The Duchess Detective's Case Files
Just A Dare
Ariel
Come on, it's just a dare.
I could hear all the giggles and whispers from the women surrounding us.
If this was a joke, it'd be a sick one.
You must be wondering, what am I agreeing to right now?
Let me take you to a trip down memory lane.
Freya
It's so early, Rachel..
Rachel closed the door and ran to take my blanket off my body.
Rachel
Come on, this is no time to be sleeping.
Rachel
You just got invited to Ariel Winchester's tea party!
Ariel was the daughter of Viscount Augustus Winchester.
She was also my childhood ex-friend.
Ever since people started looking down on me, she was too ashamed to be seen with me.
Freya
Why would I go to one of her tea parties?
Rachel
You know she's famous for making excellent tea parties.
Freya
Sure, I'm definitely going to enjoy a tea party hosted by my ex-best friend.
Rachel
But you don't hate her, do you?
I gave Rachel a weak glare.
A weak one because I knew she was right.
Even if Ariel had turned her back on me, I would understand why.
An obedient dog in human form, is what most people think of me.
Rachel
I knew you'd come around.
So, four hours later, I arrived to the tea party.
It was all mostly nonsense.
Gossip, politics and some talk about a guy's abs.
It was as if I wasn't even there.
Laurel
You're free tomorrow, right?
Daughter of the Grand Duke.
Laurel
That's nice, well...
And before I knew it, I was pressured into going to a stranded, haunted house.
Ariel
Come on, it's just a dare.
Clover
Sending her to a haunted place is unfair.
Clover Von Elderich, my best friend.
She's also never afraid to speak her mind.
Clover
If you think that's a good way to spend time then how about you do it?
That mouth of hers will get her into serious trouble one day.
With the way she talks back you'd think she was of a higher status.
But Clover was a Duke's daughter, like me, while Laurel was a whole Grand Duke's daughter.
The difference in authority was obvious to even a toddler.
Laurel
How rude of you to talk like that, Miss Clover.
It was clear Clover wanted to continue the argument.
But if she did, she would most definitely get in trouble.
Freya
I'll go to the haunted house.
Haunted Encounter
The sound of horses yelping didn't phase me at all.
I was only thinking of what to do right now.
Driver
We have arrived, your grace.
I slowly stepped out of the carriage.
The so-called haunted house was huge.
It looked like it had belonged to a noble.
My thoughts were interrupted by a noise behind me.
The carriage driver was speeding away with the carriage.
I ran after the carriage, but I was too slow.
Freya
(I'm stuck here, huh.)
It was freezing cold outside.
The only thing I could possibly do was stay at the haunted house until someone noticed I was missing.
When I got inside, the house was well-furnished.
Yes, there was a lot of dust, but that could be cleaned off easily.
The only problem was.. the lights.
They kept going on and off.
Freya
I-I don't like this..
I quickly found my way to the bedroom.
I relaxed on the bed. It was much more comfortable than it looked.
Freya
(I hope someone notices I'm missing soon.)
Freya
(Once I'm out of here, I'll give that carriage driver hell!)
... Suddenly, a feeling of regret washed over me.
Why did I listen to them?
Freya
All I want is to be respected.
A sound woke me up in the middle of the night.
Freya
(So how am I hearing noises?)
The sound got louder and louder.
It was coming from the closet.
I sucked in my breath and got up from the bed.
Freya
I-Is someone there..
I heard a creaking sound.
The noise was increasing in volume, as if it was calling for me.
I slowly tip-toed to the closet.
Freya
(It's either I die brave, or I die a coward.)
I opened the closet in one fast motion.
We both shrieked at the same time.
She quickly stood up and looked for something in her pockets.
She stared at me with angry eyes.
?
... How much were you paid?
?
I asked how much were you paid to kidnap me.
Freya
I don't even know you!
The woman looked at me, confused.
Freya
(Her clothes look strange.)
?
Have you.. never heard of me?
Freya
That's a weird name.
She glared at me, clearly pissed.
Sonia
You know what's weird? Your clothes.
I looked down at my clothes, trying to see if there's anything wrong with it.
Freya
This dress was made by the most skilled seamstress in the empire!
Sonia
You.. don't know what a TV is?
