It is now sunset.
The manor's windows burned with gold, casting long shadows across the parlor walls. A chill crept up Ryo's spine, and it wasn't from the dusk air.
The tension was suffocating.
Ryo's suspicion toward Edmund had grown tenfold—more than Clarisse, Seraphine, or even the now-oddly sentimental Stepmother. Something about Edmund didn't sit right…
In every Cinderella tale, the father figure was a ghost—nonexistent, like wallpaper in the background. But this Edmund? He was present... too present.
And here's what twisted Ryo's gut… In the present day of this fairytale world, Cinderella was nineteen years old. Edmund had married the Stepmother exactly four years ago—the same time Cinderella's mistreatment began, when she was just fifteen.
Coincidence? Ryo didn't think so.
To avoid setting off any alarms—especially from the ever-smiling Edmund—Ryo decided to cut the visit short, end the interrogation early, and leave with Fairy Greatmother before Edmund could sniff out his true intentions.
But then...
Edmund tilted his head with that ever-gentle smile and asked his family.
"So, what were you all talking about with the guests?"
Ryo had just risen from the settee, his nerves buzzing.
He panicked internally."Damn it! I've got to get out of here—fast!"
But then—of course—it had to be Clarisse who blew up the entire escape plan.
She giggled casually. "Oh! This handsome darling Sherlock Holmes is looking for Cinderella!"
Ryo froze mid-step and slowly sat back down.
He screamed internally."CLARISSE. ARE. YOU. FREAKING. KIDDING. ME?!"
And facepalmed internally—so hard it echoed into Wonderland.
Edmund placed a finger thoughtfully on his lips and looked to the ceiling.
He said softly. "Oh? Is that so? Ah, yes… Cinderella. Poor girl. I do hope she's alright."
Ryo deadpanned internally. "Is that concern? Because it sounds more like you're trying to figure out why your cat knocked over a plant, not why your stepdaughter's missing."
It confirmed everything. The smiling, the timing, the weird energy.
Ryo stood up again, this time more boldly.
Ryo said with exaggerated politeness. "Okay, everyone, I believe it's time for Ms. Roselia and me to take our leave."
Seraphine blinked at the clock on the wall. "Oh! Twenty-five minutes already."
Fairy Greatmother stood gracefully.
She gave a polite bow, her voice sweet and calm. "We were granted thirty minutes. Best to be on our way."
Just as they moved to the doorway—
Edmund's eyes glanced at Ryo's outfit, recognizing its unfamiliar style.
And still smiling. "Mr. Holmes, you don't look like you're from this kingdom..."
Ryo thought, beads of sweat forming."Oh shiiiiii—"
Edmund, grinning, dropped the bomb with eerie cheer.
"Why not stay here at the manor while you search for Cinderella?"
Ryo froze. He'd been checkmated by... hospitality?
He chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Oh, no, I couldn't impose—"
Before he could finish, stepmother stood up and turned toward him with a warm, almost affectionate smile.
"Yes, you should stay with us."
Ryo's mind exploded. "HUHHHHHHHHHH?! Why is she okay with this? She looked like she wanted me gone almost an hour ago! Is this a trap?!"
But he couldn't just assume. So, curiously, Ryo asked. "But Madam Rosalind… why the sudden hospitality?"
Stepmother looked down, a small, nostalgic smile forming.
"You made me realize something…"
"When you had me recount Cinderella's story—from her younger days to when she became a princess—I remembered how much I loved her. Not as a burden. Not as a stepchild. As my daughter."
"I've failed her—and your honesty, for calling me and my daughters out, helped me see that. Please, as a thank you… stay here while you search for her. I want to make things right, somehow."
Ryo blinked, feeling... a little touched. "Is that so, Madam?"
Edmund spoke up with a nod, still smiling—but something about that smile felt off again.
"Yes. We're all worried about Cinderella."
Ryo thought, rolling his eyes internally."Mmmhmm. Yeah, that's convincing. NOT."
Seraphine said excitedly. "OH MY GOSH! ARE WE ABOUT TO LIVE UNDER ONE ROOF WITH SHERLOCK?!"
