Chapter 125
‘Something feels off. Not just about taking her out of the tea party the day before yesterday…’
A strange sense of unease crept over Sophia.
“Still, it seemed like the young master was a bit worried about you…”
“So, you thought you should follow Ian’s orders and stop me?”
Sophia took a step closer and glared at Jenny.
Jenny shook her head in response.
“Then move aside.”
“…Yes, my lady.”
In the end, Jenny couldn’t stop Sophia and stepped aside.
She knew that Ian would surely throw a fit if he found out she let Sophia go, but she had no choice.
Jenny remembered the time when she and the other maids had treated Sophia poorly. Back then, Sophia was considered even lower than the maids in the Fraus household.
But now, Sophia was undeniably a lady they were to serve and respect.
If Ian came back and acted mad, threatening to dismiss her… she could only accept her fate.
Recalling the sin of being born a servant, Jenny remained silent.
Sophia passed by Jenny and headed to the Grand Duke’s residence.
An unusual sense of urgency made her feel like she needed to get there faster than usual.
—
At the same time.
Killian walked towards the window, drawn by the commotion outside.
He saw a group of people entering the garden of the Grand Duke’s residence.
‘Ian Fraus?’
Leading the group was Ian Fraus, followed not by the Ruchtainer guards but by armed Orhelin knights.
Killian clenched his fists tightly.
There could only be one reason for Ian to come with the Orhelin knights.
The household staff seemed flustered as they tried to stop them, and Killian saw Garfield talking to Ian.
Garfield’s agitated gestures and the glance he shot towards the window where Killian stood made it clear.
The moment their eyes met, Ian’s expression twisted.
Ian pushed Garfield aside and stormed into the Grand Duke’s residence.
Killian stepped away from the window and collected his thoughts.
He had always anticipated this day. And whenever he envisioned this moment, fleeing was never an option.
‘They’ve come without concrete evidence.’
Ian probably only had circumstantial evidence at best.
All the crucial evidence had either been burned or was in Killian’s possession.
Even so, the fact that Ian came here after receiving those documents meant…
‘It must be because of the injuries.’
The wounds Killian had received in the last match were likely similar to those suspected to be on Black Moon.
But that alone couldn’t prove he was Black Moon.
‘Using the injuries to prove I’m Black Moon would implicate himself as well.’
Killian had deliberately inflicted the same injuries on Ian during the match that he had received as Black Moon.
Thus, based on the injuries alone, Ian Frauscould also be suspected as Black Moon.
Killian grabbed his sword from its stand and headed to the lobby.
As he reached the stairs leading to the first floor, he encountered Ian pushing past the servants and barging into the Grand Duke’s residence.
“Killian Viprons Rivelon.”
Ian spat his name out angrily through clenched teeth.
“Still barging into others’ homes uninvited, I see.”
“Now is not the time for such leisurely remarks.”
Ian gripped his sword as if preparing for Killian to attempt an escape, though he also tensed, knowing Killian’s prowess.
“Coming here armed and threatening me without cause… you must really underestimate me since our last match.”
Killian revealed the sword hanging from his coat.
“No cause? You should know very well why I’m here.”
Ian ground his teeth as he threatened him.
“I can only guess it’s due to your arrogance and disrespect, Sir Ian.”
“Son of a bitch…”
Enraged by Killian’s calm, Ian swung his sword.
Killian quickly drew his sword and blocked the attack, the sharp sound of metal slicing through the air echoing in the lobby.
“I’ll expose your true nature, Black Moon.”
“Black Moon?”
With their swords locked, Ian’s low threat made Killian raise an eyebrow as if it were a meaningless accusation.
“Don’t pretend you don’t know.”
“I don’t know what gives you such confidence, but you’ll soon regret your rash actions.”
Killian warned against his impulsive behaviour.
“Your Grace, Sir Ian. Stop this fight immediately.”
The Orhelin knights who had followed Ian stepped in to separate them.
Although they had come to arrest Killian, they knew provoking him wasn’t wise.
“Your Grace, we must ask you to come with us.”
The Orhelin knight maintained a cautious but respectful tone.
It was clear they were highly suspicious.
