Chapter 30

“The investigation hasn’t even started yet. You have to consider our position as well. If you suddenly do this…”

“Suddenly? On what grounds do you imprison an ordinary citizen in a holding cell without any evidence of crime? Before formally reprimanding whoever’s in charge, you had better…!”

“Gerard. Calm yourself.”

Gideon stopped the man, who was lashing out at the guards like an enraged viper.

“Why are you restraining me? It’s a problem in itself that someone with diplomatic immunity is even here causing this!”

“That privilege is not a free pass. It exists for the sake of carrying out royal orders in foreign nations. In this situation, it doesn’t apply.”

“But still…!”

Diplomatic immunity?

That peculiar term struck Diana’s mind like a lightning bolt, and her eyes flickered.

“Calm down and call your superior. I’m fine, but this lady here needs medical treatment, so we’ll be leaving at once.”

Gideon spoke and rose to his feet.

Diana, half-forced, was helped up as well.

‘What is this?’

She couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but Gideon’s aura had shifted.

The man who had lounged against the jail wall chuckling moments ago was nowhere to be seen.

Sensing the change too, the guard’s tone grew noticeably cautious.

“May I ask your name, sir?”

“Do you use your head only to hang your helmets on?!”

A sharp rebuke immediately shot back.

“Gerard,” Gideon called quietly, weariness in his voice.

“I apologize for my aide’s rudeness.”

His broad shoulders pulled back, his chin tucked as he stood at attention—less like a noble, more like a soldier brimming with authority.

The guards flinched at the booming voice, and even Diana, startled, received his apology.

“I am Gideon Valentine, Special Investigator of the Foreign Ministry. My companion urgently requires treatment, so I request that her examination be prioritized. If you lack the authority, then summon your commander at once.”

The moment Gideon’s identity was revealed, the guard headquarters erupted like a kicked beehive.

“Gideon.”

“Yes.”

“Were you someone that important?”

“No.”

“Oh, I see—you’re not important. You’re just a terrible liar.”

“That’s not true, but…”

Not true, indeed.

Diana didn’t know the name “Gideon,” but she certainly remembered reading about Valentine, Special Investigator in the papers.

After the trade war between Olfano and Reserves, twenty-seven citizens of the Emerald Kingdom had been mistaken for hostages by pirates. He was the diplomat who brought them safely home.

Despite strong opposition, he faced the foreign pirates directly, and after relentless negotiations, miraculously secured their release—all of them.

Naturally, the Emerald Kingdom had rejoiced at the news.

The king himself had commended the special envoy.

In short, he was the elite of the Foreign Ministry’s elites.

“Inspector Valentine, we deeply apologize. It seems there was a mix-up during the guard shift change. We never intended to… to cause you any disadvantage…”

“That doesn’t matter. More importantly, where is the physician? Is there still one stationed here?”

“I’ll summon him at once!”

The guard captain bolted out like a man scrambling for a lifeboat.

Meanwhile, Gerard’s furrowed brows refused to relax.

“We’ll be filing a formal letter of protest about this.”

“Please do. My apologies, for troubling you this late into the night.”

“If you truly mean that, then please don’t get thrown into a cell again. My heart won’t survive it.”

Diana gazed at Gideon with curious eyes.

‘Amazing…’

Who would have imagined that Valentine Inspector would be this young?

She had known he was from the Valentine family, but with such a lofty title, she assumed he’d be at least twice his age.

Gideon looked as though he wouldn’t budge a step until Diana was treated.

Which meant only the physician was kept busy. The doctor who had just treated Lucas barely caught his breath before being called again, medical kit in hand, to tend to her.

“You’ll be fine for today, but it will swell badly tomorrow. How did you injure yourself like this?”

The doctor clicked his tongue.

“I’ve only given first aid. You must come for a proper check-up soon.”

“I understand. Thank you, doctor.”

Diana awkwardly brushed her bandaged left hand.

