Hailey strode directly up the stairs, her frustration evident in her brisk steps. On the second-floor corridor, she ran into Anna, who was cleaning the windowsill.

Anna glanced toward the staircase and lowered her voice.

“Has Inspector Blair left?”

“Do you know him?” Hailey asked.

Anna widened her eyes in surprise, then let out a sheepish laugh.

“Of course I know him! Don’t you, Miss Hailey?”

When Hailey didn’t answer, Anna looked at her as if she’d just said something absurdly naïve. Setting down her cleaning rag, Anna prepared herself for a proper chat.

“He’s the second son of the famous Blair family, the Earl of Blair!”

“The Blair family?”

“Oh no, I mean…” Anna quickly clapped her hand over her mouth, realizing her slip. She nervously looked around, relieved to find no eavesdroppers.

“In Aislin, aside from the royal family, the Earl of Blair is the only noble family that could rival Duke Gunnar. Just like his nickname, ‘The Salt Earl,’ the family amassed a fortune from salt production in their estate, and in recent years, they’ve expanded into trade. That’s not all—they’ve even produced two queens for the kingdom. They’re quite close to the royal family.”

“I see.”

Anna sighed dramatically, as if exasperated by Hailey’s ignorance, before continuing, her tone growing increasingly animated.

“Inspector Blair is the second son of that prestigious family. Since titles, estates, and wealth typically go to the firstborn, second sons have to carve out their own paths, whether through business or knighthood. Inspector Blair chose to join the police force early on.”

“So that’s how he became an inspector at such a young age,” Hailey remarked knowingly. As expected, a solid family background was the shortcut to success.

“What? Oh no, Miss Hailey,” Anna protested, waving her hands in disbelief.

“Inspector Blair climbed to his position on his own merit. Of course, everyone knows he’s the Earl of Blair’s son, so you can’t say he wasn’t helped at all. But he’s solved more cases than anyone can count with both hands! He even graduated second in his class at the Royal Academy, and he’s exceptionally passionate when it comes to solving crimes. The reason the police force has managed to overcome its poor reputation is entirely thanks to him.”

“Is that so?” Hailey asked skeptically.

Anna clasped her hands together, her eyes dreamy and distant as if she were picturing something beautiful.

“Of course! And on top of that, he’s incredibly handsome. Even though being a second son doesn’t hold much sway in social circles, countless young ladies are said to admire Inspector Blair. Talented men are attractive no matter where they go. Oh, who will receive his proposal, I wonder? Does he already have someone in his heart? I imagine receiving a proposal from him would feel like walking on clouds.”

“But his personality…” Hailey began.

“Yes, even his personality is impeccable!” Anna interrupted. “He’s graceful, dignified, and considerate toward women. Every action of his exudes the refinement of a perfect nobleman.”

“Maybe the Inspector Blair you know and the Inspector Blair I know are two completely different people.”

When Hailey muttered softly to herself, Anna, tilting her head in confusion, suddenly screamed.

“Ouch!”

“What’s wrong? What happened?”

Frowning, Anna clutched her right index finger with her left hand.

“Oh dear, there’s a nail here… I pricked my finger. It must’ve gone in deeper than I thought. It’s bleeding…”

At that moment, bright red blood filled Hailey’s vision. Her field of view turned entirely crimson and then blurred into darkness in an instant.

Her breathing grew shallow. Her heartbeat pounded so loudly it felt as though it was echoing outside her chest.

Thud.

Hailey’s knees buckled, and she collapsed. Anna’s eyes widened as she reached out toward her in alarm.

“Miss! Miss Hailey! Someone, help! Miss Hailey has fainted!”

As Anna’s panicked cries faded, Hailey lost consciousness completely.

***

Albert, walking across the garden, frowned as he spotted a black carriage approaching. There wasn’t a soul in Aslan who wouldn’t recognize the owner of that carriage—it was one of the most famous in the region.

Keeping his noble demeanor intact, Albert hid his displeasure and regarded the carriage with a composed gaze. Bill pulled on the reins, and the carriage wheels, which had been rolling over the stone pavement, came to a halt in front of Albert and Hans. Hans straightened his posture nervously.

Tayton drew back the curtains of the carriage window, his indifferent gaze meeting Albert’s. Pure blond hair and a black velvet mask contrasted them starkly, like light and shadow, day and night.

“What brings you to my home? Judging by your dour expression, I doubt it’s for sightseeing.”

“I had some questions for Miss Hailey Salmon,” Albert replied calmly.

“Hmm.”

Tayton let out a soft hum, his voice cold and detached.

“Are we on such familiar terms, Blair Inspector? We’re no longer schoolmates, so I’d appreciate it if you maintained proper boundaries.”

Though they had once been schoolmates, a chasm of status now separated them. Albert was a second son, unable to inherit his family’s title, while Tayton was the head of the prestigious Gunner Duchy.

Both had entered school at an earlier age than their peers, drawing attention not just for their youth but for their lineage.

