Every Mafia's Favorite Girl novel Chapter 134

Chapter 134: "She Doesn’t Trust Me"

Aren followed Rosalia at a measured distance, allowing the taller woman to lead the way.

This section of the chamber was not as deep as the trench, yet it was considerably deeper than the flooded areas Aren had crossed earlier. The frigid water reached all the way to her chest, chilling her to the bone and slowing every movement.

Through it all, Aren’s gaze never left Rosalia’s back for even a heartbeat.

’I’ve got to be careful.’

’I don’t know yet whether what she said is true. She might simply be luring me here to drown me instead.’

Rosalia, meanwhile, showed no sign of sensing that suspicion. She moved at an unhurried pace, her eyes fixed straight ahead, exposing her back completely and giving Aren every opportunity to strike if she wished.

After several minutes of wading through the icy water, Rosalia came to a stop. Looking down, she shifted her feet beneath the surface as though searching for something by feel.

"It has to be somewhere around here... I’m sure of it..."

A few moments later, the toe of her boot struck something solid beneath the water. For the first time since entering the chamber, her calm expression brightened ever so slightly.

"Ah. There it is."

She beckoned Aren closer before pointing straight down into the murky water.

"Here. Try kicking this spot. You should feel a metal box beneath the surface."

Aren approached cautiously, every instinct still on guard. Once she reached Rosalia’s position, she nudged the spot gently with her boot.

Thud.

A dull vibration traveled through the sole of her boot as it struck something metallic.

The object felt rectangular and firmly secured to the floor beneath the water.

Sliding her boot along one edge, she caught the distinct shape of what felt like a small padlock fastened to one side.

"I happened to kick against this while making my way toward you," Rosalia explained. "I dove down to inspect it and found a lock attached to it. There has to be something inside. Most likely the coin."

"I can feel the lock," Aren confirmed. "Do you think the key hanging from the ceiling is meant to open this box?"

"It has to be," Rosalia replied. "Unless they’ve hidden several identical boxes around the chamber to mislead us. But this is the only one I’ve found."

"I see..."

Aren lifted her eyes toward the faint crimson glow overhead.

Near the suspended key, one of the concrete pillars had iron rungs embedded into its side, climbing all the way toward the ceiling. They had clearly been installed so contestants could climb up and retrieve it.

"So," Rosalia said, turning back toward her, "which part would you rather handle? Do you want to climb for the key, or would you prefer to dive down and unlock the box?"

Surprise flickered across Aren’s face.

Only moments earlier, she had watched Rosalia’s every movement, expecting betrayal at any second.

Instead, Rosalia had calmly led her to what genuinely appeared to be a locked container and was now openly proposing that they work together.

Before Aren could answer, Rosalia had already stepped away from the box and moved toward the pillar with the iron rungs, studying the climb from several angles.

"That looks like a difficult climb," she observed. "You’re probably still exhausted after pulling Sofia out of the water. Why don’t you rest while I retrieve the key? You can handle the dive afterward."

Aren remained silent, carefully weighing the proposal.

As appealing as Rosalia’s suggestion sounded, there was little chance the box contained two coins.

If a coin truly lay inside, the moment it was retrieved, they would inevitably become rivals. Exhausting herself with the dive beforehand would leave her at a disadvantage.

On the other hand, if there was no coin at all, and this was merely a trap Rosalia had devised, then submerging herself underwater would leave her utterly vulnerable if Rosalia decided to drown her.

’The people in this world are much more complicated than the ones in mine.’

’Lady Rosalia seems calm, kind, and I genuinely like her... but I’ve already made the mistake of trusting Daria.’

’I can’t let myself be deceived again. Not when Jordan’s safety is on the line.’

"Would it be alright if I took the climb instead?" Aren asked as she approached the pillar. "I’m smaller. It should be easier for me."

Rosalia studied her for a quiet moment. Even in the dark, she could tell Aren’s expression was blank, lacking her usual brightness.

’Ah... she doesn’t trust me.’

"Fair enough," Rosalia said without objection, stepping back toward the shallower section of the chamber. "Then I’ll stay here and keep an eye on Sofia and those two contestants."

"Alright," Aren replied.

She began climbing, gripping each iron rung in turn. One hand, then one foot, she ascended steadily despite the soaked clothes weighing her down.

As she climbed higher, the waterlogged fabric became less of a hindrance, and before long she reached the top of the pillar.

The key hung only an arm’s length away.

Stretching out carefully, she untied it from the cord securing it to the ceiling before beginning her descent.

Once safely back on the ground, she walked over to Rosalia and held out the key.

"Here, Lady Rosalia."

Rosalia accepted it with her usual composed expression, a faint smile touching her lips.

"Can I trust you to stay with my sister while I’m gone?"

Aren nodded without hesitation.

"I’ll protect her with everything I can."

"Good," Rosalia said with a quiet nod before turning back toward the submerged lockbox. "I’ll be back quickly."

Kicking until she felt the iron box beneath her foot again, Rosalia drew a deep breath, then disappeared beneath the water.

Aren remained where she was, every muscle taut as she counted each passing second.

’Could there really be a coin down there?’

’Would Lady Rosalia take it... and simply swim away once she found it?’

’Please don’t let her run. Please let there be a coin.’

Her eyes never left the silent surface. She watched for the slightest ripple while straining to detect any movement from the two unconscious men they had dragged onto another platform earlier.

One silent prayer followed another until, at last, faint ripples spread across the water.

A moment later, Rosalia emerged, breaking the surface with a quiet splash.

In her hand rested a round object unmistakably identical to the palm-sized brass coin the Head Coordinator had displayed before the round began.

"Lady Rosalia," Aren called softly.

Rosalia lifted the coin toward her.

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