The Mansion Awaits Spring - Chapter 13

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 13
“It’s exactly as you know it.”
“Finding the culprit behind the Fog Murder?”
“Yes.”
“That’s all?”
“As far as I know.”
Pajin answered ambiguously to Rian’s words.
He showed no intention of revealing the true nature of his assignment to Rian.
It was only natural that he couldn’t speak of work that had to be done in secret. Rian, understanding this as a police officer, smiled to signal he would press no further, then rose and unlocked the latch as he spoke.
“Fine then. Since you’re here, we should share a drink before you go.”
“I don’t have time to spend with you.”
“Like I’ve said every time—I’m the one doing you the favor.”
As he spoke and opened the door, a butler waiting at the entrance bowed, holding a silver tray laden with a bottle, glasses, and simple appetizers.
“Thank you for finding the Duchy, Ragnar.”
“What kind of liquor is this?”
“Distilled liquor, sir.”
“Ah, that’ll pack a punch.”
Rian gestured for the butler to enter.
While the two men raised their glasses, police officers from the academy—like Rian—soon arrived at the Town House.
They were men who had gambled on an even bet: if one of the police officers Rian brought or the one who came with Pajin to the Duchy retired, the other would follow suit, and if either became commissioner, they’d all advance together.
It was natural that from Rian’s perspective, he was curious about what task the Emperor had given Pajin and what consequences its success or failure might bring.
But that night alone, as if the future would never arrive, they laughed foolishly and talked loudly like cadets returned to their academy days, drinking their fill.
* * *
Fortunately, the ship sold quickly, and April received a better price than she had expected—thanks to Mille Virta’s competence.
In April’s assessment, Mille had what it took to become quite a capable banker, but it seemed difficult for someone from the Virta Family, once fallen out of favor in that conservative banking society which passed positions directly to children, to regain her standing.
Of course, there was a way: the Virta Family would need only to see the Lunos Family—who refused to conduct banking with anyone but the Virta—restore its former glory.
That said, it seemed more promising for the Virta to become a banker through their own strength alone.
The white breath April saw told her clearly that the next rain would fall as snow.
April made her way calmly toward the chicken coop.
As always, she’d left the door open and the stake had disappeared, but the chickens didn’t wander far—they came and went near the house, busying themselves finding insects and earthworms on their own. They seemed to understand that this hill was their home.
After tending to the chickens and coop, giving them feed she’d made herself, she headed back to the manor.
She wished she had someone to send to market in her place.
When she’d gone to the port to deliver news that the ship had sold and stopped by the market, no one would sell her anything. She’d managed to buy all the grain from an old woman who had sprained her leg and couldn’t flee, which was the only reason. Whether from joy that her income had increased, the old woman who’d been so frightened at first had grasped April’s hand and thanked her repeatedly.
But she couldn’t repeat these difficult shopping trips endlessly.
“If only I could hire someone…”
Murmuring thus as she headed toward the entrance, April suddenly felt heat behind her and turned around.
Tall grass had caught fire.
A gaunt young girl stood before the burning grass, startled, trying to stamp it out with her feet—but fear of the flames kept her from succeeding.
“I have to… to put it out… what do I do…?”
Fortunately, Right Island’s winter was humid, and it had rained all through the previous night, so the fire wasn’t spreading rapidly. Still, the flames crept forward steadily, widening their reach.
April spoke urgently.
“It’s dangerous—come here!”
The girl, startled by the low, commanding tone of someone detecting danger, ran toward April.
April rushed to the storage shed where she always kept blankets for putting out fires. The girl, following her, grabbed one of the blankets too.
The large blanket unfurled over the flames, and they gradually died down.
The girl lifted the blanket and confirmed the fire was completely out, then exhaled in relief.
“That was close…”
“You.”
When April called out, the girl started violently, her body stiffening. Beneath the blanket, the stick the girl had used to carry the fire protruded.
“I’m… I’m sorry…!”
The girl whimpered and tried to flee, but April spoke to her menacingly.
“If you run, I’ll curse you. A very terrible curse.”
People’s misunderstandings were sometimes subtly convenient.
At April’s words, the girl froze, trembling all over.
April thought the girl was hiding something else in her hands beneath her clothes and grabbed at them suddenly.
But she grasped nothing.
When April pulled the girl’s right arm from inside her clothes, she found there was no hand.
As April frowned and examined the arm, the girl sat down on her knees and spoke.
“I’m sorry! Please don’t curse me!”
Seeing how the girl hid her left arm behind her back, it became clear what she understood a curse to be: losing her other hand.
April spoke.
“Come with me.”
“I’m sorry…!”
“Does apologizing in words solve everything?”
At April’s curt tone, the girl flinched and shook her head.
The girl, having lost her right hand not long ago, had instinctively tried to brace herself against the ground, only to feel her body tilt forward—which she caught with her left arm to right herself, then hastily followed April.
The girl’s name was Hanna Koski, and her thirteenth birthday was not far away.
Not long ago, Hanna had lost her right hand to machinery at the factory, but the problem was that she had to pay for all of it—both the cost of repairing the ruined machine and the fee for the unlicensed doctor who’d treated her.
Knowing that Hanna couldn’t pay the repair costs, the factory manager made an offer: to set fire to this witch’s manor.
April pressed her fingers to her temple, then withdrew her hand. The gesture reminded her of something her mother used to do.
It seemed pain at the temples was hereditary when troubled, and April didn’t want to perform actions that would evoke memories of her mother—not when such actions brought happy memories of childhood in their wake.
April furrowed her brow and asked.
“Labor for those under fourteen is forbidden, isn’t it? You said you were twelve?”
“Oh! That law was abolished five years ago!”
“Abolished? Why?”
April, understanding nothing, repeated the question.
Seven years ago, despite having incurred the Duke’s hatred, April had escaped execution thanks to the protection of laws safeguarding minors. And yet a twelve-year-old child had been injured while working and on top of that had fallen into debt. It was incomprehensible.
Looking out from the Police Station, the Duchy appeared prosperous. It had achieved growth incomparable to seven years prior. The pace was excessive. In April’s experience, excess of any kind always carried problems.
April asked Hanna.
“Your parents?”
“My mother passed away early! My father only drinks!”
“That’s good—you’re spirited.”
At April’s response, Hanna smiled faintly.
“You’re spirited too, miss. That’s good.”
“That’s right.”
April replied and stood.
But April observed that Hanna had resolved to extinguish the fire immediately upon seeing it actually catch—something she considered deserving of some leniency.
Forgiving the arson was one thing, but April had neither the money nor the will to pay this child’s debts in her place.
April spoke.
“Now that you understand, go on. I’ll forgive you for starting the fire.”
“Really, miss?”
“But if you set another fire, I won’t be so lenient next time.”
“Yes!”
The girl answered readily, whether or not she had a plan.
Having finished speaking, April gestured for Hanna to leave, but the girl didn’t go—she hesitated, standing in place.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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