The Gunner Duchy and the Blair Earlship were among the most distinguished noble houses in Aislin, making the two young men subjects of reverence—and intimidation—even among professors.

Despite these shared burdens, the two had never grown close. In fact, they had ended up as rivals standing on opposing sides.

“I don’t recall us being particularly close as students either, but I’ll be mindful going forward, Duke Gunner.”

“Good.”

Tayton nodded lightly, his gaze haughty as he looked at Albert.

“Did you enjoy the tour of my estate? I hope you didn’t find it too humble compared to the accommodations you’re used to.”

The state of the police accommodations, constrained by a tight budget, was no secret. The best most officers could hope for was a shared terraced house, and only the police commissioner had access to anything grander.

Both Tayton and Albert knew this all too well.

“I trust the reason you’ve opposed the police budget increase isn’t simply to hang a few more paintings in your estate? Surely, you must hold values loftier than the safety of Aslan’s citizens,” Albert retorted coolly.

“Ah, rest assured. Do you think I’d oppose the budget increase just to hang a few more paintings? Paintings won’t feed anyone, after all,” Tayton replied nonchalantly, reclining lazily against the seat.

Albert’s blue eyes burned coldly. Hans, caught in the crossfire of their sharp exchange, stayed deathly silent.

“As you know, I’m the largest taxpayer in Aislin,” Tayton continued smoothly. “I’d like to see my money used appropriately. Perhaps Aslan would be a wealthier city without so many officers doing nothing but draining tax funds. Don’t you agree?”

“Doing nothing but draining taxes?”

Albert’s voice took on an icy edge, his gaze flaring like fire. Tayton, fully aware of the effect his words had, feigned indifference and continued in a lazy tone.

“Do you disagree? Of course, we were often on opposite sides in debates, weren’t we? But this time, I’m confident I’m right. After all, the murder on Engler Street remains unsolved, and now there’s another murder on Tiffler Street. What were the officers responsible for citizens’ safety doing in the meantime?”

“Let’s set aside the issue of overworked officers or the lack of patrol manpower until the budget is increased,” Albert said, his tone sharp. “But one has to wonder why there are rumors linking the noble Duke Gunner to a murder. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire, after all.”

Albert’s piercing gaze bore into Tayton, his demeanor as imposing as a prosecutor interrogating a suspect. Hans, caught between them, could only shift nervously, unsure of what to do.

Tayton met Albert’s gaze without flinching, his silver eyes exuding a languid but sharp arrogance.

“Isn’t it your job to uncover the truth of those rumors? Or are you asking me to handle the duties of the police department now?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure to unmask the truth behind the Duke’s façade soon enough,” Albert replied coldly.

“I’ll look forward to it with great anticipation. Let’s just hope it happens before I die of old age.”

“You won’t have to wait long.”

“Big dogs bark the loudest,” Tayton said with a smirk.

“And barking dogs bite the hardest,” Albert shot back.

A cold silence hung in the air. Hans felt sweat trickling down his back as the sharp barbs exchanged between the two men cut through the stillness like knives.

The rumors about the Duke of Gunner were notorious, but Albert’s unyielding demeanor was equally notable. Poor Hans, caught between the two, could only sweat bullets as tension filled the air.

They tore into each other with refined expressions and polite words, a dynamic that resembled a petty squabble between children. Hans, lost and bewildered, shifted his gaze nervously from one man to the other.

“Take care. If you manage to catch the culprit behind this murder case, I’ll reconsider increasing the police budget. That is, if you succeed,” said Tayton with a smirk.

“Please don’t forget those words,” Albert replied, his tone sharp.

“Don’t worry, Inspector Blair. My memory is far better than yours. Surely you haven’t forgotten whose name always appeared above yours during our university years.”

“It wasn’t always. If you’ve already forgotten, there were three times I surpassed you, Duke Gunner.”

“Out of sixteen times, thirteen were mine. I’d say ‘always’ is quite fitting.”

Albert furrowed his brow faintly, while Tayton’s lips curled upward in satisfaction.

The only time the composed and rational Albert Blair ever displayed his emotions was when confronted by Tayton Gunner. Likewise, the usually sharp-tongued and arrogant Tayton became even more petty and mischievous when conversing with Albert.

There hadn’t been any major quarrel to sour their relationship—no significant event to turn them into adversaries. From the very beginning, the two simply didn’t mix, like oil and water.

Tayton was certain that even if he hadn’t worn a mask or carried the title of Duke, he and Albert would never have been close. They were perpetually out of sync, like two people sitting on opposite ends of a seesaw.

Tap, tap.

Tayton rapped his cane against the wall of the carriage, prompting the previously still horses to start moving.

“Haah.”

Hans finally exhaled the breath he had been holding. It may have seemed like childish bickering, but when the “children” in question wielded immense power, the stakes were entirely different.

Shaking his head instinctively, Hans noticed Albert’s figure already moving far ahead. Panicking, he hurried to catch up.

“Wait for me, Inspector!”