ITIWAFRBIAHS Chapter 12

Honestly, it would be a lie to say I didn't want to look at the dazzling shop windows and shout 'I'll take everything from here to there.'

So when I realized it was a department store, I was a bit excited wondering if I could shout that line.

But um, to conclude, I couldn't do that.

"Are there any other product categories you'd like to see?"

"Rose, how about getting new outfits tailored? I heard a designer from Callerta is on the third floor."

"Hahaha......"

So we're not choosing from ready-made clothes but calling a designer to have things custom-made. I understand.

As soon as we entered, we were guided by a group of people to a spacious and splendid private room. After that, staff served refreshments and brought various luxurious items into the room to show and explain to us.

This is... how should I put it, like doing home shopping directly instead of through TV. This isn't the category of shopping I had imagined.

Instead of the joy of choosing, I only felt strange pressure that I should buy something since they were explaining so earnestly. Maybe it's because I empathize with the service industry position.

Eventually I attempted escape.

"Just a moment... I'll go wash my face."

It wasn't a roundabout way of saying I wanted to go to the bathroom. I really wanted to splash some cold water on my face. Anyone would feel this way after listening to desperate and polite solicitation for two hours - I'd bet the dessert I had for dinner on it.

Eventually I left the room with several staff members who offered to guide me. I was walking quickly down the marble corridor toward the bathroom when I saw something unexpected.

"A payphone?"

That's right. It was made of elegant dark wood so I almost passed it thinking it was some decoration, but looking closely, it was a payphone booth.

Then the business card I received earlier flashed through my mind.

Huh, how about calling that detective to ask him to investigate this body's family? It was an impulsive thought, but it didn't seem like it would hurt to try.

I asked the staff for their understanding, then quickly entered the payphone booth.

And thirty seconds later, I stuck my head out again.

"Sorry, but... could you lend me some change?"

I'll pay it back double by today. Please!!

Fortunately, one staff member took pity on me floundering in a cauldron of embarrassment and lent me change. I decided. For today, I'll buy up to three of whatever this staff member recommends.

I entered the booth again with determination.

The ivory telephone was the type where you turn with your finger to match numbers.

Wow, this is my first time actually using one. After several trial and error attempts, I was finally able to contact the number on the business card.

Click. The small signal cut off and a confident, strong voice answered the phone.

-Hello. This is Meyer Taylor Detective Agency.

"Um, I'm the person who received your business card earlier."

-Ah, the young lady who wears mansions around her neck!

The detective's voice brightened.

-Quick contact. I like it. Is there something I can help you with?

"Um... I'd like you to investigate something."

-Investigation! My specialty.

The detective asked in a confident tone.

-Background check on that creepy fiancé of yours?

Our main male lead is a bit creepily handsome, but a background check is going too far. This guy, during business too... seems to drink too much kimchi soup trying to make a deep impression.

"No. I'd like you to look into a certain family."

-Hmm, which family exactly?

"Ah, near here there's a huge mansion with a rose garden attached..."

-......The Aubert family?

He got it right immediately - must be famous for being rich.

"Ah, yes. There."

-.......

A moment of silence passed. Don't tell me after stealing dessert earlier, now he's going to say something like 'Investigating that is a bit... like invading privacy' with modern ethical remarks?

-Hmm...... This is quite, how should I put it.

The detective's voice that came again seemed somewhat shaken.

"Yes?"

-Miss, may I ask why you want to know?

If I say I'm the daughter of that house but my memory is coming and going so I'm collecting information, wouldn't it end up in the local newspaper the next day?

<Daughter of Tycoon Becomes Mental Patient!>

Something like that title is expected.

I should make something up.

"I got interested. I don't mean investigating deep personal matters, just rumors circulating recently or objectively known past events would be fine."

I could hear the detective scribbling notes with a pen.

-Mm mm, rumors and past events...

The young man answered in a cheerful voice.

-Not difficult. Yes. Of course it's possible.

"Yes, yes."

-Then shall we do the first report in about two days? Listen to it first, then decide whether to receive the next report or not.

Faster than I thought. That's fine.

"Alright."

-Good. Ah, I usually handle investigation cases like this with up to three phases in mind and take payment in advance.

The detective added in a tone that even felt a bit cute.

-To commemorate us becoming friends, I'll do the first report for free out of friendship.

"I'll just pay."

This feeling... like being caught by phone salespeople on the street. I firmly refuse. But unexpectedly, the detective burst into hearty laughter. My ear rang through the phone.

-Haha, I'd be happy if you pay. Still, I'll always be ready to become friends.

"Yes, yes."

After that, we briefly discussed payment methods and how to receive information.

First, money would be sent through the bank by tomorrow. And information would be heard two days later, when I call this number again.

