Yorna's noble streets were spotless.
As though chaos itself were not allowed to exist, silk banners wavered softly above gleaming walkways, and each lantern was positioned with purposeful accuracy. With his hands in his pockets and his eyes wandering over the exquisite surroundings, Sévon strolled silently through the district.
Kurayamiya flourished in contrast, being lively, packed, and alive with layered lights and bustling, narrow streets.Both districts would win if they were put in a competition.
One was elegant and sophisticated.
The other was a living beauty, but only one of them had a corpse in it at the moment. Sévon's thoughts returned to Masao's neck as he strolled. There had been no flaunting or displaying of the velora.
Masao was a low-ranking noble, but it had been put there.which implied that the purpose was not his death.
"Then it is time to act," Sévon whispered softly as his eyes narrowed.
With a steady gaze and an unhurried gait, he stepped forward into the noble street. A sudden change in motion appeared on the periphery of his vision. He was going to be hit by someone.
Sévon moved half a step to the side without even looking. The figure moved through the area where he had been just a moment before.
"Really, why are you wandering around here by yourself?" Sévon asked.
A small chuckle came out of the person's mouth, their short laugh was fine and almost soft, almost noble.
"You know that the dodge was not necessary right? Or am I wrong, Sévon?"
Sévon stared at the person who bumped him and just simply smiled.
"Yea, your right that was uncalled for. Now come on I know you want to even if you're trying your best to hide it,Esme." Sévon said, as he opened his arms wide.
She stood motionless for a heartbeat before losing her cool. She moved swiftly—no, she ran—and encircled him with much more force than her body would have allowed. The embrace was not honorable.
It sounded desperate, like she was securing him. In return, Sévon wrapped her in his warm, steady arms. He lightly touched the back of her head with his hand.
"Hasn't it been a while?" he muttered.
Her grip became less tight after a few seconds, and they gradually separated. In order to regain her composure, Esme took the first step back and brushed invisible dust from her sleeve.
"Yes, it has," she muttered.
Sévon examined her face. She was grinning.
Sévon looked at the satchel dangling over her shoulder.
"Are you not supposed to be at school?"
Esme's smile wavered for a brief moment before she laughed softly and nervously while twirling a lock of her black-and-red hair around her finger. She adjusted the strap of her structured leather randoseru-style satchel, which was a little too heavy for her slender frame, and shifted her weight.
She was still dressed in full uniform.
Her shoulders were framed by a clean white sailor blouse, with a broad black collar rimmed with thin white piping that, in the right light.A big black bow was securely fastened to her chest with a tiny dark brooch that had the academy's crest on it.
Moving gently in the breeze, her pleated black skirt fell neatly to her knees. She appeared to be sitting in a classroom, just as she should have.
The weight of his gaze was felt by Esme. She let out a loud sigh.
"All right," she whispered. "I fled."
Sévon gave a single blink.
"Run away."
She folded her arms and hurriedly insisted, "It was boring."
He let out a slow sigh, then reached up and touched the bridge of his nose with two fingers.
"You were bored, so you skipped your academy lectures."
"When you say it like that, it sounds worse," she said.
"It's worse."
She gave her cheeks a little puff, but the look was fleeting. Instead, curiosity sharpened her eyes.
"So, what are you doing in Yorna?" she asked, taking a step toward him.
"A job."
Her whole attitude changed.
"A job?" she asked again, her earlier defensiveness instantly giving way to excitement. "Which one? Is it a political issue? Duty as an escort? Something confidential?
Her eyes gleamed as she leaned forward excitedly. Sévon gave her a long look. Then he gave a straightforward response.
"A case of murder."
Her face lost its excitement.Suddenly, the noble street appeared to be quieter. Now Esme examined him closely.
Softer this time, she questioned, "Is it serious?"
"Yes."
She paused.
"Dangerous?"
The silence that followed Sévon's delayed response was sufficient. Esme took a small swallow.
"Who would die if it's dangerous?"
Sévon didn't think twice.
"Shirai Masao."
Her eyes instantly grew wide.
"Shirai Masao?The Masao Shirai?He is among Yorna's most powerful minor nobles. How could a powerful person like him simply pass away?Her voice was filled with disbelief as she asked,
"Power is not immunity," Sévon calmly retorted.
"His bedroom is where he was discovered."
Esme leaned in.
"And?"
"He wasn't by himself."
Slowly, understanding appeared on her face.
"Oh."
Sévon concluded, ""He died in the company of a woman who was not his wife."."