As Ryo's gaze settled on Clarisse and Seraphine, he found himself utterly stunned—beyond anything he'd expected.
The two stepsisters—so often portrayed as plain and awkward in every Cinderella tale he'd ever seen or heard—were breathtakingly beautiful.
Clarisse's auburn hair fell freely around her heart-shaped face, glowing like copper and deep red in the light. Parted softly to one side, it framed her high cheekbones and delicate chin, making her features look even more graceful.
Seraphine's light teal hair fell in smooth waves around her oval face, shining like seafoam in sunlight. With no ribbons or jewels, it moved lightly, gently outlining her calm and peaceful features.
If fate had given them their own fairy tale, they would have fit the roles of princesses perfectly.
Ryo couldn't stop staring—mouth slightly open, eyes wide—like a man who had just been struck by love at first sight... twice. But before he could gather a single clear thought, both Clarisse and Seraphine noticed.
A hopeful glow lit up in their eyes.
Seraphine suddenly jumped up from her chair with dramatic flair, sprinted across the room like a stage actress mid-climax, and dove at Ryo.
Ryo raised his hands in defense. "W-Wait—!" he stammered. He barely had time to react before—WHUMP!
She tackled him straight to the ground in a full-body embrace. The animals perched on him—Captain Nutso, Whiskers, McPeckers, and McDrama—saw it coming and leapt off with split-second precision like trained agents dodging an incoming missile.
Ryo, now flat on the floor under a very clingy Seraphine, flailed in panic.
"What are you doing?! C-Calm down! You can't just hug ambush people!"
Seraphine, still clinging to him with a dazed smile, lifted her head dreamily from his chest, her pupils shaped like hearts.
"At last… you looked at me with eyes full of love."
Then she leaned in closer, whispering with sparkles in her voice.
"Shall we start making babies now?"
Ryo's soul nearly left his body.
"SERAPHINE!! THIS ISN'T THE TIME TO TURN YOUR 'HAPPILY EVER AFTER' DAYDREAM INTO A BODY SLAM!"
Clarisse, now looking like a girl who just got rejected from her own romance novel, gasped in despair.
Her eyes widened—sparkling with competitive rage—and then, just like her sister, she stood up dramatically.
"NO WAY I'M LETTING HER WIN!" she yelled.
She ran toward them at full speed and leapt—SMACK!!—crashing right onto Seraphine's back while Ryo remained helplessly sandwiched at the bottom.
"UUGH!" Ryo grunted.
"OOF!!" Seraphine grunted
Their synchronized grunts of pain filled the dining room like the punchline of a slapstick tragedy.
Clarisse, now proudly on top of the pile, eyes gleaming with pink hearts, smiled sweetly and declared.
"Oh sister, surely you noticed—Sherlock was looking at me. Obviously."
Seraphine twisted her neck around furiously. "HEY! HE LOOKED AT ME FIRST!"
Clarisse frowned, her face twitching. "AS IF! HIS GAZE LINGERED ON ME!"
Meanwhile, Ryo lay flattened under both of them, deadpan expression on his face. He stared at the ceiling like a man questioning every life decision that led to this moment.
He had become the human mattress in a full-blown harem disaster.
When he laid eyes on the sisters and saw how stunning they were, he genuinely thought maybe they'd be graceful, refined, and ladylike.
But now?
Nope.
They were still the same loud, dramatic, wildly competitive duo. Gorgeous or not—inside, they were still chaotic witches in fancy dresses.
Ryo groaned internally. "So much for elegance…"
The stepmother, sitting stiffly at the end of the long dining table, looked like she had finally reached her boiling point.
Her hands slammed down on the table as she erupted with a voice that could shake the chandelier.
"DO NOT START FLIRTING IN THE DINING ROOM!!"
Then, with a sharp turn of her head and a finger stabbing through the air like a commander issuing a death sentence, she pointed directly at the creatures huddled near the doorway.
"AND GET THOSE ANIMALS OUT OF THE DINING ROOM AT ONCE!!"
Everyone jolted like lightning had struck. Even her husband Edmund, seated beside her, flinched so hard he nearly dropped his spoon.
Edmund raised both hands in a nervous attempt to calm the storm.
He turned to his wife. "T-That's right, dear!" Then he turned to the group. "I-It's a dining room, y-you know, a place for… e-eating, so… um, let's keep it civil?"
His voice trembled like a man who had once made the mistake of disagreeing with his wife and still carried the trauma.