This was due to the logical reason of preventing him from inferring that I was a member of this household through the phone number, combined with the practical reason that I had absolutely no idea what this body's home phone number was.

-Then see you in two days.

"Yes. Please take care of it."

I finished the call and quickly left the phone booth. Since more time had passed than expected, I decided not to stop by the bathroom and just return. So I immediately thanked the staff who had waited and returned to the room together.

And I saw an amazing sight.

"Rose, is this the item you ordered?"

"Wow."

I eagerly received the camera my fiancé held out. It was bigger and heavier than what I saw in the catalog, giving a stable feeling that was just right. It was one of the two final candidate models I had ordered first to check performance.

"May I try using it?"

"Yes. It's functioning normally."

At the polite staff member's words, I raised the camera and focused on my fiancé.

My fiancé's eyes widened a bit, but instead of refusing, he gave me a small smile. That smile was refreshing and wistful. Yet somehow there was a sensual feeling in the eye area and under the chin line.

This could be sold at an exploitative price per photo and still sell. I can guarantee it. I tried hard not to let my hands shake. Image stabilization hasn't come out yet.

Finally, when I was confident I had taken a perfect shot, I was able to put down the camera. I will definitely use this to take all kinds of photos of my fiancé and make a photo book. This feeling of taking one step closer to my grand dream is really good!

My fiancé guided me to a chair after I put down the camera. And he gestured to various types of cameras that staff had brought in and said:

"I didn't know much about cameras so I wasn't aware, but there are various types. So I ordered a few more and sent them to the mansion."

Awesome.

"Are there any more cameras you'd like to have? Please feel free to look around."

Thank you. All of this will become assets for your photo book.

I purchased three more cameras on the spot. Since my fan desires were overflowing, the shopping format didn't matter much, which was very surprising.

When shopping ended and we left the department store, it was already close to midnight. I was satisfied, holding the camera I had specially taken instead of sending to the mansion. I should take pictures of my fiancé driving on the way home. Hahaha!

But my fiancé made a different proposal.

"It might be dangerous to cross the garden in such darkness."

"Last time I got there fine from the main gate......"

"Mm, we can't always count on luck."

That didn't seem like luck but really finding the way well......?

No, more than that, why didn't they build a proper roadway for vehicles through the center of the garden? Was the garden already established before cars became widespread? Perhaps it even served a defensive function for the mansion back in medieval times.

Anyway, my fiancé's recommendation was this:

"How about staying at that hotel and going in tomorrow? We can contact the mansion separately."

Could this be... the equivalent of 'want to come up for ramen'......?

"You don't need to worry about safety. There are only two guest rooms on the top floor, and I'll use the room opposite yours."

It wasn't.

Ey, ey. Feeling something between expectation and relief, I eventually accepted his suggestion. It would be nice to stay on the top floor of an expensive hotel too.

So after even receiving a massage at the ultra-luxurious hotel where you could savor the taste of capitalism, I fell asleep. The next morning at dawn, an unexpected visitor came bursting in.

"Get up!"

Opening my eyes to the shout, my stepbrother in perfect women's clothing stood there with a pale face.

Ugh, what a shock! How did he know I was here? Who let him in? And why all this fuss so early in the morning? Looking at the clock, it's 6:30. I'm sleepy.

"What is it...... at this dawn."

"This is morning enough. Hurry up and get ready to go back."

My stepbrother swallowed hard.

"Mother has returned."

Work Rules 12.
Cameras are prohibited items in all areas including servant quarters. When discovered, film must be immediately incinerated and absolutely must not be developed.

I wanted to finish off with the hotel breakfast before going, but what a waste. I got in the car with a blank expression, clicking my tongue. As soon as the door closed, the driver who appeared to be from the mansion drove boldly down the main road that was still quiet in the early morning.

My fiancé had apparently left at dawn after receiving an urgent business telegram, leaving only a letter. I expected a letter with all kinds of flowery phrases like last time, but perhaps because he was really in a hurry, it was very straightforward.

First, there was an apology for leaving hastily and a promise to return within two days. He said he had arranged for meals to be handled by a trustworthy person, so I should say it was a gift from my fiancé and accept it.

And the ending was like this:

[Please refrain from dangerous or uncertain adventures, always prioritize safety, and have a comfortable time. Rose.]

Anyone would think I'm a 7-year-old neighborhood gang leader. Moreover, my stepbrother, who has now been cleared from my suspect list, also knows about the poisoning incident. So we probably don't need to arrange food delivery, but my fiancé seems very worried after the misunderstanding from our last meeting.

Actually, my stepbrother looks more worrying than me. I tried talking to Jeril, who was still pale and huddled in the seat next to me.

"Are you feeling unwell? Your face is blue."

