Since When Were You The Villain?

Chapter 124

Sophia put the book down with trembling hands.

Is there any evidence to confirm if the bracelet with the danger sign was passed on to the Empress?

No, the probability of that is almost zero.

Unless she’s a fool, the Empress would not have directly dealt with such a dangerous item.

Even if she had dealt with it directly, she would have manipulated the records regarding the transaction.

‘So… what should I do now?’

Sophia doodled the “?” character with her pen.

She would search through the falsified ledgers, but it would be difficult to expose the Empress’s crimes with just that.

If this matter were to surface, the Empress would likely cut off the Fraus family to save herself.

Although Sophia felt no particular affection for her family, it was still hers.

If the Fraus family took the blame, Sophia would also be in trouble.

Furthermore, the Empress might use this opportunity to strike back at Killian. All she had to do was concoct some strange story about him, who was engaged to Sophia.

‘I need to be more cautious.’

Sophia bit her lip gently.

—

Ian Fraus’s room remained lit late into the night.

Since taking on the investigation of the Black Moon, his sleep had been cut short.

He couldn’t neglect his duties as a knight or his training just because he had taken on this case, so he could only reduce his sleep.

‘The Black Moon hasn’t made a move since the ball.’

He wanted to pursue the matter personally, but the opportunity had yet to arise.

All Ian could do was meticulously review records to find any missed connections.

That night, Ian thoroughly examined the case files on the Black Moon.

His eyes paused momentarily on the documents he had read numerous times.

Thoughts of Sophia crept into the gaps between the lines.

‘Damn it.’

Why is this happening?

He closed his eyes, trying to quell the strange emotions tormenting him.

Sophia came to mind while he was reviewing the Black Moon documents because all these files had come from Killian.

He found it displeasing to think of Killian every time he touched the paper with writing on it.

And finally, this thought came to him.

The reason Sophia’s engagement was unpleasant was not because she didn’t carry the Fraus blood, but because Killian was untrustworthy.

He couldn’t trust a guy who used tricks and had a dark heart.

‘Tricks?’

Ian’s thoughts abruptly halted as they clicked into place with a memory.

‘He used tricks during the match. And the wounds he sustained then…’

Ian quickly flipped through the Black Moon-related documents.

The second incident: it was recorded that the military police inflicted a severe wound on the Black Moon’s waist when Percel died.

Ian skimmed to the page of the most recent incident.

It noted that Nicholas had deeply cut the Black Moon’s thigh.

At that moment, Ian’s memory of Killian’s suspicious behavior during the match overlaps with the incidents.

Killian had deliberately taken wounds on his waist and thigh.

‘The injuries align with the directions the Black Moon was injured.’

Ian hadn’t rechecked Killian’s wounds, but he remembered exactly where he had inflicted the injuries.

Realizing this, Ian’s lips trembled and lifted into a smile.

‘Was this it? Was it like this?’

He hadn’t understood why Killian had done that during the match.

He should have fought desperately to win for the sake of Liam and the military police, but he had deliberately taken hits. It defied common sense.

But now the reason for his actions that made him angry is starting to make sense.

‘To think he was hiding so cleverly.’ (T/L: This brat is so smart.)

It had seemed strange that the military police, who had maintained peace in the capital competently for years, were so shaken by one Black Moon.

He had thought that, despite everything, even the military police couldn’t solve every problem smoothly.

But to think that the head of the military police was the Black Moon.

‘Someone with the Black Moon’s skills wouldn’t have remained hidden and inactive.’

Nicholas and Liam were helpless, and he was a powerful man who skilfully outmaneuvered several military and police officers who were chasing him.

To gain such prowess, one must gain experience fighting against others.

Naturally, such a skilled person would earn a reputation.

Someone with the Black Moon’s level of skill would surely have at least a minimal reputation.

‘Come to think of it, his movements then too…!’

Ian recalled the time Killian had come to the Fraus residence.

The day he had brought Sophia, who had caught a bad cold, to his room.

When Killian had come to fetch a doctor, he had entered the grand duchy without permission and encountered Ian in the hallway.

And with movements that exceeded Ian’s expectations, he had easily evaded Ian.