Sophie and Elise, who had been standing nearby, quickly stepped into action.
They gently gathered the animals—offering little snacks as bribes—and led them outside to the hallway, with bowls and treats prepared just for them.
The animals obediently followed, though Captain Nutso kept looking back like he was leaving behind a fallen commander.
Both sisters looked horrified and instantly scrambled off poor Ryo like little troublemakers caught raiding the royal pantry before the dance.
Ryo, still lying flat on the ground, groaned as he slowly tried to push himself up, like a man who had just been crushed under a small elephant.
"Ughh… my back…" he muttered, face wincing in pain.
Seeing him in that state, the stepsisters panicked again. Their romantic haze shattered, they rushed to his side, practically tripping over each other as they helped lift him up.
"Careful, careful!" Clarisse said.
"Don't move too fast!" Seraphine added.
They carefully guided him to the chair across from them, seating him gently like a fragile crown jewel, meant to be handled with care.
Once he was settled, the sisters sat down properly again and, now looking like model students facing the headmistress, bowed their heads low and spoke in unison.
"WE'RE VERY SORRY, SHERLOCK!"
Ryo chuckled, still clutching his side.
"Aha… it's fine, you two. I'm tougher than I look. Mostly."
The stepmother let out a long, exhausted sigh and turned toward him with a hand on her temple.
"Honestly... Apologies for my daughters' recklessness, Mr. Sherlock Holmes."
Ryo waved her off politely, forcing a smile through the ache.
"No, no—it's alright. And sorry for barging in here with the animals like some kind of walking circus parade."
And so, dinner began.
Laid across the long oak dining table was a rustic feast that looked straight out of a 17th-century painting—
Golden loaves of coarse bread.
Roasted duck glistening with glaze.
Hearty meat and pumpkin pies
Cabbage steamed to softness.
Fat sausages stacked beside roasted carrots.
Cheese sandwiches cut from thick slabs of bread.
Warm milk with honey.
Pitchers of apple cider.
And water gleamed in the candlelight.
Ryo stared, awestruck, like a kid at a museum buffet.
"Woooaaah… I'm about to eat actual historical meals," he thought, eyes sparkling.
The stepmother smiled faintly, gesturing gracefully with her hand.
"Dig in and enjoy the meal, Mr. Sherlock Holmes."
Ryo grinned back, hands already itching to get started.
"Oh yeah—thanks for the food!"
He reached out for his fork and knife, stomach growling…
…but just as his fingers touched the utensils, he noticed movement.
The two stepsisters were standing again, their expressions suddenly serious, eyes focused like knights before a duel.
Ryo blinked, fork still in hand. "…Uhhh, what are you two—"
Before he could finish, they marched to the other side of the table with synchronized grace and sat down. One on his left. One on his right. Sandwiching him like he was the main course.
The stepmother, already massaging her temples, groaned.
"Oh please… Don't tell me my daughters are about to start another flirtatious display."
Clarisse gave her mother a sugary smile.
"Worry not, dear mother. I'm simply going to feed darling Sherlock."
Ryo turned toward her, uneasy.
"That's really not necessary. I've got hands of my own, thank you."
Seraphine leaned closer with a playful glint in her eye.
"What are you talking about, sister? As his true bride, I should be the one to feed him."
Ryo snapped his head to Seraphine, blinking in alarm.
"Okay—first of all, personal space. Second, I still have hands. Third… who said you're my bride?!"
But neither sister heard him.
Clarisse had already lifted a fork with a piece of pumpkin pie.
Seraphine, not to be outdone, held up a fluffy cheese sandwich with her right hand.
Both of them leaned in, their cheeks blushing pink, their eyes sparkling with affection.
"Say ahhh~" they said lovingly in unison, like schoolgirls in a romance anime offering lunch to their oblivious crush.
Ryo stared at the food. Then at the sisters. Then back at the food.
His soul groaned. "Great… just like Shahira and Amina in the Arabian fantasy kingdom. First it was the desert harem, now it's the fairytale stepsisters… why is this my life?"
And so, defeated by determination wrapped in beauty, Ryo opened his mouth and took a bite of each—pumpkin pie from the left, sandwich from the right.
The sisters giggled sweetly, completely content, feeding him like they'd won the romantic lottery.
Edmund let out a warm chuckle, swirling his apple cider.
"Hahaha… Mr. Holmes, you're quite popular with women—especially with my daughters."
Ryo, mouth full, muttered under his breath with a flat squint.
