Achilles’s sharp voice rang out toward the knights.
The bearded knight tightly shut his eyes and didn’t respond at all to the scolding—but that only made things worse.
“You couldn’t even summon a witness properly, and now we’re getting complaints from Count Sharon’s family. You couldn’t even handle a simple interview. What the hell are you doing? And you call yourself a First-Class Knight?”
“…I’m sorry.”
The bearded knight bowed his head.
Achilles, unable to hold back his anger, waved him away.
“You’re dismissed. I’ll handle the rest of the questioning.”
After driving the bearded knight out, Achilles sat down in front of her.
Letticia wasn’t exactly pleased to see him, but compared to the previous knight, she held out some hope that the conversation might be a bit more productive.
“First, please tell me about the day of the incident. Lady Eskis collapsed during the performance. Lady Sharon was on stage with her, correct?”
“Yes. I was playing the piano. As soon as I saw Lady Eskis collapse, I rushed over to check on her condition, called for a doctor, and watched as Count Wallace ran up and took her away. After that, the performance was suspended, and I went backstage to explain the situation to the others.”
“What was her condition when she collapsed?”
“She was having trouble breathing. I later heard it was an allergic reaction.”
“Before Lady Eskis went on stage, did you see her eat or drink anything?”
Letticia tried to recall.
The backstage table was mostly used to hold sheet music, but sometimes people drank water or tea to soothe their nerves.
Since everyone had different performance times, they didn’t all drink tea at the same time.
“I’m not sure. I was busy preparing for my own performance. But drinks were available if anyone wanted them. As for tea foods, we didn’t bring them backstage because crumbs could fall on the sheet music.”
“So you’re saying you didn’t witness her consuming anything yourself?”
Achilles noted down Letticia’s testimony.
His surprisingly cooperative demeanor caught Letticia off guard.
‘Did he go so deep into the ‘mad dog’ act that he’s actually gone mad?’
It was a rude thought that would surely enrage Achilles if he heard it, but it was so unlike how he’d once charged at her over Ariette that it felt almost jarring.
‘As long as it doesn’t involve his sister, he acts normal. As long as it’s not about her…’
Letticia decided to trust—just a little—that Achilles, after some time in society, had improved.
He might still become unpredictable when it came to Ariette, but for this case, he seemed closer to an ally than a threat.
“By the way, am I the only one being questioned today? I heard the carriages that were supposed to go to other residences came here instead. Sounds like there are more people.”
“We plan to interview everyone who helped organize the concert. One just finished before you, and the others will be called in one by one.”
“So the knights started investigating this case right after last night’s concert?”
Rustle, rustle.
The pen stopped scribbling. Achilles raised his head, and his blue eyes met Letticia’s pink ones.
After a brief silence, Achilles spoke to the knights standing beside him.
“There aren’t many questions left anyway. Go wait outside and prepare to receive the remaining witnesses.”
“We can handle the rest—”
“If you don’t want your performance review to reflect the mess you made with Sir Kurt, get out.”
At Achilles’s final warning, the knights fell silent and left the room with defeated expressions.
Once he personally confirmed the door was shut, Achilles returned to his seat and slumped down, now far more relaxed than before.
“The knights began investigating this case as of this morning. Officially, His Highness gave the order today, and I was appointed to lead the case.”
“So you’ve concluded someone intentionally exposed Lady Eskis to an allergen?”
“That’s our working theory. Something like Invidia is far too rare to end up in the Count’s manor by accident. It’s far more plausible that someone intended to harm Lady Eskis.”
“Then… are you suspecting me?”
Letticia glared. Achilles shook his head.
“I can’t disclose everything due to the sensitivity of the investigation, but at the very least, there isn’t enough suspicion for us to consider you a primary suspect. If the knights treat you like one again, ask them if they have a warrant. If they dodge or avoid answering, you have the right to refuse to comply.”
“Is it really okay to tell me that? Wouldn’t that put the knights at a disadvantage?”
“Even if I didn’t say anything, the Sharon family’s lawyer would probably explain everything once you returned. I’m just telling you in advance. Besides, if those idiots do something stupid like this again, I’ll be held responsible.”
