INAV 15

Chapter 15

Almost in Broad Daylight

“Lady Sylvestre!”
“Oh? Captain!”

On the morning before her departure to Acticos, Captain Eron came to see Himena without prior notice.

“How have you been?”
“I’ve been well. And you, Captain?”

Eron, who had been waiting in the parlor, jumped up the moment he saw Himena and ran to her with a bright face, like a dog greeting its master after a long absence.

Pfft, what’s this? Today he looks less like a unicorn and more like a puppy. Cute guy.

The two of them smiled warmly at each other.

“My lady, your hand…”
“Oh, yes…”

Eron took her hand and, as if it were the hand of a saint, pressed his lips to her fingers and stood still with his eyes closed.

“Uh… Captain?”
“Yes, my lady.”
“That’s enough with my hand now… haha.”
“Oh! Forgive me.”

Eron quickly released her hand and laughed sheepishly.

“Anyway, what brings you here without notice?”
“I couldn’t wait to bring you good news, so I came in person.”
“Good news? Could it be…”
“Yes. We’ve caught the culprit in the authoress murder case.”

He said it with excitement, then smiled.

“Really? That’s wonderful!”
“Yes, and I wanted to tell you the details…”
“Captain, shall we take a short walk in the garden?”

Himena pulled on his arm, eager to hear more. Though only household staff were home, she was wary that the butler might overhear and report to her father. She didn’t want needless worries reaching him—especially not murder cases. And if rumors spread that she had solved it, Ines might discover her true identity.

“It seems summer is nearly over. The weather’s cooler now—perfect for walking.”

Once outside, they strolled through the garden and sat on a shaded bench. Eron casually talked about the weather, his warm personality making even small talk easy.

“Hm, you’re right. Even the wind smells different.”
“The wind?”
“Yes. The air’s so clean here… it carries a fresh green scent.”
“A green scent… What a lovely expression. My parents used to tell me that before Elion was cursed and became the monster-ridden Kataraets, this continent of Granelpis was the most beautiful in the world. The Elion Forest in the center was even called God’s blessing. I was too young then, always living in the capital Grantole, so I have no memory of it. But my parents still long for those days.”
“I see… I wish I could’ve seen it too. That blessed forest.”

Himena gazed westward.

Yes. To restore that beautiful forest and save the world, Kylian must not die. So I have to step up. Ah… so this is what superheroes feel when they risk their lives to save the earth. It’s hitting me now.

Eron, unaware of her inner thoughts, only found her wistful eyes enchanting.

So this is Lady Himena… righteous, beautiful, romantic, intelligent!

“By the way, you said you caught the culprit. Tell me more.”
“As you predicted, it was Baron Ornio, the husband. He squandered his fortune on opium and gambling. When his wife’s novels sold well, he used her earnings to return to his vices.”

(Flashback)

“Darling! Did you touch the money in the safe again?”
“I… I’m sorry, I…”
“You went gambling again, didn’t you? You promised!”
“This time I was winning! At first, I kept winning, but they cheated me—teamed up against me…”
“Enough! Sob… You’re the worst!”

“Their fights grew worse, and he plotted the crime. That day he deliberately ruined her manuscript, forcing her to rush into town, then followed her to lure and kill her.”
“I knew it…”
“We searched his estate and found all the re-bought volumes of In. My. House. hidden in the maid’s room. When confronted with the booksellers, the maid confessed. She was far shrewder than she looked.”
“Why?”

“It was all the maid! She schemed it all for money!”
“What?! You wretch! Didn’t you say we’d split the royalties? Ha, I knew you’d betray me, so I hid your bloodstained clothes! That’s undeniable proof!”
“Wh-what?!”

“The maid pretended to burn his bloody, ink-soaked clothes but hid them. Likely to blackmail him later. That became key evidence. We also dug up the murder weapon, a dagger, behind the manor.”
“Good. I was worried since I only had circumstantial evidence.”
“If not for your predictions, my lady, we’d never have solved it. Your insight is astonishing.”

Eron looked at her with admiration.

“Oh, you flatter me… I do have a knack for such things, but still… it’s embarrassing, haha.”

Himena blushed, pleased.

“So, might I occasionally ask for your advice on cases? Only if you’re willing.”
“Advice on cases?”
“Yes.”

She thought for a moment.

Should I start a detective agency? My dream was to retire from the police and become a private investigator. Trench coat, hat, showing up dramatically—‘There’s only one truth! The culprit is…!’ That’d be perfect.

“I mean, if you don’t wish to—”
“No, I’d love to. Call me anytime, Captain.”

Her radiant smile nearly overwhelmed him.

“Th-thank you… truly, thank you, my lady.”
“Oh, it’s nothing… hehe.”
“Eron.”
“Yes?”
“Call me Eron. Please use my name.”
“Oh? Alright then. Eron.”

When she said his name with a smile, his heart pounded—not just with gratitude.

This feeling… I’ve never known it before.

He gazed at her, lost in her sunlit smile.

“Then be fair—call me Himena. No titles.”
“What? I couldn’t possibly…”
“Do it. Let’s be friends. Once people fight, they often grow closer, right? Go on, say it—Eron.”
“A-ah… very well. Hi-Himena…”
“Ooh, I like that sound, Eron.”

Eron flushed red.

“I plan to publish the case details in the gazette, to reassure citizens. Naturally, I’ll mention your role in—”
“No!”

Himena waved her hands in alarm.

“What?”
“Absolutely not! Leave me out of it!”
“But why?”
“I only suggested a possibility—I didn’t capture the culprit. There’s no need to mention me.”
“What do you mean? The case was solved thanks to you.”
“Eron, please. If Father hears, I may be confined at home. I beg you.”

“…My lady.”

He looked at her in awe.

That such baseless rumors had surrounded such a noble person…

“…Very well. I’ll keep your name out.”
“Thank you, Eron.”

They walked together to the manor gate where his carriage waited.

“Now that we’re friends, may I call on you often?”
“Of course.”
“Then tomorrow? Or the day after?”

He hurried to set another meeting, but Himena looked troubled.

“Sorry, Eron. For now… I can’t.”
“Oh… I see.”
“I’ll be at Father’s country villa caring for him. His health is poor.”
“I understand…”

His disappointment was obvious.

“Once I’m back, let’s meet more often. I’ll contact you.”

She offered her hand, and though reluctant, he kissed her fingers long.

“Yes, I’ll wait.”

Then, leaning close, he whispered in her ear.

“Himena.”

His breath brushed her ear, and her face flushed hot.

Watching his carriage depart, she muttered to herself:

“Wow… I almost blurted it out in broad daylight. ‘Unicorn, wanna stay for ramen?’”