Chapter 20

Why is it that bad premonitions are always so accurate?

Diana unconsciously clenched her fists.

“Why is that? Do you have a particular reason it’s hard to accept?”

“It’s not an appropriate request for me to take on. It’s a matter of principle.”

Orlando’s gaze drifted toward the window.

Outside, young children were hawking newspapers and flowers.

“Look at that. There’s no war going on, so why do you think there are so many kids out there like that?”

“…”

“It’s all because of that damn casino—entire households are falling apart.”

His tone was laced with bitter disgust.

“Blowing ten years’ worth of hard-earned foreign wages in a single month is bad enough. And fine, let’s set aside the scumbags who drain their friends’ hospital funds before running off.”

With a tired face, Orlando removed his glasses.

“Do you know where they found the parents who abandoned both their kid and their dog at a veterinarian’s, just to have one less mouth to feed?”

“…Detective.”

“They were throwing a fit at the casino, yelling that no one trusted them. I’ve probably seen more of that nonsense than anyone else alive.”

As if the very thought choked him, he thumped his chest.

“What’s happening to the world? All those kids are left behind, and yet no one takes responsibility.”

There was something deeply human in Orlando’s lament.

“I may be a detective who works for pay, but I still have a conscience. I can’t throw myself into building something like a royal casino.”

“So you’re refusing?”

“Putting it all together, yes. Hah… I must have the worst luck, but that’s how life goes.”

He alternated between sighs and complaints.

But in the end, he didn’t take back his decision.

The plan was wobbling before even breaking ground, but strangely enough, a little sigh of relief escaped Diana.

“…Why are you smiling like that?”

Even in the original story, Orlando was the shabby street detective who would lead ragged children to the public baths.

He wasn’t the sort to pour his entire fortune into charity, but he took care of kids as much as his means allowed.

A detective who took orphans to wash up.

That kind of character was exactly why Diana needed him.

“I’m sorry, but hearing what you just said made up my mind. No matter what, you have to take this case.”

“Did you really hear what I said?”

“I did. So now hear me out.”

Business is like fishing. Diana remembered her fishing-mad father’s ridiculous advice and smiled inwardly.

“Even if you refuse, someone else will take the job. The royal casino will reopen as planned.”

“…”

“Because the person who decided to build it is none other than His Majesty the King.”

‘We cannot forbid foreign exiled nobles from drinking and gambling. We don’t even have the legal grounds to do so.’

‘His Majesty judged that a means of addressing the problem was necessary. That is why he decided to establish a royal casino.’

Just as Ian had said when explaining it earnestly, their conversation had been filled with hints.

“His Majesty is well aware of the problems caused by the casino. But for various… reasons, the related bill has been pushed aside.”

There was only one way to make the King take action.

“But what if, when the reopening date approaches, public opinion turns sour? What if we publish an article exposing the casino’s realities and urging the royal family to respond?”

“What?”

“If the casino is named as a cause of hardship for the citizens, they can’t just ignore it.”

“…!”

“They’ll have to come up with countermeasures—ways to help the lower city and its children.”

Strict oversight and control would follow.

And the shelved bill would resurface. There’d be more than enough reason for it.

“No matter how august His Majesty is, he can’t ignore public opinion. I think we have to attack from that angle.”

The more Diana spoke, the more Orlando looked at her like some strange new creature.

Alois II, King of Emeral, was forty-nine this year.

Whatever people thought of him, he was still a man whose name you didn’t mention lightly.

Yet this young lady spoke as though she could handle the King as easily as folding and unfolding a fan.

It was bizarre, but Orlando could at least tell that the brightness in her eyes wasn’t arrogance.

“And think about it. Why would I be chasing after someone who ran off with stolen money?”

No budget? Then make one—even if it meant shaking down the con artist who’d stolen it in the first place.

“If the casino reopens, I’ll make sure to use that timing well. They say crisis is opportunity, right?”

“…”

“On top of that, isn’t it the perfect chance to gather evidence and witnesses for a scoop? I’ll make sure they cough up every ill-gotten coin.”

Diana sat straight-backed, eyes firm on Orlando.

Her quick, unwavering answers left him speechless, mouth hanging open.

She was supposed to be the one making the request, but it felt like he was the one being persuaded.

“What on earth… what do you think about in your daily life?”

“Huh?”

“I’m just curious how ideas like that keep pouring out.”

There was no sarcasm in his tone—just genuine amazement.

“You’re remarkable. The Earl of Wellington is lucky to have such a clever daughter.”

“Thank you.”

“But really—why me? Did someone recommend me to you?”

“No.”

“Hah… With a plan this well-prepared, you could go to anyone. Do you really need me?”

Seeing that Orlando was genuinely puzzled, Diana smiled awkwardly.

“Well… because I’m about to do something bad.”

“…What?”

“I mean the process will be dirty—blackmail, threats, even arrests if I have to. I plan to punish that swindler thoroughly.”

Anyone who bled others dry should be ready to bleed themselves.

And conmen who told victims it was their fault for being foolish needed to be reminded that there were things closer than the law.

“But the money I spend in the process doesn’t have to go somewhere bad. If I pay you, at least some of it might help keep street orphans fed.”

“…”

“Am I wrong?”

Her last words were more of a confirmation than a question.

Recognizing the traces of fierce thought beneath her light tone, Orlando fell silent, then suddenly laughed heartily.

“You’re right.”

The detective raised both hands in mock surrender.

“You win. I didn’t expect you to come so determined.”

“Then…”

“I’ll take the case. I’ll prepare the contract by tomorrow, so please gather the necessary materials.”

For someone admitting defeat, his smile looked awfully satisfied.

The innermost chamber of Belmore Palace.

The conference hall where the King and the heads of each department gathered.

“Then let’s confirm the last point.”

Standing a little apart from the head seat, Ian Crawford was conspicuously young.

But despite being far younger than the rest, no one dared dismiss his words.

“Count Genasio, as planned, please complete the investigation on the artificial canal and report your findings next month. The matter of Leserve rock salt exports will once again be entrusted to Marquis Siena.”

That trust came from the man seated at the head—the King himself.

“The budget for military horse procurement will be allocated by next week. Please submit confirmation within four days.”

“Understood.”

“I will do so.”

“Good. That will be all.”

At last, the meeting—over two hours long—came to an end.

As the tense atmosphere eased, everyone’s shoulders relaxed.