Chapter 7.2

When Danielle guided Annemarie to sit, the natural arrangement had the two women seated side by side, with their respective partners flanking them. Having endured the subtle social agony of entertaining Annemarie, Danielle was now at a loss for what to say next. Felix leaned in with a soft smile and whispered in her ear.  

“You seem curious about something unusual.”  

“Pardon? …Ah.”  

He was circling back to her earlier question. Danielle quickly regained her composure and countered.  

“I don’t think it’s that unusual. Isn’t it a natural curiosity?”  

“Temporary assignments aren’t something one volunteers for. Do you think Ivan Nazari would willingly request a morning shift?”  

Oh, I hadn’t realized that… 

It felt like a trap. Danielle could feel the sweat pooling under her lace gloves. 

What if Felix Ingram found me suspicious here? Would this reach Director Ingram’s ears? 

But Felix didn’t seem intent on interrogating her further. Instead, he leaned in even closer and answered.  

“I’ve always been interested in the Investigation Bureau, though. More specifically, in cases referred to the Bureau.”  

“…!”  

At that moment, the introduction of the performers rang out clearly. As expected, it was Katarin’s voice, dragged into this family event. The four adjusted their postures and turned their attention to the stage. A beautiful quartet of one piano and three string instruments began. But Danielle couldn’t hear a single note.  

***

Cyril tried to focus on the chamber music composed by the capital’s finest and performed by the Dillor family. For at least five minutes… no, maybe three. But his eyes kept drifting toward the two women seated to his right.  

Danielle and Annemarie, Annemarie and Danielle… It was clear that Danielle was intent on prying into why Duke Ingram, a provincial noble, had managed to secure a position as the Director of the Royal Investigation Bureau in the capital.  

The first thing Cyril had noticed upon entering the hall was Danielle and Felix leaning toward each other, engaged in an intimate conversation. When Felix whispered something in a low voice, Danielle burst into laughter. It irked Cyril in a way he couldn’t quite explain. It didn’t seem like Danielle to openly cater to the Ingram siblings.  

But then again, he wasn’t in a position to complain, having just escorted Annemarie on a stroll through the garden. The one who had brought up the beauty of Dillor’s garden was none other than Cyril Frey, a rare species in high society who barely even accompanied his fiancée.  

“It’s well-maintained.”

It was Annemarie’s first impression upon entering the Dillor rose garden. Designed to have at least three types of roses bloom throughout the year, the garden was at its peak during the transition from summer to autumn. Annemarie picked a yellow rose and gently touched its petals before adding,  

“The Odillon garden is lovely too. It seems to have a completely different approach.” 

“The Odillon garden doesn’t have roses but boasts dozens of small flowers. They bloom year-round as well.”  

“You’re well-informed.” 

“It’s a garden I’ve visited since childhood.”  

“My, how interesting.”

After a moment of hesitation, Annemarie refrained from plucking the yellow rose and smiled with her usual harmless expression.  

“To be honest… I must apologize in advance. I thought you and Miss Odillon weren’t particularly close.”

“We’ve been engaged for over ten years now.” 

Cyril Frey felt like he was throwing himself into a trash bin as he answered in a way that could be interpreted either way. He had specifically gone to fetch Felix and Annemarie separately to create an opportunity to speak alone with this suspicious woman. Bringing up the rose garden, he had led her outside the salon. The music concert was about to start, and no matter how beautiful the garden was, they couldn’t stroll there forever. Cyril wanted to escape this uncomfortable situation of looking at flowers alone with Annemarie Ingram as quickly as possible. However, he couldn’t just outright ask the question he was most curious about: ‘Was that masked woman you?’

He racked his brain and finally spoke.  

“To be honest, I don’t know much about the Ingram family. What I do know is that Ingram is the shield that protects the Kingdom from Allegra.”  

“Wow, that sounds so antiquated. My father would love it…Though these days, Dioli seems to be more of a concern.” 

Annemarie replied flatly as she strolled through the garden. Cyril followed two steps behind, matching her pace with quiet determination.  

“Still, things seem quieter lately. Given that the Duke of Ingram has taken up a key position in the capital and brought you, his children, with him.”  

“Sir Cyril, you’re part of the Royal Knights, aren’t you?”  