Clarisse declared, way too boldly. "I'M SO READY! I'LL LEAVE MY DOOR OPEN TONIGHT—WE'LL MAKE THE WALLS SHAKE WITH THE HOTTEST NIGHT EVER!"
Ryo snapped. "HELL NO! I'M HERE TO SEARCH FOR CINDERELLA, NOT BATTLE NIGHTMARES IN HEELS AND WHATEVER PUMPKIN-CARRIAGE CRASH LANDED ON YOUR FACES!"
Edmund finally turned to his daughters, now noticing their faces looked like abstract art.
He chuckled awkwardly. "Aha... uh… what's with the... 'makeup'?"
Seraphine and Clarisse, united with too much energy, shouted.
"SO WE CAN MARRY SHERLOCK AND HAVE BABIES WITH HIM!"
Edmund blinked. "Eh?"
Ryo deadpanned. "Sir, I recommend they take a walk outside, followed by a quick read of 'How to Not Look Like a Circus Clown.'"
Edmund rubbed his neck, letting out a nervous laugh. "O-oh, right, yes… of course…"
Ryo leaned toward Fairy Greatmother and whispered.
"Ma'am, is there another place where I could stay while I'm in this world?"
Fairy Greatmother whispered softly. "Yes, I was going to suggest my cottage—it's safe and hidden."
That sounded like paradise. But then…
Ryo remembered the Attic…
…Where Cinderella once lived. If he stayed there, he might find something. A clue. A truth.
But Fairy Greatmother couldn't stay in the manor either—that would raise suspicions. Besides, she had a home of her own.
So, Ryo made a call. He'd take the risk.
Stepmother smiled. "We have many rooms. Choose any you like."
Ryo asked innocently. "How about... Cinderella's room?"
Silence…
Clarisse's jaw dropped as she stuttered. "B-but… Sherlock… that's the attic."
Ryo crossed his arms, playing dumb. "Hmm? Is that so? Then I'll take it."
Eyes widened. Stepmother blinked. "But why? It's… it's not suitable for a guest."
Edmund, looking uneasy, said. "Yes, Mr. Holmes. We'd prefer to offer you the best accommodations."
Seraphine giggled. "If you get lonely, you can sleep in my room~"
Ryo stared in horror, deadpan. He thought. "Yup. Definitely going to the attic. Might even lock the door… Twice."
He smiled, his voice casual. "Since it was once Cinderella's room, it might help me connect with her life. I might learn something useful by living as she once did."
Stepmother, reluctant but gentle, said. "If... if that's what you wish, then... so be it."
Ryo bowed slightly. "Thank you, Madam."
Then, subtly, he cast a sharp glance at Fairy Greatmother, his eyes narrowing.
It was a message.
Fairy Greatmother straightened, startled—then she understood. Ryo had figured something out.
She nodded.
Fairy Greatmother smiled politely. "In that case, I'll take my leave."
She bowed. "Please take care of Mr. Holmes."
And turned to Ryo, still acting. "I'll see you tomorrow. At the village church."
Ryo, playing along, said. "Yes, ma'am. Allow me to walk you out."
The two stepped outside, the manor door shutting behind them.
Fairy Greatmother whispered. "Mr. Detective... did you notice something?"
Ryo spoke quietly. "Yeah. But I can't say anything yet. Let's just say... I'm more suspicious of Edmund now."
Fairy Greatmother paled. "But are you really going to stay in that attic? What if Edmund tries something?"
Ryo, still whispering with a mischievous smirk. "Don't worry, ma'am. I've got a plan."
But the Fairy Greatmother wasn't convinced.
Without a word, she gracefully lifted her palm. Shimmering particles of light spiraled upward, and Ryo's eyes widened as her wand materialized—its crescent moon tip glowing like moonlight caught in water. The air shimmered with soft magic as the wand hovered above her hand.
With a soft wave of her wand—whoosh—a gentle burst of enchanted sparkles swirled into being, forming a book midair. It looked no different from a regular novel at first glance… but its leather-bound cover glowed faintly with a warmth unlike anything earthly. Inscribed on the front in elegant, ancient script…
"Grimoire of the Everlight."
