Chapter 5
Interlude
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True to his word, John followed me all the way home.
Even if my Bakerstead Estate was located at the outskirts of the city, he still insisted on catching the same train. He didn’t seem bothered that it might be a great detour from anywhere he lived. Maybe… I should be more positive about him, considering that after he accompanied me as an escort, nothing had caused me trouble.
With him sitting nearby, I felt at ease enough to rest.
And when we reached the destination, he woke me up.
“Wakey, wakey! You’re too trusting of your rescuer! Just because he saves you once, doesn’t mean he’ll forever have good intentions toward you.”
I groaned, opening my heavy eyelids.
“Uh… Why do you really want me to think of you as the villain so badly?”
“Hey, it’s my goodwill! I don’t want you being fooled by anyone else, except me, at least!”
I sighed, resting my head against the window once again.
The train slowed, and with a creak, it came to a halt at Bakerstead Station. As the doors slid open, the fresh countryside air rushed in, carrying the sweet, earthy scent of fields and forests.
Outside, the landscape stretched in all directions—a peaceful vast greenland contrast to the mechanical world of Steamburg. People lived here at a much slower pace and agriculture was their life. There might be a few lumber yards and a mining industry here but pollution here was much lesser than the Heart of most Industrial Nation on this earth.
This land was the closest countryside oasis for Steamburg.
And it will remain as long as it’s under my father’s ownership.
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“Well, I’ve reached my home… Now, get lost!”
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I stretched as I stepped onto the platform, turning to John with a flat stare. He placed a hand over his heart with a dramatic gasp.
“Cold to me again? I see—I’ve already outlived my usefulness.”
“Well, yes.”
“Aw, my heart—wounded beyond repair! If I had known this would happen, I would’ve jumped into the sea when the train crossed the bridge.”
“It would be the polite thing for me to plead with you not to do that…” crossing my arms, I answered with frustration. “But judging from your tone, I doubt you must be someone too vain to die by your own hand.”
John let out an amused chuckle, but I didn’t wait for a response. I turned on my heels and strode toward the manor. As I approached the grand estate, the knights standing at the gate saluted before letting me pass.
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“Welcome back, my Little Lady.”
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For a noble family, allowing their daughter to come and go as she pleased was surely considered a taboo practice. No respectable household would ever dream of letting their young lady step beyond the estate’s gates without an escort, much less roam the city streets unsupervised.
Yet here I was, doing exactly that—returning home unattended, my hair a tangled mess and my body bruised—without a single question asked or a scolding waiting for me.
This wasn’t negligence. This wasn't an oversight.
This was exactly how my parents intended to raise me.
Having grown up in unconventional circumstances themselves, they saw no issue with raising me in an equally unconventional manner. To them, near-limitless freedom wasn’t just a privilege—it was a fundamental part of my upbringing. They believed that, once I was old enough to understand the world, I was old enough to navigate it on my own.
I know this was supposed to be a rare blessing for women in Victorian society. But lately, I am beginning to see it as a curse in disguise.
You see, my father was a Spy, and my mother was an Assassin.
Neither of them had a common sense about their child's safety. And the only reason their parenting hadn’t ended in absolute disaster was that I’d already lived an entire life before this one—or I might have probably gotten myself killed as a child!
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“My Little Lady, you snared a man home today?”
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When the door swung open, a familiar voice sliced through the air. My governess stood at the front, hands neatly folded in front of her. Her composure was unwavering. Even when she roasted me, it was always done with the utmost grace.
“Oh, Hudson, my good madam! Is that a good thing to tease your dignified mistress?”
“You are many things, my Little Lady, but ‘Dignified’ isn’t one of them,” she replied, as calm as ever. “Especially when you return home in such a dreadful condition.”
Urgh… Talking about this, “Isn’t it you and my Father’s fault!? If it weren’t for your scheme to bet my monthly allowance on a horse race, I wouldn’t have been a target for robbery!”
“I accept this complaint, my Little Lady,” Hudson nodded her head slightly. “However, if you wish for your father to hear it, I suggest filing it directly with him at dinner. He and your mother are both waiting for you.”
Ah, yes. Another ordinary day in the life of Lady Sherlin Hound.
Whether I narrowly avoided being taken hostage or barely escaped from a furious criminal, my parents always welcomed me home with a warm meal, as if nothing had happened. If we ignored the glaring fact that allowing one's child to live like this should be considered a form of ‘Child Endangerment,’ then… sure. I suppose their support was admirable, as they believed they were letting me pursue what I was ‘Good’ at.
The problem is…
Being a detective isn’t what I’m good at at all. And even if it was, it’s certainly not something I want to do—unless the situation is truly urgent enough to require my attention.
