After a five-minute walk, they finally arrived.
Clarisse's workplace, Le Fil d'Or, stood like a golden gem in the heart of the cobbled village lane — a cozy yet elegant stone shop, its arched windows wrapped in ivy.
A swinging sign above the door glowed softly in the morning light, with the name written in real gold thread. The windows were decorated with embroidered cloth and lace, moving gently in the breeze like beautiful pictures.
Through the front glass, Ryo and the Fairy Greatmother spotted Clarisse inside — already busy, arranging gowns and lighting small candles on a chandelier that hung just above her reach. She stood on a modest wooden stool, stretching to ignite each wick with practiced care.
But then, mid-reach, she spotted Ryo and the Fairy Greatmother through the glass.
Her eyes lit up like fireworks. In a split second, she leapt off the stool and dashed to the entrance, throwing the door open with theatrical flair, arms wide as if welcoming home a beloved prince.
"HONEY!!! OH, YOU CAME TO VISIT ME!!" she cried, beaming like a bride on her wedding day.
The Fairy Greatmother blinked, her smile faltering as she turned to Ryo in confusion.
"Honey?" she asked sweetly. "Mr. Detective… since when were you married to her?"
Ryo sighed and rolled his eyes dramatically toward the morning sky.
"Please don't take her seriously, ma'am," he muttered. "She probably drank too much apple cider last night, and now thinks I'm her slipper-fitting prince who came to whisk her away."
Clarisse, meanwhile, clung to the doorframe and batted her eyes at Ryo with all the charm of a lovesick playwright mid-performance.
The Fairy Greatmother pressed a hand to her mouth, holding back a laugh.
As Clarisse twirled toward them with pure joy, her eyes finally drifted to the small crowd of animals standing dutifully behind Ryo and the Fairy Greatmother.
She paused, then gave a sheepish smile.
"Oh… as much as I adore Cinderella's fuzzy little friends, I'm afraid animals aren't allowed inside the shop. Workplace rules, you know."
Her tone softened, clearly torn between swooning over Ryo and keeping her professional image intact.
Ryo gave a small nod, a gentle smile on his face.
"Understood. Professional boundaries. Very important."
But behind that calm exterior, the gears in his mind were already turning.
He couldn't investigate too directly — Clarisse was still high on his suspect list, along with the rest of the stepfamily. And Edmund… he was the most suspicious of them all.
Too risky to poke around openly.
He needed a sneakier route.
That's when he looked down at Barkzilla — more specifically, at the squirrel proudly seated atop the dog's head like a proud king on his mighty horse.
Ryo leaned in slightly and whispered, just loud enough for one rodent ear to catch.
"You're up, Captain."
Captain Nutso snapped into a rigid salute, his bushy tail flicking like a banner in the wind.
Ryo subtly lowered his hand, and the squirrel quickly climbed up his arm. With practiced stealth, Captain Nutso slipped inside the hidden pocket of Ryo's trench coat, disappearing beneath its folds like a spy tucking into the shadows.
And then, Ryo and the Fairy Greatmother stepped inside the establishment together.
Clarisse, still blissfully distracted, had turned to the Fairy Greatmother and begun gushing about her shop's collection.
"And here we have our newest autumn line — silk gowns in the deepest wine reds and dusk blues! Perfect for any noble lady wishing to make a statement."
Fairy Greatmother offered polite nods and warm compliments, keeping Clarisse engaged.
Ryo, feigning interest, wandered slightly behind them.
When Clarisse turned to retrieve an embroidered fichu, Ryo seized the moment. He extended an arm toward a nearby gown rack — not to touch the fabric, but to give his hidden agent the cue.
From the shadowed sleeve of his coat, Captain Nutso emerged quietly. He leapt to the back of the dress and vanished behind it like a squirrel-shaped phantom.
Now hidden in the folds of tulle and lace, the tiny spy began his covert search, sniffing and scanning like a rodent investigator on a high-stakes mission.
Ryo remained calm, hands casually in his coat pockets, nodding at the luxurious materials as Clarisse turned back and continued her enthusiastic monologue.
All the while, the real investigation had quietly begun — right under her nose.
After sneaking and scurrying through the elegant workplace, Captain Nutso rubbed his tiny chin thoughtfully from behind a velvet curtain. No suspicious items, no odd traces. Nothing that screamed 'Cinderella clue.'