Killian glanced around at the people of the Grand Duke’s residence, who watched him in shock.
Among them, some likely reported to the Empress.
“…I’ll go with you.”
When Killian sheathed his sword, the Orhelin knights looked visibly relieved.
“Your Grace…!”
Garfield reached out as if to stop him, but he was too far away to do so.
Killian followed the Orhelin knights to the entrance.
“Wait a moment…”
Killian paused at the front door and turned to look at Garfield.
“If my fiancée comes looking for me, please tell her that I had to leave for a few days due to an urgent matter, Garfield.”
He didn’t trust Garfield completely, but he hoped he would relay a convincing story to Sophia.
At the very least, Garfield could manage that.
“… Understood, Your Grace.”
The moment Garfield bowed his head, Ian slammed the door of the Grand Duke’s residence shut.
“Sophia won’t be coming here.”
Ian felt a deep disdain for Killian’s composed demeanour.
Ian couldn’t claim to be a perfect saint. But Killian was far worse—vicious, cunning, and shameless.
As the head of the military police, Killian must have felt a twisted pleasure while committing murders, mocking the world from the shadows.
He had skilfully evaded investigations, pretending to be righteous and virtuous, deceiving everyone with his facade of serving the empire.
And with that same brazen face, he had approached Sophia.
For Sophia, Killian’s attention must have felt like salvation, especially after her time in the attic.
Ian bitterly acknowledged his own significant mistakes that had led to this situation.
But it wasn’t too late. He could still set things right.
—
Beatrice had sent all her maids and attendants away, remaining secluded in a room with Elizabeth.
Since dawn, after Ian’s audience with the Emperor, where he revealed Black Moon’s identity, Beatrice had been in this state.
‘Your Majesty, with all due respect, Black Moon is none other than Grand Duke Killian Viprons Rivelon.’
What a horrifying revelation! The child she had raised like a son turned out to be a murderer who plunged the empire into chaos.
It was understandable that Beatrice had confined herself to her room, refusing to see anyone.
Yes, it was horrifying.
Horrifyingly… delightful!
Sitting at her desk, Beatrice couldn’t suppress her smile.
She covered her mouth to stifle any sound that might escape, constantly fighting to keep the corners of her lips from twitching.
‘It was him after all!’
Her suspicions were correct.
Yes, it had to be Killian.
Did he realize how ridiculous he looked that day she summoned him with Estelle?
The way he had leaped up and dashed out the moment Nicholas approached Estelle.
‘Did he think Nicholas was going to give Estelle water laced with Rozaripi?’
Knowing Nicholas’s association with Rozaripi, Killian couldn’t just stand by.
Even though he knew Estelle wouldn’t be killed in such a public setting, he couldn’t ignore the remote possibility.
A trap he had to fall into, even knowing it was a test.
‘Everything is clear now.’
Beatrice had found her answer.
The one obsessed with uncovering the truth about the illegitimate child, the one with skills rivaling Black Moon’s, could only be Killian.
‘The Grand Duke’s injuries match those of Black Moon. Furthermore, having faced him in direct combat, I can attest that he possesses skills comparable to Black Moon’s.’
Ian had presented all the circumstantial evidence he had uncovered to the Emperor and Empress.
Beatrice had observed the emotions reflected in the Emperor’s eyes.
Was it betrayal regarding Killian? Or was it fear concerning the issue of the illegitimate child?
It didn’t matter to Beatrix.
Black Moon had been exposed, and the illegitimate child was already in her hands.
‘To prevent any unforeseen circumstances, I request permission to detain the Grand Duke and search his residence.’
When Ian earnestly requested Killian’s arrest, Beatrice struggled to suppress her rising smile.
Feigning shock, she remained silent, observing the Emperor’s reaction.
‘Is it true that Killian is Black Moon?’
The Emperor seemed reluctant to believe it.
He had been deeply shaken by the death of the previous Grand Duke, Howard Rivelon. The Emperor feared that Killian might follow the same path.
However, Black Moon was a murderer who had killed even within the imperial palace.
The matter couldn’t be handled carelessly, with growing dissatisfaction and fear among the nobles
Not even Killian could avoid investigation.
Thanks for the chapter