She chewed and swallowed the lame excuse that lingered in her mouth along with the food. The next moment, her eyes shone with determination.

“So what should I do now?”

“That’s what I mean…”

Christoph spoke softly.

“Will you talk with Paul’s mother? I don’t know if she dislikes me, but she doesn’t tell the inside story. It would be nice if you could pull out the truth she’s hiding, Marianne.”

“Leave it to me.”

Marianne nodded cheerfully. She put strength into the corners of her mouth that were slowly rising. But Christoph’s eyes were already fixed on her lips.

He knew that she would not refuse his proposal. And Christoph was not a naive man to miss the opportunity. His eyes, having achieved their purpose, glowed with satisfaction.

(This is a time separator.)

The two people who got off the carriage walked to Paul’s house. They were not having a lively conversation. They just matched their steps and walked side by side.

But that was very unfamiliar. Christoph then realized that every time he went out, she followed a step behind him.

Every moment he had to face his past. Unbeknownst to him, his miserable past, which had hurt Marianne, stared at him like the abyss of a monster.

“You promised to give me a day.”

Christoph suddenly said. Marianne frowned at the unexpected words, and Christoph pretended not to notice and spoke lightly.

“How about the next holiday?”

“…….”

“The Count wants to see you. It would be nice to have dinner together in the castle. Of course, if you’re okay with it.”

At that, Marianne’s eyes widened slightly. Then she let out a faint smile. Having dinner with Count Schneider was something she wouldn’t refuse, even without making a promise. She owed the Count, and she couldn’t turn her back on him.

But to use a promise for a meal with the Count. Should it be called naive, or not cunning?
Marianne, who had not noticed that it was Christoph’s foxlike scheme, nodded with a gentle smile.

“Got it. I’ll make time.”

“Thanks.”

“!”

It was then that Marianne finally stopped in her tracks. Christoph, who also halted, looked back at her from one step ahead.

It was the first time she had heard thanks from him. Marianne looked at him with trembling eyes.

Christoph silently waited for her. Not walking one step ahead, but until she came to his side.

Shortly after, Marianne began to move again. Only then did Christoph take a step.

Maxim, having heard that they were going to see Paul’s mother, scoffed at Marianne’s folly in spending time on a matter that was over.

But Nicholas had a different thought. He nodded with a gentle expression.

― Since it’s the first case, it would be good to see it through to the end. The first case one takes on tends to linger in memory, so it’s better not to leave any regrets. Make sure of that.

Christoph thought of Marianne as he heard that. Unintentionally, an unhappy voice escaped from between his teeth.

“But you know, you.”

There, Christoph paused and gave a meaningful look. Marianne tilted her head slightly.

“Isn’t your gaze at Inspector Nicholas a bit improper?”

“Improper?”

In what way?

Marianne cocked her head with an unknowing expression. If pressed, she rather liked Nicholas. No, perhaps respect would be a better word.

He was a man of great insight, and although he could be quite harsh with his subordinates, he also surprisingly took great care of them. As a boss, he was a pretty good person.

Ha.

Christoph sighed shortly at her appearance. That was exactly it. When her sparkling eyes looked at someone other than him, he felt a twisting in his gut. Everything before his eyes became redhot.

Then he felt contempt for himself for being such a petty man. But he couldn’t say it outright. He didn’t want to see Marianne disappointed in him.

Christoph responded with an ostensibly nonchalant voice.

“Inspector Nicholas, you know, he’s rumored to be quite the womanizer. I heard he has three children.”

“…….”

So what’s your point?

Marianne still looked at him with clueless eyes, and Christoph, who had no intention of explaining himself, clicked his tongue lowly.

At that moment, a man was seen smirking at them over the fence. Christoph gradually slowed his pace, and soon Marianne also stopped there.

It was the owner of the house neighboring Paul’s, separated by a narrow road.

“Are you the police?”

He asked with a curious voice. Marianne nodded beside Christoph, who was uninterestedly attempting to move on.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Christoph stood still once again. He thought talking with the man was a waste of time, but he didn’t have the courage to say that to Marianne.

Once again, Christoph didn’t want to disappoint her. He’d rather waste time than do that.

‘Give him 3 minutes. Short and concise with the purpose only’—it was uncharacteristic of a man whose motto was this, but he didn’t care much.

“A terrible thing, isn’t it? They say Paul killed my sister?”