Translator: Nox

Chapter 22

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That afternoon, at the Brunel Police Station.

With no time to make the trip to Kintne, I had no choice but to use the telephone at the police station. This time, I couldn’t worry about Eden being there.

As I stepped inside, I saw the townspeople huddled in a corner, chatting away.

Eden, who had been interrogating a man by the ear, spotted me and offered a greeting.

“Miss Cherry, thank you for letting me stay at your place last night. I don’t think I thanked you properly.”

At those words, the noisy police station fell dead silent.

He had definitely spoken in a low voice. Was everyone just straining their ears to catch our conversation?

I felt like bolting back out of the station, but I forced myself to respond as if it were no big deal.

“Don’t mention it. It was nothing… More importantly, I’m here to borrow the phone.”

Eden replied with a look of sheer absurdity.

“I appreciate the hospitality last night, but this is a police station. It’s not a place that just lends out the phone to anyone.”

Good grief, I gave the man a place to sleep and he has absolutely no flexibility. Based on his behavior and temperament, he seemed like a hoodlum, but he was surprisingly a stickler for rules and principles.

I shrugged and asked him.

“Why not? I used to borrow them all the time in Benton.”

In the capital—while there were a few dedicated telephone offices—one could usually use the phone for a fee at public facilities like hotels, train stations, or post offices.

‘It’s inconvenient since there isn’t a public payphone system yet. I think I heard that Earl Roderick was pushing for that business.’

If the world wasn’t about to end, I would have volunteered to jump into that promising venture myself.

Meanwhile, Eden stared at me with a look that said, ‘What am I going to do with her?’ After glancing briefly at the other officers, he whispered quietly to me.

“That was only permitted because you were Cherry Sinclair.”

Ah, so that was it. I hadn’t known that. But I still had to make the call.

“Am I not Cherry Sinclair right now?”

When I whispered back the question, Eden seemed to lose his words and just stared at me, unable to answer.

I knew I was being a nuisance, but it was urgent. I had to confirm when Harrison would be coming down to Brunel.

“Inspector Eden, it’s fine. The townspeople often come here to use the phone.”

A man who appeared to be the highest-ranking officer calmed Eden down.

Hearing that, Eden shrugged, stepped aside, and handed over the phone. For someone who had been acting so inflexible about principles, he was remarkably quick to concede.

“Since the Captain has given his permission, go ahead and use it.”

Ah. So that man was the Captain.

When Eden followed the Captain’s orders so respectfully, the Captain actually seemed to be the one walking on eggshells around Eden.

Then what was Eden’s rank? A Lieutenant, perhaps?

‘Exactly. That’s it. The Chairman’s son starting as an intern.’

Even if Eden didn’t intend to inherit the title, he was still a Lancaster.

It was said that his father disapproved of him becoming a policeman, but the Duke of Lancaster’s love for his son was quite famous.

Perhaps the Duke of Lancaster believed that Eden would eventually quit the police force and take up his title in the end.

‘But why did Eden become a policeman in the first place?’

That was never mentioned in the novel.

Anyway, after thanking them, I dialed Harrison Howard.

Rrrrr—

Click.

[This is Harrison Howard.]

“Harrison! I finally got through.”

[My Lady?]

“What’s happening? I called because I was wondering when you’re coming to Brunel.”

[Ah. It took some time to procure the items you requested. I’ll be departing in four days.]

“It’ll take four more days?”

I replied with a hint of disappointment. Harrison’s laughter drifted through the receiver.

[Please wait just a little longer. I’m coming soon to inspect how you’ve decorated the mansion you mentioned.]

“An inspection? What am I, a child?”

[In my eyes, you’re still the one who ran away from home to cross the ocean on a yacht…]

“Harrison!”

[Hahahaha—.]

This time, Harrison burst into a boisterous laugh. After laughing for a good while, he suddenly stopped and asked me.

[And what happened with that 100-million-gold credit loan?]

“Well, you see, Harrison, about that…”

[I’ll hear the details in Brunel, as it’s not an urgent matter for now.]

