Lewis’s family had been evacuated to the back room while the inspector and I concealed ourselves in the living room. Even during that time, tools were being inserted through the gap in the door, slowly removing the latch. After a while, with a soft thud, the latch fell to the floor, and a trio entered the room.
The thieves cautiously surveyed the interior before proceeding further into the house. The lamplight reflected off their hands, revealing the glint of knives. The sight of those knives made me boil with rage, thinking about how they had used one to stab Jane.
Once the intruders were fully inside the room, I emerged from behind the curtain, blocking their escape route near the door. Startled, they turned around, only to be swiftly incapacitated by the inspector’s forceful blows from behind. In an instant, they were all defeated.
It was a remarkably swift and skillful display. Upon closer inspection, I noticed that the inspector held a wooden rolling pin, the kind used for kneading dough.
“When did you get that?”
“I borrowed it from the kitchen just now.”
“You shouldn’t have rushed in alone like that. You should have let me help.”
The inspector stared at me with a serious expression.
“It’s too dangerous to let you, Wolf, engage in combat right now. We can’t afford to have a suspect killed,” the inspector said.
I was taken aback. “But…”
“While it’s possible that the culprit is the one who killed your friend, please remain calm and composed in your actions,” the inspector urged.
“I understand,”
“Now, let’s move on to the interrogation,” the inspector declared.
We proceeded to bind the intruders with ropes and began questioning them for more details.
♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢
In the underground special cell, Kimberly sat in front of Fuyu who wore an uneasy expression.
“So, Jane wasn’t Mr. Wolf’s lover?” Fuyu asked.
“No, no. Barton didn’t have any feelings for her. Actually, I suspect it was the other way around. Jane had a crush on Barton,” Kimberly replied.
“I-Is that so?”
“Sometimes, I would catch her gazing at Barton’s back with a passionate look. Perhaps she had feelings for him,” Kimberly said.
Fuyu felt her face flush with warmth.
She remembered those moments when she found herself absentmindedly staring at Barton while he worked. It made her realize that during those times, she was contemplating various thoughts about Barton.
“Was Barton aware of Jane’s feelings?” Fuyu asked.
“I wonder. He’s not oblivious, but perhaps he pretended not to notice? Romantic entanglements were strictly prohibited in the mansion, and there were also class differences at the time. It wasn’t publicly disclosed, but Barton was actually acknowledged as an illegitimate child by the Earl. It’s unlikely that he would have been allowed to be involved with a maid,” Kimberly explained.
“But what about now? Sullivan’s family estate has been confiscated, hasn’t it?”
“That’s true. Now Barton is just a low-ranking official. It’s not entirely impossible for him to be a match for Jane,” Kimberly replied.
A strange mix of mild anxiety and longing rushed through Fuyu’s heart. She couldn’t quite grasp her feelings, whether it was longing or impatience.
She would imagine a future with Barton, then resign herself to being trapped behind the iron bars of her confinement. These alternating waves of positive and negative emotions enveloped Fuyu’s expressionless face. It seemed that was all Fuyu could do in her current situation.
“But you know, I think Barton probably likes you, Fuyu.”
The chatty fairy added this.
However, Fuyu was so absorbed in her own thoughts that she only vaguely registered the fairy’s words, so it took some time for the meaning to fully sink in.
“Huh…?”
“He always seems oddly cheerful when coming here. I bet he’s really looking forward to seeing Fuyu.”
“Do you really think so…?”
“Well, next time he comes around, pay attention. He’ll definitely be working with a smile. It’s not something you see every day. Well, it would be abnormal to smile in a prison, though.”
Upon hearing those words, Fuyu noticed for the first time.
That Mr. Wolf always wore a gentle smile, and how much her own heart had been healed by that smile.
“But there’s nothing I can do for Mr. Wolf.”
There was an iron grid between the two of them.
“You’re so foolish, Fuyu. Just by being there, you make Barton happy.”
(I wonder if that’s really true…)
The same question welled up inside her, but this time it didn’t escape her lips.
“Kim,”
“What’s up?”
“Is it true? Does Mr. Wolf really need me?”
“I believe so. If it’s bothering you, why don’t you try confirming it?”
Fuyu could only gaze into empty space, unable to provide any response.
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