Chapter 2
The Prize for Lady Detective
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Finding something that’s missing isn’t hard—if you already know where to look.
Even if someone tried to hide it by dyeing its silver mane and pretending it was just a regular workhorse, it wasn’t exactly a masterwork of deception. Racehorses have a completely different build from working horses. Seriously, who uses a Thoroughbred for heavy labor? So, when I searched a nearby stable based on what I remembered from my previous life, it didn’t take much effort to spot and identify the famed horse.
To be honest, I was just following ‘the Original Script.’ I didn’t do anything more than walk on the spath of someone who’d already done it before. However, what lay beyond my confidence was the race’s result. In ‘The Abduction of Silver Blaze,’ the story might conclude with the famed horse’s glorious victory in the story. But what if reality had other plans? What would I do about my monthly allowance if something went wrong!?
Damn it, Hudson!
300 gold coins turned into a ticket. If that horse lost, all that money would turn into worthless paper!
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The starter raises his flag, and... they’re off!
Silver Blaze, as expected, takes the early lead, his majestic form cutting through the pack like a knife through butter. But wait—there’s another challenger! Midnight Fury, pushing hard on Silver Blaze’s flank and taking the lead! Could this be the race to dethrone our reigning champion?
What is that!? Another horse!?
Thunderstrike sprints so fast, closing the gap—but wait—he’s exhausted! What a burst of speed, but it looks like he’s spent everything he had! Midnight Fury still holds the lead, but Silver Blaze isn’t backing down! The gap is closing, folks. The champion is digging deep, refusing to let his title slip away so easily.
They’re approaching the final bend now!
Midnight Fury is holding strong, but here comes Silver Blaze—he’s gaining ground, inch by inch, finding his second wind. They’re neck-and-neck on this turn!
Wait! Thunderstrike—what a comeback!
What in the world!? He’s not done yet!?
But alas, this seems too little, too late. He’s trailing behind Midnight Fury and Silver Blaze, and now, the two leaders are pulling away. They’re heading into the straightaway.
Silver Blaze is surging!
Look at him go! He’s caught up to Midnight Fury!
Silver Blaze pulls ahead—Midnight Fury can’t keep up anymore! Silver Blaze is flying down the stretch, powering through like a true champion!
And there it is! Silver Blaze crosses the finish line first—yet again!
What an incredible race! The crowd is on its feet—another magnificent win for Silver Blaze, our reigning champion! Well done, Silver Blaze! What a performance! He truly deserves this victory!
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“Yes… BOY!!! YES!!! Just like that!”
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In the rush of adrenaline, I leaped from my seat and hurled my fan onto the ground in wild celebration. Sorry for my manner—but I absolutely deserved this moment!
You see, it’s not every day a lady finds herself in the risky position of having her father gamble away her entire monthly allowance—and then miraculously win. But hey, don’t get me wrong, I still firmly believe gambling is a terrible idea, especially when the sum at stake is as absurdly large as 300 gold coins. But today, fortune decided to smile on me.
With that horse’s victory, I had narrowly survived financial ruin.
“Ahem!” Oh, dear. It seemed the nearby spectators didn’t share in my enthusiasm. One gentleman coughed pointedly, while others silently gazed, their raised brows speaking volumes. Clearly, their collective opinion was unfavorable: a young noblewoman blissfully dancing in public was far from proper behavior.
So, “Gentlemen, I must apologize for my unrestrained outburst.” Catching my breath and straightening my posture, I gave them a sheepish smile, attempting some damage control. “I am quite a fan of that horse, you see, and found it… difficult to resist celebrating its victory. I deeply regret disturbing your peace. Allow me to excuse myself and, if you would be so kind, please just forget my face!”
Without waiting for a response, I turned on my heel and made a hasty exit. My heart still pounded with the thrill of Silver Blaze’s victory as I clutched my betting ticket. My thoughts were already running wild with ideas on how to spend the payout.
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Ah, yes, perhaps a new collection of books to fill my shelves? Or maybe I could invest in my household’s R&D section? This fund might help them rediscover something useful from my previous life.
But, hm, why don’t I, the Lady, take an interest in something like clothing?
Please, don’t forget that this society is set in an Industrial Revolution! Sure, the steampunk elements might contribute to technological progress, but fashion is still stuck in the dark ages. Don’t even think about something comfortable like jeans and T-shirts. And while there are, indeed, beautiful dresses, they are not the kind you’d want to wear. By the standards of this era, ‘Fashion’ means elaborate gowns with layers upon layers of fabric, delicate embroidery, and—corsets. Bloody, damned corsets.
I refuse to spend a single coin on a torture device for myself!