But then, something caught his eye.
Near the entrance, perched innocently on the desk counter, was a registry book.
Captain Nutso's eyes narrowed.
With a silent leap, the squirrel landed on the desk with the grace of a seasoned spy. He crept to the edge of the book and gently nudged it open, tiny paws flipping a corner. His eyes scanned the pages quickly… until he spotted a familiar name—
"Chi!" The squirrel gave a soft chirp, just loud enough for Ryo to catch.
Ryo turned his head slightly and saw the tiny agent gently tapping the book.
"The registry book…?" He thought.
But Clarisse was still mid-conversation with Fairy Greatmother, cheerfully showcasing the latest embroidered gown. Ryo couldn't just stroll over and read it — even a second of obvious snooping would raise alarms.
Then, as if summoned by fate, Agent Whiskers, the kitten, peered curiously from outside the door.
Ryo's eyes narrowed.
Perfect. Time for Whiskers' secret weapon.
Adorableness.
He gave a subtle hand signal, and the kitten padded softly toward him, eyes wide and innocent.
Ryo casually pointed to Clarisse.
Whiskers saluted like a tiny soldier and marched up to her heel. "Mew!"
Clarisse stopped mid-sentence. She looked down… and nearly melted on the spot.
"AWWW!! YOU'RE SOOO ADORABLE! HOW COME I DIDN'T NOTICE HOW CUTE YOU WERE BEFORE?!"
She hung the dress back gently and scooped Whiskers up, hugging the kitten to her face with hearts practically bursting from her eyes.
With Clarisse completely distracted, Ryo moved fast.
He stepped back toward the counter, one hand sliding open the registry book.
His sharp detective eyes darted across the lines as he flipped through the pages with speed and precision.
Names. Dates. Sales. Appointments.
Then he saw it.
Cinderella.
Her name, written clearly, with more details beside it—enough to prove she'd been here, maybe even worked here, along with information about something else. It was a vital lead.
With a practiced hand, Ryo closed the book quietly.
Captain Nutso dove off the desk and disappeared behind it just as Clarisse, still holding Whiskers, turned around.
"What are you doing, honey?" she asked with a bashful smile, still putting on her pretend-wife routine.
Ryo, keeping calm, pointed casually toward a nearby display.
"That emerald green dress — it looks beautiful. I think it'd suit you."
Clarisse froze. Her cheeks flushed pink.
"T-T-That's… Are you really sure it would look good on me?" she stammered, her hands fluttering to her cheeks.
"Yeah," Ryo said smoothly, playing along. "You'd look even more beautiful."
Steam practically puffed out from Clarisse's ears as she turned redder than an apple no one should ever bite.
"I-I-It's the first time you said something like that…"
Fairy Greatmother blinked, watching the interaction with mild surprise and amusement.
"Oh my… just like before. You really are quite the charmer, Mr. Detective."
Of course, Ryo hadn't meant it. He was just covering his tracks. One compliment to dodge suspicion — nothing more.
Once the mood calmed, Ryo straightened and said calmly.
"Thank you for showing us around, Clarisse. I'm heading off now — I need to start my investigation to find Cinderella."
Clarisse's flustered smile softened. "I hope you find her soon, Sherlock."
And with that, Ryo, Fairy Greatmother, and the agents exited the shop, leaving Clarisse behind.
The time in Evendelle is now 5:45 am.
Fairy Greatmother smiled warmly.
"Next, we'll be going to Miss Seraphine's workplace — Éclat d'Or."
Ryo returned the smile and gave a respectful nod. "Lead the way, ma'am."
After a 10-minute walk, they finally arrived.
'Éclat d'Or' stood proudly at the corner of the cobblestone street — its white stone walls and golden trim shining softly in the morning light. A wrought-iron sign, shaped like a jeweled earring, swung gently above the door.
Warm lanterns flickered by the entrance, casting a soft glow in the quiet pre-dawn.
But what caught Ryo's attention first…
…was the crowd of 10 men gathered right outside the store, all looking like a pack of hopeful puppies waiting for their turn to bark.
Ryo tilted his head and casually stepped up.
