Chapter 141
Interrogation was the only recourse, as torture was out of the question.
Thus, Mikhail von Orhel relentlessly interrogated Killian all night, offering no respite, no chance to rest.
Naturally, Killian didn’t say anything beyond denying the accusations.
Because of this, it was impossible for Killian to escape the investigation room even for a moment last night.
Orhelin’s knights ended up corroborating his alibi instead.
“How did the search at the Grand Duke’s mansion go? Was there any evidence related to the Black Moon?” Beatrice asked urgently.
Given her prior efforts through Garfield, it was certain that rosary peas would be found in Killian’s personal space.
However,
“We found no evidence at all.”
An Orhelin knight reported.
Not only were there no rosary peas, but everything was tidy without a trace of anything suspicious.
“We found a space connected to the library, but it only contained important records of the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess.”
Early that morning, Garfield and Sophia had rearranged the secret space in the library differently.
‘If this space were completely empty, it would be suspicious.’
‘Yes, indeed, ma’am. Then, let’s move all the important ledger items related to the Grand Duchess to this location.’
Then, Orhelin unexpectedly found that secret space and unearthed its contents.
But in the end, they didn’t find any evidence related to the Black Moon.
Beatrice clenched her fists in frustration over Killian’s innocence.
Surely, she had advised Garfield to hide the rosary peas. If only they had been found, Killian could have been instantly executed as the Black Moon.
But why hadn’t they been discovered?
There was no way Orhelin had been negligent in the search.
So there was only one cause.
‘Garfield…! I specifically instructed him to hide the rosary peas!’
Veins bulged in the Empress’s clenched fist.
Garfield had served under the empress for a long time. He should have seen plenty of instances where disobeying her orders would lead.
Furthermore, his daughter was within the empress’s reach, so even fearing for his family, he should not have disobeyed her command.
But why had things gone so wrong? It simply made no sense to her.
However, what was clear was that the mistake was too fatal to simply overlook.
‘To think the Black Moon appeared when there was no evidence found on Killian…!’
With no evidence and a solid alibi, Killian’s innocence was practically confirmed.
In frustration, Beatrice brushed aside Elisabeth, who was kneeling beside her.
“Is there any proof that the Black Moon that appeared yesterday was indeed the real Black Moon? There could also be a possibility of imitation.”
Beatrice questioned, wanting to deny reality.
“That’s because Ian presented the mask of the deceased Marquis Fideut as evidence of the Black Moon yesterday.”
“He removed the mask? Doesn’t that mean he saw his face?”
“No. It was said that the encounter with the Black Moon yesterday happened in the forest, so he couldn’t see clearly due to the darkness.”
“He removed the mask but couldn’t see…?”
“He quickly covered his face deeply with his robe.”
Beatrice clenched her fist, restraining herself from tearing something apart.
“However, Ian’s testimony matches the previous witnesses’ testimonies, such as the maid of Marquis Fideut and Nicholas. It was confirmed that Grand Duke Rivelon’s innocence is proven. Soon the Grand Duke will be released from the investigation room.”
Ian gave the same testimony about the Black Moon as previous witnesses—the maid of the Marquis Fideut and Nicholas, etc.
He was a tall man and so skilled that even he couldn’t catch him.
‘What on earth is going on?’
Could it really be that Killian isn’t the Black Moon? If everything she thought all this time was just a misunderstanding, a delusion?
Is there someone else who could be digging into the past of the illegitimate child?
No, there are other possibilities.
“What if Killian didn’t act alone?” Beatrice’s voice asked sharply.
If Killian is the Black Moon, but he had someone helping him, like Fideut or Percel…?
Nicholas also said he definitely saw the Black Moon talking to someone.
So, it’s possible an accomplice disguised themselves as the Black Moon.
Maybe even Garfield was one of his accomplices.
“His Majesty the Emperor believes that’s unlikely. Besides, the Grand Duke has no motive for committing the crime…”
No motive?
A grinding sound came from inside Beatrice’s mouth as she clenched her teeth.
The Emperor was feigning ignorance while probing Beatrice’s weakness.
People generally think of the Black Moon as a mad killer. No one suspects the Black Moon might be connected to the long-forgotten illegitimate child of the Emperor.
