Chapter 1.5

The private investigator’s office was located deep within the alleys of the commercial district, in one of the most remote and eerie corners of the capital. Considering that private investigators often dealt with shady matters, it made sense.  

Ariana strode confidently through the dark alleys even in broad daylight. While some might think it was dangerous for a young woman to walk alone in such a place, she was unfazed. Ariana had been frequenting these alleys with her father since childhood, searching for valuable relics or artworks that circulated discreetly in the underworld. While some alleys were genuinely dangerous, this area was still a residential neighborhood, so as long as one didn’t draw attention, there was little risk.  

After walking for a while, Ariana arrived at the private investigator’s office. A two-story building with a blue door whose paint had almost entirely peeled off—it matched the description she had received perfectly.  

In truth, Ariana had never visited a private investigator before. As a noblewoman raised in luxury, there had never been a place as shady as this in her life.  

The person who had told her about the location was her childhood friend, Winslet. Though the second son of a Duke, Winslet was more of a carefree adventurer. Whenever he met Ariana, he would recount his so-called grand adventures, one of which involved a private investigator.  

‘Oh, let me tell you, they’ll do anything as long as you pay them. I even caught a friend who betrayed me and ran off!’  

Trusting Winslet’s account, Ariana had come to this private investigator’s office. Winslet might exaggerate, but he wasn’t the type to lie, so his information was reliable.  

Ariana confidently knocked on the blue door. However, despite knocking for a while, there was no response from inside.  

‘Are they even running a business or not?’  

Her knocking grew louder and more insistent. Just as Ariana thought, ‘At this rate, the door might break—or worse, my hand might,’ the door suddenly swung open. Unfortunately, it swung outward, and Ariana, unprepared, hit her forehead directly against the door.  

“Ouch!”  

Clutching her forehead, Ariana glared at the person who had opened the door.  

“How can you just open the door without any warning?”  

“Weren’t you knocking as if you wanted it opened?”  

“I didn’t say not to open it! You should at least give some indication before—”  

“Never mind. What’s your business, knocking so enthusiastically?”  

A man with black hair leaned against the doorframe, looking weary. Despite the shabby surroundings, he was surprisingly handsome.  

‘Does he rely on his looks to act so insolently?’  

Well, his appearance was certainly worthy of it. Having grown up surrounded by countless masterpieces and sculptures, even Ariana, with her discerning eye, thought he looked like a work of art. She momentarily lost her words at the man’s brazen attitude, which seemed justified by his appearance.  

‘What’s the point of being handsome if you’re completely unprofessional at running a business?’

Ariana briefly considered leaving but decided to tolerate the man’s arrogance, as Winslet had assured her that this private investigator’s office was skilled. She resolved to suppress her temper and endure his insolence.  

“Business. Yes, I should tell you. I was about to explain anyway.”  

Ariana took a deep breath, tidying her disheveled hair. The man, who had been staring at her intently, frowned slightly and then called her name with striking accuracy.  

“Ariana Astaroth.”  

***

Even though a stranger had called her name precisely, Ariana wasn’t surprised. She was well-known as the noblewoman who had married a commoner nouveau riche to save her family from ruin. It was only natural for someone working at a private investigator’s office to be well-informed. In fact, the fact that he knew her name and face increased her trust in the office.  

“Yes, I am that Ariana Astaroth. Since it’s unfair for you to know my name alone, I’d appreciate it if you told me yours as well.”  

“…Rowen.”  

“…What?”  

“You asked for my name. It’s Rowen, my name.”  

“Your name is Rowen?”  

Ariana stared at the man in disbelief. He didn’t seem to be joking or lying.  

‘Was the name Rowen really so common?’  

While Ariana was caught in confusion, Rowen—the man who shared the same name as the detestable individual she knew—posed another question.  

“What brings a distinguished Countess to these back alleys?”  

“What brings me here? Isn’t it obvious? I came because I heard you handle shady matters.”  

“Shady matters? A private investigator?”  

“Oh, was it rude to call your work shady right to your face? Then let’s call it discreet and careful missions instead.”  

Ariana waved her hand dismissively and gestured toward the interior.  

“I’ve walked quite a distance, and my legs are tired. May I come inside to talk?”  

“…Go ahead.”  

After staring at Ariana’s face for a moment, Rowen opened the door wide and stepped aside. Ariana strode confidently past him and entered the office. Inside, there was another person besides Rowen—a man with a sturdy build.  

‘Is he also an employee of the private investigator’s office?’  

As Ariana surveyed the interior, the man yawned loudly and approached the door.  

“Wendy, what’s going on?”  

“Wendy?”  

It was clear from the context that he was addressing Rowen, but “Wendy” was a woman’s name. Ariana glanced at Rowen with a puzzled look, only to see his face scrunched up.  

“Kazen, I told you not to shorten people’s names weirdly like that.”  

“What’s wrong with Wendy? It suits your delicate face perfectly.”  

