The sly flower and the bored butterfly

Unaccomplished

' Let us go now.' The Inkstone guy mounted on his horse and we left the investigation bureau. ' The perfume salon we talked about is an exclusive place, my lady.' The Inkstone guy raced forward. I followed him. ' I always thought it was very closed off for a mere perfume shop. But the aristocrats like exclusive, noble and rare things. So I never pondered too much on it.'

　　I let out a small nod of acknowledgement. We raced through the dark alleys and headed towards the northern part of the city square. While I hadn't frequented the northern square during my stays in the capital, many things that I needed used to come from the stores around that place. It was a glorious part of the city, a part that showed the strength of our empire.

　　Even in the dark, the street was magnificent as if it only welcomed the rich. But we quietly took a less noticed, somewhat darker alley in the side. The alley took us behind the perfect shops. From here, I could see the back doors of the stores and how well protected they were. It didn't take us long to find the perfume salon. The salon was protected by high walls but we jumped passed the walls with no problem.

　　' My lady, these are the storage houses, the space ahead is the meeting area of the salon. Official Huan might be there.' The Inkstone guy pointed at the premises. But my eyes were caught by a small house like structure, with maybe two rooms. The way to the rooms weren't guarded. It was a shabby place not befitting of the salons extravagant reputation. I motioned him to look there and to follow me.

　　I was going to peek through the window of that room when a sharp scream echoed. It was coming from the front part of the premises. Most likely the place where the fragrances were displayed for buying. Before we could reach there, I saw someone else barging to the front.The Inkstone guy excitedly whispered, ' It is official Huan ! I know his physique well.' He boldly followed the figure and conveniently forgot about me.

　　Things have turned out very wel—— I couldn't complete this pleasant thought because it was interrupted by a painful wail. It sounded very much like the Inkstone guy. It didn't take me much effort to find out where the wailing had started. In the front was a two storey establishment. One of the windows on the second floor was broken. It was very obvious that someone had broken in.

　　I didn't want to be an idiot and barge inside what could be a perfect murder scene so I took the balcony on the side. I jumped up with my mediocre skills. I started wheezing . Just my illness showing it's presence. 'Too much jumping.' A nasty voice hissed in my head. ' Calm down, calm down, take slow deep breaths.' I mentally reminded myself. I took deep breaths and tried to calm my panicky self. During my little exercise, I heard the a voice shout.

　　' You can't do this to me, I am loya— mmph.
' Shut up, you whore.' A more masculine voice grunted. I dragged my body and tried to peek through the door that attached the balcony and the room with the people making noise. I peeked through the gaps of the sliding door and saw things that would indeed make a perfect murder scene. The Inkstone guy had passed out. A tall man who wore a hideous mask had placed his sword on the neck of the food stall owner.

　　Official Huan was dressed in dark robes and had his sword out. He said, ' Take your sword away and calm down. I can ask for a lighter sentence for you in front of his majesty.' The tall man laughed and choked the food stall owner. ' Officials like you always think they are very smart. The I will let you off nonsense is an old trick now.' The food stall owner was still struggling. She tried to wrestle out from his chokehold.

　　She managed to let out a plea, ' Master said that I am the most loyal one. He trusts me.' The tall man payed no heed to her and tightened his grip around her neck.  Their eyes were bulging. From what I gathered, official Huan probably tailed the food stall owner and found out about this perfume salon. He waited to get inside but something happened which made him barge inside like that, without a plan. The tall man is threatening to kill the food stall owner.

　　If she dies, it might be easier for me to just die. I took out my knife from it's cover. It is covered in a very lethal poison. I prepared this just in case someone tries to do something funny to me. But I can't rush in and engage in a close distance fight. A simply graze on his skin would be enough to poison him. While it may not be as lethal, he will show start showing symptoms of being poisoned.That is actually better. It is better if he doesn't die immediately.

　　The sliding door was locked. Fortunately for me, this door was just a door in name. I easily opened it with a small push. The noise attracted the tall mans attention. Official Huan and everyone else looked at me. This is my chance. While the man was distracted, I ran towards him and threw my knife at his hands. It harmlessly touched him and fell down with a clatter.......
Holy gods, why I am I like this? I should have just stayed inside. I try playing playing the heroine once and this happens. It is taking me a lot of effort to not ha-

　　' Argh, What did you do to me?' My self hate monologue was interrupted by the tall mans yelp. He was tightly grabbing his wrist. He had let go of his sword and was on his knees. He was trembling and shivering. The food stall owner had frozen. ' Who are you? WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME!!!!!' The tall man roared and lunged at me. He pathetically coughed up blood and rolled on the floor. ' Me? I am just a nosy passerby. I thought I should try this beautiful poison I obtained. It is quite strong.'

　　By now, official Huan had recognized my voice and had already moved. The food stall owner had tried to escape but was caught. She had been knocked out by him in order to minimize further inconvenience. The tall was coughing violently but I didn't have the cure to the poison. Official Huan looked at me. ' My lady, are you alright? Thank you for saving us. But we can't let that man die.' Official Huan tried to approach the man.

　　 I looked at the now about to pass out tall man and tried to see what I could do to help him.Official Huan looked out of the window and said, ' It will be dawn break soon my lady.' I looked where he was looking at the sky was slowly letting go of the darkness. He knelt down. ' Please return back my lady. This servant will take care of these people.'
He had a point. It was going to be morning. The food stall owner had passed out. Official Huan had tied something around the tall mans wrist. He had passed out.

　　They won't be able to escape under his eyes. ' This lady will trust with you them. Please save the man and thank that man who came with me.' I nodded at him and went out. My job is done here. I jumped down from the balcony and took my horse. I will meet Head court lady An and go back to my palace. Official Huan will probably keep quiet about my appearance. Maybe he will tell the emperor. It doesn't matter. What will the emperor do even if he finds out?

　　Suddenly, I feel very unaccomplished. I came here to inform official Huan about my discovery but he already knew. I even crawled through that dirty tunnel. Yet, I couldn't talk to that food stall owner. After coming this far while sacrificing my sleep I found nothing. I truly am stupid. I should have waited for the suspects to be caught. Well, let's not be too sad. At least I got to see the night sky.

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I hope everyone enjoyed today's chapter. I will be updating less frequently because my school started which means lots of work. I used to have online classes but I have to go to school now.

( Look at me pretending to be a responsible person who updates on time.)

Thank you for reading. Have a good day ~