“Hello, Sherlin! How was your day?”
A sweet, maternal voice welcomed me back after what had been a long and troubling day.
My mother, Mycella Hound, sat at the dining table, dressed in a loose, casual blouse with her sleeves rolled up. Despite being the Duke’s wife—making her a Duchess by title—she had never adopted the refined manners expected of noblewomen as she was never born into nobility. Yet, whether it was due to her beautiful presence or her peak-human strength, the household servants respected her all the same.
I let out a long sigh before dropping into my seat. “Well, Mother, if we don’t count the fact that I was mugged three times today…” I trailed off, throwing a pointed look at my ever-calm father, waiting to see if he would react. “…I’d say it was a lucky day! Someone gave me a betting ticket, and I ended up winning 2,700 gold coins.”
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“Wow, that’s amazing!” my mother clapped her hands together, practically glowing with excitement. “But what about those poor muggers who were foolish enough to attack you?”
I leaned back and took a first bite from my plate. “If we’re keeping track—five were left groaning on the ground where I last saw them. One managed to run away.”
At the head of the table, my father, Duke Silas Hound, finally met my gaze. His immaculate silver hair was neatly combed. As the true noble-born in this family, poise and control came as naturally to him as breathing. Unlike my mother, who radiated the untamed energy of a blazing fire, my father embodied the stillness of a deep, unshaken ocean.
“Now that is a new statistic.”
A soft chuckle escaped his lips as he rested his chin against his fingers.
“You see, my love—a poor performance on the training ground does not determine our daughter’s survivability in real-world situations.”
“EXCUSE ME?!!” I slammed my hands on the table, my blood boiling.
“Sure, I handled two of those men myself, but during the last attack, I was surrounded by a gang of four! They even threatened to abduct me! If it weren’t for someone stepping in, I might not have made it out in one piece!”
My mother’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. “Oh, so our daughter has a charming prince?”
Wait. What!? NO!!!
“Not charming!” Not charming at all!
I recoiled, horrified at how my mother had just framed the Jerk in such a… heroic way. “He’s a stalker, a pervert, and a total jerk! Sure, he saved me from those crooks, but he mentally disturbed me along the way—which I am NOT okay with!”
Silence filled the dining room for exactly two seconds before my father took a casual sip of his wine, humming thoughtfully.
“Hmph. Sounds like a fascinating individual. Who is this man, may I ask?”
I crossed my arms, still fuming. “His name is ‘John.’”
“Which John? What John? There are a million Johns in the world!” my father questioned.
“Well, that’s exactly my question, Father! But that weirdo avoided to answer me!”
My father rested his chin on his fingers, considering. “I see… then it’s likely because he’s an orphan.”
I frowned. “Orphan?”
“To have a last name means to have a family. If he never knew his parents, then where would he get a surname from?”
I blinked. That… actually made sense. “I never thought about that before.” But then another issue came to mind. “Still, he seemed far too young to be that rich. How does someone like him make that kind of money without family support?”
My father tilted his head slightly. “That might be… because he pursued a career involving crime.”
“C—Crime!? Are you telling me that the man who’s been stalking me is a CRIMINAL!?”
“It’s a possibility. For one to legally ‘Grow Tall’—people need a foundation. But for those without one, they have only two choices: wait for an opportunity from those who already stand above… or climb up on their own and take it.”
Thinking back on it—John had a strange behavior.
“I see. That’s… reasonable.”
His mindset was far from that of an ordinary person, and he had single-handedly taken down multiple men with disturbing ease.
“Father, let me ask you directly. This isn’t the first time I’ve come home after an ‘Unfortunate Event’—don’t you, as my ever-dutiful father, think it’s time to improve my security measures?”
Duke Silas hummed thoughtfully, then sighed. “Hah… my daughter is acting like a grumpy old woman again. I don’t assign you an escort because it would only hinder you and be terribly inconvenient. Shouldn’t you youngsters prefer freedom in life?”
“Well… that’s true.”
If this were my first time being a youngster, perhaps I’d agree wholeheartedly.
But this world isn’t some idyllic, peaceful land. It’s the setting of a detective story—one where the BLOODY WRITER (!?!?) purposely designed it to be twistingly dangerous.
Here, there may not be a Demonic Being looming over humanity, threatening the world’s destruction, but the criminals—some of them are monstrosities in human flesh. And while there may not be a Dark Emperor wielding unlimited power, the masterminds of this era are no less crafty and resourceful. They weave conspiracies without the need for supernatural forces.
Which is why…
“Father, my job can be more efficient, if you help me find an Investigative Partner?”
