ITMHIAM 44

Chapter 44

The carriage slowed as it entered the city streets.

Even though it wasn’t a particularly busy time of day, a long line of carriages was stalled along the road. Pedestrians were out in greater numbers than usual, murmuring while staring in one direction.

Judging by the atmosphere, it didn’t seem like something good had happened.

People coming from that direction had gone pale, rushing into buildings or clasping their hands in prayer.

“Something must’ve happened,” I said, watching the owner of a nearby coffee shop hurriedly lower the awning. She kicked out all the customers inside, flipped the “Open” sign to “Closed,” and locked the door.

She didn’t seem to care at all about the disgruntled customers, nor did she offer any apologies. She simply shut the shop without another word.

I glanced at Johannes with concern. He looked somewhat troubled.

But as soon as I opened my mouth to speak, he seemed to gather his composure.

“It doesn’t look like a good situation…”

“We should go check it out. Will you wait in the carriage?” Johannes asked in a calm tone.

“Hmm… It seems like it’ll take a while. I’d rather get some fresh air.”

“It doesn’t seem like you’re in any state to be outside.”

He gestured toward my head.

“Ah.”

I quickly pulled out a wide-brimmed bonnet from under my bag and put it on, hiding the bandages wrapped around my head. I tied the ribbons tightly so the hat wouldn’t fly off.

“Now I look pretty decent, right?”

Then, peeking through the window, I looked outside. No one seemed interested in me.

Naturally so. It wasn’t the Duke of Schultz’s carriage or the navy’s.

When I stared at him as if I wouldn’t back down no matter what he said, Johannes eventually gave in and chose to go with me.

We got out of the carriage and finally reached the place where the crowd had gathered.

I froze at the scene before my eyes.

Police officers surrounded an old stone building, some navy soldiers were maintaining order, and voices chattered all around.

“Another person’s been killed?”

Unfortunately, it was the second murder case in Müssen.

“Colonel, sorry to bother you during your leave, but you might want to see what’s downstairs.”

A few navy officers who recognized Johannes spoke in low, grim voices. As a result, we entered the building and descended into the basement.

At first, I was blocked at the door with a warning—“This might be too unpleasant for the Duchess”—but Johannes insisted he couldn’t leave me alone outside, so I was allowed to come along.

And that’s how I ended up in a place I had no business being—a murder scene.

The crime scene was a mess. Five officers were roughly moving a corpse covered in a cloth.

Shocked, I looked at Johannes. He wore a bitter expression, watching something intently. I turned to follow his gaze when—

“Cousin? And the Duchess.”

A familiar voice rang out. I turned with a deep scowl.

“It’s been a while.”

Pale blue-gray eyes squinted into crescents. It was Edward Windsor.

Wearing a deep navy police uniform, he held a teacup decorated with a swirling pattern in his gloved hand.

“Meeting the Duchess in a place like this,” Edward greeted me first.

“An honor, truly.”

I had no choice but to greet him back, though I did so reluctantly. He let out a half-hearted laugh through his teeth.

“You once said pretending was not your style, yet it seems you’ve adjusted well to this world. Thanks to your concern, I’m also doing quite well—”

“What brings you to Müssen? And to a crime scene, no less?” Johannes cut in.

Prince Windsor looked far too cheerful for someone being ignored. He jerked his chin toward the corpse, holding his teacup up.

“Can’t you tell just by looking?”

Then he flicked his eyes toward his uniform.

“Unfortunately, I was transferred from Baden to Müssen as the new chief of police—by royal decree.”

“You?”

“Yep. The backlash after the last murder was massive.”

Edward sighed exaggeratedly, then continued with a smug look.

“As you know, there’s a lot of public distrust toward Müssen’s police force. His Majesty ordered a complete overhaul.”

“And they sent you, of all people?”

“Yes. It was the right move. The navy’s influence has grown too strong in Müssen. They’re meddling in cases outside their jurisdiction—it’s gone beyond tolerable.”

Annoyance flashed in his pale blue-gray eyes.

“Still, you’re the top naval officer in Müssen. Shouldn’t police matters be left to the police?”

Edward shook his head with a look of feigned pity.

It was a clear sign he intended to interfere. Standing awkwardly between them, I stared at the officers bungling around and said blankly:

“So you just stood by while they moved the body however they wanted?”

Both men turned to me.

“Pardon?” Edward asked.

I ignored him and gestured toward the officers, who turned to look at me mid-struggle.

They had bored expressions—until they noticed me. Then they looked surprised. One officer with a scar on his cheek sneered.

“What the—who let a woman into the crime scene? Get her out!”

He looked around in confusion.

Apparently, I was dressed so plainly they didn’t even realize I was speaking with their superior just moments ago.

“How do you expect to be an officer with that kind of awareness?” Edward snapped. When they still didn’t get it, he introduced me as the Duchess in a very unimpressed tone.

“Anyway, Duchess.”

Suddenly, all attention turned to me, and Edward addressed me again.

“So, what were you about to say?”

I glanced at Johannes, seeking permission. He gave a slight nod.

Since seeing the scene, words had been itching in my throat. I finally let them out.

“Why are you moving the corpse at the crime scene? Isn’t preserving the scene basic protocol?”

“…Huh?”

“…Excuse me?”

“…?”

Everyone except Johannes looked completely flabbergasted.

He merely raised an eyebrow without saying a word.

The officers looked me up and down with obvious displeasure. They didn’t know why I was here, but their clumsy handling of the scene made me act without thinking.

I didn’t know much.

But I kept thinking: This isn’t right. Just as I was about to say more—

“Ma’am, perhaps you don’t understand because you’re a woman—”

That was when it happened.

“Ahahaha!”

Edward burst out laughing. The officer looked dumbfounded mid-sentence.

Blinking in confusion, he watched Edward wipe tears from his eyes.

“The Duchess is completely right.”

“…What?”

“Isn’t she? You idiots, destroying the crime scene without a clue—less than a woman’s worth.”

Edward’s eyes turned ice cold.

The officers’ faces flushed red. Judging from their glances, they were clearly embarrassed to be scolded by a woman.