Chapter 63
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The Male and Female Leads Broke Up - Episode 63
"I see. I've also come to examine the carriage to find the culprit."
"Ah... is that so?"
The moment I heard those words, my heart sank.
The memory resurfaced—that he was the one who killed Belita, the culprit behind the carriage accident.
Though I had done nothing wrong, the blood drained from my entire body.
'I didn't do it, so stay calm.'
Please, just stay composed.
"My sister still hasn't regained consciousness."
"Still...? Was she injured so severely that she hasn't woken? I heard the external wounds weren't serious..."
"The wounds themselves aren't severe. It seems she was simply shocked quite badly."
"Ah, yes. How could anyone do this to Adela...! We absolutely must catch the culprit."
"...That's right."
It was too dark to see clearly, but for some reason his voice sounded oddly hesitant.
Could he possibly think I'm the culprit? Really?
Now that I thought about it, I kept saying I wasn't the culprit, but I couldn't recall him ever affirming my words.
"What do you think, Aiden? Who is the culprit?"
"I... haven't figured it out yet."
"Me, ...no."
I simply couldn't bring myself to ask if he thought I was the culprit.
My voice grew smaller without my realizing it.
The thought of hearing him say I seemed like the culprit felt utterly devastating.
"Are you wondering if I suspect Belita of being the culprit?"
But Aiden asked back as if he already knew exactly what I wanted to ask.
"Well, yes... Do you, like Byon Duke, also suspect me as a likely culprit in this incident?"
My heart pounded fiercely.
That brief moment of waiting for his answer felt like an eternity.
"No."
"What?"
Though it was the answer I most wanted to hear, the unexpectedness of it made me ask again without thinking.
"I absolutely do not think Belita is the culprit."
"Really?"
Even though I truly hadn't done it, those words brought me such relief.
"Yes, from everything I've experienced with Belita so far, I know you're absolutely not the kind of person who would do such a thing."
"Yes, that's right! I'm absolutely not that kind of person!"
I agreed with his words and broke into a broad smile.
A soft chuckle escaped from him in response.
"Thank you for trusting me. Let's work together this time to find the culprit. I can never forgive whoever did this to Adela either."
"...Very well."
I was truly relieved.
The joy of knowing he didn't suspect me was overwhelming.
It was only natural—I had barely escaped the shadow of death.
"It's grown quite late. Allow me to escort you back to the Manor."
"What? Oh, yes. Thank you."
"Shall we go?"
"Yes."
Aiden and I walked together to the Manor.
Simply being removed from his suspicion made my steps feel impossibly light.
I felt as though I were floating weightlessly among the clouds.
As we walked side by side, he suddenly stopped.
I took a few more steps before turning back to look at him in confusion.
"What is it?"
The sky, which had been dark all evening, began to brighten gradually.
It was the moment the moon, hidden behind the clouds, revealed itself.
'Ah...'
A strange sense of déjà vu washed over me, as though this moment had occurred before.
The wonder and admiration I had felt when I first saw him stirred within me once more, unbidden.
"I suddenly found myself wishing this moment would pass more slowly."
"..."
"So I paused for a while."
"...Why?"
"I'm not entirely sure. I simply felt it."
"You're a strange person."
I laughed lightly at his words.
Yet I did not avert my gaze from his steady, unwavering eyes that had been fixed upon me since moments before.
We gazed at each other completely, wholly.
No further words were spoken, no movements made.
Perhaps, naively believing his words, I thought time itself would stop if we simply remained still like this.
And so we stood, merely looking at one another for that brief span of time.
* * *
The following morning, Duke Heitz boarded a carriage to attend the regular aristocratic council meeting held at the Imperial Palace.
Today's agenda was as transparent as daylight to anyone with eyes to see.
Duke Byon would undoubtedly come forward demanding the perpetrator behind the carriage accident that befell his daughter, Adela Byon, be revealed.
'How dare someone touch the Heitz Family!'
Duke Heitz had been seething since yesterday, unable to sleep at the mere thought that someone had dared to lay hands on his family—on Belita, his most precious daughter.
This incident demanded the culprit be rooted out not merely for the honor of House Byon, but for the dignity of the Heitz Family as well.
He was determined to crush whoever dared threaten the Heitz Family so thoroughly that no one would ever dare covet them again.
'How dare they touch my daughter!'
And he had resolved—again and again—not to let Duke Byon off lightly for daring to suspect Belita as the culprit without a shred of clear evidence.
"The most radiant sun of Balteus and the noble Emperor Christian Winston Balteus has arrived. All rise and pay your respects to His Majesty."
At the chamberlain's announcement of the Emperor's arrival, every nobleman rose and bowed their heads.
The Emperor walked slowly through the assembled nobility.
"Raise your heads, all of you."
The Emperor smiled warmly as he took his seat at the head of the council chamber.
"Good morning. What is today's agenda? Come now, let us proceed one matter at a time."
"Your Majesty, it is said that baseless rumors have been circulating among the people of the Capital recently."
"Baseless rumors, you say? What manner of rumors are these?"
"That is—"
Beginning with the first matter, several items were brought before the council.
Thus approximately two hours passed, and now only one agenda item remained.
"Now for the final matter."
At the chamberlain's words, Duke Byon cleared his throat with a soft cough before speaking.
"Your Majesty, yesterday near the Shopping District, my daughter Adela Byon suffered grave injuries in a carriage accident."
"The Lady Byon, you say?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Was she gravely wounded? Is she well now?"
The Emperor inquired about Adela's condition with a tone of genuine concern.
"Due to the severity of the shock, she has not yet regained consciousness."
"How dreadful. What shall we do? If a physician is needed, I shall send the Imperial Doctor."
"Your words alone are gratitude enough, Your Majesty. However, what I wish to address is not a matter of treatment."
Duke Byon's gaze swept across the Emperor and the surrounding nobility.
His eyes lingered particularly long upon Duke Heitz.
"Your Majesty, this accident was no mere accident."
Duke Byon finally voiced what he truly wished to say.
"No mere accident? What do you mean by that?"
"The carriage accident involving my daughter was caused by an incendiary device."
Duke Byon emphasized the words "incendiary device" as he spoke.
Most of those present in the council chamber stole glances at Duke Heitz, pretending not to notice.
"Ahem!"
Duke Heitz made no effort to conceal his displeasure, letting out a pointed cough.
The Emperor glanced at Duke Heitz once before turning his attention back to Byon Duke.
"A fire bomb, you say? Explain in detail."
"A fire bomb was planted in the carriage my daughter was riding. The explosion sent her flying from the carriage. Someone deliberately targeted my daughter with this attack."
Byon Duke steadied himself, maintaining composure as he continued.
"Who would dare target the lady of House Byon?"
"Your Majesty."
Suddenly, Byon Duke stepped forward and knelt.
His voice trembled with earnest pleading as he addressed the Emperor.
"Your Majesty, I wish to apprehend the culprit with my own hands. Please allow House Byon to take charge of this investigation."
"However, it is law that incidents in the Capital fall under the jurisdiction of the Capital Security Force."
"My daughter nearly died. How can I, as her father, simply stand idle? Your Majesty, I implore you—entrust this case to House Byon. I swear I will capture the perpetrator."
The Emperor regarded the nobles with an expression of difficulty.
"What are your thoughts, gentlemen? Speak freely and honestly."
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