Chapter 26

As the bouquet Ian had given her began to wilt, Diana headed to the pastry shop to keep the promise she had made to the children.

Seneca Street was divided into seven blocks.
Block 1 had card clubs, billiard halls, and dart shops, while Block 2 housed small gambling houses among retail stores.
Blocks 3 through 7, on the other hand, were residential areas adjacent to commercial zones.

Among them, the pastry shop on Block 6 was the most famous in the area.

“Miss, we’ve arrived. This is the Eiffel Pastry Shop.”

Diana carefully held her skirt as she stepped down from the carriage.

Ding-dong.

As she opened the door and entered, the sweet smell of baked goods welcomed her.

The display was filled with muffins, pies, and various baked pastries, though some items were already sold out.

“It’s bigger than I expected.”

Behind the counter was a bakery with an oven. There was also a separate flour mill and a storage room.

“Hello? Is anyone here?”

It was unusually quiet inside.
Had the owner stepped out?

Her question was quickly answered. The shop owner, wearing an apron, was speaking with someone near the side door.

“An employee…?”

The other person was a man wearing a green hood. They were clearly engaged in a small tussle.

The owner tapped his chest in frustration, then grabbed the man and disappeared toward the flour mill.

While waiting patiently, the shop door opened again.

Ding-dong.

When Diana almost made eye contact with the person entering, she unconsciously tilted her head.

“Hmm… where have I seen this person?”

She recognized the face—a familiar blond.

Stray strands of pomade-styled hair, tall and well-dressed in tailored clothes.
A tightly tied cravat and white gloves… meticulous to the point of obsession, he didn’t fit in at all with this street.

She felt his dark violet eyes quickly scanning her.

“Excuse me, Lady. May I ask you a few questions?”

“Uh? Me?”

“I’m looking for someone.”

Diana realized belatedly that his expression looked troubled. Was he alright?

“Have you seen a blond man nearby, around 22 years old, roughly this height?”

“Hmm… I’m not sure…”

“He looks similar to me.”

“Is he a family member?”

“Yes. I’m looking for my younger brother.”

Diana shook her head sympathetically.

“I’m sorry, I haven’t seen him. Any distinguishing features you could mention?”

“……”

No features, apparently.

Diana stared quietly at the man who struggled to speak.

“He has a thin build and flat feet. Confident personality, but not particularly reliable. He has a habit of humming while bathing.”

“…I have no idea who that could be.”

“I see.”

“Finding someone based on such traits seems difficult.”

Diana cautiously offered her opinion.

“Perhaps you could ask about a facial mark… or at least his name.”

The man finally seemed to realize her point, rubbing his temple.

“You’re right. I apologize.”

“No need to apologize… you must be tired. You look unwell.”

“Thank you for your concern, but I’m fine.”

He let out a sigh.

“My brother’s name is Lucas Valentine. If you happen to see someone resembling him, please contact the Valentine Marquis immediately.”

At that moment, Diana finally remembered where she had seen him.

“This man… isn’t he the Valentine younger marquis? Why is he on Seneca Street?”

He had helped Ian at the garden party when they first met.

Just then, the side door opened and the owner rushed back.

“Oh my…! I’m sorry for leaving! Have you waited long?”

“I’m fine. This lady arrived first.”

“I apologize for keeping you waiting. How may I help you?”

“Oh, it’s nothing major… I’d like some pastries delivered by tomorrow afternoon. Is that possible?”

“Of course. Which items would you like delivered?”

Diana glanced at the younger marquis as she completed her order.
After paying, the owner wrote a confirmation note promising the delivery.

“And sir, what would you like to order?”

“I’m looking for someone.”

The younger marquis casually grabbed a candy from the display.
Apparently, he thought he couldn’t eat it plain.

“Have you seen a man, around 22, who looks like me?”

“Hmm, I’m afraid I don’t recall.”

“I’d appreciate it if you tried to remember carefully. I’m searching for my missing brother.”

“Ah… seems like something serious has happened.”

The owner, genuinely concerned, responded.

“Forgive me, but if someone looked like your description, I would certainly remember. Especially since many of our customers are women, it would stand out even more.”

“I see.”

“Would you like me to post a flyer?”

“No. Then, have you seen a man in his mid-thirties, with black hair, many freckles, and wearing a green hoodie last?”

At that moment, the cheerful expression of the owner briefly faltered.
Diana immediately noticed the cautious glint in his eyes, though he seemed unaware.

“…Hmm. I don’t think I’ve seen anyone like that either.”

“Alright, thank you for your cooperation.”

The younger marquis looked slightly disappointed.
He didn’t press further and left the shop.

“What should I do?”

Diana hesitated outside.
A man in a green hoodie… if he had asked her first, she could have answered!

She glanced at the shop owner, who acted as if nothing had happened.
Seeing that, she made up her mind.

Diana hurried after the man who had already walked away.

“Excuse me, wait a moment!”

“…Lady?”

“The person I mentioned earlier, not your brother. Why are you looking for him?”

The man’s expression changed instantly.

“Yes, I haven’t seen your brother, but I have seen someone in a green hoodie.”

“Really?”

“I don’t know if it’s the same person… but…”

“Mid-thirties, last seen on Seneca Street last night. Wearing a green hoodie and gray boots.”

“Is he wearing half-gloves?”

Diana’s question was more like confirmation. He looked startled.

“Yes, exactly. Where did you see him?”

Diana hesitated. Sharing the sighting was easy, but she worried about alerting an innocent person.

“Why are you looking for him? You said your missing person is your brother?”

Right now, she felt he could grab someone by mistake.
The younger marquis’s intensity was undeniable.

The man paused, then seemed to decide he had no choice and explained.

“The person you saw was mentioned in my brother’s last letter. …Embarrassingly, my brother went missing while frequenting gambling houses.”

“Gambling houses?”

“Yes. He often visited gambling houses on Seneca Street. He seemed to have associated with unsavory people from the royal casino.”

Diana, listening quietly, was shocked.

Royal casino?

“So the man you’re looking for is a casino dealer?”

“Yes… that’s correct, but how did you know?”

Now it was his turn to be puzzled.
He eyed her suspiciously, and she couldn’t answer honestly.

Luckily, he didn’t press further.

“This should be enough for now. Lady, it’s your turn to answer. Where did you see him?”

“Right around here.”

Diana pointed toward the pastry shop.

“The shop owner lied. Just before he entered, I saw him tussling with someone who looked similar.”

“I see.”

Realizing he had been deceived, the man furrowed his brows in displeasure.

“Thank you for the sighting information. It’s very helpful.”

He showed his gratitude with a restrained gesture and a silent bow.
His elegant manners confirmed to Diana that he truly was the Valentine younger marquis.

The next problem was that he turned and walked straight back into the pastry shop.

“W-wait a moment!”