"Not the first time I've heard that line…" He recalled how Sultana Zafira had said the exact same thing.
While still being fed by both sisters, Ryo decided to slip in the question he'd been saving.
"Madam Rosalind," he said between bites, flashing a polite smile, "tomorrow morning, I'll start my investigation… but I'd like to know—where exactly is Cinderella's mother's grave?"
He kept his tone casual, careful not to hint that he already knew about the grove—just not its location. The grove was mentioned in Cinderella's diary, but he wasn't about to reveal that to the family. Better to play dumb.
The stepmother paused mid-chew, then swallowed, eyes narrowing just slightly.
"Is that really important?"
Ryo nodded with an oblivious grin.
"Yeah. Like I said before, when I mentioned wanting to stay in the attic… I want to connect with her life. Maybe it'll help me find some overlooked clues."
Rosalind tapped her chin thoughtfully with a finger, then replied.
"Is that so? Then you'll find Madam Aurelia's grave at the grove where the wildflowers grow. It's about three kilometers south from the village, near the wheat fields."
That was all he needed. "Thank you, Madam," Ryo said.
Edmund, chewing on a sausage, suddenly piped up with curiosity.
"Mr. Holmes, I must say… I've been wondering. Why are those animals so attached to you? They were always so close to Cinderella before."
Ryo gave a half-shrug, the universal 'I-have-no-idea' gesture.
Seraphine, holding up a spoonful of meat with a warm smile, chimed in.
"Maybe it's because he's been staying in the attic… and the animals can just sense something." She turned to her father, beaming. "Maybe they feel like this handsome Sherlock gives off the same… gentle presence Cinderella had."
Ryo arched a brow, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Beautiful. I guess I really am the new protagonist of this reboot."
Clarisse turned toward him, trying her best to sound like an adoring wife, though clearly puzzled.
"Protagonist? Reboot? What are you talking about, honey?"
Ryo rolled his eyes, not about to explain modern storytelling to literal fairytale characters.
"Nevermind… just a little cultural thing from where I'm from. You know, the land of confusing metaphors and unnecessary remakes."
Edmund burst out laughing. "Hahaha! You really are funny, Mr. Holmes!"
Ryo gave him a sideways look and muttered dryly. "Very funny, sir…"
Ryo needed to stay casual in front of Edmund. He was still suspicious of the man, so he had to keep up the act—couldn't risk making Edmund suspicious of him instead.
Still chewing, Ryo asked.
"Is there a reason the animals were kept here, even after Cinderella was taken to the castle? I mean… they were really close to her. I'd imagine they'd be sent away if she was gone."
Seraphine slowly lowered her spoon, looking down at her food.
"…That's because… I asked the servants to help me take care of them. In her place."
Her voice softened.
"I really do regret how I treated Cinderella. So this… this was my way of trying to make it right. Taking care of her friends… it just felt like the least I could do."
Rosalind sighed, reaching for her glass of water, her expression unreadable.
"Seraphine was stubborn. She insisted they stay. I gave in. But… yes, those animals did hold a special place in Cinderella's heart."
Ryo turned his gaze toward the open door.
Outside in the hallway, Sophie and Elise crouched down, smiling as they fed and played with the animals, who happily munched on their treats.
It didn't look like the animals were being kept out of obligation… or resentment.
No—something told him Seraphine had truly convinced her mother to let them stay.
Even in Cinderella's absence, her presence lingered.
And so, dinner came to an end.
Ryo and the family stepped out of the dining room, now standing in the hallway.
Edmund looked at Ryo with curiosity.
"If I may ask, are you still content staying in the attic? We can prepare a more suitable room for you, should you prefer."
Ryo shook his head with a proud grin and gave a thumbs-up. "This is the best room I've ever stayed in—hands down," he said, still sounding like a history buff on a tour.
Edmund blinked. "You're a strange young man, Mr. Holmes," he said, then laughed. "Hahaha."
Ryo then turned to the stepmother.
"I'll be leaving early in the morning. Around 5 am, I'll be meeting Ms. Roselia at the village square."
Earlier, while standing outside the manor with the Fairy Greatmother, she had told him to meet her at that exact time and place.
Curious, Ryo asked. "So, where exactly is the village square?"
Stepmother answered.
"It's an open space in the heart of the village, right near the market—especially close to the bakery."
She continued.
"The village square is where the Royal Herald once made an announcement about the royal ball."
Clarisse suddenly remembered.