Now, what about cosmetics?
Uh… Seriously, are you trying to kill me!?
In case you weren’t aware, cosmetics in this era are practically poisons. They’re still in the trial-and-error phase, loaded with toxic ingredients like heavy metals. If you want my advice, avoid them entirely until at least the 20th century—unless, of course, you can find a reliable reincarnated pharmacist in your world.
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“Hello, young lady, how may I be of service?”
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“I’ve come for my payout, sir! Here’s my ticket.” I handed it over with a victorious smile, already picturing the weight of gold in my hands. The teller, a middle-aged man with sharp eyes, glanced at the slip before raising a brow.
“You know, gambling isn’t for children, right? May I ask you to confirm that you’re not under 17 years old?”
“Of course…” Not. But considering my mental age is over seventy, I considered that more than qualified me for this. The man eyed me for a moment before shrugging and turning to his ledger.
“All right, 300 gold coins… That’s quite a sum.”
His tone had subtly shifted—more cautious than before.
I narrowed my eyes. “Sir, is something wrong?”
“Well, no, not exactly,” he said, though his hesitation spoke otherwise. He slid a piece of document toward me. “Just sign your name here, and I’ll process your payout.”
I picked up the quill but then—paused.
“Sir, is 2,700 gold coins correctly my payout?” I tapped the feathered tip against my chin, my gaze shifting from the document to the teller.
“Of course,” The man blinked. “Why? That’s a jackpot—you shouldn’t be troubled over it.”
“No, sir, I’m just curious about the payout rate.”
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
He adjusted his glasses and flipped through the betting records. “Oh, you mean the 1:9 odds? Seems a lot of people were convinced that Silver Blaze could not win the first place, this time.”
“I see… Is this related to the rumors about the horse’s disappearance?”
“You heard about that, too?” The teller chuckled. “Yes, it might’ve played a part, but actually, there were also people who placed large bets on Midnight Fury—the second-place horse—even the day before the rumor spread. And I can say that those bets made up the largest portion of the pool.”
A large bet on Midnight Fury?
Even before the rumor spread?
That’s odd—very, very odd.
From what I knew, only one person—Mr. Starker—should’ve been aware that something would go wrong with Silver Blaze’s performance.
But the word ‘People’—that meant multiple individuals.
I leaned forward slightly, lowering my voice. “Sir, can you tell me anything more?”
The teller sighed, shaking his head. “Sorry, I’ve already said too much. Technically, client information is confidential.”
I smiled, collecting my winnings. “I understand. Thank you for your time.”
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The unanswered questions clouded my mind.
I wondered if this unusual odds shift was a consequence of something much larger than what I had uncovered in my investigation. However, the result favored me, didn’t it? Even if a mysterious party was involved, their conspiracy had backfired spectacularly.
Hah. What should I say?
Congratulations, they outplayed themselves.
So, I suppose there’s no need to let this bother me anymore.
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“Lady Hound, you seem to be enjoying yourself a little too much. Are you truly convinced this is the end?” A whisper—light as a breeze, yet somehow slicing straight into my ear.
No—ACTUALLY, IT WAS JUST BEHIND MY EAR!
“Ex—Excuse me!?”
I jolted upright, nearly dropping my well-earned fortune onto the ground. How on earth had this strange man managed to get so close without me noticing!?
I spun around—only to be met with a stranger.
A man with deep blue hair, slightly older than me, stood there, watching with an amused glint in his eyes. I had never seen him before—or at least, I thought I hadn’t. Dressed in a well-fitted suit, adorned with a top hat and a polished cane, he carried the air of a refined gentleman. His confident smirk, his effortless charm… If I were writing a novel, I’d have cast him as the perfect roguish hero.
Sure, he was handsome, but…
Something was wrong.
The atmosphere had shifted in an instant. My mind knew it was still midday, the sun shining overhead, and yet—his presence shrouded my senses. It felt as if the world had dimmed, as though I had unknowingly stepped into a foggy night. A chill crept over my skin, sharp and unnatural, like standing in snowfall out of season.
And more than that—was he… carrying a Scent of Death?
Urgh… What an infuriating person.
“Who are you? And how do you know my name?”
The stranger took a step back and placed a hand over his chest in an exaggerated display of politeness. “Oh, where are my manners? My name is John.”
“John what? John who?” I shot him a glare. “And you still haven’t answered my question—how do you know my name!?”
“Just ‘John,’ for now, Lady Hound.” His smirk deepened. “And as for your name… well, you are the only daughter of Duke Silas Hound, aren’t you? It’s unnecessary to search through the census to find it.”
Buh, he is a real creep!