But the Emperor would know better.
He must know, given that he has watched the events unfold closely.
Especially since he cherishes Killian, Howard’s son who died protecting the illegitimate child, he would understand why Killian got involved in the Black Moon case.
And he knows that Beatrice fears the illegitimate child’s existence coming to light.
If the illegitimate child’s existence were to resurface and draw attention, it would be troublesome for Beatrice.
As more people become curious and seek the truth about the illegitimate child, some will try to find out who the illegitimate child is.
Beatrice will have more people to silence.
Moreover, if it’s related to the illegitimate child, everyone would put Beatrice under suspicion.
She doesn’t want to create more enemies like the Black Moon and dig her own grave.
Therefore, the Emperor boldly protects Killian, knowing Beatrice won’t dare to reveal the truth.
‘Things have gotten complicated.’
Killian completely escaped her grasp.
Evidence, alibi, and even the Emperor’s backing. Everything was in favour of Killian.
‘This time, it’s my failure.’
Beatrice bit her lip.
She needed a way to make up for her failure.
But before that, she had to deal with the perpetrator of this failure.
—
“The innocence has been proven, so His Majesty orders you to return promptly as the Grand Duke Rivelon.”
The door of the investigation room, which had been firmly closed all along, opened.
Killian lifted his head weakly, which had been hanging down.
‘Innocent… proven?’
He had been interrogated by Orhelín’s knights until early this morning.
He thought he would suffer for a few more days. And if he was unlucky, he might not leave this place, or he might be sent out for his execution.
But suddenly innocent?
His head was pounding, and it felt foggy, so he couldn’t think straight.
Is this also a trap? What are they planning to do with me?
Killian was rather wary of the knight’s attitude, which had become more polite. It was an instinctive reaction rather than a rational one.
The knight continued speaking to Killian, who was still sitting in his seat and not getting up even after hearing the news.
“We will compensate you on behalf of the royal family for everything that has happened.”
To push it to this point, what could they be compensating for? Did the Empress get angry?
Killian’s lips twisted with disbelief.
At that moment, someone entered the investigation room.
“Killian…!”
It was Mikhail Orhelín.
He rushed in with more urgency than usual, kneeling beside Killian to assess his condition.
When the Crown Prince kneeled, the knights, taken aback, kneeled beside him as well.
“Your innocence has been proven. The Black Moon appeared last night,” Mikhail said, gripping Killian’s hand tightly.
“…What?”
“The Black Moon appeared. It’s confirmed that it wasn’t you.”
Though Mikhail delivered good news, Killian couldn’t smile.
The Black Moon… How could it appear?
“Can you walk, Killian?”
“Has the Black Moon been captured?”
Refusing Mikhail’s support, Killian asked.
“No. Ian Fraus missed it too.”
“Ian Fraus…?”
“Yeah. Last night, the black moon attacked Estelle Niore…”
“He attacked Estelle?”
Killian struggled to process the myriad of stories packed into the brief information.
Estelle was almost harmed. Could Rosarphi have been involved?
Everything was filled with questions.
“Yeah. Thankfully, it seems she wasn’t seriously injured… Anyway, Ian Prauss chased after him but got injured in the waist and lost him,” Mikhail continued.
Killian thought hard with his throbbing head.
If Ian failed, was it Nicholas then? Could he have had the upper hand in an environment favourable to him? Defeating Ian was also possible.
In real combat, there’s no predetermined outcome.
“Thank goodness, Killian. You’ve been cleared of suspicion.”
While the fact that a killer like the Black Moon still roamed free was extremely dangerous, Mikhail was more relieved that Killian’s innocence had been proven.
Mikhail supported Killian again, and together they left the investigation room.
Pain shot through his body with every limping step.
Breathing felt like tearing his lungs apart.
Mikhail hurried to take him somewhere he could rest.
But Killian grabbed Mikhail.
“…I need to go see Sophia.”
“What are you talking about? How can you go like this?”
“I have to meet her.”
More than the joy of being cleared, thoughts of Sophia filled his mind.
He couldn’t shake her expression when she came looking for him.
He needed to let her know that everything was okay now. That she didn’t have to worry anymore.
(T/L: Sophia is a well-deserving FL. Go gurllll)
TRANSLATOR:
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