Kazen scratched his head, brushing off Rowen’s complaint. However, when Kazen’s gaze shifted from Rowen to Ariana standing beside him, his eyes widened in shock. Kazen blinked in disbelief and pointed at Ariana with his finger.  

“A person?”  

The question didn’t make sense. Ariana tilted her head slightly and responded.  

“…Yes, I’m a person.”  

Kazen blinked several times, even rubbing his eyes as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Despite his efforts, Ariana remained standing before him, and his mouth slowly dropped open.  

“…Is this a hallucination? Did you spike the juice you gave me earlier?”  

“Stop it. She’s real.”  

Rowen sighed in exasperation. Feeling slightly baffled by their reaction to her presence, Ariana spoke up.  

“If it’s alright, can we get to the point? I’m here to make a request.”  

“A request? What kind of request?”  

“It’s a long story, but to sum it up, I want you to investigate my cheating husband.”  

Despite Ariana’s concise explanation, the two men remained silent, their expressions blank as if they couldn’t comprehend what she was saying. Ariana frowned at their clueless faces.  

“…Why is the atmosphere like this?”  

‘Is this really the skilled private investigator’s office Winslet recommended?’  

Doubt began to creep into Ariana’s mind. Just then, Kazen, who had earlier questioned whether she was a person, cautiously spoke up.  

“Um…Lady?”  

“Yes, go ahead.”  

“Why would you come here to make such a request?”  

“Where else would I go for this kind of request? Isn’t this what private investigators do?”  

“Private investigators? Here?”  

“Isn’t it?”  

Ariana widened her eyes in surprise and asked. Kazen looked at Rowen with an awkward expression, but Rowen’s face mirrored his own. Frustrated, Ariana sighed deeply.  

“Seriously… If this dark, suspicious house in the middle of a shady alley isn’t a private investigator’s office, then what is it? Some kind of secret organization?”  

“…”  

“…”  

Her playful remark seemed to freeze the atmosphere.  

“Well…”  

After a long silence, Kazen shook his head vigorously and shouted.  

“That’s ridiculous! Of course, this is a private investigator’s office! Who says it isn’t? It’s definitely a private investigator’s office!”  

His overly enthusiastic protest made Ariana cover her ears and frown.  

“You don’t need to say it three times. I already know this is a private investigator’s office.”  

Even spit flew onto her face during his fervent defense. Ariana took out a handkerchief from her pocket and wiped her face before turning her gaze to the two men.  

“So, will you take the request? Actually, that’s the wrong question. You’ll obviously take it, won’t you? This is a private investigator’s office where you do anything for money. Let me rephrase—how much will it cost to take on this request?”  

At Ariana’s words, the two men began exchanging glances again, clearly discussing the appropriate fee through eye contact.  

“Well, um…”  

After their silent exchange, Kazen was pushed forward. He awkwardly smiled, raised his hand, and cautiously held up three fingers.  

“Well…three bills should be…”  

Before Kazen could finish his sentence, Ariana sighed deeply and nodded.  

“Three thousand? Alright.”  

It was a larger sum than she had expected, but since Winslet had vouched for their skills, it wasn’t unreasonable if they could provide reliable information. After all, if she failed to find Rowen’s weakness, she’d have to pay the five billion penalty herself.  

“Three thousand?!”  

Kazen exclaimed in disbelief. The amount and unit he had intended to quote were entirely different.  

‘I was planning to say 300!’  

But Ariana paid no attention to his shock.  

“Before we get into the details, could you bring me a glass of cold water? Talking about this has made me feel a bit heated.”  

Ariana confidently requested as she settled into a nearby sofa. As soon as she sat down, the sofa sank deeply, causing her to frown.  

“If you’re taking my payment, you should start by replacing this sofa. Sitting here will ruin your back.”  

Her casual demeanor, as if she owned the place, left the two men speechless. Ariana continued speaking.  

“Oh, and about the payment…”  

She retrieved an object wrapped in cloth from the picnic bag she had been carrying since entering the commercial district.  

“I’d like to pay with this.”  

She placed it on the table, and a heavy sound resonated. The item was clearly substantial, given that it was meant to substitute for the three thousand payment. Ariana unwrapped the cloth, revealing the object inside.  

And then, unbelievably…  

“…?”  

“…?”  

A hideous sculpture emerged in full view.  

The two men’s eyes filled with confusion. It was ugly—so ugly that simply having it on the table felt unbearable. Its appearance resembled clumsily applied plaster, as if a child who had never learned sculpture had casually played around and abandoned it.  

And yet, she claimed it was worth three thousand? Even someone with no knowledge of art wouldn’t fall for such a scam. The audacity of trying to pass this off as valuable was almost shocking.  

“…You’re saying this is worth three thousand?”

In response to Kazen’s skeptical question, Ariana nodded confidently.  

“Yes, that’s exactly what will happen.”  

Ariana smiled as she handed over an envelope. Kazen quickly opened it and found an invitation to the Sotherin auction, scheduled to take place in a week.  

“First, please submit this sculpture to the Sotherin auction.”