Chapter 60
Spring
Winter had passed, and before anyone realized, spring was on its way.
It was the height of the social season.
“…The imperial palace ball will begin soon.”
Naturally, the first ball to mark the start of the social season was always held at the imperial palace.
Only after that would the nobles begin preparing their own parties, tailored to their rank and prestige.
Under normal circumstances, she would have preferred to avoid the convoluted world of high society this year.
But to gather as much information as possible, participation in the social scene was essential.
And for the sake of moving freely, she needed to avoid any potential suspicion from Ioan.
With that in mind, she had casually dropped a hint, but he had responded more seriously than expected, studying Delphine with a curious look as he asked,
“I recall you never really enjoyed such parties… Madam.”
“I didn’t.”
Delphine responded, pretending not to notice that he had unconsciously referenced the past.
Her father’s greedy ambitions and the superficial conversations typical of the social elite had always made her feel uncomfortable.
But there was no need to confess all of that to him now.
Instead, Delphine smiled gently and added, with the poised air of a proper noblewoman,
“…Still, it’s my duty as the Marchioness to manage our household’s reputation in society.”
At that, he returned her smile, looking like any affectionate, family-oriented husband.
“To think my wife would stay at the estate and manage our affairs so diligently—I’m truly touched.”
Hiding their true thoughts behind polished smiles, the two exchanged the perfect, mask-like grins.
After breakfast, he kissed her lightly on the cheek and said, “Then, please have a… safe day,” before leaving the mansion.
Since she hadn’t been caught on her last outing, Delphine’s missions had become a little bolder.
“Is the person we’re meeting this time also a survivor?”
Netherfield Street, District 3.
Having arrived after receiving a transmission, Delphine, hidden beneath a deep hood, asked quietly.
“No. This contact is one of our operatives, working to investigate the recent string of disappearances,” Lin replied calmly at her side.
Another operative… What kind of person would they be?
Suppressing her curiosity, Delphine continued walking until they reached a shabby building tucked deep within the red-light district.
“Second floor,” Lin said.
The wooden stairs were so narrow that the large-framed Lin had to turn sideways to climb them uncomfortably.
When the door opened, a cramped single-room space came into view.
It was a miserable room—barely furnished, nearly barren.
“….”
Delphine tried not to show her surprise at the sight of such squalor.
The gap between her life in District 1 and the conditions in District 3 always seemed even wider than she’d imagined.
“Oh, Lin! You’re here!”
A woman in the room greeted them with a bright smile.
She was so thin that her cheeks were visibly sunken.
Lin introduced her as “Cookie.”
Given her role, it was likely she operated under an alias rather than her real name.
“You must be that Lady Delphine? Pleased to meet you!”
Delphine nervously tightened her cloak to hide the gray silk dress she wore underneath.
Fortunately, Cookie didn’t seem to care much about her appearance.
The woman plopped down on what appeared to be a straw pile covered with cloth, likely serving as her bed.
“I’d offer you a seat, but… I don’t have a chair.”
“That’s all right. We won’t be staying long. Rather—any new updates?”
“No. Things have been quiet lately. Maybe that lunatic criminal is lying low.”
Cookie answered Lin’s question in a rather coarse tone.
“No new crimes?” Delphine asked.
“Well, there’s always crime. This is the red-light district, after all.”
Her voice turned bitter, eyes laced with scorn.
“Just last night, a woman was beaten to death by a customer. But here? No one cares, no matter how many people die.”
“…”
“That bastard criminal only targets places like this for a reason.”
Noticing Delphine’s stiff expression, Cookie glanced at her and finished her report.
“What I mean is—there haven’t been any of those suspicious kidnapping cases.”
Lin stroked his chin for a moment before asking casually,
“Cookie. You know Duke Purcell, don’t you?”
“Of course. I’m the one who reported that he visited this area.”
“Then have you seen a younger man with similar features—silver hair, looking like a noble?”
The young Duke Purcell, Delphine guessed inwardly.
La Rouge had already filed a report on the duel between Duke Purcell and Marquis Humphries.