Movements were far too free for someone raised in the palace.

He had thought at the time that those movements were unfamiliar and out of place.

‘Movements unfitting for a grand duke but explainable if he’s the Black Moon.’

Such ghost-like evasion required considerable skill.

“Killian Viprons Rivelon… That bastard was the Black Moon.”

Realizing the truth, Ian felt goosebumps all over and stood up abruptly.

‘Could he have approached Sophia for this too…?’

On the surface, Killian seemed righteous and courteous.

But Ian knew from crossing swords with him that there was another face hidden behind his blade.

Killian was someone who cunningly lured, deceived, and disguised himself.

But Sophia didn’t know this and trusted Killian completely.

‘Sophia is in danger.’

She was closest to that mad killer.

Realizing this, Ian’s feet moved on their own.

He immediately left his room and headed up to the third floor, where Sophia’s room was.

Just then, he ran into Jenny, who was returning after arranging Sophia’s bed.

Jenny flinched and pressed herself against the wall as soon as she saw Ian.

But Ian didn’t care about Jenny’s reaction and asked her directly.

“Where’s Sophia?”

“She’s lying down to sleep,” Jenny answered politely.

“Did she go out to see the Grand Duke Rebellion today?”

“No, they just exchanged letters.”

“…”

Ian furrowed his brows and remained silent, making Jenny swallow nervously.

Why was this young master here at this late hour? Was he going to lose his temper with her again?

As she anxiously observed him, Ian spoke again.

“Stick close to Sophia for the time being.”

He commanded Jenny.

He needed to keep Sophia away from Killian.

Furthermore, he didn’t know the exact criteria Killian used to choose his victims, but he couldn’t let Sophia stay near such a murderer.

Jenny, still clueless, blinks.

“Pardon?”

Surely he knew she was the only maid serving Lady Sophia, right?

She had to take care of Sophia’s meals, clean up after her, organize her clothes and laundry, clean, and run errands all by herself. Did he expect her to split herself in two?

Jenny wanted to voice these thoughts.

“And for the next few days, do not let her meet with Grand Duke Killian Viprons Rivelon. No letters either.”

“What…?”

Why, all of a sudden?!

Jenny wanted to ask, but couldn’t. She knew what could happen if she talked back to this unpleasant young master.

Ian, after entrusting Sophia’s supervision to Jenny, called for his attendant.

“I need to see His Majesty the Emperor as soon as possible tomorrow.”

He couldn’t allow the criminal who was shaking the empire to roam freely any longer.

—

“Why can’t I go?!”

The next day, Sophia was trying to go see Killian but was blocked by Jenny.

“Young Master Ian said you shouldn’t go today.”

“Ian?”

Sophia put her hands on her hips, her eyebrows raised sharply.

Last night, she had resolved to visit Killian first thing in the morning as she lay in bed.

Killian seemed to wish she wouldn’t investigate Rosarphi further, but she couldn’t keep quiet after finding evidence linking her family to its import.

Even if she couldn’t use it as leverage immediately, she needed to inform Killian!

“Why did Ian say I couldn’t go?”

Sophia narrowed her eyes.

Could it be that Ian had discovered it too? That the Fraus family was involved with Rosarphi?

No, even if that were the case, it didn’t explain why she couldn’t meet with Killian.

“I don’t know the reason either, but he told me to hold you back today.”

Blocking Sophia was agonizing for Jenny as well. Caught between Ian and Sophia, what was she to do?

While Jenny was mentally listing her excuses, Sophia glared at her coldly.

“Jenny. Who do you serve?”

“Well… you, my lady.”

“That’s right. But it seems you’re prioritizing Ian’s orders over mine.”

Sophia stood with her arms crossed, looking at Jenny.

Jenny’s eyes darted around nervously.

“But Young Master Ian never makes such requests. Since he told me directly, there must be an important reason, right?”

“Have you considered whether that reason is for my benefit or Ian’s?”

There must be a reason for Ian to suddenly make such a request.

And Sophia had a feeling that reason wasn’t in her favour.

Especially when the order was not to meet with Killian.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

TRANSLATOR:

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