Achilles ground his teeth as he spoke.
Letticia tilted her head.
“Are the knights even allowed to ignore your orders like that? You’re not just their superior—you’re the Deputy Commander and the lead investigator, right?”
“They shouldn’t be doing something that reckless unless they’ve completely lost their minds.”
“Oh, so you’re saying things are already not normal. Don’t tell me His Highness ordered them to treat me like a suspect?”
“From the fact that you can joke like that, I guess I don’t need to reassure you.”
Letticia shrugged at Achilles’s exasperated gaze.
“When things get that ridiculous, people tend to stay calm. And besides, this isn’t even the first time something like this has happened.”
She hadn’t meant it as a jab, but the air grew somber like a funeral parlor.
Achilles’s expression twisted slightly before he continued, hesitantly.
“There’s no chance something like that will happen this time. If I were to arrest you, it would only be after thoroughly verifying whether or not you’re truly guilty.”
“I believe that. After all, this has nothing to do with Lady Averil this time.”
At the mention of Ariette, Achilles’s face darkened—not in anger, but in worry.
“I truly hope you’re not the culprit. If you were, Arie would be heartbroken.”
“Last night after the performance, I told Lady Averil I’d introduce her to Lady Eskis. I mean, unless I’m some kind of deranged sociopath, I wouldn’t casually offer that if I had just harmed Lady Eskis.”
“Unfortunately, in this line of work, you meet a lot of deranged sociopaths. I’m not saying I doubt your character. I just have to consider all possibilities.”
Achilles began organizing the documents in front of him. Then he stood up. Despite being the Deputy Commander, seeing him personally carry files under his arm felt oddly out of place.
“If you’re innocent, use every legal means available to protect yourself. But if you are the culprit… then at least turn yourself in. It might help with sentencing.”
“Thank you so much for the touching advice. So… am I free to go now?”
“Yes. That was the last of the questions.”
With the questioning finally over, Letticia let out a sigh of relief—’Hoo…’—only to frown as her stomach gave a quiet growl.
She hadn’t even eaten half of her breakfast, and hunger was really starting to hit.
‘Now would be the perfect time for Her Majesty the Empress or Princess Judith to be at the palace. A little invitation to hang out would be a godsend…’
The Sharon County estate was quite far from the imperial palace.
Letticia figured she might as well eat at a restaurant in the city, unwind with some shopping, and head home afterward. But as she opened the door—
She came face-to-face with Audrey, who had been heading her way.
“Lady Wallace, I take it you’re here for questioning too?”
“…Looks like you just finished.”
This time, Audrey responded directly. Maybe because no one else was around to speak for her?
Her tone showed no hint of warmth, so Letticia had no desire to prolong the conversation either.
“Didn’t Lady Eskis come with you? Don’t tell me she’s still unwell?”
“Unfortunately, she came down with a sudden fever last night and is resting. I suppose she pushed herself too hard before fully recovering.”
Audrey answered coldly and brushed past her, heading toward another interrogation room.
Achilles, who had been standing behind Letticia, didn’t bother following her.
“You’re not going to observe Lady Wallace’s questioning?”
“Interrogations are normally handled by regular knights. I only stepped in earlier because the knights were acting strangely from the start.”
He paused for a moment before adding quietly,
“And when I conduct interrogations, most of the ladies get too scared to speak.”
“Sounds like your reputation finally caught up with you. Good luck with that.”
Letticia replied without sarcasm. Achilles didn’t offer any excuses—maybe because he knew she was right.
There was no reason for them to keep talking, so Letticia headed straight out of the knights’ headquarters.
As she wondered what to eat for lunch, she spotted a familiar face lingering at the entrance.
Her expression instantly brightened.
“Ez! What brings you here?”
“Letty…”
Ezkhiel greeted her with a voice that was equal parts happy and uneasy.
Just as Letticia was about to ask if Kenneth had sent word, Ezkhiel spoke first, looking a bit awkward.
“His Highness the Crown Prince… asked me to bring you to him as soon as your questioning was over.”
~~~
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[MLIIWTFL Chapter 189-193] New
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