“A younger man? Hmm… No, no silver-haired noble types.”
Cookie swung her foot idly as she thought.
“Even when they try to dress down, you can still tell. Their clothes are always silk, with fancy buttons and all that.”
Delphine once again nervously adjusted her cloak.
“I see,” Lin replied simply, pausing for thought before speaking again.
“…I’ll step out for a moment and inspect the area.”
With his hood drawn low, he added in a blunt tone,
“Delphine. Please remain here for a while.”
Then he was out the door before she had time to object.
Left alone in the tiny room with Cookie, Delphine looked around nervously, searching for something to say.
“….”
When visiting someone’s home for the first time, it was customary to start with a compliment about their interior decor.
But this home didn’t even have a chair.
“He’s handsome, isn’t he?”
In the end, it was Cookie who spoke first.
“…Sorry?”
“Lin, I mean. I’ve never seen a guy that good-looking in my life.”
She chuckled.
Maybe this was her version of small talk—like complimenting the decor.
With that thought, Delphine smiled softly.
“…I thought he was handsome when I first met him, too.”
As the mood lightened, Delphine cautiously asked the question that had been on her mind.
“Your name—it’s not your real one, is it?”
“Of course not. Everyone here uses aliases.”
“Why ‘Cookie,’ then?”
“Oh, that… I once had a cookie from a pastry shop in District 2, long ago.”
Cookie responded cheerfully, her sunken cheeks lifting.
“I begged and cried for days to try one, and my mom saved up two weeks of allowance just to buy me a single, nameless little dessert.”
She smiled fondly, her expression filled with warmth and nostalgia.
“It was so good… I’ve never forgotten it, even after she passed away.”
Delphine suddenly recalled her own mother.
“Del. Always follow where your heart leads. And remember—happiness lies in the journey, not the destination.”
Her wise, loving mother had called her “Del.” That memory had once brought her so much joy.
And when no one remained to call her by that name, how lonely and empty she had felt.
“What, are you pitying me or something?”
Noticing her expression, Cookie frowned with hurt pride.
Delphine hesitated, then answered honestly.
“Sorry. I just thought it was a sad story.”
Immediately, suspicion flickered in Cookie’s eyes.
“…Why? Because people in District 3 all live such miserable lives?”
“No. Because you lost your name.”
Delphine spoke calmly, unfazed.
“It’s a lonely thing—to have no one left who calls you by your name with love.”
“….”
Cookie shifted awkwardly, scratching her frizzy blonde hair with a sheepish mumble.
“…Guess I was the one with a prejudice against nobles. Sorry.”
“It’s okay.”
When Delphine smiled, Cookie returned it in kind.
Bang.
Just then, the rotting wooden door burst open.
Lin entered the room with his usual expressionless face, but paused when he saw Delphine’s smile.
“…Did something happen in that short time?”
“Well…”
“Don’t ask, Lin. It’s a secret between girls.”
Cookie answered playfully, winking at Delphine.
It was the first time anyone had ever winked at her like that—and though surprised, Delphine soon smiled comfortably in return.
Today’s inspection was over.
As they prepared to leave, Cookie stood tall and spoke firmly.
“What I want is freedom.”
“Freedom…”
Delphine echoed the unfamiliar yet intimate word softly.
Cookie continued, resolute.
“The freedom to drink clean water. And if I want to, the freedom to walk past that barrier and visit a cookie shop.”
As she spoke, her eyes gleamed with the same light her mother had once described—eyes that followed the path the heart dictated.
“We’ll make that happen,” Lin said firmly.
“We’re almost at the end now… and it’s all thanks to you, Delphine.”
With a face pale from illness, Cookie beamed brightly.
And somehow…
Though the room was shabby and worn, those two looked radiant.
More dignified and noble than any aristocrat.
And strangely enough, beyond them, Delphine saw the face of Ioan.
Ioan, who had been born and raised right here on Netherfield Street.
Dignity and nobility.
No matter how decorated his uniform, how flawless his manners—those were the very things Ioan lacked most.