"Hey guys, what are you all doing out here? Isn't it a little early? The shop hasn't even opened yet."
One of them, Man A, lit up like a torch. "I'm here to buy a ring!" he said, stars in his eyes. "I'm going to propose to Miss Seraphine!"
Man B pushed forward, puffing out his chest.
"No way! I'm getting that beautiful sapphire ring — I'm going to be the one to win her heart!"
Man C, visibly vibrating with rage, yelled.
"WHAT?! I'M THE ONE WHO'S GOING TO PROPOSE TO THE GODDESS SERAPHINE! SHE'LL BE MINE!!"
Ryo blinked and thought. "Oh boy… it's a Seraphine fan club."
It became obvious that every single one of these guys had shown up to try and impress the same woman — Miss Seraphine, the radiant heartthrob of the village.
Then, stepping forward with the smugness of a discount anime rival, Man D — a clearly wealthy noble — chuckled.
You know the type. That slow, nasal chuckle that says 'I've been waiting for this moment to flex.'
"Heh heh heh… you peasants truly have low standards when it comes to gifts for a refined lady like Miss Seraphine."
All the other men snapped toward him like startled geese.
"What do you mean?! Are you saying our gifts are the bottom of the barrel?!"
Ryo, already narrowing his eyes, muttered. "…Yup. Here it comes. He's doing that trope."
Man D dramatically tossed his cape (which he absolutely didn't need at this hour) and declared with a grin.
"A proper man gifts a proper treasure — to a proper lady. That's why I'll be presenting Miss Seraphine with…
'Le Cœur de Ravenswood!'
The Heart of Ravenswood — a necklace so divine it costs… 9,500 livres!"
A silence.
Then…
All nine other men staggered back like they'd just been pierced by a dozen arrows—each one shaped like a rejection letter.
"9,500 LIVRES?!" they screamed in unison, clutching their hearts like anime characters about to faint.
"THAT'S AMONG THE MOST EXPENSIVE ITEMS IN THE SHOP?! WE CAN'T COMPETE WITH THAT!!"
Ryo rubbed his temple.
"…And there it is. The delusional rich guy who thinks he's the main character."
Then something clicked in his mind. "Wait… did he just say livres? So that's the currency here…"
Ryo slowly nodded. "Alright. Noted. Now I just need to figure out what that translates to in miso soup levels of confusion.
Fairy Greatmother stifled a giggle behind her hand.
Then Seraphine stepped out from the shop entrance.
The men all gasped in unison, eyes wide as if they'd just seen an angel descend from the heavens.
But from Ryo's perspective? Seraphine looked perfectly normal — no glowing halo or divine wings in sight.
Seraphine gave them a gentle, beautiful smile—angelic, really—and said…
"Why, hello there, dear customers. Isn't it a bit early to be here? The shop doesn't open until 7 am."
The men's hearts pounded cartoonishly, their chests puffing out like they might burst. Their eyes turned into giant hearts, glowing so brightly they could blind a bystander.
Ryo deadpanned and just blinked. To him, Seraphine was just… Seraphine.
Man A stepped forward and dropped to one knee, eyes sparkling like the finest jewel in the shop.
"Miss Seraphine, my love, I want to buy a ring from your shop so I can propo—"
Before he could finish, Man B shoved him aside and dropped to one knee as well, eyes practically twinkling.
"My graceful Seraphine, I'm here to take your hand a—"
But just then, Man D—the cliché noble who thinks he's already won the lottery—kicked Man B aside, grabbed Seraphine's hands dramatically, and began his grand shoujo-manga-style proposal.
Seraphine looked momentarily startled.
Man D boomed. "These peasants are not worthy of your attention, my lady! I shall buy you the most exquisite necklace in this shop—'Le Cœur de Ravenswood,' The Heart of Ravenswood! It costs a mere 9,500 livres! Together, we shall ride off into the sunset and live our 'happily ever afte—'"
Before he could finish his cliché ending, Seraphine glanced to the side and spotted Ryo, who was deadpanning at the absurdity of it all.
Her eyes immediately turned into sparkling hearts, shining brighter than glass slippers, and she shouted happily.
"DAAARLING SHERLOOOCK!!!"
All the men froze, mouths hanging open. "Eh…?"