"......It's not a physical problem."

Oh, a cynical but properly structured sentence came back. I thought he might ignore me or tell me not to talk to him. Still, it seems favorability has built up considerably. Let me ask in more detail.

"If it's not physical, is there something bothering you?"

"......You're quite carefree, considering mother might find out about going out and even staying out overnight."

Huk, come to think of it, that's right!

I broke into a cold sweat thinking of stepmother's attitude of advocating absolute rest and being overprotective. No, I had just been thinking of going out briefly while she was away, but this turned it into ignoring her wishes and staying out overnight. What kind of unfilial conduct is this when she seems to have trauma?

"I told the servants to keep quiet. When mother arrives home, you need to answer that we never went out."

"R-right."

Really sibling-like conversation.

I quickly nodded. Fortunately, she hasn't arrived home yet but seems to be on her way, as if he received a phone call. My stepbrother is now gnawing his thumbnail.

Maybe he's recalling when he received the call.

Um, I decided to bring up small talk to ease Jeril's anxiety, who seemed too tense.

"Ah, did you finish your business while out?"

I heard he was going to a clothing store. So this is asking if he bought lots of new clothes. I expected enjoyable fan talk to follow, but got a defensive response.

"It's personal business."

Mm, could this be because he can't answer, worried that he might start talking passionately about something only he's interested in and make things awkward?

I can understand that. I decided to view my socially awkward stepbrother from a warm perspective. He doesn't seem like a bad person, so let me approach him gradually.

My stepbrother hesitated, then asked me in return.

"Then why did you go out?"

"Wow, you passed it off as personal business yourself. That's too much!"

"Th-then don't answer either!"

Fine. It's nothing special anyway. I shook my head at my stepbrother whose face had turned red. Still, his color has returned.

"I had dinner and went shopping. Ah, I bought a camera too."

"What?!"

When I showed him the camera I carefully carried in a box, my stepbrother was shocked. Indeed, cameras must have become items tacitly not brought into the mansion after that wedding.

I shrugged.

"Don't worry, I won't show it to mother."

I need to start with photos I take and gradually, naturally infiltrate the house without stimulating her trauma! I believe without doubt that my fiancé's beauty will greatly contribute to this.

"......Right. Don't show it to her."

My stepbrother quickly took my camera and put it back in the box, then closed it tightly. Only after making just the department store logo visible did he seem relieved and let go. Right, right, I'll carry it like this, so don't worry.

"If you develop photos, definitely bring them to me too."

"Sure!"

You know how to say quite heartwarming things, you brat. I cheerfully agreed with a smile.

With that warmly concluded conversation, the car arrived at the main gate.

Jeril and I hurriedly got out and half-ran across the garden. The garden at sunrise was romantic and beautiful, but honestly I couldn't even see it. It felt like climbing a mountain peak at dawn where your boss is waiting.

Jeril said solemnly:

"Mother seems to be arriving around lunchtime. Until then, let's say we were each in our rooms."

I answered equally solemnly:

"Good. Should we say we had dinner together last night?"

"Let's do that."

We felt some strange camaraderie as we crossed the garden and arrived at the front door.

And as soon as we opened the door, we froze.

"You've returned. My daughters."

'Oh my...... stepmother!'

Stepmother was standing at the front door!

Even more, working staff were lined up on both sides of stepmother, waiting. With dozens of people, the entrance was packed. If I came home the morning after staying out overnight and all the relatives were gathered in the living room looking at me, would it feel like this?

If this were a comic, I'd already be bathing in cold sweat. Creaking as I looked to the side, Jeril was also frozen. His expression was dazed. I probably have the same expression.......

"Was your outing enjoyable?"

"Y-yes......"

No, should I unconditionally apologize for staying out overnight without saying anything? What am I answering right now? Uaaa, I don't know!

"I see. You're at an age where you want to go out. Maybe I was too excessive due to worry."

Huh? Stepmother was unexpectedly calm. She dismissed the working staff with a gesture while not losing her smile. Could she be so angry that she's actually become calm?

"Our Rose, still, don't go out too often. Your health might really get worse. And you must take your medicine, alright?"

Aah... Somehow my conscience feels more pricked...This feeling...

I silently nodded.

"Then wash up and rest a bit. And shall we have breakfast together? I'm curious about how you've been spending these few days."

It's only been two or three days though. I didn't say it given the atmosphere.

"Jeril... your complexion is bad. Will you be alright having breakfast together?"

Glancing over, his complexion really is bad. I was nearly 100% certain he'd refuse, but my stepbrother nodded while seeming to grit his teeth.

Stepmother answered that she understood while still not losing her smile, and I was honestly relieved that breakfast wouldn't be a one-on-one interview atmosphere.