Click—
The door opened, and accompanied by the detective’s farewell, the Viscountess stepped out slowly.
Her personal maid, Wendy, squinted slightly as she first examined the way her lady’s hair was tied and the collar of her shirt, then subtly exhaled a breath of relief before performing a proper bow.
“Viscountess.”
Roxy: “……”
Setting aside whether her proud masculine soul would allow her to do some indescribable things, it had only been about ten minutes inside the room; what story could possibly have unfolded? After all, she’d hired a detective, not a quick shooter.
The time was still early, and at home she still had to face Lady Moulton and Leah.
Besides the inherent risk of being exposed, after reading the diary yesterday, she now suspected that ‘Moulton’ might actually be the mastermind behind everything.
Roxy’s feelings toward this family grew more complicated; she didn’t quite know how to interact with them anymore.
So she took a carriage to Glen City’s City Library, spending the time cramming the history and common knowledge of this world while also looking up interesting information—like details about her accomplice Mr. Herman’s target, the Noble of the North known as Don Christopher of the Soth Kingdom, nicknamed the ‘Northern Wolf.’
The more she read, the more alarmed she became.
Even with her help, it would be nearly impossible for a mere commoner like Herman to kill Don.
The resources each side controlled were worlds apart.
Had she gotten herself on a sinking ship?
Roxy pursed her ruby lips slightly, drawing a subtle curve downward.
What a big liar.
Roxy had lunch out, then spent the afternoon cramming a lot of geographical knowledge, reading books all day.
When she left the library, she didn’t feel dizzy or tired—instead, her mind was clear and refreshed.
Third-year high school spirit, third-year high school soul, I’m back, knowledge.
Ted Moulton, as a City Councilor, usually finished work around 4:30 PM and took a carriage home around 5, so the Moulton family’s dinner was generally fixed at six o’clock.
Without any special circumstances, the whole family needed to attend dinner.
After pretending to be an ostrich all day outside, Roxy reluctantly pulled her head out of the sand and went home for dinner.
“Viscountess.”
Habit is a frightening thing.
Hearing that title now no longer felt strange to Roxy, even though it had only been a few days.
People change due to their environment; when everyone around you accepts a certain trait, it gradually becomes part of who you are.
The maid in the living room took Roxy’s bag from Wendy and lowered her head slightly, speaking softly:
“Viscountess, Viscount Moulton has returned.”
“He’s currently in the living room with Lady Moulton.”
Roxy nodded, acknowledging this.
As a noble child, when returning home, if there are elders present, one must greet them before attending to their own matters.
Roxy ascended to the second-floor living room, where the Moultons sat on the sofa, one on each side.
Mr. Ted was reading the newspaper, while Mrs. Norma was reading a book.
Hmm, that cover looked familiar—it was The Dark Count.
Roxy: “……”
So that aesthetic taste was inherited.
If anything, she had already rehearsed countless times in her head on the way here; not even The Dark Count could shake her resolve.
“Father, mother, I’m home.”
Ted Moulton glanced up at her briefly and responded with a faint “hm,” then returned his gaze to the newspaper.
Norma Moulton gave her a gentle smile and said:
“You’re back, Roxy.”
“The novel you recommended to me recently was quite interesting.”
Roxy: “……”
Wrong judgment on Lady Norma after all.
“…Glad mother found it interesting.”
“Well, I won’t disturb you and father from reading anymore. I’ll head back to my room.”
“Alright, go ahead. We’ll call you when dinner’s ready.”
After Roxy left, Lady Moulton turned her head to her husband with some displeasure:
“I know you’re busy with work, but could you show some concern for the children?”
“You don’t say a word to them.”
“You probably don’t know anything about their hobbies as a father.”
Viscount Moulton folded his newspaper and, following his wife’s words, casually asked:
“What’s the name of the novel you’re reading?”
It was a subtle way to learn more about his eldest daughter’s interests.
After all, one only wants to share something they truly like or find interesting.
“The Dark Count’s Substitute Wife.”
Viscount Moulton: “……”
“Elder sister, dinner’s ready!”
Roxy closed the book in her hand, Soth Kingdom, Land of Prosperity, then raised her hand, pressing her thumb and forefinger against the bridge of her high nose.
“Coming.”
With that, she walked to the bedroom door and pulled it open.
A white shadow flashed, and a little climbing enthusiast—her little mountaineer—bumped into her arms, two tiny paws tirelessly trying to conquer these two majestic peaks before it.
“Meow~ Meow~”
Roxy stopped Miko’s mischievous little paws as it tried to pull at the ribbon on her shirt’s bow, placing her arms flat against her lower abdomen to support the cat’s weight as she held it.
Looking down, her gaze met a golden-haired, blue-eyed little girl, delicate and doll-like, pouting as she watched Roxy holding the cat.
Ah, after all, she was still a child. Seeing her favorite toy taken away naturally caused a fuss.
The barrier Roxy had felt toward the ‘Moultons’ melted away considerably at this moment.
She lowered her gaze, planning to hand Miko over and comfort her a little—but then Leah suddenly stomped over and grabbed the other hand Roxy had freed, holding tightly to her arm.
The little girl even glared challengingly at the cat.
Roxy: “……”
So she guessed wrong—the ‘toy’ was actually her.
Dinner at the Moulton residence was lavish: steak, oysters, shrimp, mashed potatoes, salmon, chicken pie, Swan Pie, and more.
The rules at the table were easy to follow: no making noise while eating, swallow before speaking, no rough movements—all very common requests.
Lady Moulton was wiping sauce off her youngest daughter’s cheek with a handkerchief, while Viscount and his son exchanged some trivial political topics.
Only Roxy was quietly focused on eating.
Hmm, this pie was good—made with apple bits, carrying a bit of sweet and sour aftertaste.
She liked it very much.
Ted’s eyes scanned his eldest daughter, then he put down his knife and fork and said evenly:
“Roxy.”
Startled by being addressed suddenly, Roxy straightened instinctively, swallowed the food in her mouth, then wiped her mouth with a napkin.
“Father.”
Viscount Moulton tapped his knife twice on the ceramic plate, then said:
“You’re already of age.”
“It’s time to think about marriage.”
“Do you have any gentleman in mind?”
“Hmm…”
He paused for a moment, then placed his fork on the steak and said in a measured voice:
“For example, which Count’s Young Master?”