Harrison cut off my excuse. Damn it. I’m already scared.

‘But it might be okay since he’ll soon find out the reason why I borrowed that 100 million gold.’

Harrison then moved on to the next order of business.

[Also, regarding the person you mentioned, it is very difficult for me to handle on my end. That side is dangerous to touch.]

Harrison didn’t mention a name, but I knew he was talking about Eden.

It seemed to be his answer to my question about whether there was a way to send Eden back to the capital.

“I thought so. I expected as much.”

[Still, I will be careful. Thanks to you, I’ll be able to come to Brunel fully prepared.]

“Yes. Harrison, be careful.”

[By the way, did the weapons expert I sent not arrive yet? The instructor who is to teach you how to use weapons.]

“Huh? I don’t know. No one has come looking for me.”

I had completely forgotten. Right. He did say he would provide a teacher. It might actually be better if they didn’t show up until the end of the world.

Just then, I heard Harrison muttering irritably through the phone.

[That brat again…]

“Pardon? What did you say?”

[It’s nothing. Please take care of yourself, My Lady. I’ll see you soon.]

“You too, Harrison. Make sure you eat well.”

[Yes. Until then.]

Click.

Beep— beep— beep—

I set the receiver down and turned around with a look of relief. I was glad I managed to speak with Harrison.

Then I saw Eden leaning nearby with his arms crossed.

“Was that Harrison Howard?”

“You know our lawyer?”

“I doubt there’s anyone in the capital who doesn’t know Lawyer Howard.”

“I suppose that’s true. Harrison is quite capable.”

“Is Lawyer Howard coming down to Brunel? Why?”

I narrowed my eyes at Eden’s string of questions.

“Why are you curious about that?”

“Am I not allowed to be curious?”

“Because it’s my private life.”

Eden seemed to have no rebuttal to my words and didn’t ask further. I offered him a polite greeting as if I knew nothing and left the police station.

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The capital, Benton. The Duke of Lancaster’s townhouse.

“How could she not even give me her name?”

Aurora rolled around on her bed.

During the incident at Notium Street No. 61, a savior had rescued her. When she heard the voice, it was definitely a woman.

The problem was that she couldn’t find any information about her at all.

“I’m sure she’s a really cool older sister.”

After dwelling on her savior for a long time, Aurora looked up. Her personal maid was just entering the room.

“Where on earth is my brother?”

“I heard he was assigned to the Brunel Police Station.”

Aurora sat bolt upright in bed.

No wonder he hadn’t shown his face at the mansion lately.

Of course, since becoming a policeman, he had spent most of his time at the police dormitory, so seeing him had become rare anyway.

“Brunel? Where is that?”

“I heard it’s near Benton, but it’s the first time I’ve heard of it too.”

Brunel? It really was her first time hearing the name. Aurora tilted her head and let out a sigh.

“Honestly, my brother is so hard to read.”

Ever since Aurora was adopted into the Lancaster family, Eden had always been that way. You could never tell what he was thinking.

Just when she thought he was being overprotective, he would get fixated on something and never look back.

‘I heard my brother wasn’t like that before.’

They said Eden had changed after Aurora was adopted. Aurora didn’t know the exact reason, but she always felt a sense of guilt toward Eden because of it.

“Should I go to Brunel?”

Just to watch from a distance and see what her brother was up to.

However, on the day she intended to buy a train ticket to Brunel, the Duke of Lancaster sent for her.

“Have you heard that your brother has been assigned to the Brunel Police Station?”

The Duke of Lancaster asked Aurora while they were having tea together in his office.

The Duke carefully observed Aurora’s expression. Her adoptive father was always like that. He was strangely and exceptionally mindful of Aurora’s reactions—even more so than those of his biological son, Eden.

Aurora set down her teacup and nodded demurely.

“Yes, I heard.”

“And do you know why Eden is suddenly acting out? At least he’s always been fond of you.”

“Pardon? Hasn’t Brother always been in a state of rebellion? Why start worrying about your son now, Father? It’s not like you.”

Aurora asked the Duke of Lancaster back with an innocent face.