Faigle was dead.
The news reached my ears the day after Serena woke up.
No one knows how he died, or who killed him.
Which is why I’m currently being investigated as the prime suspect.
“Countess Christiane von Ershi. We heard you met with Duke Faigle Tesbion two days ago. Is that true?”
“Yes, that’s correct. He invited me, so I went.”
A narrow room with just a table and two chairs.
The cold and expressionless man examined me and the papers in his hand, switching his gaze between the two.
“What was the reason for the invitation?”
“He mentioned something about starting a business together, but I don’t really know the details. It wasn’t worth listening to, so I just walked out.”
“I see.”
As if it wasn’t anything important, the man flipped through the documents indifferently.
“This is a testimony from one of Duke Faigle Tesbion’s servants. They claimed that the Duke was extremely rude to you at that time. Is that also true?”
“…Yes, it is.”
“Could you tell me what kind of rudeness it was?”
“It’s embarrassing to say… Do I have to?”
Even though I made my reluctance clear, the man nodded.
I guess I had no choice.
It’s not something I need to hide, but just saying it out loud makes my tongue feel dirty.
“He said he’d forgive me… if I stripped naked and kneeled in front of him. Is that enough for you?”
“…Yes. My apologies.”
Perhaps realizing how shameful that was, the man apologized immediately.
But did he really think I wouldn’t understand what that question was for?
I knew perfectly well it was to find a motive for why I might’ve killed Faigle—So I beat him to the next question.
“Surely you’re not trying to pin me as the murderer just because of that, are you? There must have been more than a few women he harassed in such a manner.”
“Even so, you’re the most likely suspect, Countess.”
“Didn’t plenty of people see me leave without doing anything?”
“That’s true.”
The man couldn’t deny the facts and acknowledged it readily.
‘However…’
“According to the investigation, Duke Faigle was killed in the dead of night, without a sound.
There’s no trace of an intruder, and the manner of death was anything but ordinary.
We concluded that only a magician could have done something like that.”
Ah.
So, I have the ability and motive to be the killer?
Or are they hoping for that conclusion?
The more he spoke, the more it felt like he was trying to frame me as the murderer, and it made me uncomfortable, but there was something I wanted to confirm.
“How exactly did he die?”
“…I can’t show you, but…”
For the first time, the man’s face showed a hint of embarrassment in response to my question.
And then he described the situation as follows:The first witness, a maid, went to wake Faigle as usual, but she fainted when she saw the scene of his death.
The decaying flesh had turned black and crumbled, falling to the floor like dry, withered leaves.
Even the exposed bones had rotted as if they had been lying there for years.
Furthermore, there was no trace of internal organs, as if they had evaporated.
The smell of a long-dead, decayed body filled the room, making the cleanup a great hassle.
It was said that the man, who had been perfectly fine before sunrise, had rotted and decayed as if decades had passed overnight.
“Wow.”
I couldn’t help but exclaim in awe upon hearing that.
That truly sounded like malicious magic—something you wouldn’t use on a person unless you had a deep, bitter grudge.
I’d never even heard of a magic that causes decay like that.
I might be able to find something about it with my skills, but I’ll look into it later.
For now, getting out of this situation where suspicion is narrowing on me is the priority.
“That’s a truly horrible way to die. But still, do I really look like the kind of cold-blooded woman who would turn someone into that just because he harassed me once?”
“…One shouldn’t judge a person’s actions solely based on appearances.”
“Besides, I was at the mansion that night. While some madmen were causing a ruckus in my absence, do you think I had any time to leave?”
My alibi was solid, and there was no real motive.
In the end, the man seemed to have no further questions to pursue, and with a simple “I understand,” he said he would pass the information along.
With this, I suppose the suspicions were… somewhat cleared up.
Until the case is closed, however, the label of “suspect” will still follow me.
Sigh.
It’s frustrating to be called in when I haven’t committed any crime.
As I left the room, which felt more like a prison than an interview space, I could finally breathe a little easier—but my mood still didn’t improve.
*
“Countess, wait!”
I was about to head back to the mansion when I had no choice but to turn around at the sound of a familiar voice behind me.
