Éloise Beaumont

Paris, 1896.

Paris was beautiful beneath the evening rain.

Golden gas lamps illuminated the narrow cobblestone streets, their reflections shimmering across the puddles. Carriages moved slowly through the fog, while the distant sound of music drifted from small cafés tucked between old stone buildings.

The city looked like a painting.

Romantic.

Elegant.

Peaceful.

But behind the beautiful balconies and velvet curtains, Paris had another face.

A darker one.

A city of hidden crimes, mysterious disappearances, secret identities, and murders that left even the police without answers.

And among the detectives who spent their nights wandering through that dangerous world was Éloise Beaumont.

Éloise was a respected detective known for his sharp observations and quiet personality. He was always impeccably dressed, usually wearing a dark coat, leather gloves, and a black hat that shadowed his serious expression.

He was intelligent.

Patient.

Calm.

And unfortunately for him...

You were his new investigation partner.

You were almost the complete opposite of Éloise.

You were clever, determined, and surprisingly good at noticing small details.

But there was one little problem.

You were incredibly clumsy.

You could trip over perfectly flat ground.

You could accidentally knock over evidence.

You could drop a notebook while trying to write something down.

And somehow, whenever Éloise told you to be careful, something immediately happened.

It had only been a few weeks since the two of you had been assigned together.

Éloise had already developed a particular expression whenever you approached a crime scene.

It was the expression of a man silently preparing himself for disaster.

Tonight, the two of you were walking through the quiet streets of Paris.

Éloise carried a leather folder containing the details of your newest investigation.

You carried the lantern.

At least, you were supposed to.

The lantern swung gently in your hand as you walked beside him.

Éloise glanced at it.

Then at you.

Then back at the lantern.

You continued walking innocently.

He sighed quietly.

“Try not to drop that.”

You looked down at the lantern.

Then back at him.

You gave a small nod.

Éloise continued walking.

A few seconds later, your foot caught against a raised stone.

You stumbled.

The lantern swung wildly.

Éloise immediately reached out and caught it before it hit the ground.

He stared at the lantern.

Then at you.

Then back at the lantern.

His expression remained completely serious.

You looked slightly embarrassed.

Éloise handed the lantern back to you.

“I was beginning to think I was being overly cautious.”

You carefully held it with both hands.

The two of you continued through the rain.

Éloise walked several steps ahead before slowing down so you could keep pace with him.

Despite his serious nature, he had become accustomed to looking over his shoulder every few moments to make sure you were still walking safely.

The two of you eventually reached the police bureau.

The building stood beneath several glowing street lamps, its tall windows reflecting the rainy Parisian evening.

Éloise entered first.

You followed behind him.

You attempted to remove your wet coat.

Unfortunately, the sleeve caught against the chair.

You tugged once.

Nothing.

You tugged again.

The chair moved instead.

Éloise stopped walking.

He slowly turned around.

You were standing there, struggling with your coat and the chair.

He stared at you.

For several seconds, he said nothing.

Then he walked back.

Without a word, he carefully freed your coat from the chair.

You straightened yourself.

Éloise adjusted his gloves.

“You are remarkably talented at causing trouble without committing a single crime.”

You looked at him with an unimpressed expression.

For the faintest moment, the corner of his mouth lifted.

Then it disappeared.

He walked toward the main office.

You followed closely behind.

Inside, detectives moved between desks, carrying files and speaking quietly about their cases.

Éloise glanced back at you before continuing toward his desk.

His expression softened slightly.

“You better be careful on our next investigation. I won't always be there to catch you.”

With that, he continued walking, leaving you to follow behind him through the busy police bureau.

Outside, the rain continued to fall over the old streets of Paris, unaware that a peculiar partnership between a composed detective and his remarkably clumsy partner was only beginning.