Lynch opened his eyes to see an unfamiliar ceiling.
He sat up, his mind feeling a bit foggy, leaving him dazed for a moment.
Why am I in a grand hall?
Oh, wait, this is a bedroom; it just happens to be large enough to look like one.
Sunlight streamed through the bright glass windows, warming the room. The air was filled with the delicate scent of gardenias, and the chirping of birds drifted in from outside. Aside from that, it was perfectly silent, with none of the chaos and clamor of Charles Square to be heard.
The spacious bedroom was covered in thick cashmere carpeting. The exquisitely carved solid wood furniture exuded the refined elegance characteristic of the Victorian era. Under unique glass lamp shades, polished brass gas jets protruded from the walls in various artistic designs, whether as reliefs or hanging ornaments, blending seamlessly with the room's decor.
The grand four-poster bed was draped with cloud-like gauze curtains, and the fluffy bedding made one feel as if they were sinking into the clouds. The silk sheets were smooth and cool, tempting one to reach out and touch them.
Without any gaudy gold or gemstone decorations, the room still radiated an overwhelming sense of elegance and luxury. This was property purchased by the Valente family in Rhine City, which, according to a certain noble young lady, was merely a temporary residence barely suitable for resting.
So, they say that bedrooms that are too large affect sleep. I don't like big houses; there is scientific reasoning for that. Yes, absolutely, it is definitely not jealousy.
Lynch hadn't returned to his apartment last night and had come straight to the Valente residence. It wasn't for any other reason, but rather that he was holding a hot potato and didn't want to bring trouble back to his apartment, lest Mrs. Maggie and her daughter get dragged into it.
But the Valente family was different. Although they were also ordinary people, only someone with a broken brain would rashly provoke such a great family. Therefore, Lynch felt quite at ease spending the night at the Valente residence, waiting until he handled the problem today before returning home.
In a while, he would go straight to the Count of Lorand's residence to settle the score with Princess Chloe.
"Clang." The antique grandfather clock chimed. Only then did Lynch realize he had actually slept until eleven o'clock. This put him in a rather good mood, much like the cozy feeling of being woken up by the sunlight outside, panicking to get up for work, only to remember it was a holiday.
He walked to the window barefoot on the soft carpet. Outside was an expansive courtyard. In the quiet early summer noon, the fountain in the yard sprayed water silently. Beside the fountain, in a gazebo, a young lady in casual home attire was reclining on a bench, flipping through a thick book.
It must be another detective novel. If it's not The Moriarty Case Files, it's Great Detective Hilo. This girl is already hooked.
Seeming to sense his gaze, the young lady looked up and saw the figure in the guest room window on the second floor. She immediately ran out of the gazebo with a light gait, took off her hat, and waved. Her loose golden hair was exceptionally radiant in the sunlight.
This girl is truly beautiful. No, I mean it's already so late, I need to get up quickly.
His clothes had already been washed and pressed, placed right at the door of the guest room. Lynch hurriedly finished washing up, gathered his bits and pieces, and headed downstairs.
This family is truly strange. What do those maids mean by looking at me so creepily? Is there a clown painted on my face? And those manservants, even if you look at me with such adoration, I won't be giving you tips.
Thus, under the watchful eyes of seven or eight people, Lynch ate the most awkward meal of his two lifetimes. Whether the food was exquisite or the tableware luxurious, Lynch knew none of it. Throughout the meal, his mind was filled only with the servants' eerie gazes. He felt like he was sitting on pins and needles, and by the end, his mind was nearly blank.
The key point was that the culprit was actually still laughing. Neighbor above, no matter how beautifully you laugh, I will not forgive you.
【Oh, then I'll make a note of it for you.】
‘Don't make trouble.’
Finally enduring until lunch was over, Lynch grabbed Miss Valente and ran outside. He fled the courtyard like he was escaping, only to be dragged back by Miss Valente, who was laughing so hard she couldn't stand straight, and boarded the carriage that had already been prepared.
It wasn't the old butler, Mr. Louis, driving this time. The old man's body couldn't handle such tossing, and besides, this was an open visit between nobles, not a secret operation. There was no need for the old butler to personally drive; it was better to let the old man rest.
The problem is, you old rascal, why did you instruct the coachman to keep a close eye on me and tell him to call the police the moment he sees me do anything? I really am not a bad person. No, I really am not a bad person. There is no need to look at me like a thief. I didn't steal anything. If your family lost something, you can't blame me, really.
In any case, having finally escaped the hell of gazes, Lynch finally let out a sigh of relief and opened the newspaper that had been prepared in the carriage.
Pirates spotted on the coastline, heroic detective fights off criminals. The promise of a steak set meal was indeed not in vain; this image is described so well I can't even recognize it as myself.
