As the priest presiding over the funeral spoke in a low, calm voice, those standing around quietly bowed their heads.
Ash MacCallan shifted his gaze, following the fingertip of Sergeant Louis Fidello, who had come out to hand over the case.
The fog was particularly thick today at the temple cemetery where the funeral was being held, but it wasn't difficult to pick out the young woman he was pointing to among the few mourners.
Her red hair, neatly pinned up under a black hat, and her pale skin and flushed lips, not entirely hidden by the veil, were quite eye-catching.
At Ash's murmur, Louis gave an awkward shrug.
However, that response missed the speaker's intent.
Ash had meant that she was ‘too’ lucky—questioning whether such a thing could truly be a coincidence.
While she had technically secured the title of Baroness through her parents' deaths, Rosaline was an only child anyway, so her circumstances hadn't changed significantly. If anything, being an orphan could be a hindrance to her marriage.
If what appeared on the surface was everything, Ash would have agreed with Sergeant Fidello.
But in the course of investigating cases, there were many instances where completely unexpected motives triggered a crime.
Therefore, he had to look carefully to ensure nothing was missed. Especially since a few suspicious points had been discovered during the scene investigation.
Will Brow, Rosaline Tesis's second cousin once removed, also had no reason to set the fire.
On the contrary, having lost one of his own buildings and being saddled with a young relative who had nowhere else to go, he could be considered the greatest victim of this accident alongside Rosaline Tesis.
Ash flipped through his notebook again, meticulously reviewing the summary of the fire case.
Watching him, Louis spoke cautiously.
In other words, it was just an unfortunate accident, and there was no need to overcomplicate things.
At Ash's reply, Louis bit his lip, blaming himself for his slip of the tongue.
Rumors were already rampant that the Superintendent, who was desperate for a promotion to Commander, had assigned a much higher-profile case to his nephew Jacob, while giving this trivial matter to Jacob's rival, Ash.
In truth, if not for his background, it wouldn't have been excessive for Ash to hold the rank of Superintendent rather than Inspector.
Ash comforted him with an indifferent face.
Louis gave a short salute and quietly departed.
Ash, however, remained where he was, staring at Rosaline. Almost obsessively.
She seemed to be struggling not to be crushed by the weight of her grief. Though she occasionally pressed a tightly clenched handkerchief to her eyes and her shoulders trembled now and then, she was conducting her parents' funeral with relative composure.
‘A country lady who lost her parents in an instant is surprisingly… Hm?’
Just as he was about to give a fairly generous assessment of Rosaline Tesis, a strange sight caught his eye through a slight clearing in the fog.
Count Brow, standing beside her, lightly wrapped an arm around her shoulders and patted her, but Rosaline glanced down at where his hand touched her and slightly curled one corner of her mouth.
‘Did she smile?’
He furrowed his brows to see more clearly, but she buried her face in her handkerchief as if the comforting touch had instead caused her emotions to overflow.
‘Did I see that wrong?’
He might have been mistaken. It could have been the expression of someone trying and failing to force a smile for the Count who was consoling her.
Nonetheless, he noted her behavior in the notebook in his hand. Sometimes a single trivial clue became a vital link.
At that moment, the priest declared the end of the funeral.
Ash took one last look at Rosaline and turned away.
Wondering if he was being too sensitive in feeling like their eyes had met through her veil.
Does God exist?
If He exists, is He good?
If He is good, does good always triumph over evil?
I don't know the answer, but it seems God has taken my side this time.
Emma Hampton.
The personal maid who had endured two years by the side of the foul-tempered Rosaline Tesis.
That was me.
How my heart had fluttered when I realized I was included in the ‘preparation’ Baron Tesis spoke of. Little did I know it was the beginning of despair.
On the third day after arriving in the capital, Herona, Rosaline had her first outing. It was even a schedule that included me.
I reconstructed her face as I always did, and Rosaline even tossed me a silver coin, saying I’d done well. Until then, everything seemed to be going smoothly.
However.
Despite the pouring ridicule, Rosaline couldn't talk back even once. This wasn't the Tesis estate. In this glittering city, she was nothing more than a country bumpkin from a family no one had ever heard of.
Upon returning home, Rosaline threw a massive tantrum. And I was the one who had to silently endure it.
With a sharp smack, stars flashed before my eyes and my jaw stung, but I could only beg for forgiveness. Even after that, I had to listen to her insults for a long time.
Yet the next day, she was perfectly fine as if nothing had happened. Honestly, she seemed in better spirits than before, and that state lasted for several days.
So I thought she had forgotten all about that day's humiliation.
But to reiterate, Rosaline Tesis’s temperament was no ordinary thing.
A week after that terrible first party, Rosaline was preparing to go to a new one. For some reason, I had a bad feeling from the start.
I took even more care with her makeup than before to avoid being scolded. Perhaps because I tried out the makeup styles of the capital ladies I’d observed at the last party, Rosaline looked quite pretty that day. To the point where I was impressed with my own skill.
But the important thing wasn't the makeup.
The young lady who had led the bullying at the last party approached with a sneer as soon as she saw Rosaline.
Was her name Heather Dartmouth? To use Rosaline’s words, she was a ‘nasty, unattractive bitch who thinks she’s something special.’
Yet, surprisingly, Rosaline, who I thought would flare up, replied with a bright smile.
Though a hint of defiance could be felt in her tone, this was a huge improvement.
‘My goodness! They say people become greater when they go to a big city, and this mean little filly is finally becoming an adult!’
While I was marveling, the other side seemed to lose interest in teasing her, only letting out a snort before moving away.
I hoped it would end peacefully like this, but was that too much to ask? Rosaline began to creep toward Heather’s side.
‘I have a bad feeling about this.’