“Cecilia Windsor.”
Cecilia blinked as she saw the knight who was backing away with a troubled expression on their face. She recognized him – it was d*ck from the Royal Knight Order, someone she once dueled with in the past. His name was quirky, so it stuck in her mind.
“Are you feeling any better?”
d*ck trembled as he spoke.
“How much time do you think has passed since then?”
“It’s good to see you looking well.”
“d*mn wench.”
“Would you like to request another duel? I don’t particularly mind.”
What will you do?
Cecilia tilted her head slightly as she rested her hand on her sword. d*ck turned his head and clicked his tongue.
“It’s not that I’m rejecting the rematch. I did lose to you back then, and quite decisively.”
Although he seemed reluctant, d*ck surprisingly and neatly acknowledged the defeat.
“So, why are you here?”
“I’ve come to meet a friend.”
“Friend?”
Their gazes naturally moved toward Bianca.
Bianca looked extremely flustered.
d*ck was also surprised in a different way.
‘Friends? The queen of the royal mess and the renowned incorruptible Sword Heroine, of all people?’
What an absurd combination… d*ck stared at Cecilia with disbelief.
“Is this true?”
“Yes.”
“Wait a moment. Why am I suddenly your friend?”
d*ck looked at Bianca and then shifted his gaze back to Cecilia.
“Are you sure we aren’t?”
“The shock from the incident must’ve really gotten to you… forgetting your only friend and all.”
“Hey, why am I your only friend all of a sudden?”
Cecilia genuinely seemed saddened and pulled out a handkerchief to wipe her tears.
“….”
d*ck lost his words momentarily but waved his hands.
“I’m in the process of arresting you as a suspect in the kidnapping incident. Fortunately, Lady Charlotte has been found, and since this falls outside the Windsor jurisdiction, you may leave.”
“But I’ve already said it wasn’t me!”
“Lady, as I’ve mentioned earlier, we will discuss the full details later.”
“Of course I didn’t! If that’s the case, why should I be arrested? And to think, why would I have any reason to kidnap that woman, Charlotte?”
d*ck sighed with exhaustion.
“It’s a fact that there’s animosity between the two of you that even someone who doesn’t know much about the upper circles like me is aware of. And wasn’t the last person who saw Lady Charlotte yesterday Lady Bianca?”
“It was just to warn that arrogant woman briefly!”
Bianca shouted in frustration.
Cecilia nodded slowly. She had figured out most of the story.
Charlotte was abducted, and due to their bad relationship, Bianca had become the prime suspect. The problem was Bianca herself was not an easy person to deal with, and she was dramatically denying the charges in a characteristically villainous lady fashion.
“Then, may I ask, where did you go after the ball ended yesterday?”
“I went for a walk.”
“Was there anyone with you?”
“I always walk alone during my strolls.”
“Without any escort?”
“Hmph, who in this land dare touch a person from the Eisenberg Dukedom?”
“In other words, you have no alibi, then?”
“G, that—”
It was certainly suspicious regardless of Bianca’s reputation.
However, Cecilia knew that Bianca was not the culprit.
“I will vouch for Lady Bianca’s alibi.”
“What?”
“Because it’s true that she took quite a long walk yesterday.”
Cecilia slowly moved in front of Bianca.
Bianca felt uneasy, wondering what outrageous thing Cecilia was about to do.
Cecilia grabbed Bianca’s black hair with her hand.
“Lady, may I ask, did you go to sleep without properly drying your hair yesterday?”
Bianca’s eyes widened slightly.
“T, that’s right. But how do you…?”
“It’s because of the texture.”
Cecilia turned to look at d*ck.
“Understand? Lady Bianca is innocent.”
“…Why exactly?”
d*ck’s expression was completely confused.
Cecilia sighed deeply.
“The ball ended late at night, and it drizzled slightly last night.”
“I know it rained. So?”
“Feeling uneasy about sleeping with wet hair, she must have taken a bath. However, after the ball that had already ended late, and the walk she took, she probably didn’t have the energy to dry her hair thoroughly. She likely just wiped it off and went to sleep.”
As a result, this is what happened.
Split ends and slightly dry hair.
No amount of combing could resolve the condition of the ends of her hair.
“If you’re still suspicious, you can check Lady Bianca’s shoes.”
“Her shoes?”
“After the ball ended at midnight and given that the rain began around 1 a.m., considering she walked for at least an hour, some evidence should be noticeable.”
d*ck immediately asked Bianca.
“Lady, may I check your feet?”
“…Go ahead.”
Who would dare to look at the feet of a Duchess!
Ordinarily, Bianca would’ve shouted that, but she was overpowered by Cecilia’s strange aura this time.
She obediently removed her shoes. Indeed, the back part of her feet was noticeably red.
d*ck couldn’t help but be amazed. To deduce such a process from just a few short conversations and her hair condition was extraordinary.
‘This is the Windsor Knight Order? Or, is it simply the prowess of a legendary Sword Heroine?’
But – there were still many insufficient points to completely remove her from suspicion.
“You were outside for quite a while, and the rain is indeed credible evidence. However, couldn’t she have encountered the rain in the process of abducting Lady Charlotte?”
Cecilia gave d*ck a sleepy look.
“Would a Duchess personally go and kidnap someone?”
