Miss Charlotte’s Case Journal - Chapter 11

The boy had come fully prepared to be scolded within an inch of his life, but instead of being punished, he was being treated with kindness. He didn’t know what to do with himself. It all felt like a dream.

Lucy brushed a gentle hand over his small shoulder. “Coming all this way just to apologize, you’re such a good boy.”

The boy’s face went pale, then turned bright red. He stammered nervously, “I-I’m not good or anything… I just… I did something wrong, so….”

He had never imagined things would turn out like this. He’d thought he would at least be scolded until he cried, or maybe even slapped if things went badly. He had never once dreamed that anyone would treat him gently, with warmth and kindness.

“…I’m sorry I scolded you so harshly that day.”

He hadn’t imagined he’d be the one to receive an apology, either. The boy bowed his head deeply at Charlotte’s words.

Lucy patted his back softly. “Now that you’ve apologized, we feel much better. Toby… yes, that puppy. He’s buried here in the garden. Would you like to go see him?”

The boy nodded quickly.

The three of them returned quietly to Toby’s grave, away from prying eyes. When Charlotte pointed out the spot where Toby was buried, the boy flinched. Seeing him hesitate, Lucy plucked a small white flower nearby and placed it in his hand.

“Here, put this in front of him.”

The boy did as he was told.

Lucy spoke in a soft, singsong voice, “Would you tell Toby you’re sorry? Then he’ll forgive you.”

“…Do you really think so?”

“Of course. Toby was such a good dog. I’m sure he would.”

“…What about you, miss?”

“Hmm?”

“Will you… forgive me too?”

Lucy stroked the boy’s hair. “I already have.”

“So have I.” Charlotte shrugged and gave the boy a light push on the back.

He slowly stepped forward to Toby’s grave, placed the flower down, and closed his eyes tightly as he said in a small but sincere voice, “…I’m sorry, Toby. I was wrong.”

“Thank you for apologizing,” Lucy whispered, patting the boy’s shoulder.

The three of them sat by Toby’s grave, talking quietly together. Mostly, Lucy and Charlotte told stories about how cute and kind Toby had been, and the boy chimed in here and there. Occasionally, he would tell bits of his own story—how he had no parents, how he wandered the streets, and how he survived each day.

After hearing his story, Lucy gave the boy one of her father’s business cards. She even wrote a small note on the back, saying she’d talk to her father so the boy could at least work as an errand boy at his trading company, and told him to make sure to visit.

The boy nodded, his face full of awe.

“…Thank you, miss….”

He looked at Lucy with wide, shining eyes, as though gazing upon an angel descended to earth. He had never felt so full of emotion, so happy in his entire life. Inside his pocket, he touched the two pieces of chocolate still wrapped in their rough paper. The crinkling texture whispered to him that this wasn’t a dream. It was real.

“Lucy!”

At the sudden voice, Lucy jumped to her feet and ran straight into David’s arms. She laughed brightly as he caught her, her cheerful laughter filling the air.

“Ugh, that annoying bastard. Can’t keep his hands off her, disgusting.”

Charlotte showered her beloved friend, David, with all the affection she could muster—in the form of creative profanity. The boy, staring blankly at the sight of Charlotte and David embracing, stammered out a question.

“Wh-who’s that…?”

“Hm? David?” Charlotte scratched her cheek and answered casually, “He’s our friend. He’s dating Lucy.”

“Oh….”

“Come on, I’ll introduce you.”

“N-no, that’s all right! I, um, I really should be going….”

The boy shook his head violently, his face suddenly pale.

“I-I’ll be going now.”

“So suddenly? Why? David’s actually kind of a jerk, but he’s still our friend. He won’t kick you out or treat you badly.”

“No, it’s not that. Please… tell Miss Lucy I said goodbye.”

Charlotte frowned, not understanding why the boy was acting so strangely. But before she could ask, he bowed deeply, turned around, and ran toward the back gate. His small figure quickly disappeared from sight.

“What are you doing?”

David approached with Lucy beside him.

“Ugh, gross. Don’t talk to me.”

“Oh, come on. Can’t you say something nice for once?”

“Whatever.”

Charlotte waved her hand as if shooing away a pesky fly. David let out a deep sigh, while Lucy giggled quietly beside him.

