Chapter 12
[Things to keep in mind.
No. 1 is Brunel, No. 3 is Spring, No. 6 is Haig, No. 8 is Notium.]
I pointed to the note written on the back of the blueprint and asked Vanilla.
“Do you know what this is? I found this written on the back of the mansion’s blueprint. I know Brunel is the name of this village and Notium is a street in the capital, but I have no idea what ‘Spring’ and ‘Haig’ are.”
Vanilla furrowed her brows and stared intently at the letters. Soon, she tilted her head.
“For starters, I didn’t write it. It looks like my father’s handwriting, though… Given it’s on the blueprint, wouldn’t it be related to the mansion? Since I inherited the house as a legacy, I don’t really have anyone to ask.”
At the mention of it being an inherited mansion, I could vaguely guess her family history. The original owner of Happy House was likely Vanilla’s father, and he must have passed away, leaving her nothing but the estate.
However, with the mystery still unsolved, I questioned her again.
“To say it’s related to the mansion, Notium is the name of a street in the capital, isn’t it?”
At my question, Vanilla’s eyes widened as if something had occurred to her.
“Could it be locations where Ruskin properties are located? I do own a mansion in Notium as well.”
“In Haig and Spring too?”
“Uh… I’m not sure about Haig and Spring.”
Vanilla tilted her head. Eden, who had been sitting across from us drinking espresso, overheard our conversation and answered for her.
“It likely refers to Haig Street. It’s near Westmore Station.”
Benton, Westmore, Honderf, Kintne.
Westmore was one of the train stations you passed through when traveling from the capital to Kintne.
Hearing Eden’s words, Vanilla nodded vigorously.
“Ah, I remember now. Westmore, Haig 10th Street. That’s also an inherited mansion. But I really have no clue about ‘Spring.’ I’ll let you know if I think of it later.”
“Ah, but then what are the numbers written in front of the names?”
When I expressed my curiosity again, both Eden and Vanilla shrugged as if they didn’t know.
“Who knows.”
Vanilla’s response was lukewarm, her interest having already waned.
Actually, if this note was just a list of Ruskin-owned properties, I didn’t have much reason to be curious beyond this point either.
“I see. Thanks for the answer.”
I replied anyway and said goodbye to Vanilla. Having finished her business, she turned and left without a hint of lingering.
I folded the blueprint, tucked it back into my dress pocket, and finished the rest of my juice.
Sitting opposite me, Eden was reading a newspaper. When I stared at him, he lowered the paper.
“Have you seen this?”
Eden placed the newspaper on the table and pointed to an article. My photo was printed on the front page.
[The Sinclair Heiress, Cherry Sinclair. The Worst Cricket Player in History…!]
It was a familiar headline.
Below it was a photo of me, smiling brightly in a uniform while holding a cricket bat. My face looked incredibly young. It made sense, given it was an old newspaper.
At fifteen, I had loved cricket, but loving something and having talent for it were two entirely different matters. While my technique was excellent, I had been far too frail to excel as a player back then, and my grip strength was pathetic.
I had tasted the bitterness of life while enduring all sorts of mockery from the media and cricket fans.
“Where did you find something like this?”
“The police station keeps archives of past newspapers.”
“I mean, why were you looking for it?”
“I’m studying you, Miss Cherry.”
“Pardon?”
What on earth was he talking about? I looked at him with a bewildered expression.
Crossing his legs, he elegantly lifted his espresso cup. It was a scene straight out of a magazine.
“You seem like such an unpredictable person that I thought looking into things like this might help me understand you.”
Was he introducing himself? I was the one who wanted to ask Eden why he was acting like this.
I didn’t know why he was so obsessed with me, but since there wasn’t much time left until the world ended anyway, he would soon find out why I was behaving this way.
The wise thing to do would be to just ignore him and go about my business.
“You only played as a cricket player for one season. Is there a reason for that?”
“Can’t you guess from the article?”
“Public opinion was harsh, but for you to have played as a pro at such a young age, you must have had some level of skill—”
“My skills were terrible too. My parents had secretly donated to the club. That’s why I was able to play that season. I only found out later myself.”
I had never doubted that I’d earned my spot through skill, so the shock of learning the truth had been indescribable.
‘If only the super strength I have now had existed back then.’
Actually, even if it had, succeeding as a female cricket player wouldn’t have been easy. Eden stared intently at me as I gave a bitter smile.
“Up until now, there have been countless people who approached me just because of the Sinclair name.”
With a dejected face, I pulled out a handkerchief and pretended to dab at the corners of my eyes. Of course, no actual tears fell.
“I do tend to be misunderstood. I like luxury and I’m always getting into trouble like a spoiled child. It makes it seem like I’d commit crimes without a second thought.”
I let out a loud sniffle.
“I’m fine. I’m used to those kinds of misunderstandings.”
Even though Eden hadn’t asked if I was okay, I stood up after giving that answer.
It didn’t matter what information he had on me. Judging by how he was testing me instead of hauling me away immediately, he had no physical evidence.
‘Then I just have to hold out.’
I just needed to hold out without getting caught by Eden until the world ended.
‘I’m a pro at holding out!’
I clenched my fists and walked out of the restaurant.
I could feel Eden’s gaze piercing into my back, but I returned home without a care.
I should get back to cleaning Happy House.