“….”
d*ck quietly shut his mouth.
“Hmm, but then what good is an alibi? It’s meaningless, isn’t it.”
“Yes, d*ck. This investigation of yours was meaningless. She wouldn’t have any reason to act directly, even if she were the culprit.”
“d*mn.”
“Do not be disappointed, Officer. Thanks to your investigation, there is now proof that Lady Bianca is not the perpetrator of this case.”
Puzzled d*ck received a brief explanation from Cecilia.
“She wouldn’t have carried out suspicious actions if she were the true kidnapper.”
Creating an alibi for a Duchess would be far too simple.
While Cecilia harbored slight dissatisfaction at having to explain such an obvious matter, she smiled gently.
“Shall we find the real perpetrator then?”
Charlotte Anastasia de Belmont.
She was a lady and a powerbroker in the royal capital, known to everyone.
“Wow, is Lady Charlotte truly so refined?”
“I’m really envious. She’s had everything since birth…”
“She’s also close to Lord Edward, isn’t she?”
Her family, the Belmont Earlship, was quite wealthy.
Moreover, Charlotte herself was not only breathtakingly beautiful but also highly intelligent.
Needless to mention her grace; her reputation was truly extraordinary.
To the point that people in the town spoke of her as “truly the material of a saint.”
This Lady Charlotte who was the envy of so many people—
However, she herself was not satisfied with her current condition.
“Of course. Last time, I had tea with Lord Edward, so…”
The problem lay in her family.
The Belmont Earlship, while undoubtedly a noble house, was not enough.
Merely an Earl. No matter how much money they had or how long their history may be, that was all.
She could not achieve the highest status.
Charlotte desired to be the purest of all.
She wanted to look down from the top.
Of course, she didn’t aim to become the queen. Charlotte was not the foolish type to stake everything on an unattainable ideal.
Simply, within what was permitted—
She could not allow anyone to be above her.
-What? How dare a mere Earl look down on me? Clearly, they’re dreaming beyond their station. Ducks can’t fly, Lady Charlotte. Poor thing.
Bianca Eisenberg was a person Charlotte could not tolerate.
“Could Lord Edward have any affection for me?”
Thus, Charlotte made the most rational choice she could.
Marriage. The only living lineage of the royal family was Edward.
If they married, Charlotte’s dreams would become reality.
Charlotte was willing to stake her life for her dream.
Her passion for status elevation was genuine.
“Sir Theo, have the preparations been thorough?”
“Of course. Even if it were the Windsor Knight Order, they wouldn’t uncover this. Honestly, I can’t match your depth of thought. How did you ever come up with such a plan?”
“It’s not that I imagined being human.”
To the point of striking a deal with the Demon race.
She had no qualms of conscience.
Because, to Charlotte, even the Demon race was merely a tool.
They were helping her achieve marriage with Edward, but the moment that was accomplished, she would neatly sever the ties.
“It’s not a big deal. Rather, Sir Theo, please focus on this matter. Under no circumstances should our staged kidnapping come to light.”
“Rest assured. Even if suspicion arises, there will be no evidence. The evidence no longer exists in this world.”
“Good, it’s perfect. Though I was caught off guard when Lord Edward suddenly danced with that uncouth Bianca, it hasn’t caused major disruption to the plan.”
Of course, Charlotte didn’t think Bianca would be “completely” branded as the mastermind behind this incident.
The Eisenberg Dukedom wasn’t that easy. And the Royal Knight Order would have difficulties uncovering the truth.
But the hidden truth Charlotte wanted was right here.
A “reasonable” suspicion against Bianca.
The seed of that suspicion was enough for this plan to succeed.
The remaining step was marrying Edward—making an offer he couldn’t refuse—
“Naturally, you know the preparation of your masks. Do you happen to know Cecilia Windsor?”
“How could I not know the famed Sword Heroine?”
“Could you investigate her? Find out what food she likes, what kind of personalities she prefers. I need to prepare an appropriate mask.”
“Oh my, you truly are a fearsome individual, my Lady.”
Charlotte gave a cold smile.
Cecilia was a useful bait on her way to achieve her goal with Edward.
“What a naive knight who spends her life wielding a sword.”
She wouldn’t find it hard to draw Cecilia to her side.
Charlotte headed to her room, contemplating her splendid future.
For now, she would have to remain as a victim of the kidnapping for a while…
“Such an extensive tea collection you have, Lady Charlotte.”
“You…”
Charlotte was bewildered for a moment, and the usual mask on her face shattered.
Cecilia was sitting on her sofa, calmly enjoying a cup of tea.
She looked at Charlotte sharply and said:
“Cecilia Windsor. A detective.”
“D, detective?”
Cecilia pointed to her crimson ribbon-shaped hairpin with a proud expression.
‘What’s she doing here…?’
Charlotte managed to force out a graceful smile typical of her while speaking.
“I’m not sure what you’re talking about, Lady Cecilia.”
However, inside, she was in complete confusion. Given her multitude of secrets, she had heavily invested in multiple layers of magic circles to guard the mansion.
How then?
“Exactly… how did you get in here?”
Cecilia pointed to the slightly ajar window with an expression of ‘why are you asking such an obvious question?’
“Through the window.”
“….”
Charlotte was at a loss for words.
I laugh so hard about the name d*ck hahaha