She gently handed the book to Ryo, her voice calm yet filled with urgency.
"This is for emergencies… should you find yourself in grave danger. This grimoire is a magical artifact. Simply open it to any page and chant these words…"
"'By star, by light, by ancient flame, Fairy Greatmother, I call your name.' I will appear—no matter where you are—and aid you."
Ryo blinked at the book in disbelief.
Internally, dripping with sarcasm.
"Oh, perfect. A magic granny-in-a-book spell. Can't wait to cast 'Summon Grandma' when I'm about to get murdered in this fairytale world."
Still, as he held the grimoire, another memory stirred—one from that case back in Al-Munira, the Arabian fantasy kingdom… the Celestial Compass. A doomsday artifact that nearly tore the kingdom apart. And now, here he was again, dealing with yet another magical artifact… but in a completely different world.
"What's with these artifacts?" he wondered.
Pushing the thought aside, he gave her a respectful nod, whispering sincerely.
"Thank you for worrying, ma'am. I'll gladly accept it."
Fairy Greatmother smiled, proud but still anxious. Ryo tucked the grimoire carefully into his backpack, as if handling a sacred treasure.
Then, with a swish of her robe, she turned to leave—only to glance back one last time, her voice gentle but firm.
"Please be careful, Mr. Detective. Whether the danger is great or small… and if you ever need me, simply call out to me using that Grimoire. Do not hesitate."
Ryo gave her a confident thumbs-up and flashed a grin. "You got it, ma'am."
And with that, she vanished into the fading orange glow of sunset, walking toward the horizon like a figure from an old tale.
Now alone, Ryo turned back toward the looming manor.
He stepped through the grand door, letting it close behind him with a heavy thunk.
Rolling his shoulders, stretching his arms with a low breath, he cracked his neck and grinned with a whisper of mock-dramatic resolve.
"Alright… activating Operation Super-Be-Careful Mode. Let's go, Holmes."
Then, down the hallway leading to the grand front doors, came the soft but steady footsteps of Lady Rosalind, the Stepmother, with Sophie, the quiet scullery maid, walking beside her, hands neatly folded in front of her apron.
With gentle warmth, the Stepmother gestured gracefully to Sophie, her voice smooth and measured.
"Your room in the attic is ready," she said gently. "Well… it was never touched. No one has entered it ever since Cinderella left. Our maid here, Sophie, will lead you there."
Sophie bowed politely, her voice soft and formal. "I shall lead you there, Sir Holmes."
Stepmother offered a calm smile. "Dinner will be served in two hours. Make sure to come down to the dining room. Our kitchen girl, Elise, will meet you at the entrance of the attic."
Ryo gave a charming smile, polite but cautious. "Right away, Madam."
With that, Sophie turned, and the two of them began their quiet journey through the manor, heading toward the entrance to the attic staircase.
Yet hidden beyond their sight, something had already slithered its way into the manor—something that did not belong.
A sinister, unseen presence lurked… breathing hatred through the very walls.
Watching.
Listening.
In a shadowed corner, where the candlelight couldn't reach, a whisper echoed in the empty space.
"Your hands will never lay upon Cinderella. I'll carve that promise into your flesh."
"Tomorrow night, your blood will stain the earth, drowning you in it with every gasp for air."
The air thickened like a noose tightening around time itself.
Ryo, though unaware of the exact danger ahead, felt the chill crawl up the back of his neck like icy fingers. His instincts screamed, and so, as he walked beside Sophie, he never let his guard fall—not even for a second.
His sharp eyes scanned every moving shadow. His hand remained deep in his trench coat pocket, fingers resting on the grip of his concealed gun—not as a weapon of war, but a shield of survival.
He walked with calm precision, not rushing, not hesitating—like a wolf treading through the woods, aware that something far more dangerous than himself was watching from the trees.
And the unseen threat watched back, eager.
Ticking… counting the hours…
Because Ryo only had until tomorrow night…
…Then, the shadows would close in, and he would be the hunted.
But as Ryo and Sophie walked deeper through the quiet hallways of the manor, another unseen presence trailed softly behind—not something sinister this time… but something small, innocent… and fuzzy.