As expected, the person calling out was none other than Prince Reyzen.
Panting from running, his face was slightly flushed, so it seemed like he had only just heard that I had been interrogated at the royal palace.
“Phew… I heard the news. There was a big incident at the mansion. Are you alright?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
Did he come all the way here because he was worried about that?
It seemed strange to think that we were that close, but still, I felt a little pleased.
The way he showed such personal concern for someone like me, I had to admit—it was something a good husband, like my future husband, would do.
“I’m relieved to hear that. What a despicable bunch. While you were away, they pulled such a vile stunt… If you wish, I can help you root them out completely.”
“Thank you for the offer, but I’ll just accept your kind thoughts. No one got hurt, and the only damage was to my home, so there’s no need for concern.”
Besides, those bastards had already been dealt with—by me.
I smiled and proudly said that, but decided not to mention it further—saying it out loud would likely get me labeled as crazy.
“Is that so? If it’s your request, Countess, I’d be happy to help in any way…”
But at my response, Prince Reyzen became gloomy, and his shoulders slumped.
He looked like a dog who had been scolded by its owner.
Wow, when did I build up enough goodwill for him to speak to me like that?
I wasn’t sure what it was, but this could make it easy to arrange another meeting with Serena.
Wait a minute.
What if, this time, I make the first move and suggest something?
I couldn’t just keep waiting for Prince Reyzen to ask me for something.
At this point, it didn’t seem like a bad idea for me to take the initiative.
It was a bit of a gamble, but if it worked out, it would be great—and even if it didn’t, I wouldn’t lose much.
Just as I was about to speak to him.
“Oh my. What a pleasant surprise to see such a familiar face!”
“…!”
I froze when I saw a woman walking behind Prince Reyzen.
A white dress that flowed gracefully down to her ankles.
Her appearance matched his perfectly, to the point that even other women would admit she was breathtaking.
Her sharp, intense eyes were as clear as glass marbles, and her long red hair flowed like the dance of a passionate flame.
Her slender waist, paired with a well-proportioned figure, made her beauty flawless.
She was a stunning woman in every way—and the princess of this country—Victoria Leonhart.
When she smiled and approached, men’s hearts would flutter, and women’s guards would rise.
I, too, felt my heart race—but for a very different reason.
It was that familiar feeling.
The kind of fear one feels when facing a wild beast that might pounce at any moment.
“Come to think of it, I have urgent matters to attend to, so I must leave first. I hope we meet again soon. Farewell.”
I quickly abandoned my plan to invite Prince Reyzen and turned to leave.
But before I could take a single step, a strong grip landed on my shoulder, stopping me cold.
Damn it.
How did she close the distance that fast?!
“I’m personally greeting you, and you ignore me… Is this some kind of disrespect, Countess Ershi?”
I turned to face her.
Her words were biting, but her face wore a dazzling smile.
And that smile was exactly what terrified me the most.
“H-Haha, of course not. I was just in a bit of a rush, Your Highness.”
“Why so formal between us? Call me by my name, like you did back at the academy.”
“Ah, but I can’t do that. With the prince here, it would be inappropriate…”
I tried to deflect by referring to Prince Reyzen, who was clearly observing the situation—but of course, that didn’t work.
Victoria turned her sharp gaze to her younger brother.
“Reyzen. Move aside for a moment.”
“What? But, Sister—”
“Did I say move?”
She cut him off coldly and pushed him aside with just her eyes.
No, don’t go.
I shot him a pleading look, but Prince Reyzen didn’t pick up on it and left without another word.
“Now, with no one around to interrupt…”
Victoria’s smile deepened, her eyes narrowing like a lion sizing up its prey.
I couldn’t help but shudder.
“How about we talk? I just got out of an interrogation, so I’m not exactly in the mood…”
“Hah.”
I tried to plead for some mercy, but Victoria just laughed.
She yanked me closer with surprising strength and stared deep into my eyes—the same fire burning in them as back in our academy days.
“Stop with the nonsense and let’s fight. Why are you being so petty with me, of all people?”
Don’t speak like we were some sort of dueling rivals, you violent princess.