“Pardon?”  

Annemarie suddenly stopped, almost causing Cyril to bump into her shoulder. Whether she noticed or not, she reached out again to fiddle with the rose petals and continued speaking.  

“You ask unusual questions. Most people would be curious about why I came to the capital, for instance.”  

“Ah… If I’ve been rude, I apologize. But surely your father—”  

“I’ll forgive you since I was rude earlier too. But my father wouldn’t share his thoughts with me. As for me… what other purpose could I have in coming to the capital besides finding a marriage partner?”  

“A marriage partner?”  

“Yes, a marriage partner. Making me say it outright like this—don’t you think you owe me an apology?”  

Instead of feeling embarrassed, Cyril stiffened. In the distance, the announcement of the recital’s start echoed. Annemarie finally plucked a rose. Her smile faltered ever so slightly.  

“Leaving the estate is the same. I’m not particularly helpful to my family, and as you said, Dioli has been quiet lately. After all, the friendship of a free city can be bought with money.”

That’s a lie. Everything she just said is a lie. Cyril instinctively concluded. Annemarie said no more, straightening up and taking Cyril’s outstretched hand. Cyril didn’t press her further. The two returned from the rose garden with polite expressions. By the time they entered the banquet hall, the rose was no longer in her hand.

***

The chamber music performance proceeded comfortably, neither reaching dramatic peaks nor becoming dull. While those seated near the stage focused on the intertwining melodies of the instruments, those seated farther back whispered among themselves or enjoyed light refreshments.  

Though the recital lacked the intense concentration typical of such events, no one disrupted the performance. Even the intermission waltzes, where some stood to dance, were part of the program.  

Danielle danced one piece with Felix, and Cyril danced one with Annemarie. Each dance was lighthearted, far from the stiff formalities of royal balls, allowing them to move as much as they wished and enjoy the music.  

Cyril was mildly surprised to discover Felix’s genuine love for music and even more surprised to find that Annemarie, despite her outward charm, was rather clumsy on her feet. Skilled in dancing, Cyril managed to guide her through the piece, although her exhaustion from the simple waltz was almost pitiable.  

Just before the final bow left the strings, Danielle twirled and met Cyril’s gaze. As she released her partner’s hand, she shot Cyril a hurried glance over her shoulder. He didn’t miss the signal. For reasons even he couldn’t explain, it was the moment he had been waiting for. The two escaped to the terrace, leaving the second waltz behind as if they were flying.  

Danielle pulled the curtains on the terrace closed and approached Cyril without warning. Of course, Cyril had prepared for at least this much.  

“Are you really going to war?”  

“That depends on what the Director is planning at the Investigation Bureau.”  

“Why do you always… Are the women you hang out with these days the kind who talk like this?”  

“Women I hang out with? That’s a bit…”  

Danielle’s “talking like this” was, unlike Cyril’s case, a well-known fact in high society. Blaming her blunt speech on the rough work at the Investigation Bureau didn’t hold up, as there were plenty of detectives with far more refined manners. Cyril felt that every time they spoke alone, he was increasingly drawn into her brashness, often saying things he shouldn’t.  

Danielle removed her lace gloves and stuffed them carelessly into her dress. She didn’t care whether Cyril averted his gaze or not, and in the same tone, she asked again.  

“So, did you find out anything from Miss Ingram? You spent quite a bit of time with her.”  

“Find out? It wasn’t like that.”  

“If it wasn’t, what could you possibly have had to talk about for so long?”  

“Miss Ingram just wanted to see the garden.”  

“That’s not what the Young Master said.”  

Cyril didn’t ask what the Young Master had said. Instead, he quickly changed the subject before his lie was uncovered.  

“You’re up to something at the Investigation Cooperation Office, aren’t you?”  

“What? I’m in the Economic Crimes Division. The former Director is just lounging around drinking tea with Katarin.”  

“You wouldn’t be curious about the Knights’ status for no reason. Unless it’s the diligent Bouclan Cooperation Officer…or Director Ingram’s orders.”  

“……”  

Danielle fell silent. The sound of crickets chirping in the rose garden outside grew louder. The elegant chamber music seemed to fade in and out from behind the curtains.

Damn it. 

Danielle mouthed a curse, turned around, and looked for a chair.