Chapter 54: Exchange

If that’s the case, then it doesn’t match what Yvette Lamb said.

She neither suffered physical collapse nor went mad and became a monster.

Could it be that the change in her soul allowed this body to accommodate two paths?

Or perhaps…

Lo Xi’s mind flashed back to the Deep Crimson Light and the Spreading Branches she saw when she took the secret medicine.

Maybe it was because she became a Secret Pact Holder.

Somewhere in the depths of her consciousness, she had a premonition that the secret Mortton was hiding, or rather, the scheme she abandoned everything for, was inseparable from these two phenomena.

Red Bridge District, No.13, Mel Street.

On a whim, Hermann Hughes, who was preparing dinner, heard the bell at the door jingling, followed by the barking of some dumb dog—no, dumb bird.

“Woof! Woof! Woof!!”

“Coming!”

He moved the frying pan to the side, where there was no fire, wiping his hands on his apron as he walked.

Hermann reached the door, grasped the handle, and pushed it open.

Just then, a gust of evening breeze blew in, dispersing the smell of cooking oil on Hermann’s body and bringing in an enchanting fragrance of fruit blended with musk.

Lo Xi adjusted the black bell-shaped hat she was wearing.

Because of her ‘employment,’ she was dressed rather formally today.

A white sleeved blouse paired with a coffee-colored skirt, a black corset accentuating her curves even more gracefully.

The lace ribbon couldn’t conceal the full, high swell beneath, nor the slender waist that was too fine to grasp, making her look like a lily swaying in the wind.

“Mortton, Mortton.”

Peanut flapped its wings, calling twice before stepping on the coat rack, tilting its head to look at the girl at the door.

Lo Xi found it amusing and imitated the parrot, tilting her head the same way.

“Peanut, Peanut.”

The coffee-colored earrings swayed with her movement, pressing against her porcelain-white, delicate cheek, complementing each other perfectly.

Lo Xi held the black handbag in one hand and extended her free hand to tap the parrot’s beak.

“Woof!!”

Peanut let out a disgruntled bark, causing Lo Xi to laugh, her flower-like branches trembling.

The fine branches bore heavy fruit—they were truly trembling.

After spending this time together, Hermann also noticed that this noble girl had a rather ambiguous sense of boundaries between men and women.

Sometimes, she would make suggestive gestures that gave him the illusion—was she flirting with me?

Which further evolved into—does she like me?

Fortunately, he had a strong will and was unmoved by female charms.

Hermann turned his gaze away and said,

“Sorry, Miss Mortton, the kitchen stove is still on. Would you mind if I step away for a moment?”

“Oh—”

Lo Xi was busy teasing Peanut and didn’t look up.

“You focus on your work; don’t worry about me.”

Compared to his formality, her tone was very casual.

Hermann, “……”

It was exactly this tone, this attitude, that made it really hard not to misunderstand.

Ignoring the odd feeling inside, he turned back to the kitchen.

Lo Xi felt very at ease at Hermann’s house.

Because Hermann had seen her true personality back at the castle.

She had to pretend at home, and she had to pretend at the Association.

Although here, she was still ‘Mortton,’ the ‘Lin Yu’ part of her didn’t need to be deliberately hidden.

It felt like a liberation.

After teasing Peanut for a while longer, Lo Xi withdrew her hand and shifted her gaze to the kitchen, curiously watching the great detective tying on his apron and cooking.

“Mr. Hughes is really relaxed. Every time I come, you’re at home.”

Hermann caught the hint of sarcasm beneath that sweet, soft voice but kept working.

“Don’t worry about the investigation.”

“I’ve been preparing these past few days.”

“Today is the day to set the bait.”

No sooner had he said this than he caught the familiar scent of fruit again, followed by Lo Xi’s voice, now much closer.

“Dinner?”

“Mm.”

“What are you making?”

“Steak.”

He was only capable of making simple dishes like this.

“Oh—”

Lo Xi drew out the vowel again.

At first, this noble girl used to make excuses because she felt embarrassed eating other people’s ice cream.

But after he ‘charged’ her a ‘knowledge fee’ once, Lo Xi had been trying to milk him for benefits ever since.

Including but not limited to, black tea, coffee, desserts, and the right to feed bread crumbs to Peanut while teasing it.

The vicomte’s daughter getting her revenge, from morning till night.

Hermann turned his head and asked,

“Are you going to eat?”

“Is it free?”

“If it costs money, then you won’t eat?”

Lo Xi didn’t answer but slightly raised her head, lifting the black handbag a bit higher in her hand.

That furrowed brow clearly asked: Does she really need this pre-meal?

Hermann found it amusing.

“Then it’s free.”

Lo Xi was satisfied.

Especially since an extra set of chopsticks—or rather, knife and fork—had been added.

Hermann no longer ate right by the stove in the kitchen but tidied the dining table, giving the vicomte’s daughter proper face.

As for the dinner set: steak, a small piece of white bread, and strawberry milk.

Yes, steak paired with milk—that was classy.

According to the great detective, since there was work tonight, drinking alcohol was not advisable.

Hermann cut off a piece of steak and stuffed it into his mouth.

After chewing and swallowing, he stopped using his knife and fork and looked at the girl sitting opposite him.

“So, you’ve already taken the secret medicine and become a ‘Seeker’?”

“Mm.”

Lo Xi dipped the white bread in the black pepper-flavored steak juice and nodded.

“What kind of ability does a ‘Seeker’ have? Sounds like it’s not very combat-oriented.”

Lo Xi raised an eyebrow and smiled faintly.

“My dear detective.”

“Do you still remember the first lesson you taught me?”

“Knowledge is always charged.”

“And…”

Her misty blue eyes held a hint of unmasked mockery.

“You’re actually asking a lady about her…”

“…underwear color?”

Hermann, “……”

The great detective picked up his glass, took a sip of milk to moisten his throat, then casually said,

“Since that’s the case, how about I try to guess?”

Lo Xi, “???”

Guess what? Speak clearly.

Hermann put down the glass and stopped joking, speaking seriously:

“Let’s exchange information. I’ll tell you my abilities at Secret Path Level 9, and you tell me your current abilities.”

“Of course, Miss Mortton, you may refuse this proposal.”

Lo Xi thought for a moment and found it acceptable. One, she was genuinely curious about Hermann’s abilities; two, hm hm…

Surprise! Besides her underwear, she was also wearing safety shorts—double protection!

She would reveal the ‘Seeker’ ability but still keep the ‘Doctor’ ability hidden.

Lo Xi smiled faintly.

“Alright, I have no objections.”