If this was some kind of strategy to make a move on me, let me tell you—it was a complete blunder! Sure, a girl might be impressed, if you know something about her, but knowing too much before we even spoke…
Good grace, is he a stalker!?
“Alright, I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want to know you anymore.” I turned, fully prepared to walk away.
That ‘John’ guy chuckled. “I see. And what about the unusual payout? You’re not still curious about it?”
“Well…” Yes.
He nodded, as if he had already expected my answer. “Johann Starker certainly benefited from Silver Blaze’s loss, but he wasn’t alone in his scheme. There were others—individuals with a vested interest in the outcome.”
I crossed my arms. “Please don’t waste my time with things anyone could figure out. If you actually know something, then tell me—who are these people?”
“Forgive me,” ‘John’ guy tilted his head slightly. “But this kind of business information is… sensitive. Unless, of course, you happen to be someone with real authority to make me talk.”
His words carried a teasing lilt, but his gaze was sharp—measuring me.
“However,” he continued, “what I can tell you is this—I am one among those people who suffered a devastating loss… all thanks to you.”
“Ah, I see…” I said with an exaggerated nod. “You must be ‘the Narcissistic Villain’ type who loves to boast about his plans to the protagonist, even when they completely fall apart.”
“Villain? Protagonist?” He raised an eyebrow, looking more amused than offended. “Are you under the impression that this is some kind of drama?”
“All the world’s a stage,” I shot back. “Everyone plays a role! And you, Mister, are involved in an illicit scheme that only benefits you when others unfairly lose—that’s the mark of a true villain. Now, I wonder what you’ll do next. Will you try to steal my money outright? Or perhaps extort me? If you so much as attempt either, I’ll have the Metropolitan Knights on you in an instant!”
The man raised his hands in mock surrender. “Oh no, no—don’t worry. I have no intention of doing anything to you.” He tapped the handle of his cane, his eyes glinting with something unreadable.
“You see, there are others who lost money… just like me. Some are desperate. Some are ruthless. I doubt you’ll make it home without facing peril. And when you do get robbed, well… It would feel far more honorable for me to steal from the thief, instead of a lady.”
I narrowed my eyes. “If you expect me to be robbed, then why warn me?”
“Because…” His smile widened. “I think I’d like to follow you home. But, if I did it without telling you, it would make me a ‘Stalker,’ right?”
That… eh—what kind of twisted logic was that!?
You know what? I couldn’t tolerate him anymore!
“Do whatever you want. The streets are public property, after all. However—just because you insist you’re not a stalker doesn’t change the fact that you’re a creepy jerk!”
That ‘John’ guy simply chuckled, tipping his hat. “Goodbye then, Lady Hound. It’s been truly delightful to see you in person.”
Sorry, but I think not!
Scoffing, I spun on my heel and marched away, determined to wipe our conversation from my memory.
However—just as I took my first step outside the stadium, a stranger’s hand seized my wrist. I understand that I recently had been warned about this kind of danger, but seriously!? I had barely taken a single step!
“There you are, you ungrateful girl!” A man’s voice rang out—loud, forceful, dripping with authority. “Running off to gamble behind your father’s back, have you!?”
What—!?
“Who on bloody earth are you—”
SMACK!
A sharp crack echoed as the man’s backhand struck my cheek.
Pain flared across my face, stinging and sharp. My true father has never laid a hand on me like this, and even my mother, who often insists on teaching me about violent stuff, had strict limits—nothing will ever go beyond the training grounds.
Gasps rippled through the crowd. People turned to stare. Some whispered.
For a brief moment, I was just as confused as they were. But the sting of the slap jolted my mind into clarity.
“I see now,” I said coldly. “You’re pretending to be an outraged father. Creating a domestic scene so that, even if you get violent, bystanders will hesitate to interfere.”
His grip on my wrist tightened. “Shut up, you little brat, or I’ll hit you again!”
Ah… so that’s how it was.
In a truly civilized world, a bystander would have already stepped in. Or at the very least, this kind of incident would be instantly reported to the authorities.
But even in my previous life, reality was never that ideal.
So, I never expected to live in the Utopia here either…
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“Hey! What are you doing!?”
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Reaching into my pocket, I grabbed the small canister tucked inside. It might look like perfume, but trust me—this wasn’t something anyone wanted to smell. Before the man could react, I pulled it out and sprayed him point-blank in the face.
It was a moment of silence—but then—“ARGHHHHHHHHH!!!”
His scream tore through the air as he stumbled back, clutching his face. Even a strong man uncontrollably cried like a child.
“You witch! What did you do to me!? What did you put in my eyes!?”