Three small figures, fur-covered and walking on four legs, moved silently along the floor, peeking out from the corner just behind the two.
Their wide eyes gleamed with gentle curiosity, their tiny bodies crouched low as they observed the stranger in the trench coat.
Another creature, even smaller, scrambled up the leg of a nearby table and hid behind a flower vase. Its little nose twitched as it peeked out from its hiding spot, watching Ryo and Sophie pass by with keen interest.
Outside, past the tall arched windows of the manor, two fluttering figures perched atop the branches of a tree. With a quiet flap of their delicate wings, the birds leaned forward, eyes bright, following Ryo's every step from the safety of the swaying leaves.
Then, from somewhere nearby…
A soft, high-pitched "mew!"
Ryo stopped mid-step. His eyes narrowed. "…Huh?"
He turned around quickly, scanning the hallway behind him.
But nothing. Just the faint creak of old wood and the distant ticking of a wall clock.
"…What was that?"
Sophie, stopping as well, tilted her head curiously. "Is something wrong, Sir Holmes?"
Ryo kept his brow furrowed, staring down the hallway in suspicion.
"…Hmmm. Guess it's nothing."
Sophie blinked, slightly puzzled. "…Is that… so?"
Ryo gave one last glance, then turned away.
And as they walked off, resuming their path toward the attic, the small creatures behind them moved again—tiptoeing, hopping, flapping—never too close, but never far either. Drawn not by fear, but by wonder.
Something, not driven by evil, had taken notice of him now.
And they were curious—about the strange visitor who wore foreign clothes, walked with a purpose, and carried mystery in his eyes.
It seems… the animals of the manor had found someone new to watch.
Ryo and Sophie had reached the end of a long, narrow hallway in the far corner of the manor.
In front of them stood an old wooden door, its surface worn and uneven, carved with thorny vines and roses, as if it had grown from the manor itself. A rusted brass doorknob clung stubbornly to the side. It looked forgotten—but Ryo noticed faint marks near the bottom, and a subtle looseness in the knob.
This door had been opened quietly, again and again. Before Cinderella left for the palace, this was where she lived… hidden away in the attic at the top of the manor.
Sophie turned slightly, gesturing politely with one hand.
"This is the door that leads to the staircase to the attic," she said softly, "where Princess Cinderella once stayed, Sir Holmes."
Then, with a graceful bow, she added. "I should get going now to prepare dinner."
Ryo nodded, offering her a warm smile. "Yeah. Thanks a bunch, Sophie."
She smiled back—modest, polite—and left without another word, her footsteps fading like the end of a soft melody.
And now, Ryo stood alone.
He stared at the door entrance to the attic—not with dread, but with the giddy excitement of a hardcore museum nerd standing in front of a real, untouched historical exhibit. No velvet ropes, no fake replicas.
This was it. The real deal.
Inside, he was screaming. Not in terror…
…But in exhilaration.
Ryo internally screaming, eyes gleaming like a child in a candy store.
"Oh my god, oh my god, oh my GOD—this is it! This is THE room! The attic where the REAL Cinderella, the PROTAGONIST, once lived! I'm LITERALLY standing right in front of it!"
His hands trembled—not from fear, but from pure hype.
Ryo, fully in museum-tourist mode, practically bouncing.
"Dude, I am so living this Cinderella Museum experience to the MAX. No audio guide needed. Just raw, immersive fairytale vibes—AND I get to do some detective work on top?? Let's GOOOO!"
He grinned smugly, sparkling with chaotic tourist energy, as if about to barge into a historical crime scene with nothing but wide eyes and way too much enthusiasm.
Ryo brushed the dust off the knob and turned it slowly.
CREAAAAK…
The door groaned open—not just from age, but like it was sighing, mourning someone long gone.
Beyond the doorway, an old wooden staircase stretched upward, its narrow steps worn-down and slightly uneven from years of use. The air smelled of dust, old pine, and something faintly floral—like the forgotten scent of a girl who once sang to herself in loneliness.
Cobwebs hung in the corners of the walls. The staircase banister, though simple, showed worn spots—its wood smooth and uneven in places, likely from Cinderella's own hands gripping it after another long day under her stepmother's orders.
