Miss Charlotte’s Case Journal - Chapter 9

The mansion gate opened easily when Henry showed his police badge. Charlotte struggled to keep the stack of documents in her arms from slipping as she walked. After glancing at her for a moment, Henry spoke.

“Should I carry those for you?”

Charlotte instinctively started to shake her head but stopped midway. There was no reason to refuse when he was offering to help first. Besides, if she was the only one carrying all this, it would make her look like his subordinate. Having worked at the morgue long enough, Charlotte had grown used to the unspoken rule that they must never appear inferior to the Metropolitan Police Department.

“Then, please do.”

Though she wanted to hand him the entire load, Charlotte passed him only about a third of what she held. Henry grinned and, ignoring her restraint, took the entire pile from her arms.

“There’s no need for such formality between us.”

“I think there is. And besides—”

“It’s fine. I’ll carry everything.”

“No, really—”

“They’re not that heavy. What kind of partner would I be if I couldn’t do at least this much for you, Miss Charlotte?”

“Why am I your partner—no, that’s not what I meant—”

“It’s really fine.”

Annoyed, Charlotte grabbed the hem of his coat, yanking him backward.

“I gave you only the ones I already read! Am I supposed to rummage through what you’re holding every time I need something?!”

“…Ah.”

Henry, holding the papers, let out a quiet scoff, then stared blankly at Charlotte’s back as she stormed ahead. Soon after, a small smile crept across his face, and he quickly followed.

***

Sir Lau was easier to find than expected. He was behind the mansion in a small but well-equipped training yard, shouting at the private soldiers gathered before him.

“How could you lose track of the training uniforms?! What kind of management is that?!”

Sir Lau’s shining golden hair was completely disheveled from running his hands through it in frustration.

A servant who had been guiding them ran forward and whispered something into his ear. Sir Lau turned sharply, his eyes landing on Charlotte and Henry.

Frowning, Sir Lau hesitated briefly, then sighed heavily and approached. Extending his hand toward Henry, he spoke curtly, “I’m Ison Lau. You were looking for me?”

Henry shook his hand with a polite smile. “Pleasure to meet you, Sir Lau. I’m Henry Biles, Inspector in charge of Baron Turobe’s case. I came because I have a few questions to ask.”

“…If you’d called ahead, I would’ve come straight to the capital.”

Sir Lau said this while glancing toward the mansion. At the end of his gaze was a window draped with soft lace curtains.

“I thought I should conduct a few inquiries around the area while I was here.”

“If you’d let me know in advance, we could’ve met outside the mansion. The madam still hasn’t recovered from the shock, and hearing that someone from the Metropolitan Police has come here would surely upset her.”

Sir Lau clearly intended to prevent even the slightest chance of the baroness seeing them from the window. With brisk steps, he led them quickly into the mansion.

The interior was as grand as the exterior. Lavish ornaments and paintings filled every corner, and from the ceiling hung an enormous, glittering chandelier.

Henry let out a low sound of admiration as he looked around. “This is truly impressive.”

“Ahem, our madam personally oversees all of it.”

“The baroness must have quite the eye for refinement.”

At Henry’s compliment, a faint blush appeared on Sir Lau’s face.

“Yes… she truly is an extraordinary woman.”

Sir Lau coughed a few times, as if trying to hide his embarrassment. But his expression hardened again at Henry’s next words.

“Since we’re guests, it’s only proper that we greet the lady of the house, Baroness Turobe.”

“…That’s….”

Henry continued calmly, “In truth, there are also a few things I’d like to ask the baroness.”

“What kind of things?”

Sir Lau’s face twisted. He took a step toward Henry, his movement almost instinctive, as though to intimidate him.

“You came here because you had business with me, didn’t you?”

“That’s true, but there are also matters to confirm with the baroness. I told you earlier, I came to handle several things at once.”

“But…!”

Sir Lau raised his voice, then shut his mouth tightly. Grinding his teeth, he spoke slowly, each word heavy with restraint.

“The madam is still in poor health from the shock of the baron’s death. She even suffered an incident in the capital earlier today. She dislikes being surrounded by people, so only one maid is allowed in and out of her room. To bring someone to her now—”

“Then I’ll do it.”

Both Henry and Sir Lau turned their heads toward Charlotte.

Clearing her throat lightly, she added, “While the Inspector speaks with you, Sir Lau, I’ll talk to the baroness myself.”

“Miss Charlotte, but that’s—”

“I’m a woman like her, so it won’t be too much for her. Isn’t that right, Sir Lau?”

Charlotte met Sir Lau’s eyes deliberately and tapped her own shoulder twice. Recognition flickered across his face as he seemed to recall their earlier encounter at the morgue.

“Wait, you two… already know each other?”

Sensing something suspicious, Henry frowned as he asked the question. Charlotte, however, shook her head naturally.

