Chapter 15
“Since there’s a possibility that the evidence or testimony was fabricated, can’t we postpone concluding that Hans is the culprit and conduct an investigation first?”
With that, Cecil insisted on her point, backing it up with only the most objective facts. Even Isaac, who didn’t believe in human conscience, could accept that much.
Isaac pondered seriously over her words.
“You do have a point, my lady. Even so, we still need to investigate the kitchen and the records. I ask for your cooperation, Head Chef.”
“O-of course. I’ll do my utmost to assist.”
Isaac’s tone and expression toward Hans had softened considerably compared to earlier. Hans, who had been terrified, also seemed a little more at ease.
As Isaac and Hans left to check the records, Cecil headed elsewhere.
‘I know how good Isaac is at reading records. He won’t need my help. There’s something else I should be doing now. A kind of investigation only I can do.’
Cecil had her own plan to look into the case.
[You’ve gotten quite nosy, haven’t you, Cecil? I never thought you’d go out of your way to help someone.]
Nibelung interjected.
“It’s not like that. This is just a good opportunity to test how much my mana has grown. And besides, Hans is a useful chess piece—I can’t just let him go to waste.”
Even to herself, her excuse sounded a bit long-winded.
[Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say!]
When Nibelung laughed mockingly, Cecil fumed with frustration. She was furious, but since she was about to use mana, she couldn’t afford to waste it putting Nibelung to sleep.
Unable to do anything about it, Cecil stomped her short legs in frustration. But the more she did, the more childish she looked, and Nibelung’s laughter echoed in her ears.
“…Sigh, whatever. Reacting to such low-level provocations? That’s not like me. My younger body must be affecting my emotions.”
[Provocation? I’m hurt, Cecil! I didn’t say it to make you mad.]
“If you want to sleep forever the moment I recover my mana, then go ahead and keep talking, Nibelung.”
[C-Cough! Anyway, I’m curious. How do you plan to investigate? Torture? Or maybe hypnosis to force them to confess everything?]
“I don’t even know who the culprit is yet. I can’t just grab someone and start torturing them. Besides, I don’t have enough mana to cast spells on all those people.”
[Then what?]
With her arms folded, Cecil grinned.
“Adults never watch their mouths around kids. That puts me at a huge advantage for gathering information.”
[So, you’re just going to walk around asking questions, huh?]
“Shut up. I’ll start using magic once I narrow down the suspects.”
With that, Cecil began wandering around, energetically seeking out all the staff related to the kitchen.
Word of the embezzlement had already spread, and many people were discussing it.
“Did the head chef really embezzle funds? I just can’t believe it.”
“He didn’t seem like the type to do that.”
“I’ve rarely met anyone as honest as the head chef.”
Peeking into the kitchen, she saw three cooks chatting while doing the dishes.
‘These people don’t seem to know much about the case.’
Just as she was about to walk away, they noticed her.
“Well, if it isn’t our adorable little princess!”
“Oh dear, Your Highness, you’ve come again?”
“You sure visit the kitchen a lot!”
The cooks swarmed around and began fawning over her.
‘Well, I am the only kid in this huge mansion. Of course, I’d look cute to people who only see adults all day.’
Even among children her age, Cecil’s beauty stood out. Among the burly chefs, she looked extra small and charming.
“Did you come to cook again? The head chef isn’t here right now, though. What shall we do?”
“Shall we give you a snack instead?”
‘They’re people I’ll probably be seeing often, so let’s build some goodwill.’
Thinking that, Cecil decided to fully take advantage of her cuteness. She clasped her hands together with a bright smile.
“Yes! Please give me a snack!”
Then, as if something had occurred to her, she widened her eyes and spread her five fingers.
“Oh! I need to share with Anne and the maids, so… five, please!”
It was clearly a calculated move…
But the chefs looked deeply moved.
“How can the princess be so polite and adorable? I wish my wild son were even half like her.”
“My daughter’s ten and still refuses to share food. If she were even a quarter like the princess, I’d have no more wishes in life.”
Cecil had expected five cupcakes or something similar…
But the chefs, being who they were, went big. They brought out a basket and stuffed it full of snacks—cupcakes, roll cakes, cookies, chocolates, puddings, scones—everything imaginable.
“There you go. Five of each so you can share nicely.”
‘What kind of portion is this?! Are all chefs this generous?’
Cecil didn’t actually need snacks, so she was a little overwhelmed. But she masked her surprise with a bright smile, pretending to be an excited 8-year-old.
“Wow! Thank you!”
“Will you be able to carry it? Should I take it to your room?”
“Nope! I can carry it.”
She showed them she could lift the basket, then waved a hand.
“Bye-bye!”
The chefs waved back with fatherly smiles on their faces.
Once the kitchen door shut, Cecil let out a sigh. Even for a seasoned dark mage, acting like a sweet, innocent child wasn’t easy.
Cecil wandered all over the mansion. It was enormous, and there were dozens of people involved in kitchen work. Eventually, her legs started to ache.
After going around to every chef, assistant, and kitchen maid she could find, her hard work paid off.
“Jack, there was a signal from Shuwaman Grocery. They said there’s no problem.”
“Really? You’re sure?”
“Yeah. There’s more than enough evidence pointing to the head chef. Who’s going to question it?”
Cecil confirmed who was speaking. One was a man in a chef’s uniform—likely the sous-chef, the next in line after Hans. The other wore a maid’s uniform but wasn’t familiar. She might’ve worked in the stillroom, scullery, or storeroom.
‘I think I just found my jokers.’
Cecil felt instinctively that these two were key figures in the case.
They, too, seemed alert, as if they knew they were up to no good. When the sous-chef sensed someone nearby, he turned sharply.
“What the—oh, it’s the little princess.”
Feigning innocence, Cecil blinked her big eyes and gave a bashful smile.
“I made a flower bouquet! Want to see?”
She held up a handful of plucked flowers for them to see.
But unlike others, the sous-chef and the maid didn’t show even a hint of affection.
Rather than fawning over her, they frowned and gestured for her to leave.
“Go play somewhere else, princess. Grownups are busy.”
“O-okay…”
Pretending to sulk, Cecil trudged away.
The sous-chef and maid quickly dispersed, wary of being watched. Cecil etched their appearances into her memory and headed toward the mansion with the flowers.
When she reached the kitchen storeroom, Isaac and Hans were there, seemingly finished reviewing the records.
“Isaac, Hans! I found people having a suspicious conversation!”
“Y-you really did?!”
“Go to the marigold garden in the greenhouse in 30 minutes. I heard they’re meeting there.”
“Thirty minutes from now?”
“Yep. But be careful. Don’t let them see you.”
After relaying that, Cecil hugged the marigolds and stepped out of the kitchen storeroom.
[What’s your plan, Cecil? There’s no guarantee those people will meet again in the marigold garden in 30 minutes.]
Nibelung’s voice echoed in her mind. But Cecil just smirked.
“You still have a long way to go, Nibelung. If there’s no promise—then I’ll just make one.”