Ryo sighed. "Oh great… here comes the next cliché…"
Seraphine let go of Man D's hands with a playful slap, still beaming, and rushed at Ryo like she was greeting her long-lost husband returning from a heroic quest.
She jumped toward him, wrapped her arms around his neck, and spun around him like a helicopter.
"Ahhh~ my dear husband, you came all the way to see me! Are you ready to make children with me? Oh! How bold of you!" She gushed, eyes sparkling.
Ryo was utterly speechless, his deadpan face frozen in disbelief.
The other men, seeing Seraphine's affection, looked like they'd been struck by thunder—turning to stone right before their very eyes.
"M-M-Miss Seraphine… i-is he… your husband?" Man D stammered, trembling as he pointed.
Seraphine, who had nearly flown off with Ryo, finished her helicopter spin and landed gracefully in front of him, still clutching his neck with hearts in her eyes.
"Why yes, gentlemen! We promised to have at least fifty children," she said, glowing like an angel.
Ryo panicked. "SINCE WHEN…?!"
The petrified men slowly crumbled back into normal form but looked thoroughly crushed. They shuffled away, heads down, muttering…
"Ugh… Miss Seraphine already has a husband…"
Seraphine finally released Ryo and folded her hands, eyes full of excitement.
"We still have a little over an hour before the shop opens! Shall we find an inn and 'go all out?'" she said, practically bouncing with joy.
Ryo shouted in protest.
"I'M NOT ABOUT TO HAVE A LOVE HOTEL MOMENT WITH YOU!"
"And what's with this sudden obsession with baby-making?!"
Then, curious, Ryo asked. "Besides, I thought you were having trouble finding a suitor. You sounded desperate yesterday when I first arrived. Look at those poor guys—they were clearly interested."
Seraphine tilted her head, finger to her lips, confused.
"Well, of course I was looking for a suitor! I even went to a matchmaking gathering with my 'goddess' makeup style."
She paused, still puzzled.
"But the moment they saw my otherworldly, glorious makeup… they all ran away. I don't know why."
Ryo deadpanned. "If that clown makeup is your definition of 'goddess and otherworldly,' then something is terribly wrong with your fashion sense."
Seraphine didn't hear him and smiled, flustered, both hands pressed to her cheeks.
"But… for some reason… I'm so drawn to you. You were the first man to shout at me and my sister when we said strange things. I was… intrigued."
Ryo threw up his hands in mock frustration, his voice thick with sarcasm.
"OH YEAH! The classic heroine falling for the guy who treats her differently from all those lovestruck fools? Fascinating! HOW ORIGINAL!"
From behind, Fairy Greatmother and the animals giggled quietly, clearly enjoying Ryo's rom-com chaos.
Ryo took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, trying to calm himself.
He turned to Seraphine and said with mild interest.
"I was… curious about your jewelry shop. Thought I'd check it out."
But of course—just like Clarisse's workplace—animals weren't allowed inside. The animal agents stayed behind near the door, watching their commander disappear into enemy territory.
And so, Ryo and the Fairy Greatmother stepped inside.
The interior of the shop looked very high-class. The tall ceiling and golden lights cast a warm glow over the dark, shiny wooden floor. Along the narrow boutique, glass cases lined with velvet displayed sparkling necklaces, brooches, and rings—each looking like it once belonged to someone rich and noble.
But Ryo wasn't here to admire jewels.
Just like with Clarisse, he had to investigate in secret. With a subtle glance upward at the towering displays, Ryo narrowed his eyes.
Something up there might be connected to Cinderella.
He shifted his head slightly and whispered toward his shoulder.
"Agent McPecker. You're up next. Fly up there."
From the door, the white dove flew toward Ryo, perched on his shoulder, and gave a silent salute with his wing. Then, without a sound, he took off and zipped upward, weaving through dangling crystal chandeliers and display stands with such stealth, it could make a ninja consider early retirement.
Seraphine, who was busy showing off the jewelry to Fairy Greatmother, turned around mid-sentence.
She smiled sweetly. "What's wrong, my dear husband?" she asked, still thinking she was already married to Sherlock.
Ryo wore his best poker face. "Oh, it's nothing. I'm just… awed by all this jewelry. Please, continue your explanation."
Seraphine beamed, clearly pleased by the flattery, and resumed talking excitedly to the Fairy Greatmother.
