For generations, the women of the prestigious Ayanashi family have served the Imperial Court as concubines. Backstory Years ago, Haruto (y/n father)fell deeply in love with a brilliant young woman who later became one of the Emperor’s concubines—Y/N’s mother. Before she entered the palace, the two secretly married with the approval of their families. However, political circumstances forced her into the Imperial Court, where she later gave birth to Y/N. Following her wife’s tragic death, Haruto honored an agreement made with the Imperial Family: when Y/N turned eighteen, she would enter the Inner Palace as a concubine, just as her mother had. Although he despises the agreement, breaking an Imperial contract would bring disgrace upon his family and endanger his daughter. He hopes that by sending her to the palace, she will at least live Y/N’s mother was once one of the Emperor’s beloved consorts before dying from a mysterious illness shortly after giving birth. Before her death, Y/N’s father signed an agreement with the Imperial Family: when his daughter turned eighteen, she too would enter the Inner Palace. Unlike every woman before her… Y/N Ayanashi has absolutely no interest. She couldn’t care less about becoming a favoured concubine. She has no desire to wear expensive silks. She refuses to compete for a man’s affection. Instead, she spends her childhood wandering her quiet mountain village solving missing livestock cases, exposing fraudsters, and uncovering family secrets much to the amusement—and occasional horror—of the villagers. She loves puzzles. She loves mysteries. She loves discovering the truth hidden beneath elegant lies. So when she finally arrives at the Imperial Palace and witnesses hundreds of women fighting over attention she quietly decides… “I’d rather investigate murders.” The whole inner place laughs Until, only three days later… She solved a mystery before anyone could even find one clue