The hotel dining hall buzzed with morning chatter. Silverware clinked, nobles and merchants sipped on wine and tea, and fresh pastries filled the air with warm sweetness.
At a table tucked in the corner, Edward watched in disbelief as Sam devoured his fourth plate of food.
"Hey, Sam," he said, narrowing his eyes, "this is your fourth plate. I only managed two. If this keeps up, you'll make me poor before noon."
Sam barely paused between bites.
"I'll eat with my own money next time. You don't have to worry."
Edward leaned back in mock relief. "That's a relief."
Sam pushed aside his empty plate and looked up.
"So, what are we doing now?"
Edward sipped from his teacup, then replied, "We're visiting the noble house of Morgana."
Sam tilted his head. "Why?"
"Their patriarch invited me to investigate a stolen sword."
"All this trouble over a sword?"
Edward chuckled. "Not just any sword. It's an heirloom — passed from the previous patriarch to the current one. It's a symbol of the Morgana family's authority."
"I see. When do we leave?"
"He expects us for lunch. We'll go around 2 PM."
"Got it," Sam nodded.
Edward's eyes swept over Sam's outfit. "But first, change your clothes. You still look like a stray from the gutter."
"I'll take that as your way of offering to pay."
"Glad we understand each other," Edward smirked.
Just then, a scream pierced through the lively dining hall.
"Ahhh! My purse!"
Heads turned. Sam and Edward immediately stood, scanning the source of the voice.
Near the center of the room, a well-dressed blonde noblewoman with green eyes stood beside a table, her eyes wide with panic. Her fingers clutched the edge of the cloth as she looked around in alarm. Her long violet dress shimmered under the chandeliers, and her voice trembled.
"My diamond ring… and all the cash…" she murmured in disbelief.
That woman's a noble, Sam muttered inwardly.
Edward straightened his coat. "Shall we, Sam?"
Sam gave a curt nod. "Absolutely."
Edward moved toward the entrance of the hall and barked an order to the guards, "Don't let anyone out. Block the exits now."
Sam approached the noblewoman.
"Ma'am," he said politely, "I'm Sam — companion of the Sherlock of the Eastern Continent."
Her eyes lit up. "The Sherlock…? Is here, Then please! Please help me! I'll give you all the money in the purse if you find it!"
Edward joined them, his tone calm but sharp. "We'll find it. Just be sure to keep your word."
The lady placed a hand on her chest. "I swear upon the name of the House of Renegard."
"Start from the beginning," Edward said. "What happened?"
She took a breath, calming her nerves. "I was standing here beside this table, waiting for my escort. He had gone to pay the bill. I looked away briefly to watch him. When I turned back… the purse was gone."
Sam's eyes swept over the room.
She's standing close to the table… surrounded by nobles and high-ranking merchants. No one suspicious nearby… and the only people heading toward the exit are well-dressed. Which means… the thief must still be inside.
Sam's gaze moved through the crowd. Then it landed on someone sitting alone, facing away from him — a man in a black cloak. His posture was slightly hunched, oddly stiff. From this angle, his back appeared strained, as if he was hiding something underneath.
That guy looks nervous… even though he's just sitting there.
Sam noticed the faintest twitch in the man's shoulder — and the slightest movement of his hand. A thin trail of cigar smoke drifted upward.
Fresh smoke… tense muscles… his fingers are moving too much.
His instincts clicked.
"Found him," Sam said.
Edward turned, surprised. "What? Where?"
"There." Sam pointed. "Mister in the black cloak — would you mind giving us back what you stole?"
The man slowly turned his head. "What do you mean?"
Sam's voice was firm. "Don't act dumb. You're the only one who could've taken the purse. Now throw away that cigar and hand it over."
The man's eyes flashed. He stood suddenly and shoved Sam aside.
"Move, or you'll regret it!"
He darted toward the exit — but just as he reached the hallway, Edward stepped into his path like a phantom.
The thief threw a punch. Edward dodged effortlessly and delivered a powerful kick to the man's chest.
The cloaked man was sent flying backward, crashing into a table with a loud thud. The purse tumbled from his cloak, rolling across the floor.
Edward adjusted his cuffs. "Just as Sam said."
A voice called out from nearby.
"I'll take it from here, Sir Edward."
Luna stepped out of the shadows and approached the groaning thief with handcuffs in hand.
"Make sure he's processed properly," Edward said.
"Yes, sir."
The noblewoman rushed forward, lifting her purse. She opened it, checking the contents.
"My ring… and the money… it's all here," she said, breathing in relief. Then she turned to Edward. "Thank you, sir!"
Edward gestured toward Sam. "Don't thank me. It was his deduction."
The woman turned to Sam, her eyes softening.
"Thank you, Sir Sam. Truly. Please allow me to introduce myself. I am Lady Ishitar of the House of Renegard. As I promised, please accept this reward."
She handed him a pouch of gold.
Sam took it with a short bow. "Thank you. It's no big deal."
"But how did you know it was that man?" she asked.
Edward stepped in with a slight smile. "Let me explain, my lady."
"When we arrived, I looked at the crowd near you. Everyone was dressed well — nobles or middle-class merchants. No one stood out as suspicious. But when I checked the exits, I noticed no one suspicious had passed through."
"That meant the thief was still here," he continued. "Now, middle-class folks don't usually come to this kind of place. But one man was different — thin build, hunched back, trying to hide. He looked normal at first glance. But then Sam pointed out his cigar."
"Cigar ash on the table where your purse was if you saw closely. He tried to act calm, but he was sweating. And the way his cloak bulged slightly? He was hiding something — your purse."
Sam crossed his arms. "Well said."
Though honestly, I just guessed it based on instinct and how out-of-place he looked, Sam thought privately.
"Fascinating," Lady Ishitar said. A servant leaned in and whispered something in her ear.
"Oh, time's already passed?" she murmured. "I must take my leave."
She gave them one last graceful nod. "If you ever need anything, you are always welcome at the Renegard estate. Thank you again — Mr. Sam, Mr. Edward."
She stepped into her elegant white carriage and departed.
Sam looked at the pouch of gold, then pulled out half and handed it to Edward.
"Here."
Edward raised a brow. "What's this?"
"Half of the reward. You caught him while he was escaping."
Edward took the pouch, a grin tugging at his lips. "Damn. I'm grateful, Sam."
"Don't mention it. It's fair."
Edward gave him a playful nudge. "Now let's get you some decent clothes. My treat."
Sam smiled faintly. "Thanks, man. Appreciate it."
They began walking out of the hotel together.
"We still have a visit to make — the Morgana house," Edward added. "Let's rest a bit before we go."
Sam nodded. "Sure, Edward."
They walked side by side — one grinning, the other thoughtful.
Perhaps not quite partners…
Maybe something else.
Maybe rivals.