“An Investigative Partner?” My father raised an eyebrow. “That’s an interesting suggestion. But I have my doubts—who in their right mind would agree to partner with you?”
Hey, about that—I had an idea.
I sat up straight, a spark of excitement in my voice. “How about we hire a knight?”
“A knight?” my father repeated, his tone skeptical.
“Yes! A veteran—someone looking for additional income after receiving an honorable discharge. A brave, trustworthy, and dependable gentleman! And if he happens to be a battle surgeon and enjoys writing, that would be perfect for my investigations!”
My father chuckled lightly, swirling the wine in his glass. “Hmph. That’s quite the specific character you’re describing. But you know what? I don’t think it would work.”
“Why not?” I frowned at my father's answer.
“You see, if someone received an honorable discharge, there’s a reason they left military service. An injury or a desire for a more stable life are likely their reasons. And if he has medical knowledge—especially as a surgeon—why wouldn’t he open a clinic instead of running around solving crimes with the Lady Detective?”
My father was… very right.
Wait a minute… Does that mean the character of Sir William Watson is a bunch of bullsh*t!?
Good grace, if what Father said is true, and someone like Watson could never logically exist in my story, then… then… where am I supposed to get my investigative partner now!?
“Sherlin, why the long face?”
My mother’s voice snapped me out of my spiraling thoughts. She clapped her hands together, eyes twinkling mischievously. “We might not find someone who fits your specific criteria, but if what you want is a brave, trustworthy, and dependable gentleman…” She turned to Father, a wicked grin spreading across her lips. “Darling, I think it’s time for Sherlin to start accepting suitor applications!”
“PFFT—” I spat out my drink, nearly choking on my mother’s absurdity.
“**Cough**—**Cough**—Mother, I think you’re confused! I didn’t mean that kind of partner! I want a professional partnership, not—”
“Hm… this isn’t a bad idea,” my father mused.
“WHAT!?!”
Instead of dismissing my mother’s absurd suggestion, he nodded in approval. “Rather than hiring a temporary companion, why not find someone you can permanently rely on for the rest of your life—for free?”
“Father, I’M FIFTEEN! Alright, at the end of this month I might be sixteen, but don’t you think I’m far too young to be thinking about marriage!?”
“Young?” My mother’s voice rose in amusement. “Oh, daughter, do you not realize that most girls your age are already preparing for marriage? If you were born into another family, they’d have arranged your betrothal years ago.”
“But… but marriage isn’t everything, Mother!” I scrambled for an argument. “I need more time! I’m not ready yet!”
“Time?” Father’s deep voice cut through the air, steady but firm. “And how long do you suppose it will take for you to feel ready, Sherlin?”
“Twenty-five!” The words tumbled out before I could think. “Twenty-five is the perfect age! I’ll find someone by then, Father, I promise!”
My father paused for a moment before letting out a low, amused chuckle. “Twenty-five? Are you serious, Sherlin?” He shook his head. “Twenty-five is far too old. Do you want to ‘Die a Virgin’?”
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Uhhhhhh!!!
That phrase—Die a Virgin—cut through me like a sharp blade, piercing my heart brutally. Since I never told my parents, or anyone, about the secret of my reincarnation, they had no idea that I’d already died a virgin once!
But honestly, being single for life isn’t that bad…
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So, “Father, what’s wrong with DYING A VIRGIN?!” I snapped.
“Sherlin, what’s happened to you? Why are you suddenly so frustrated?” My mother was stunned by my response. “This is something we have to discuss one day. You see, we don’t want you to grow old without someone by your side.”
Oh, no, no, no—I disagree!
Even though I lived my past life without a partner, I still had friends, family, and my companion cat. However, for something like romance and ‘Crush,’ they were just an unnecessary distraction.
“Mother, I’m fine with that. If it has to happen, so be it.”
My mother gasped, pressing a hand to her chest. “Sherlin, my child…”
My father, however, remained calm, studying me carefully before speaking. “I don’t know where these ideas come from, but in the Steam Empire, noble ladies who wish to avoid marriage are usually those seeking religious devotion. Tell me, do you really plan to become a nun?”
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You know what?
That’s blatant discrimination against unmarried women!
But fine—I admit it!
It’s partly my fault for forgetting that this world’s societal development is still backward! Right now, the word ‘Féminisme’ has only just been coined, and it won’t be until the end of this century that the concept becomes widespread and commonly understood.
Oh, and don’t even think about mentioning ‘Gender Equality’ to these two—they wouldn’t have any clue what I was talking about.
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“Father, Mother, I am sorry!
Please pretend that we never talk about this thing today.”