Ryo stepped inside.
His heart was practically vibrating. He wasn't scared—in fact, it was the opposite.
Ryo, internally screaming like a fanboy at a theme park. "WOOOOOOHOOOOO!! I'm going up there! THIS IS MY HOTEL ROOM, BABY!!!"
Still in full-on fairytale museum tourism mode, he practically danced his way over to the stairs. His hand gripped the worn wooden banister as he climbed the creaky steps, each one letting out a long whine under his weight.
With every step, Ryo's grin widened. "I'm so close to her room… OH MY GOD!!!"
Finally, he reached the top.
There it was—the door. The real door. The one that led to Cinderella's attic room. It stood quietly at the end of the narrow corridor, leaning slightly from years of settling, its surface weathered and soft-looking from age.
Ryo stopped in front of it, starstruck, eyes wide like a kid standing before a legendary movie set.
He whispered to himself, practically bouncing in place.
"YOOOOOOOO, I'M SO EXCITED. CINDERELLA'S ATTIC ROOM DOOR IS RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME. OH. MY. GOD!!!"
Sure, Ryo knew the story. He knew this room was a cage, a place of sorrow, where a kind girl endured years of cruelty. He knew the attic might still carry those painful echoes.
He knew the culprit he was hunting could still be nearby, watching—probably Edmund, since he was the most suspicious, but who knows...
But none of that could stop him now.
Because this? This wasn't just part of a case—
This was a real-life deep-dive into Cinderella's origins.
And Ryo was going to soak in every damn second of it.
Ryo reached the door to Cinderella's attic room, his heart pounding with excitement. His hand hovered over the old door handle, almost trembling with anticipation.
He took a deep breath, then grinned widely, his eyes gleaming with joy.
"LET'S GO... LET'S GOOOOO!!! THIS IS IT!!"
He twisted the door handle and pushed it open, revealing the dimly lit attic room beyond. The door creaked loudly as it swung open, and Ryo's jaw dropped. He had arrived in the very place he had only ever read about—the heart of Cinderella's sorrowful past.
The attic was small and cramped, with slanted wooden walls that seemed to close in on him. Dust hung thick in the air, making every breath feel heavy.
A tattered bed, its once-white blankets now faded and frayed, sat in the corner. The mattress sagged under the weight of years of neglect, offering no comfort to the one who had slept there.
The floorboards, aged and warped, creaked with every step Ryo took, sending small clouds of dust into the air. Cobwebs clung to the corners, their delicate threads swaying in the faint draft.
Ryo noticed an unlit candle. He reached into his backpack, pulled out a matchstick, and struck it. The tiny flame danced for a moment before he carefully lit the wick, casting a weak, trembling glow that barely pierced the dimness of the room.
In the far corner stood a splintered wooden chest, its contents a mystery—meager possessions, no doubt, that were all Cinderella had ever known. Old shoes, rags, and broken toys, perhaps, a stark reminder of the life she had been forced to endure. The walls seemed to whisper with the memories of her suffering, each shadow in the room a ghost of the past.
It was a place of pain. A place of loss. A place where Cinderella had once lived in solitude, far from the love and comfort every child deserved.
But for Ryo, standing there in that very room, the weight of history and sadness was lost to him in his awe. His eyes sparkled with wonder as he took it all in.
"IM FINALLY HERE DUUUUUUDEEE!" he shouted, his voice echoing in the empty attic.
He walked around, his footsteps light with excitement, eyes wide and scanning every detail. He pointed to the chest. "I KNOW THIS CHEST! It's in the story, just like this!"
He moved to the small, battered bed, almost with quiet respect."Oh my god, the bed's exactly like the story too—faded blankets and everything!" His voice lit up with pure excitement as he looked around, gesturing to the dusty shelves and the cobwebs that covered the rafters. "HOLY CRAP!!! THIS IS TOO GOOD!!!"
Ryo checked everything—the tiny window high up in the wall that allowed just a thin ray of light to spill in, the worn-out slippers that probably once belonged to Cinderella, the faded yellowing walls that seemed to sigh under the weight of so many years.