‘I’m exhausted.’

Today felt impossibly long—strangely, unnaturally long.

Perhaps he had caught her faint sigh, for Gideon’s worried gaze followed her.

“Miss Diana, are you all right?”

“I’d like to say yes… but I think I’m a bit worn out.”

Even kindness and forced smiles had their limits in a day.

It felt like watching a movie full of twists until she went numb to them.

And now that night had fallen, the wind cut cold.

After going in and out of the jail, her body shivered on its own.

“Still, thanks to you, the investigation ended faster. I appreciate it.”

“Your gratitude is unnecessary. If anything, I…”

Gideon trailed off.

His eyes shifted between her wound and her face before he sighed heavily and turned his head aside.

“Gerard, lend me your coat for a moment.”

Without a word, the aide removed his overcoat.

Gideon draped it himself over her shoulders.

Awkward though it was to wear another’s coat, it was warm.

“My apologies, Miss Diana.”

The words sounded different from the familiar “I’m sorry.”

His voice carried a defeated weight—Gideon’s quiet warmth.

“That makes how many apologies now? I told you, I’m fine.”

Shadows fell across his handsome face.

Instead of waving him off, Diana pulled the coat tighter around herself.

After such a turbulent day, her dress and shoes were a mess.

“If you really feel guilty, then next time don’t send your aide—just hire me a decent shoeshiner.”

“I’ll buy you new shoes. A dress as well.”

“No, that’s too much…”

Flowers or desserts were one thing, but for an unmarried woman to receive clothes or shoes from a man who wasn’t her fiancé was highly unusual.

Knowing her body or shoe size alone implied an intimate relationship.

But apparently, he didn’t care about such conventions.

“I’ll take responsibility. In whatever way necessary.”

His gaze lingered on her bandaged hand, unwavering.

Flustered, Diana looked away—only to meet Gerard’s eyes.

Having unintentionally overheard, the aide looked quite surprised.

‘Honestly… who says something so easy to misunderstand at a time like this?’

Diana broke into a nervous sweat inside.

At that moment, Orlando arrived at the guard headquarters with a coachman.

“Heavens, what on earth happened here, milady?!”

“…Orlando? Why are you here?”

“I was following up on witness information, but… what happened to you? You look…”

“It’s all right now. It’s over. Actually, perfect timing—there should be some dealers locked in the underground cells. Please check.”

“Huh? Oh, yes! Right away!”

Orlando nodded, looking uneasy.

True to his detective’s nature, living by his network, a short chat with the captain was enough for him to head down to the underground cells with ease.

Before long, members of the Valentine family began arriving, and the headquarters grew even more chaotic.

Diana observed the situation before standing.

“You’re heading back now?”

“That’s the plan. And you?”

“We’ll be returning as well. Lucas has finished his statement.”

“Then let me return your coat now.”

“No. I’ll tell Gerard myself.”

The poor aide was fated to lose his coat altogether.

Since Gideon had no intention of taking it back, Diana ended up keeping it on as she stepped outside.

From a distance, she watched Gideon and Lucas climb into their carriage, Lucas groaning.

Hesitant, she spoke.

“…I hope you can talk things through with your brother.”

“Yes.”

“Don’t scold him too harshly.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“If possible, it’d be better to reconcile. Family may not always need words to understand each other… but sometimes they do.”

That much she truly meant.

Diana thought to say more, but stopped.

It felt a little presumptuous to lecture him further.

“Miss Diana, make sure to have a follow-up examination.”

“I will. Don’t worry too much.”

“I’ll be in touch soon. For tonight…”

For a fleeting moment, both Gideon and Diana must have shared the same thought.

Today was such a strange day. Truly a mess.

But at least… we had each other.

“Thank you, truly. Both my brother and I will never forget this kindness.”

Gideon smiled faintly.

Just like another certain squinty-eyed villain, this man too rarely gave a genuine smile. That much was certain.