Edward displayed the Riddler's "professionalism," gesturing around the room.
"I specially planted some clues around the room. This riddle isn't difficult."
Although he knew she wouldn't follow the rules and solve his riddle, he still had to go through the motions.
Ririko leisurely took a sip of tea. The taste of elderflower spread across her tongue, carrying a hint of honeyed sweetness.
She set down her cup, slowly slipped off her trench coat, and draped it over the sofa's arm, revealing the silk blouse underneath.
She stood, her skirt falling naturally with the movement.
She turned lightly in front of him, her long hair swaying with the movement, its ends brushing her shoulders. Her graceful back came perfectly into view at his eye level.
She walked to the bookcase and gently brushed her fingers over each book's spine, following their order along the shelf.
"The clues in this room... don't tell me they're all hidden in these books?"
She tilted her head to glance at Edward. His gaze followed her fingertips closely as they lightly traced each book's spine.
The pads of her fingers brushed rhythmically over the clothbound spines. The rise and fall of her fingertips made it impossible to look away.
She turned and approached the photographs connected by threads on the wall.
Her fingers touched the threads, winding one around her finger. "Are these threads... clues too?"
Edward turned his face aside, deliberately avoiding the movements of her hands.
He knew she was guessing at random, and he knew she didn't care where the clues actually were.
Yet she had his attention firmly in her grasp-
Every time she touched something, her green-polished fingers deliberately teased over paper, wood, and cotton thread. Every movement sent a tingling shiver down his spine.
"Perhaps," he answered softly.
Ririko approached