to the estate.

“Exactly what it sounds like. Early this morning, the Northwatch Estate gatekeeper found her sitting outside next to the stone lion. When asked what she was doing, she left. She hasn’t returned to Valor Estate since.”

Barrett frowned, perplexed. What was the big deal? Amelia was an adult; she could come and go as she pleased. Why was this strange?

“It’s only getting dark. She’ll likely return later,” he said dismissively. “I don’t understand your worry, Commander Sinclair. Is there really any reason to panic?”

Carissa gave him a sharp look. “Clearly, you don’t know your sister-in-law well. Does she usually stay out late?”

Barrett hesitated. “I… I’m not really aware of her habits.”

“Then you should go find her, taking men with you. She doesn’t have many relatives in the capital, so she won’t have anywhere else to go,” Carissa instructed firmly.

Barrett felt bewildered. “But it’s unnecessary! Even if she’s out during the day, she’ll naturally come home at night. With my mother’s worsening condition, she’s been at her bedside every evening. There’s no way she wouldn’t come back. Where could she possibly go?”

Carissa’s expression hardened. “I said find her. Go.”

Feeling her authority and sensing her irritation, Barrett instinctively replied, “Understood!”

After a pause, he looked intently at Carissa. “Even if I think it’s unwarranted, I appreciate your concern for my family. Thank you.”

Carissa’s brow furrowed. “It’s not about them. Amelia was seen at Northwatch Estate this morning. I’m afraid something has happened to her.”

“Impossible!” Barrett insisted.

Michael rushed in, agitated. “Commander Sinclair! We found her, but I’m afraid you’ll need to see this in person.”