Freya
Well if I haven't heard of it then it's not popular, no.
Freya
Is it a kind of food?
Sonia looked at me as if I was the dumbest person she's ever met.
Freya
Don't give me that look!
Sonia
All right, so, where am I?
Freya
The Cryteare Empire, of course.
Sonia
Cryteare.. Empire...?
She walked up to me and put her hand on my shoulder.
Her hand couldn't make contact with me.
It was as if she was a ghost.
I slowly looked up, my eyes met hers.
I screamed and ran outside, only to find Sonia following me.
Soon, we were both outside the house.
Then, a carriage with my family's crest had finally appeared.
Sonia
What is this? Are we in the 80s?
That's Ellios, my loyal personal guard.
Also my childhood best friend.
Sonia
Now that's one smokin' hot guy.
Sonia got beside me, directly facing Ellios.
Sonia tried to talk to him but,
Ellios talked as if he couldn't see her.
Sonia
Hey, I'm right here!
Ellios
I've been worried sick...
Ellios
Why didn't you return with the carriage driver?
Freya
He ran off without me.
Sonia
(Can he.. not see me?)
I took a quick glance at Sonia.
Freya
Hey do you see another woman here?
Ellios
I mean, the carriage driver is a girl —
Freya
No, I mean beside me.
Ellios
Is something wrong, my lady?
He put his hands on his mouth.
Ellios
Don't tell me.. a ghost from that house is haunting you?
Freya
(Well, he's kind of right.)
Ellios
Let's get going, then.
Freya
I forgot my earrings inside.
Ellios
But your earrings are —
I quickly signaled Sonia to come in with me.
Freya
So, I'm the only one who can see you.
Sonia
You don't have to rub it in.
Sonia
... God, what kind of manga plot is this?
She ignored me and continued thinking.
Sonia
Hey, this might be a little much to ask but..
Sonia
Can I come with you?
Sonia
I won't cause you trouble since, you know, I'm invisible.
Sonia
I heard you talking to yourself a while ago.
Sonia
You want to be respected, right?
She had a determined look in her eyes.
Sonia
I can help you receive that respect and more.
Freya
Sounds tempting, but how do you plan on doing that?
Sonia
I'll give you the details later.
... And that's how I made a deal with a ghost.
Handsome Dad
Freya
So you're telling me..
Freya
You're from another world?
Sonia sat on the bed as if it was her own.
Sonia
Yep, that's what I'm assuming.
Freya
And you're a famous detective?
I look at her suspiciously.
Sonia
You got a problem with that?
Freya
(She's way too hot-headed!)
Sonia
It's the truth whether you want to believe it or not.
Freya
You died from a "car" accident?
Freya
How can a car kill you?
Sonia
I just told you what a car was.
Sonia
Think of a car as a carriage but it doesn't need an animal's strength.
Sonia
Someone drove this car over me.
Sonia
And then I was dead.
Freya
You explain things so well.
Freya
So the plan is, you're going to solve cases and I take credit?
Sonia
Do you guys have cigarettes here?
Freya
It isn't appropriate for a woman to possess one.
Sonia
Let me guess, but it's okay for a man?
Freya
But are you really okay with me taking credit?
Sonia
Mhm, it's not like I can be seen anyway.
Freya
Is everyone in your world as kind-hearted as you are?
Sonia
I'm not kind-hearted, I'm realistic.
I went out of my room for some fresh air.
Cassian
What were you doing out there?
Sonia whistled as she saw looked at him up and down.
Sonia
You're surrounded by hotties.
Cassian
Who are you talking to?
Sonia
But he looks so young!
Freya
(Well, my dad is handsome.)
I flinched and stared at Sonia.
Freya
(You.. can hear my thoughts?)
Sonia
Well, I could for a while now.
Freya
(Why didn't you tell me?!)
Sonia
I didn't find the need to.
Cassian
Is something wrong?
Cassian
Who convinced you to go to that place?
Freya
It's really nothing.
Cassian
My dear daughter..
Cassian
I would rather die than lose you.
Sonia
How old is your dad, again?
Sonia
(I mean.. a 17-year difference is nothing..)
I looked at Sonia with disgust.
Freya
Don't even think about it.
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