“We just saw each other once this morning at the morgue.”

“No, that’s not what I meant… I meant, do you have some other connection—”

“Of course not. Why would we?”

Charlotte gave Sir Lau a pointed look, her eyes saying clearly: Don’t you dare mention my relationship with Lucy. Sir Lau, thankfully not dense, quickly wiped the expression from his face and blinked innocently, as if to say, That’s all there is to it.

Henry still didn’t look entirely convinced, but he couldn’t find anything more to question. Besides, Charlotte’s suggestion wasn’t a bad one. With sunset approaching, it would be more efficient for them to split up.

When Henry reluctantly nodded, Sir Lau quickly called over one of the maids who had been peeking nervously from a distance.

Henry followed Sir Lau toward the parlor, while Charlotte trailed behind the maid leading her to Lucy’s room. When they reached the door, the maid knocked softly to announce that a visitor had arrived.

“…Who is it?”

“Um, it’s just that….”

“If it’s not important, please tell them to leave. I don’t want to see anyone.”

“It’s from the Metropolitan Police, madam….”

Charlotte cut in before the maid could finish, “Lucy, it’s me. Charlotte.”

A crashing sound came from inside. Moments later, the door burst open, and a pale-faced Lucy rushed out, her hair and clothes in disarray.

“Charlotte!”

Charlotte smiled softly, tucking Lucy’s messy red hair behind her ear.

“Hi, Lucy.”

“How… how did you…?”

“Well… I came with someone from the Metropolitan Police.”

A flash of unease crossed Lucy’s face. “Why? Are you here… to interrogate me?”

“It’s not that. They’re not even suspecting you.”

Charlotte lied smoothly, trying to calm her down.

“I came because we needed to ask Sir Lau a few things. And while I was here, I wanted to check on you. I was worried.”

At last, Lucy’s expression eased. Charlotte followed her inside the room. Lucy gestured toward the table, but Charlotte shook her head firmly. You look like you’re about to collapse, what are you even saying? In the end, Lucy lay down on the bed, and Charlotte pulled a chair close and sat beside her.

“You don’t look well at all.”

“I’ll be fine after some rest. Don’t worry too much.”

Lucy smiled awkwardly and hurried to change the subject.

“Um… it’s your first time at my house, right?”

“Yes, it is. Your home is beautiful.”

Charlotte only nodded. Lucy looked so unwell that it wouldn’t have been strange if she fainted at any moment. For now, what mattered most was helping her relax.

“It’s obvious you put a lot of thought into every detail. Sir Lau said you personally manage everything here.”

“He said that?”

A faint blush spread over Lucy’s cheeks.

“That’s not entirely true… he just tends to think too highly of me.”

Hmm. This was a little… Charlotte felt slightly thrown off by her reaction. She had assumed Sir Lau’s feelings were one-sided, but now it seemed Lucy hadn’t been entirely indifferent after all.

Just then, a maid brought in tea and a few small treats. Normally, they would have been set on the table, but since Lucy was lying in bed, the maid simply left the trolley beside her and slipped out.

Charlotte handed Lucy a teacup and asked as casually as she could, “What kind of person is Sir Lau?”

Lucy tilted her head curiously, the cup warming her hands as a faint smile crossed her lips.

“What do you mean?”

“Oh, nothing, just….”

Charlotte hesitated. She couldn’t exactly ask, Do you like him? Instead, she awkwardly added, “I heard Sir Lau holds a knight’s title?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“A knighthood isn’t hereditary, but it’s not something just anyone can get either. Most knights in Essenharn now belong to the national army. It’s rare these days for a knight to be bound to a noble household like this, so I was just wondering if he had some kind of special background.”

Lucy nodded slowly, as if understanding. “Yes, Sir Lau’s situation is a bit unusual.”

She took a sip of tea and fell silent for a moment, lost in thought. Then she suddenly let out a quiet laugh and asked playfully, “By any chance, did Sir Lau seem a little familiar to you?”

“Huh?”

Charlotte blinked in confusion. Lucy cleared her throat and mimicked an exaggerated, childish voice.

“I’m sorry! I really didn’t mean to! I was just so hungry, I swear I didn’t mean to!”

“…Ah!”

“Do you remember now?”

Charlotte’s eyes widened in shock. “That little boy was him?!”

“Yes, that boy grew up to be Sir Lau.”

What? That scruffy, dirt-covered kid became Sir Lau? Charlotte couldn’t believe it. How on earth? How could a street beggar become a knighted noble?

Charlotte dug through her hazy memories and finally recalled his face from years ago, back when they were still students at the academy, not long after Toby had died.

“Lucy, are you really all right?”

Lucy had eaten the cookie her friend had forced into her hand late that night, but after days of starvation, her stomach couldn’t handle it. By the next morning, she had vomited up not only what she’d eaten but everything she hadn’t as well.