His mind raced as he mentally checked off every single detail, amazed at how perfectly everything matched the version of the story he had always known.
Then, feeling like he couldn't take it anymore, Ryo finally plopped down onto Cinderella's bed.
He sighed loudly, laying back and staring up at the dusty rafters. Out of breath from all the excitement, he smiled wide, completely satisfied with his discovery.
"I AM SOOOO SATISFIED!"
He lay there for a moment, taking it all in, as if he was living inside the pages of the fairytale itself. For a brief moment, the room, despite its sadness, seemed to come alive with the story he had read so many times.
But even as Ryo enjoyed his "Cinderella Museum experience," the room carried a quiet weight—like a tomb sealed in time, still holding onto the ghost of the girl who had once lived there.
But for now, he was lost in the thrill of standing where the story began. And that was enough.
Only an hour and thirty minutes remained until dinner time.
Ryo, feeling exhausted from his museum-like adventure through Cinderella's room, dropped his backpack beside him and sighed, his body flat on the mattress. He didn't even care how sad and dusty it felt.
With a deep exhale, he shut his eyes. "Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…"
30 minutes later.
The attic door creaked open slowly…
CREAAAAAK…
Soft footsteps entered—multiple of them. A group…?
Ryo didn't notice. He was deep in dreamland.
Until—he felt… weight.
He groaned. "Mmmmm… so heavy..."
Still half-asleep, he blinked open his eyes—and gasped, suddenly realizing he'd forgotten to lock the door, too caught up in his excitement over geeking out to notice.
At first, he thought it was him—the mysterious suspect, Edmund, the shady father of the manor.
But when his eyes adjusted, he squinted, blinked again… and just stared in pure disbelief.
"Huh?"
Surrounding him like some kind of enchanted cuddle ambush were…
A white dove perched right on his forehead like it owned the place.
Another white dove next to his left temple, just… staring.
A big brown dog lay across his torso like a heavy blanket, tongue out, panting happily.
A light brown puppy cozied up to his right temple, equally joyful.
An orange kitten rubbing its fluffy cheek against his right arm with a soft "mew".
And a brown squirrel balanced expertly on his left arm, holding an acorn like it was watching the best show on Earth.
Ryo blinked again.
"What in the wildlife-whimsical-mess am I in right now…?"
"...Is this a nap or a Cinderella reboot?"
Suddenly—SLURP!
The dog and puppy lunged in unison, covering his face in excited licks.
"WOW WOW WOW—EASY THERE!!" Ryo flailed like a wind-blown flag caught in a storm.
Dog: "WOOF! WOOF!!"
Puppy: "Arf! Arf! Arf!"
The dove on his forehead grew bold and began pecking at him aggressively.
"OW! OW! OW! STOP IT!"
Pecking dove: "co cooo."
Then the other dove by his left ear let out a full-on dramatic screech.
"COO COOOOO!!!"
Ryo shut one eye and gritted his teeth. "SO LOUD, DAMN IT!"
As if that wasn't enough, the kitten joined the party, climbing up to snuggle his chin sweetly.
"Mew. Mew."
Ryo groaned, helpless. "Awwww, great... you're too damn cute..."
Meanwhile, the squirrel casually hopped off his arm, landed on the floor, and sat like a smug spectator enjoying Ryo's wildlife chaos, nibbling on its acorn.
Squirrel: "Chi chi chi."
Finally, Ryo sat up abruptly, gasping for air. The animals rolled off him like an avalanche of fluff but slowly made their way back, climbing onto his lap as if this was their usual hangout spot—except the dove on his forehead. It flapped away as soon as he sat up, then landed on top of his head as if it were its nest.
Even the squirrel launched itself from the floor, landing first on his arm before climbing up and standing on his shoulder, acorn still in paw.
Ryo stared at the group. He blinked once. Then twice.
Processing…
And then it hit him. "Wait… Are you guys... Cinderella's friends?"
All the animals responded at once—
Dog: "WOOF!"
Puppy: "Arf!"
Dove on top of his head: "co cooo!"
Other dove: "COO COOOO!"
Kitten: "Mew!"
Squirrel: "Chiiii!"
And they all nodded.