Hmm.

Thats not right, is it?

Rubica read the written instructions thoroughly and nodded.

These are all done with the same persons handwriting but this initial is used for different meanings in this record and that record.

You should also look at the habits of using frills and laces.

Clothes designs may appear similar, but they all have each designers unique habits like fingerprints. Such habits are clearly shown in written instructions, so Rubica couldnt help but ask Gabriel, Are you sure these are all from Christophers shop? I think they were all written by different designers.

I knew you would see through it. But the handwriting is consistent, so Christopher must have copied it in his handwriting. It took us a long time to realize it.

Actually, we didnt realize it. We asked a tailor and he told us.

Gabriel shrugged at recalling the tailor who easily told them his suspicions for a piece of cake.

If they hadnt known each shop used a totally different initial for the same frills, they would have never been able to notice it.

Actually, Ive always thought Christopher was strange. He would change like a chameleon and come up with totally different dresses every time a new trend came I just thought he was a genius.

Gabriel sounded quite angry, probably because of all the money she had paid him.

Anyway, according to what we could find out with these records, Christophers designs have been changing approximately every two years.

Then he has been doing some kind of ghost-designing, just like ghostwriting?

Yes, kind of.

It was extremely shocking, but Rubica thought the man was capable of doing far worse, considering what he had done to Khanna. She just found it surprising he hadnt been busted after all those years he had lived as the greatest designer of the kingdoms capital.

Then, we must find the people who did his designs for him.

There had to be other victims than Khanna. If they agreed to testify, they would be able to reveal everything Christopher had done.

Then, everyone would get to know the truth about the scandal that still followed Khanna to haunt her.

Well, um, we thought so too, but the current ghostdesigner is quite satisfied with the money Christopher pays him and we couldnt even approach him.

Then, what about looking for his previous designers. I think it wont be that hard to convince them, now that they are no longer paid by Christopher.

It couldnt have been that hard, as there had to be at least four ghostdesigners. However, Tatiana didnt say anything. In the end, Gabriel had to speak instead of her.

We couldnt find two of his former ghostdesigners. And as for the other two one is missing, and the other is dead.

Dead?

Yes. The two never went to a design school. They were just tailors who worked at Christophers shop. But they were quite talented designers, so Christopher offered to fund their studies abroad in Sharman. Of course, it was a lie. When they were no longer needed, the family of one of them received a letter saying he died in an accident, and the other just went missing.

This was sounding more and more dangerous. Rubica had this feeling that the other two they didnt know about yet couldnt be safe. Perhaps they were all dead.

It was so scary that it gave her chills in her back, but now that she had come this far, she didnt want to get out of this, not at all.

But hes just a designer, he couldnt have been able to do all that on his own.

Yes, it would have been impossible without a powerful conspirator. We had a source spy on him for two months, but we couldnt find out anything, and then we started to think about what we had missed.

And then we realized although we knew about everything he did outside the kings palace, we didnt know who he met and what he talked about in there.

Of course, they could easily have a source find out who often met Christopher or what kind of orders they met, but a source couldnt tell them who he met in hallways and what kind of conversation he had.

That is why I disguised as a maid! We knew trying to put a spy in the kings palace would only let the king find out about us. If he ever finds out about what we do, he will have us put a poem in praise for the queen in our magazine as punishment, and it will be the end of The Little Birds News!

It sounded like a joke, but Gabriel sounded serious, so Rubica couldnt tell.

But Gabriel, were you planning to try again tomorrow if you didnt find out anything today? If anyone finds out you dared to sneak into the kings palace, writing a poem wouldnt be the end of your punishment. The kings guards will be punished severely for neglecting security, and they might become enemies with your family.

Um, I do admit that might happen, but I wasnt going to do it again tomorrow. I did it today for a good reason.

A good reason?

I asked a detective to analyze Christophers routine, and he told me he seems to always meet his conspirator at the palace first before he meets his ghostdesigner. And now, he is on his way to meet the ghostdesigner.

The carriage stopped as soon as she finished saying that. They were at Argot Street. Tatiana opened the window just a little to take a look.

John already knew where Christophers secret place was, so he parked the carriage on the opposite street so Christopher wouldnt be able to see them.

Just as we thought, hes going to the ghostdesigners workroom. We should wait for a little before we get out so that we wont run into him.

Gabriel nodded. Tatiana quickly took off her hard leather shoes and got changed into a pair of soft silk shoes.

You should take this carriage and go home after we go.

What are you talking about? This is clearly dangerous. I cant leave you to do this on your own.

But okay, then you should wait here. He will hear us if you go in your shoes with a metal bottom.

However, Rubica threw her shoes off before Tatiana could finish saying that. She didnt need shoes made of silk. Her socks were enough. She had walked with her bare feet before.

Of course, her feet were now much softer, but she could handle it.

I can do better than you girls. Right, Gabriel?

Oh, um, yes.

Gabriel was surprised to be called so suddenly and she nodded before she could process the question.

Well, to be honest, she is better than our sources. If there is a genius in following in secret, its her.

What?

She will be helpful if she comes with us, shell never get us busted.

But the duke will be worried

Actually, Tatiana was trying to make Rubica go home mostly because of Duke Claymore than her inconvenient dress. Everyone at the capital knew how dearly he loved his wife.

Tatiana knew well what kind of end people who had spoken wrong things about her met, so she hesitated.

Dont worry. Edgar will compliment you when he gets to hear what it was about.

Rubica assured them, but the duke was famous for being like that in front of his wife and showing his true rage when she wasnt around.

Please just tell him that you like us a lot.

Of course, he knows well I like you girls.

The duke was extremely jealous of the people his wife cared about, but he just couldnt mess up with them.

He punished people severely only when he could immediately get rid of the punished so that his wife would never be able to find out about it.

He could just become a nice person instead of pretending to be one, but that was just impossible for his nature.

Tatiana, we should get out now.

Okay.

They had waited long enough. Tatiana started to run into the building lest they might lose Christopher, but then Rubica grabbed her.

There are guards.

Where?

There, and there.

Rubica pointed at two people who appeared to be ordinary, but they had swords on their waist and were constantly looking around.

They had never been there before when the girls spied on the hideout.

But how did you know?

Rubica just smiled awkwardly to the question. She had thought she had forgotten all of her old habits after months of safety, but now they were kicking in again.

I think we need a diversion.

Okay. John, you heard it, right?

Of course.

John climbed down the drivers seat as if he was used to this. He took a horse from the carriage, mounted it without a saddle, and rode it straight to the biggest guard.

Are you crazy? You almost killed me!

Well, you should have gotten out of my way when seeing a horse coming!

John wasnt afraid at all, even if the man was at least three times bigger than himself. Soon the guards all went after John.