Chapter 103
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 103
“The Duke doesn't believe she’s the real culprit.”
“She might be, or she might not. Either way, there’s a mastermind pulling the strings. I’ll give you the details after I’ve had a chance to speak with her myself.”
The investigator nodded his understanding and took his leave.
Cedric was certain the servant’s wife had been coerced, likely threatened by someone into giving a false confession.
‘And the one who pressured her must be the same person who stole Father’s keepsake.’
He suspected Albert, of course, but a mere hunch was a world away from a confession or concrete evidence. If he could secure a witness or a solid lead, it would be far easier to drive Albert over the edge of a cliff.
Just as Cedric’s eyes glinted with cold anticipation, a knock sounded at the door.
Knock, knock, knock.
The knocking was more urgent and prolonged than usual. Cedric looked toward the door.
“Come in—”
Before he could even finish the invitation, the office door burst open. Edgar rushed in, looking frantic.
“You won’t believe what happened last night!”
“—in.”
Cedric finished his sentence with a sigh, but Edgar didn't even look at him. He paced around the office, letting out a string of breathless exclamations.
“Wow, seriously… Phew… I really…”
“Ed. You’re making me dizzy.”
“You’ll be just as dizzy once you hear this.”
“Then get on with the report.”
Cedric rose from his desk and sat on the sofa by the large table. As he crossed his legs, Edgar scrambled to sit opposite him, taking several deep breaths. His expression was a volatile mix of excitement and awe.
“To cut straight to the chase: I didn’t get the brooch back.”
As the leader of Cloud and Cedric’s closest friend, Edgar had successfully infiltrated the Angelic Party. He had witnessed something astonishing, yet he had returned empty-handed.
“…Right. So, am I supposed to start pacing the room in disbelief now?”
“But you’ll probably be the one to get it in the end.”
“Have you developed a sudden passion for riddles? Stop beating around the bush.”
Cedric was growing annoyed, but Edgar was flaring his nostrils, clearly trying to suppress a laugh.
“Albert actually put your father’s keepsake up as a prize in that degenerate circus.”
“Is that supposed to be funny? Why are you grinning?”
“Oh, no! It’s not that. It’s just… some woman got her hands on it in the most audacious way imaginable.”
“A woman?”
Edgar nodded and began to meticulously recount the events on the ship.
He described the nature of the event, how the woman—who had been nowhere near the stage—managed to tie up her competitors, how swiftly she ran, how she reached right into Madam Rominas’s bodice to snatch the prize, and how elegant her exit was.
It would have been an intriguing story, had it been anyone else’s business. But Cedric’s expression didn't soften. His father’s keepsake had not only been stolen but desecrated as a party favor.
“Edgar Dawson.”
“Uh, yeah?”
“You’d better not tell me you failed to identify her. I am not in a very good mood.”
Seeing his friend’s face—which looked utterly incapable of taking a joke—Edgar snapped back to reality. Cedric was usually composed, but he never let his guard down when it came to anything involving his father’s death.
Edgar scratched his cheek. “I found out who it was.”
“Who?”
“…Don’t get too angry.”
Cedric’s patience reached its limit. Just before his expression could turn into a mask of ice, Edgar gave a wry smile.
“It was Miss Harriet Listerwell.”
Silence hung heavy in the air.
“What?”
“You heard me. It’s that Miss Harriet.”
Cedric’s face was etched with more shock than Edgar had ever seen. He was certain Cedric hadn't looked this stunned even when he received the news of his father’s death in battle.
“How on earth did she know about that place?!”
“I haven’t figured that out yet. We’d probably have to grill her directly to get the answer.”
“Ha! How am I even supposed to react to this?”
Cedric shot up from his seat and began pacing the room. Watching him, Edgar smiled contentedly.
‘See? I told you you’d be just like me.’
Of course, Cedric couldn't take the situation as lightly as Edgar did. After a few steps, he whirled around.
“Did she take ‘Angelic’ while she was there?”
“I didn’t notice anything unusual in her behavior. But she must have had the welcome drink. Not a single guest entered without drinking it.”
“That drink is laced with drugs!”
“It’s a trace amount. I drank it too, and I’m fine.”
“You don’t know what kind of side effects it might cause! The dosage doesn't matter!”
“…I’d appreciate it if you remembered your friend also drank the poison.”
Whether he heard Edgar or not, Cedric crossed his arms and resumed his pacing. Edgar realized he had to deliver even more unsettling news.
“Actually, for her, the bigger issue was almost being assaulted by some swine.”
“What in the world are you talking about now?”
Cedric looked even more murderous than when he’d heard the brooch was a prize.
“You know what goes on on that ship. Some guy mistook Miss Harriet for a regular attendee and tried to put his hands on her. Fortunately, she managed to handle it herself.”
“And you just watched?”
“I was ready to step in if I had to. It didn't get that far. Don’t worry.”
“That’s ridiculous—!”
Cedric, on the verge of exploding, clenched his teeth and turned away. As he paced, trying to master his temper, Edgar calmly relayed the rest of the information he had gathered.
A moment later, Cedric spoke, his voice forced into a semblance of calm.
“What is her game?”
“Miss Harriet? Well, won’t she just give you the brooch back anyway?”
“Who knows? Even if she does, she’ll try to squeeze something out of me.”
“Wouldn’t that be better than Albert having it?”
Cedric didn't answer.
As Cedric remained lost in thought, Edgar stretched, let out a long yawn, and stood up.
“I’m going to catch some sleep. Call me if you need anything else—though, ideally, give me at least three hours.”
Still receiving no answer, Edgar patted Cedric’s shoulder and left the room.
Left alone, Cedric kept repeating the same thought: Harriet was insane.
‘That woman is out of her mind. I knew she wasn't ordinary, but I had no idea she enjoyed such reckless adventures. If she’s a businesswoman with that kind of temperament, I’ll have to reconsider my future investment plans.’
He was furious. It was a miracle she’d escaped that ship safely. If she had failed, the danger to him would have been immense.
‘No matter how foolish Albert is, he could easily kidnap a woman on his own territory. If he had held her life as collateral to threaten me, would I have been able to refuse?’
He tried to rationalize his anger, but his head wouldn't cool down. He recalled the other detail Edgar had mentioned.
“Albert approached her suspiciously. But thanks to the man acting as her partner, she got off the ship safely.”
“That man? It was Tez Roark. He didn't seem to care about hiding his identity. His mask barely covered his face.”
Tez Roark. The man who had been meeting Harriet under the patronage of the House of Laurel. Harriet had even defended him before, though Cedric couldn't quite remember her exact words.
Feeling inexplicably stifled, Cedric took several deep breaths, walked to the window, and threw it open.
‘Harriet Listerwell… what was she thinking? And with Tez Roark? Was she looking for a thrill…?’
She couldn't have known his father’s keepsake would be there, so obtaining it must have been a coincidence. But her behavior wasn't normal. Perhaps she had been under the influence of the drug.
If so, did she really go straight home after leaving the ship with Tez? Or did they…
“Dammit!”
Cedric furiously rubbed his head, which felt like it was about to burst. His neatly combed hair was a mess, but he didn't care. What did his hair matter when he had no idea what Harriet was doing at this very moment?
Just then, another knock sounded.
“Who is it?”