Chapter 5

With his masterful artistry, he rendered my torment with such vivid detail it was as if he had witnessed it firsthand.

Only the victim's face remained elusive. He tried countless times, but he simply couldn't draw it.

He finally gave up, laying down his pen.

"Commissioner, this drawing contains all the weapons and methods used, along with some of the killer's rambling, which sounds like they harbor resentment towards prominent families."

"You can use these to investigate."

Commissioner Hayes looked at the drawing, both amazed and worried. "Julian, the victim's face... perhaps try again?"

"No need to try."

Julian cut him off, his voice tinged with helplessness. "Perhaps the victim's lingering resentment is too strong, unwilling to move on."

"I can do nothing more. This is as far as my abilities go."

He took Celeste's hand, ready to leave.

Just before departing, he remembered something and added, "I also wrote down that incomplete tune from the memories. Commissioner, you can investigate that too. It might be a clue left by the victim."

Julian, you're so brilliant, you think of everything.

But why don't you ever consider me?

Was it an oversight, or was prejudice at play in your heart?

Julian left the morgue without looking back, abandoning me once more.

I uncontrollably followed Julian back to his estate.

For so many years, Julian never allowed me to step foot inside.

Now that I was dead, I could finally return and see it.

Perhaps this was the only thing that made my death feel worthwhile.

But the next two days were the most heart-wrenching.

I knew Julian cared deeply for Celeste, but I didn't realize just *how* deeply.

At dinner, he would meticulously pick out the ginger she disliked from her food.

When she coughed, he would personally cook her a soothing pear and honey soup.

When she awoke from nightmares, he would sit by her bed all night, reading stories and singing calming tunes.

I finally understood. All of Julian's tenderness had abruptly ended when I was seven years old...

On the third morning, Commissioner Hayes's shouts broke the estate's tranquility.

"Julian, has Elara contacted you these past two days?"

Julian was personally fastening a jewel-encrusted hair clip in Celeste's hair. His movements froze at the question, and his brows furrowed in annoyance.

"Commissioner, I've already told you, her whereabouts are no concern of mine."

"Even if she did contact me, I wouldn't see her."

Commissioner Hayes stomped his foot in exasperation.

"I know you wouldn't see her. I just want to ask about her whereabouts."

"After you left that day, I was truly uneasy, so I sent people to search everywhere. The city gate guards checked the entry and exit records and confirmed she never left the city."

"But my men have turned the capital upside down, and we haven't found a single trace of her!"

"How can a living, breathing person just vanish into thin air?"

Julian's hand, holding the hair clip, froze in mid-air.

He understood what Commissioner Hayes meant.

While the capital wasn't small, with the authorities' full efforts, finding someone shouldn't be difficult.

Celeste, seeing Julian lost in thought, seized the opportunity to add fuel to the fire. "Commissioner, don't worry. If someone is determined to hide, they naturally won't be found easily."

"In my opinion, it's best to let Elara be. Once she comes to her senses, she'll reappear."

Celeste's words dispelled Julian's already meager doubts.

His voice turned cold and rigid again.

"Commissioner, Celeste is right."

"Since Elara enjoys playing these hide-and-seek games, let her play to her heart's content."

"When she realizes no one is paying her any mind, she'll eventually return, tail between her legs. You don't need to waste any more manpower or resources on her."

"Julian, you... you're not afraid she's truly in danger?"

"By then, it might be too late for regrets!"

Commissioner Hayes's beard trembled with anger.

But Julian's stubborn demeanor left him helpless. He finally let out a heavy sigh.

"Fine, if she comes to harm, it's your regret, why am I even bothering!"

Just as Commissioner Hayes was about to leave, an officer rushed in, panting.

He didn't bother to salute, blurting out, "Commissioner, Master Kaelen, the composer, has restored that melody Master Julian wrote!"

Commissioner Hayes spun around. "Where did Master Kaelen say it came from? What's its name?"

The officer shook his head. "Master Kaelen said he didn't know. It seems to be an unreleased tune."

"The only reason he could restore it was because he heard Master Julian hum it once while drunk, during a drinking session."

"He said if you want to know the specifics, I should ask Master Julian himself..."