Chapter 32: The Mystery of the Stone — Part 3
I had already changed clothes, so I only needed to touch up my makeup before preparing to leave.
In the meantime, I had the handkerchief pressed.
When a servant guided me to my brother’s room, the two of them were waiting.
Both had changed.
Brother and Brian-sama were now dressed in practical white shirts with vests.
Brother had been in training clothes already, so there was little difference, but it was my first time seeing Brian-sama dressed so simply, and my heart skipped.
His formal attire was splendid, but in these simple clothes his beauty stood out even more.
“Thank you.
For doing this for us.”
When I said that, Brian-sama stepped close and took my hand, pressing a kiss to it.
My hand jerked upward reflexively.
“Ah, I am not accustomed to such greetings.
Forgive me.”
He smiled mischievously.
“Anything you do pleases me.”
Where had his earlier loneliness gone?
I felt foolish for worrying.
I decided to return the handkerchief first and offered it to him.
“I washed it and added embroidery over Chuck’s bite marks.
I hope you like it.”
He accepted it with a bright smile and unfolded it.
Near the edge Chuck had chewed, a cluster of blue flowers now bloomed.
The impact when spread was nearly double what it had been before.
His blue truly was beautiful.
Soft pale-green leaves embraced the blue blossoms.
Brian-sama stared in silence.
“It was a labor of love.
Do you dislike it?
I can redo it.
Please return it if so.”
“No.
I have never seen such a beautiful handkerchief.
I was simply struck speechless.”
“Yes, it is remarkable.
Your embroidery skill is impressive.
And your nerve as well,” Brother said.
“What does that mean?”
“Vice Commander-dono, every time Chuck misbehaves, this handkerchief will grow more extravagant.
Soon the entire thing may be covered in blue and pale green.”
Brother laughed.
“If I present this before Chuck, he might grab it again.
Then I shall add more embroidery.”
Brian-sama laughed happily.
“In that case, I look forward to it.
Additions like that are most welcome.
If it becomes fully embroidered, I shall make it a family heirloom.”
He said he would leave the handkerchief in Brother’s room so it would not be soiled.
What we were about to do was not pretty.
I steeled myself.
I had brought Grandmother’s fan.
I hesitated whether to show it, but it was the source of everything.
It was better to ask now.
“Let me see it.”
At Brother’s words, I handed it over.
He took tools from his desk drawer and deftly removed the pivot.
The silver bud seemed to be fitted together from both sides.
Once removed, it easily separated into two halves.
A small round stone rolled out.
A golden cat’s-eye stone.
Barely a centimeter in size.
If my return from death was due to this stone, it held terrifying power.
I picked it up.
Its golden gleam seemed to intensify.
I held it between my fingers and examined it closely.
When I passed it to Brother, the glow dimmed.
The same occurred with Brian-sama.
When it returned to my hand, it brightened again.
“It shines when I touch it.”
“It does,” Brother agreed.
“I do not know what it means, but it may be best to conceal that it glows for you.
We do not intend to let him escape, but we must consider every possibility,” Brian-sama said.
“Then let us go.”
Brother led the way.
The criminal was being held in the knights’ barracks.
My heart felt heavy, but I had no choice.
Inside the barracks, several men greeted us.
“Lord Eric, all but the ringleader are confined in these two rooms.
We have confirmed their names and roles, and cross-checked their relationships.
We know the identities of some.”
“Good work.
Keep them confined until matters are clarified.
Do not let anyone escape.”
“Yes.
Also, regarding the cargo outside—it is genuine.
New and high-quality goods.
When questioned, none claimed knowledge of it.”
“That is strange.
Acquiring so much cargo alone would be difficult.
Ask each of them when it was loaded onto the wagons.
Either one of them is lying, or there is another accomplice.”
“Has the leader regained consciousness?”
“Yes.
Two men are watching him.”
“Understood.”
The underground room had iron bars separating us from the chamber within.
I had never visited the barracks before, much less a dungeon.
I had not even known it existed.
As I walked hesitantly, Brian-sama took my hand.
“You may feel uneasy, but that only proves how dangerous he is.
I agree with Eric’s precautions.”
Inside, two knights stood guard—one at the entrance, one beside the man.
The man was bound tightly to a wooden chair and gagged.
He had a plain, unremarkable face and looked entirely harmless.
“Thank you.
Go upstairs and rest.
No one is to enter until we return.”
The knights departed, and the door shut.
Silence fell instantly.
“Vice Commander, please.”
“Very well.
First, the gag.
I will handle that.
Step back.”
Brian-sama approached the man.
When would he administer the truth serum?
He appeared to hold nothing.
Perhaps it was a small pill, no larger than a fingernail.
I watched expectantly, but he gave the man nothing.
The interrogation began.
Brian-sama stood beside the man.
Brother sat facing him and began questioning.
“State your name.”
“Marco.
I came to deliver apology gifts.
I serve the Marquis of Deal.”
“Then why were you carrying these stolen accessories?”
Brother laid my jewelry before him, including the fan and incense.
“I found them.”
His blatant excuse shocked me.
Then I realized that if he insisted, proving the lie would not be simple.
He was accustomed to this.
Not an ordinary man.
“Why did you come to this estate?”
“To deliver apology gifts.”
“Enough lies.
The marquis sent no such envoy or cargo.
Where did you procure those goods?”
“Lord Jason of the Marquis household told me to bring them.
I know nothing else.”
“Jason, is it?
A convenient excuse.
The dead cannot speak.”
“What do you mean?”
“Never mind.
It is nothing important.”
Brother ended it there.
The man seemed caught off guard.
He had not expected Jason’s death to be dismissed so lightly.
He shifted his gaze from Brother to Brian-sama, then to me.
His expression twisted.
“So the rumors are entirely wrong.
What quiet, timid young lady?
You are not shaken at all—despite deaths and attacks.”