"Oh, right! Cinderella was there with my sister and me when the announcement was made. Though, we still don't know how she ended up at the royal ball as that mysterious beauty who captured Prince Vaelric's heart."
Seraphine smiled warmly at Ryo.
"Don't worry. To make sure you don't get lost, Elise and Sophie will guide you there while they go shopping at the market. The market isn't far from the village square."
Ryo nodded. "Got it." Then he turned to the servants. "I'll leave you two to guide me."
Elise and Sophie bowed politely to Ryo.
With that, the family returned to their rooms, and Ryo headed back to the attic, followed closely by the animals.
Elise sighed softly, watching them go. "Ugh… I wish I could play with them a little longer…"
Sophie chuckled gently. "Don't worry, Elise. You'll have plenty of time to play with them tomorrow."
With smiles, both Sophie and Elise made their way back to their rooms.
The next day arrived — 4 am sharp.
Ryo was still in a deep sleep on the attic bed, surrounded by his animal companions who were also dozing peacefully.
Whiskers lay sprawled on his stomach, Barkzilla stretched out on the floor with Captain Nutso perched on Barkzilla's back.
Meanwhile, McPecker and McDrama were already wide awake, sitting atop the huge chest.
McPecker fluttered its wings excitedly. "This human told us to wake him up early in case he oversleeps!"
McDrama, ignoring McPecker, flew over and landed right next to Ryo's ear.
McPecker squawked, confused. "Hey! Didn't we agree to wake him up together?"
McDrama shot a sly glance back. "Leave this to me."
McPecker, sensing trouble, muttered. "This can't end well..."
Then, without warning, McDrama went full alarm clock mode.
"COOOOOO! COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"
The entire attic shook like a mini earthquake under the doves' deafening wake-up call. Ryo and all the animals jumped—Ryo so startled he tumbled right off the bed, landing face-first on the floor.
Barkzilla groaned, watching the scene.
"Just like when Cinderella fell the first time... thanks to McDrama."
Captain Nutso snapped at McDrama.
"SERIOUSLY?! CAN'T YOU AT LEAST KEEP IT DOWN AND WAKE HIM UP PEACEFULLY? WHAT IF COMMANDER RYO GOT HURT?!"
McDrama puffed out its chest proudly, clearly taking credit for being the best alarm clock in history.
The animal chatter died down, leaving a moment of silence.
Ryo twitched, still face down on the floor, and groaned.
"Yeah... thanks for the wake-up call, McDrama... really needed a face-plant to start my day."
And so, Ryo picked himself up, rubbed his face, and got ready for the day.
He made his way down from the attic and found Sophie, asking her where he could take a shower.
Sophie blinked in confusion — the word 'shower' was completely foreign to her. In this 1701 fairytale world, showers simply didn't exist.
Ryo quickly simplified his explanation. "You know, like bathing — washing yourself with water."
Sophie nodded, finally understanding. She led him to the garden outside, where an old stone well stood. Ryo raised an eyebrow. All he had to do was scoop water from the well and use it to wash himself.
Looking over the well, Ryo shook his head with a sheepish smile and said sarcastically...
"Wow… a bathroom fit for medieval royalty. Just what I needed."
Once finished, he returned to the attic, carefully dressed in his signature trench coat, put his backpack on his back, and prepared himself—ready to begin the day's investigation in the village.
Ryo made his way down from the attic and headed to the manor's front door, adjusting his coat as the crisp morning air slipped through the cracks of dawn.
To his surprise, Edmund was already there, dressed and ready to leave, carrying a leather bag over his shoulder.
Edmund glanced up with a polite smile. "Oh! Good morning, Mr. Holmes."
Ryo returned the greeting with a slight nod.
"Good morning, Mr. Edmund." Then, curious, he asked, "What do you do for work?"
Edmund chuckled lightly. "I'm a merchant. I travel to nearby villages to sell goods — fabrics, spices, trinkets, you name it."
That gave Ryo pause.
In the original Grimm version of Cinderella, her father had also been a merchant before vanishing from the picture. Here, too, the stepfather — Edmund — was a merchant. The parallel was interesting, though Ryo didn't comment on it aloud.
Edmund tipped his hat.
"Alright then, Mr. Holmes. I'll be heading off — meeting my assistant in the fields just outside the village."
And with that, he turned and strode down the path, disappearing from sight.
Just as Edmund left, Elise and Sophie arrived at the door, greeting Ryo with cheerful smiles.