"This brooch was part of a noblewoman's dowry, or so the story goes! And that necklace? It once adorned the neck of a duchess visiting from a distant land. Simply exquisite, isn't it?"
Meanwhile, above their heads, McPecker flew silently from display to display, eyes scanning the shimmering sea of gold and gemstones.
And then… he saw it.
His wings faltered.
A golden locket, small and elegant, dangled from a thin chain… something about it felt familiar. McPecker had seen it before. He floated toward it, landed gently on the shelf beside it, and tilted his head. With a gentle click of his beak, he opened the locket.
Inside… was a small, worn photo.
A photo of a girl.
His girl.
The girl he's sworn to protect, no matter what.
McPecker's eyes watered, his tiny chest trembling. This wasn't just a mission… this was personal. He had flown above her head, chirped with her, listened to her sing, and stood guard over her sleep from the attic window. And now, she was gone from the castle. A heavy guilt weighed on him—he had failed to protect her.
His beak trembled, but there was no time for emotion.
He gently closed the locket, carefully lifted it by the chain with his beak, and began descending.
Ryo glanced up as McPecker began his return descent. But just then—
Seraphine started to turn back around.
"Hurry!" Ryo whispered under his breath.
And just before her eyes could land on them, McPecker shot forward and zipped behind Ryo's head, hiding atop his backpack like a shadow.
Beads of sweat formed on McPecker' feathers as he exhaled in relief. Outside the shop, the animals watching through the window silently exhaled as well, nearly collapsing from the tension.
Seraphine blinked, staring at Ryo. "Darling, you're really looking strange today…"
Ryo quickly glanced right and pointed at a display.
"No, no… I just thought… that glass butterfly hair accessory would look amazing on you. You know, if you tied your hair up and pinned it with that."
Seraphine's face exploded into a bright red blush. "T-That's…"
Ryo used the moment to glance past her—catching Fairy Greatmother's eye behind Seraphine.
His eyes narrowed.
Fairy Greatmother instantly understood. She gave him a serious nod and stepped forward.
"Oh my, I think this butterfly hair accessory would look absolutely beautiful on your hair, Miss Seraphine."
Seraphine lit up and spun around to face her. "Really?! Will dear Sherlock start drooling over me?!"
While she squealed in excitement, Ryo took his chance. He reached back, took the golden locket from Agent McPecker, and quickly opened it.
Inside—an image of Cinderella… and something else. A hidden clue.
He quickly pulled out his phone, snapped a photo, and closed the locket. Then, gripping the locket and chain tightly, he slid his hand down to his side, keeping it hidden as Seraphine turned back with her usual sparkle.
"Sherlock~!" Seraphine called out lovingly. "I'm definitely going to buy this for myself—so you can sneak into my room tonight and we'll have, you know…"
Ryo squinted at her, clearly done with her delusions. "Riiiiiiight…"
But now wasn't the time to deadpan. He still had the golden locket in his hand, and he needed another distraction.
That's when he spotted a fluffy little face peeking nervously through the doorway.
Agent Barkface. His second adorable agent. Mission-ready.
Ryo gave a subtle nod and winked.
The puppy saluted back with a paw and charged in like a tiny, tactical missile.
"OH!" Seraphine gasped as Barkface leapt into her arms and began licking her face with adorable enthusiasm.
"HAHAHAHA—You're too cute! Stop it!" she laughed, eyes shut.
While she was distracted, Ryo slipped the golden locket back to McPecker. The dove took it, zipped up, returned it to its original place, and swooped back down in a graceful arc—gliding out of the store like he'd just taken a stroll through the clouds.
Outside, the animals huddled together, pretending they hadn't just witnessed a full-blown heist.
Seraphine, now snuggling Barkface, glanced outside and spotted McPecker standing calmly with the other animals, as if nothing had happened.
Ryo and Fairy Greatmother let out a relieved sigh.
"…Why do both of you look so tired, Sherlock? Ms. Roselia?" Seraphine asked, puzzled by their sudden exhaustion.
Fairy Greatmother smiled gently, though her eyes twitched ever so slightly.
"We're just… hungry, that's all."
Ryo nodded quickly, his fake smile barely holding. "Yeah. Haven't had breakfast yet."