Glancing around, Lucy asked Charlotte, “Where did that boy go?”

“That boy? Who?”

“He left so suddenly. Maybe something urgent came up?”

“What? Who are you talking about?”

“He didn’t even say goodbye. I didn’t catch his name either… I guess it must’ve been something really urgent.”

“What? You two seriously aren’t going to tell me? Huh?”

“Maybe he ran off after seeing this one. With that face, avoiding him is the smartest choice.”

“Hey!!!!”

David’s indignant shout echoed behind them as Charlotte and Lucy burst into laughter. Soon, David’s helpless but amused chuckle joined theirs. The wide beech tree’s shadow shielded them from the warm sunlight. A cool breeze stirred the branches, and the rustling of leaves sounded like music.

It was a day of deep peace, and happiness.

“So that boy’s name was Ison Lau.”

“To be exact, it was just Ison. He made up the surname himself after receiving his knighthood.”

Lucy continued with a gentle smile, “He started out doing odd jobs, but Sir Lau turned out to be quite talented. My father noticed and supported him. Out of gratitude, he chose not to join the army and stayed by my side instead.”

Charlotte nodded. That made sense. If she’d been in his place, she wouldn’t have run off to the army and left her benefactor behind either.

“So that kid—no, Sir Lau—came with you when you got married?”

“Yes. My father told me to take him. My husband was happy too. It’s not every day you get the chance to hire someone with a knight’s title.”

“Yeah, I can see that. …But….”

Charlotte trailed off, a small frown forming as a thought crossed her mind.

“So, did Sir Lau not recognize me? Or did he just not remember me? That’s kind of disappointing.”

“Hmm? Oh… well… I don’t think that’s it. Maybe he just thought it’d be inappropriate to act familiar with his employer’s friend, that’s all.”

Or maybe he’d just been so obsessed with you that he forgot all about me…. Charlotte swallowed back the words that almost slipped out and laughed awkwardly instead.

“But why didn’t you tell me about Sir Lau back then? You didn’t say a word, so I thought he never went to see your father.”

“I didn’t know at first either. Later, I found out he was already working under my father.”

Honestly, my father could’ve at least let me know once he hired the boy I’d recommended in writing. Lucy only found out when she went home for the holidays. Charlotte burst out laughing at her friend’s complaint.

“Your father really was a quiet man.”

“He was impossible to figure out sometimes.”

“But he adored you so much. I was so jealous, you know? When he heard you were dating David, he cornered me and started interrogating me, asking whose son David was, what he studied, how his behavior was, what kind of person he was…. He practically bombarded me with questions.”

Charlotte had thought Lucy would laugh at the memory. In the past, Lucy had found it amusing—her father’s flustered reaction upon hearing about her relationship had made her laugh endlessly.

But now, Lucy only gave a faint, bitter smile. Charlotte realized too late that she’d said something she shouldn’t have.

“Oh… Lucy, I didn’t mean—”

“It’s fine, Charlotte.”

If she could’ve, Charlotte would’ve sewn her own lips shut right then and there.

“…Really, it’s fine. How many years has it been since David died? I can barely even remember anymore. It doesn’t hurt now.”

Lucy waved her hand lightly, trying to reassure her.

“…If you say so.”

An awkward silence lingered between them for a moment. Lucy was the first to break it, changing the subject.

“So, what brings you here today?”

“Hmm….”

Charlotte hesitated for a moment, then decided to be honest.

“I actually came with someone from the Metropolitan Police Department.”

“…The police?”

“Oh, not because they suspect you. Absolutely not.”

When Lucy’s expression stiffened slightly, Charlotte quickly added, “He’s here to question Sir Lau about something. He’s also looking into the people around the area. I… I just came along because I wanted to see you.”

“Me?”

“Yes. I was worried about you.”

Lucy smiled softly. Charlotte smiled back and took the now-cold teacup from her hand, setting it down on the trolley.

“But Lucy….”

“Yes?”

“Have you heard anything from Sir Lau recently?”

Ugh, I really hate myself sometimes. Charlotte let out a small, awkward cough. But she couldn’t just avoid asking; she needed to have something to tell Inspector Henry later.

Lucy blinked, looking momentarily surprised, then gave a faint, knowing smile. She had seen right through Charlotte’s intention.

“You’re here to question me, aren’t you?”