Behind them, the loyal animal companions appeared one by one — Whiskers curled around Ryo's ankle, Barkzilla let out a soft woof, Captain Nutso stood tall on his shoulder, and McPecker and McDrama swooped overhead in a gentle loop. Barkface was happily carried in Elise's arms.
And so, their small group set off down the manor path toward the village.
The morning was a quiet one, painted in shades of gold and amber. Leaves fluttered from the trees like sleepy confetti, and the ground crunched gently beneath their boots.
They walked down a dirt road lined with leafless trees and old stone fences, passing through fields where a few roses still held on to the last bit of autumn.
Just beyond the last turn in the road, rooftops and brick chimneys peeked over the hill. Chickens clucked in a nearby yard, and the faint clanging of a blacksmith's hammer echoed in the distance. A dog barked. A bell rang.
And finally — they arrived.
The village.
Alive with early morning bustle, still holding onto that timeless, fairy-tale charm.
It was now 5 am, and the village was just beginning to stir—shopkeepers were unlocking their doors, and merchants prepared to start their day.
As Ryo walked into the village alongside Sophie and Elise, he couldn't help but notice the curious stares from the villagers once again. His foreign attire made him stand out, but the animals trailing behind him certainly drew even more attention.
Lost in thought, Ryo suddenly asked.
"Hey Sophie, Elise, I just realized—Madam Rosalind and her daughters weren't at the manor when we left. Where are they?"
Sophie glanced over at him.
"Oh, that's because they start preparing for their workday really early. They left at 3 am, just an hour before you woke up."
Ryo blinked, puzzled. "Hold on a sec… did you just say 'work'?"
Elise nodded.
"Yes, Madam Rosalind is a businesswoman. She owns a store in the village that sells cosmetics and perfumes, mostly to women. It's called La Rose de Ravenswood—The Rose of Ravenswood."
Ryo's eyes widened like saucers in surprise. "Really…?"
Sophie giggled at his reaction.
"You make funny faces, Sir Holmes. But yes, Madam Rosalind runs her own business. She's among the wealthiest nobles in the kingdom of Evendelle."
Ryo stammered, growing even more curious.
"A-and her daughters? What about Seraphine and Clarisse?"
Elise answered.
"Miss Seraphine works as an assistant at a high-class jewelry shop called Éclat d'Or—Golden Shine."
Sophie added.
"And Miss Clarisse is an assistant dressmaker at a boutique workshop that sells lavish gowns for noblewomen, named Le Fil d'Or—The Golden Thread."
Ryo rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"So, if I understand correctly… Madam Rosalind and her daughters all have their own careers and wealth. They don't just rely on their father's money?"
Both girls nodded in agreement.
Ryo was speechless for a moment. "I see…"
This was new information for him. In the traditional Cinderella tale, the stepfamily depended entirely on the father for their wealth and status, living off his earnings while mistreating Cinderella. But here, the stepmother and stepsisters were independent, capable of supporting themselves financially.
It also shed some light on Edmund's distant behavior toward Cinderella during her mistreatment.
Perhaps he feared that intervening might jeopardize his marriage or business ties with the stepfamily—if he even has any.
Yet, Ryo knew this still didn't explain the biggest mystery—why the mistreatment of Cinderella only began after Edmund married Madam Rosalind. Before that, Cinderella was loved by both her stepsisters and stepmother. But once Edmund became part of the family, the cruelty started. That was the true puzzle.
After a bit more walking, they finally arrived at the heart of the village—the Village Square.
At the center stood a grand stone fountain, wide and circular, with clear water cascading gracefully from hidden spouts beneath the statue's base. The water arched up before trickling down into the large basin, creating a gentle splashing sound that echoed peacefully throughout the square.
The centerpiece of the fountain was a noble statue of the King and Queen of Evendelle, sculpted in regal detail. They stood side by side, each holding a ceremonial sword together above their heads in unity. The water emerged as if flowing down from the swords themselves—symbolizing the blessing of the crown and the prosperity it brought to the land.
All around the square, life blossomed. Villagers gathered in small groups to chat and share morning greetings. Parents played with their children nearby, laughter echoing across cobblestone paths.
A few elderly folks tossed crumbs to the doves that fluttered around, cooing and pecking peacefully at the ground. The golden light of early morning bathed everything in a warm, inviting glow.
Fairy Greatmother stood near the edge of the fountain, gazing fondly at the royal statue. Her hands were folded gracefully in front of her, and a soft smile played on her lips as she watched the water flow.
