Viscount Frez saw his sister's flushed face and caught the smell of alcohol. He could not help frowning. "Soleil, you must have drunk that rotgut the peddlers sell—two cups for one sou..."
"Berenice, hurry and help Miss Freise back."
"I'm not drunk." Soleil shook off the maid's hand and shouted, "I'm not leaving! Everyone is celebrating the Crown Prince's wedding. I want to keep dancing!"
Viscount Frez was immediately at a loss.
He had never been able to handle his fiercely strong-willed sister. Not long ago, he had nearly been dismissed over the matter of "the Bern Councilor being swindled at Versailles Palace." Fortunately, his sister had taken those three Swiss people to see the Crown Prince, sparing him from punishment.
After that, he had even less standing to put on the airs of an elder brother before Soleil.
Stepping to the beat of the music, Soleil spun twice on the spot. Then she suddenly wilted, lowered her head, and walked over to her brother. Taking a deep breath, she said, "You're right. Perhaps it's time I got married...
"Let's go. Let's go home. I'll do my best to leave Count Hilvera with a good impression."
There were no Steam Trams in the middle of the night. The brother and sister sat in the jolting carriage, each gazing at the dancing crowds beyond the window.
Viscount Frez broke the silence. "Oh, right. Your reward money was delivered to the house this afternoon. Eight thousand francs in all."
Soleil had first submitted evidence of the vice abbot of Saint-Germain-des-Prés Abbey's embezzlement to the Public Notary Investigation Bureau and received a three-thousand-franc reporting reward. Later, for "assisting the stranded Bern Councilor," she had received personal commendation from the Crown Prince.
"You should hold on to it for now..."
Soleil nodded absentmindedly, yet