Previously
Ash questions Emma about the fire, suggesting it might be arson linked to a grudge or a cover-up for a larger crime. Emma performs the role of a grieving daughter perfectly, even using tears to deflect Ash's probing questions about the maid Emma Hampton's alleged framing.
‘She’s not your typical country noble. She doesn’t provoke easily, nor does she open her mouth readily. I need to carefully examine the relationship between that woman and the Count and Countess Brow.’
Since she seemed to have finished her mourning period for her dead parents and was starting to go out, it wouldn't be difficult to meet and interrogate her directly. If she truly grieved her parents' deaths, she ought to be proactive in uncovering the truth of the case.
‘It would be ideal if the mysteries of the fire scene could be resolved through her.’
However, Ash’s hopes were blocked from within the police department.
Violent crimes were always more important than a simple fire case.
Ash had no choice but to leave his regrets behind and help with Inspector White’s work.
At the MacCallan estate's party, I successfully announced the presence of Rosaline Tesis.
I had worried that Rosaline might have attended other parties or social gatherings while I was locked in the holding cell, but fortunately, that didn't seem to be the case. Seeing as not a single person among those many attendees looked at me with suspicion.
Of course, Rosaline might have attended some strange gatherings where only low-ranking nobles met. So it might just be that I ‘haven't yet’ run into someone who knows her.
But alongside that anxiety, I gained a bit of confidence.
Neither Rosaline Tesis, the Baron and his wife, nor anyone who knew them well was here in Herona.
So, from now on, I just had to become Rosaline Tesis in the minds of the people here.
‘The problem isn't Herona, it’s Tesis.’
Even if I could deceive the people here, it was near impossible in Tesis, the Baron’s territory. Especially the servants who had stayed at the Lord’s Castle for a long time; there was no way they would mistake me for Rosaline.
There were ways to avoid being caught.
‘Either replace all the servants, or don't even think about going to Tesis for the next ten years. It’s one of the two.’
The problem was that the butler, Glen Hill, was absolutely necessary.
He was a veteran who had worked there for twenty years. Perhaps the reason the Baron’s family hadn't collapsed under the incompetent and moody Baron Tesis was thanks to Glen.
If there was something to be resolved at the castle or something someone didn't know, everyone ran to the butler. Even the Baron and his wife called him to ask about every little thing, so it was fair to say he was the real power in the Lord’s Castle.
‘I think I need to meet Mr. Butler, but how do I trick him?’
While my memories of working as a maid at the Baron’s castle were quite important for acting as Rosaline, there was no information in them regarding the management of the family’s money.
The balance in Baron Tesis’s Central Bank account, which I had checked a while ago, wasn't as large as I’d expected, and I had to make a decision.
‘I have to get the money that’s at the Tesis estate.’
Since I had officially succeeded to the title at the royal palace after the funeral and had my status as the heiress confirmed, using that family’s money wasn't an issue. Provided there was anything left to inherit.
‘For now, let’s call Mr. Butler here.’
I was afraid he would recognize me, but I gathered my courage and wrote a letter asking him to come to Herona urgently.
However, just before I sent that letter, a letter from Glen arrived first.
‘My Lord. The Merchants’ Association has requested additional support for the Vigilante Group’s activity funds.’
‘Furthermore, the taxes collected are low, and the mansion doesn't currently require many people, so it seems we must let some servants go. Please grant your permission.’
Below that was a list of names he considered candidates for dismissal, followed by a request for the Baron to make the judgment himself based on that reference.
But the candidates for dismissal were most of the servants.
‘For him to tell a noble who doesn't do a single bit of hard work with their own hands to reduce the servants this much, doesn't that mean there’s really no money? At this rate, I’ll be inheriting debt!’
I had been happy to avoid the fifty million Gilden in damages, but now I was about to be saddled with the Baron family’s debts. And the scale of that amount was bound to be on a different level from the debt Emma Hampton had owed.
After agonizing over it, I crumpled up the letter I had written first and began writing a reply on a new sheet of paper.
‘It’ll take about a week for this letter to reach Tesis.’
I had so much to do until then. This was no time to be scared of trivial things.
An uninvited guest arrived toward the end of that week, despite how busy I already was.
I kindly greeted Ash MacCallan, who had suddenly burst in.
I thought I wouldn't see him for a long time, so I didn't know what was so urgent that he’d come already. Is this the only case he’s handling? Or did he fall for me?
It was uncomfortable having him investigate and suspect me, but honestly, it was a pleasure to look at this man’s captivating golden eyes.
Still, I couldn't let myself get distracted. I had to remember the advice of my elders. A handsome man lives up to his looks.
Unaware of my thoughts, Ash spoke with a face that could have been expressionless or wearing a faint smile.
He took out a notebook and a pen.
He continued with questions that would have been quite uncomfortable if I were the real Rosaline. It was so frustrating that I couldn't just tell him everything Rosaline had done to me.
Regardless, I worked my brain fiercely and laid out answers that wouldn't leave me vulnerable.
Since I was the only one who knew the truth anyway, there was nothing to feel guilty about.
I faltered for a moment there.
He was definitely smiling, but I felt like it was some kind of bait. Because above his lips, which were curved in a faint arc, his moon-like eyes were sparkling coldly.
But since I didn't know what he was trying to find out, and I figured he’d soon discover the amount of cash I had anyway, I told him the truth obediently.
He has a good memory. It meant he had been scrutinizing me while pretending to be indifferent.
Ash thought for a moment, then slowly opened his mouth.
When I frowned and made a face asking him to hurry up and end this Zen riddle, he chuckled.
I wasn't joking; I was truly shocked. Why hadn't I thought of that?
Wait. Then how does this work?
I remembered clearly because I had helped pack the luggage. I didn't know how much the Countess had brought, but Rosaline had brought every single accessory she owned.
If I could just find and sell those, I wouldn't have to worry about money for a while.
No, that wasn't the problem right now.
If someone had cleared them out in advance as Ash said, it meant this fire might not have been a simple accident after all.