The Hall of Order temporarily sealed White Bird Port in the early morning for a strict search of suspicious personnel. Tsk tsk, at a glance, it's clearly because their fish and chips were lost. Given the situation last night, I'm afraid the Rangers and Mayor Hoffman would never dream that we were the ones who turned the tables; they will only think that someone else was playing tricks in the dark. It's a pity I can't see the expressions of the various parties in person. I can only make my fortune in silence.
However, before Lynch could finish reading a page, the carriage stopped once again.
We have arrived.
It was only a ten-minute carriage ride away. That was only because the courtyard was relatively large. Strictly speaking, there were only three houses in between; ten minutes was considered slow.
The Iris District was the noble district of Rhine, with the best environment, the best security, and the best facilities. Even with money, you couldn't move in; at most, you could buy land in the Valley District. Only those with a certain status were qualified to live here.
Noble visits were always in the afternoon. Actually, it should be even later, two or three o'clock being best, the reason being that the afternoon atmosphere is more steady, making it more suitable for nobles to make decisions. However, according to Lynch's explanation, it was simpler: they couldn't get up in the morning. Hmm, it was the same in the ancient times of my homeland. It's nothing to be ashamed of.
However, the two did not intend to follow the other's pace, so they were two hours early. The visiting letter had already been delivered, and the carriage drove directly into the courtyard. The two were led into the living room and waited for only a short while before Princess Chloe, wearing a floor-length white dress, appeared before them.
The obese Count of Lorand did not appear, and Princess Chloe was still as unpleasant as ever. Although she didn't dare say anything to Miss Valente, she scrutinized Lynch with a critical gaze, her tone full of arrogance as she said:
"The city government and the Hall of Order hold you in such high regard; I thought you were how capable. Aren't you the ace of the city government and the Rangers? How come just a day later, you've come to my door asking for help? It's a pity, I've already told you everything I know. If there's anything else, go back and ask those two inspectors. I'm very busy; I don't have time to say it again."
Sure enough, she took me for one of Mayor Hoffman's people, which is why she dealt with me so harshly. No, perhaps she only dealt with me harshly because she is just such an annoying person.
Facing the arrogant gaze of this beautiful princess, Lynch didn't get angry, only smiling faintly as he said, "The case has undergone a small change. There is an item I would like to ask Her Highness the Princess to confirm whether you have seen."
"I'm in no mood for such trifles now. Unless you can produce the Flaming Red Lips, I might be in the mood to confirm it. Otherwise, please do not disturb my life. Hehehe, Detective Levive, if you cannot produce it, please return... hmm?"
The mocking voice came to an abrupt halt, and the sarcastic gaze froze in her pupils. Princess Chloe stared blankly at Lynch, watching as he took out a crimson gemstone and placed it on the coffee table.
Blink, blink again. For a moment, Her Highness the Princess was so surprised that she lost the ability to speak. Looking at the gemstone, she couldn't utter a single word, only opening her mouth to let out a few meaningless syllables.
"You have been talking about the Flaming Red Lips the whole time, not a replica. I didn't mishear, did I?"
Lynch's first sentence made Princess Chloe's face turn pale. Her gaze became increasingly incredulous, and even her breathing became rapid.
"Heh, I've seen plenty of cases where fakes were swapped for the real thing, but this is the first time I've seen the real thing swapped for a fake. I've gained some knowledge. Stealing the gemstone, then replacing the fake with the real one to return to the owner, and then letting others steal the real gemstone from the owner's hands. Everyone has been fooled by you, Princess. Everyone was spinning around a real gemstone, not knowing that the replica they actually wanted had already been hidden away by you. You neither offended anyone by breaking the cooperation, nor did you have to truly hand over the replica. As expected of Her Highness the Princess, your methods are indeed astonishing."
"I, you, I, I don't understand what you are talking about."
"Whether you understand or not, we both know; there is no need for explanation." Princess Chloe was pale and at a loss, wanting to explain, when Lynch suddenly raised his voice: "Now shut up and listen to me."
"You..."
"I said shut up. Can you not understand? Telling you to shut up is pitying you, bestowing upon you an opportunity to hear me out. If you are not prepared to accept this charity, we will leave right now." Lynch tapped on the Flaming Red Lips on the table. "After all, you wouldn't want your actions to become known to everyone, would you, Princess?"
Chloe's face instantly flushed red. Her fists clenched and trembled, her lips pressed tightly together, but she remained silent throughout, only staring at Lynch with an angry gaze.
"Heh, a smart person, just lacking in manners." Lynch said with a faint smile. "Having accepted my charity, shouldn't you say something to show your appreciation, esteemed Princess?"
With anger and humiliation on her beautiful face, she uttered a word:
"Thank you."
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