Ryo approached with Sophie and Elise at his side.
"Good morning, ma'am," Ryo greeted politely.
The Fairy Greatmother turned to them, her smile widening when she noticed who it was.
However, seeing the two manor servants beside him, she quickly went back to pretending to be innocent.
"Good morning, Mr. Holmes," she replied warmly, then turned to the girls with a graceful nod. "And good morning to you, fine young ladies—Sophie and Elise."
Sophie smiled and gave a small bow.
"Good morning, Ms. Roselia. And thank you for your kind words back at the manor yesterday when you visited."
Elise hopped slightly in place, her tone cheerful.
"Yes! I've never received such kind words before as a servant—that was the first time!"
The Fairy Greatmother beamed.
"I'm so glad to hear that. We should all treat one another with kindness, no matter our background."
"Thank you so much, Ms. Roselia!" the two girls replied in unison, their voices full of gratitude.
With that, Sophie and Elise gave one last curtsy before making their way to the nearby market, leaving Ryo and the animals with the Fairy Greatmother as the fountain bubbled gently behind them.
Now that the servants had gone, they could finally drop the act.
Fairy Greatmother's smile faded into concern as she stepped a little closer.
"Mr. Detective… are you alright? Did Edmund do anything to you? You mentioned before that he seemed the most suspicious."
Ryo shook his head slowly, his expression serious.
"Nothing's happened so far. But I've got a strong feeling there's a reason why neither Edmund nor anyone connected to Cinderella's disappearance has made a move against me yet."
"And that reason is?" the Fairy Greatmother asked quietly, her eyes narrowing.
Ryo rubbed his chin.
"Because I'm still a mystery to them. I'm not from this kingdom, and they don't know how much I know or what I'm capable of. So, I think they're watching me from a distance, trying to figure out whether I'm a threat or not. They're waiting… calculating."
What Ryo didn't realize… was that the suspects had already made up their minds.
And in just 14 hours… they would make their move to silence him permanently.
Their patience had run dry. And their plan was already in motion.
Fairy Greatmother's face darkened, the warmth in her eyes briefly dimming.
"That's… mildly comforting, and deeply unsettling."
Ryo gave a tired shrug. "Yeah… I'll take what I can get. But before we start questioning anyone around the kingdom, I want to stop by Madam Rosalind's store and visit the workplaces of the stepsisters. Seems like a good starting point." He looked to her. "Do you know where they are, ma'am?"
Fairy Greatmother nodded gently.
"Why yes. I'll take you to Miss Clarisse's workplace first—'Le Fil d'Or'."
Ryo held up a hand. "Wait. Before we move out… I need to talk to my agents."
He turned around, facing the group of animals standing at attention.
"Alright, guys. Be on your best behavior while we investigate around the kingdom. Eyes sharp. Ears open. No wandering off."
All the animals saluted with the kind of dead-serious expression only loyal, furry agents could muster.
Fairy Greatmother tilted her head, puzzled.
"Agents?" She glanced at the animals. "You mean them? They're Cinderella's old friends. What are they doing here?"
Ryo smiled. "Helping me find Cinderella, obviously." Then he proceeded to explain the absurd names he had given each of them.
Fairy Greatmother blinked—stunned by his naming choices—but gave a light laugh and gently brushed the thought aside.
She stepped forward and patted Barkzilla lovingly on the head. "I remember turning Barkzilla into a noble steed…"
Ryo's brows rose. "Wait a minute… could it be…?" he said, remembering a certain magical transformation from the story.
She nodded, smiling at the memory.
"Barkzilla and Whiskers were transformed into the carriage horse. Captain Nutso became a footman. McPecker, another footman. And McDrama… he was the coachman. Very talkative and… well, let's just say quite vocal."
Ryo deadpanned at McDrama. "So a loudmouth like you was the driver holding the reins, huh…?"
"COO COOOO!" McDrama cried proudly, puffing out his chest like a medal had just been pinned on him.
Fairy Greatmother chuckled, folding her hands gracefully.
"They were all wonderful. They helped take Cinderella to the ball that night. I couldn't have done it without them."
Ryo sighed, shaking his head with a lopsided grin.
"Riiiiiight… guess they've got experience." He turned back to the Fairy Greatmother. "Anyway, ma'am—let's go."
"Of course. Follow me, Mr. Detective," she said with a nod.
And so, their first stop began—Clarisse's workplace.