The suspense hung in the air, thick like fog.
Even Barkface stopped wagging his tail.
Mission complete.
As Ryo, Fairy Greatmother, and the animal agents prepared to leave the jewelry shop, Seraphine stepped forward, standing at the entrance.
She pointed gently across the street—toward a small, charming bakery just thirty meters away, sitting between ivy-covered stone buildings.
"Then you can both eat there," she said with a soft smile. "That bakery opens very early in the morning."
Ryo gave a polite smile in return. "Thanks. We'll be heading there now."
But just as Ryo and Fairy Greatmother began moving toward the door, Seraphine's voice called out again—softer this time, almost fragile.
"…It's the bakery that… Cinderella once worked at."
Everyone froze mid-step.
Their eyes turned back to Seraphine.
Fairy Greatmother looked surprised. "Did dear Cinderella really work there before, Miss Seraphine?"
Seraphine nodded slowly, and began her story….
Cinderella was just six years old the first time her stepmother took her to a bakery.
She had wandered in with wide, curious eyes, enchanted by the scent of fresh loaves, honeyed rolls, and warm spices wafting through the air. It was then—her very first taste of soft, freshly baked bread—that something inside her bloomed. A love was born that day.
From then on, she couldn't let it go.
She begged Madam Rosalind—back when Rosalind still showed her some warmth, when Cinderella saw her as a real mother—to buy ingredients and teach her how to knead dough, how to mix flour and yeast with care. She'd tug at Rosalind's skirt, eyes shining, pleading for a chance to learn.
At first, she failed. Over and over again.
Burnt crusts. Misshaped loaves. Dough that wouldn't rise.
But she never gave up.
She wanted to make the Ravenswood family happy. She wanted them to taste joy—the joy she felt when she first discovered baking.
Rosalind taught her the basics. And when time passed, some of the kinder servants in the household began helping as well.
They grew fond of Cinderella — the cheerful, flour-dusted girl who always greeted them with a glowing smile and called them 'Teacher,' as if they were the wisest people in the kingdom.
She soaked in every lesson like a sponge.
By the time Cinderella turned seven, she proudly presented her 'best creation ever'—a warm, golden pastry topped with honeyed fruits and a dusting of sugar. She held it up to Rosalind and her stepsisters with glittering eyes, waiting anxiously.
And to everyone's surprise… it was delicious.
The smiles on their faces—their praise and nods of delight—even made Rosalind give Cinderella a gentle headpat, like a proud mother. Cinderella's heart fluttered with pride. It was the first time she felt she had done something right. The first time her hands had created something that brought joy to others.
From that day forward, she dreamed of opening her own bakery.
But she wanted experience first.
So, at age ten, Cinderella began working at the bakery right across the street from where Seraphine now worked. The owners took her in like a niece, teaching her everything from scratch. She learned to make honey cakes, spiced gingerbread, raisin bread, tarts of every fruit and filling imaginable.
She served customers with a heart-melting smile and a voice that sparkled with warmth. People didn't just come for the pastries. They came for her.
Sales soared. The bakery thrived.
And every day after closing, Cinderella would save what wasn't sold—donating it to the homeless along the village's outer streets, and scattering crumbs at the village square for the doves.
She became known by the villagers as "The Angel of Evendelle."
No one taught her to be kind. Not directly.
She never knew her birth mother—Aurelia—who had passed when Cinderella was still a baby. But somewhere deep within her, Aurelia's gentle spirit had lived on. That quiet legacy, the teaching to remain pious and good even in hardship… had taken root in Cinderella's heart like a song passed through generations.
Cinderella worked at the bakery until she turned fifteen.
Five months after Madam Rosalind's remarriage, everything changed.
That was when Cinderella's kindness was no longer met with warmth—but envy.
The praise she once earned turned to silence. The smiles to scowls.
And so, Cinderella quietly resigned from the bakery.
Not because she wanted to.
But because she had become a servant in her own home.
That… was Seraphine's story.
And for a brief moment, no one spoke.
The bakery across the street stood quiet and golden in the morning light—its windows glowing faintly with the first rays of dawn, a place that once held the dreams of a girl who only wanted to bring warmth to the world.
The Angel of Evendelle.
And now… just a memory.