After a moment, Kaisern's voice continued cautiously.
“Actually, a man named Derrick confessed last night that he was the one who killed Ruidel. He was a member of the same knight order, and it seems their relationship was generally not good.”
“As expected, the culprit was nearby. But why did he suddenly confess to the crime? After a whole week?”
“Well… it seems there was someone who witnessed the scene.”
“A witness?”
"Yes. Someone claims to have seen Derrick dragging the limp Ruidel from the garden.”
Considering the crime occurred in broad daylight, it was certainly a situation where a witness could exist.
However, the culprit was meticulous enough to manipulate the crime scene for an alibi. It seemed somewhat contradictory for such a culprit to have acted so conspicuously.
“Would a culprit careful enough to stage a suicide really act so brazenly?”
“I think the same. If that were true, it would be like spreading rumors about himself.”
“Definitely strange.”
Yi Kyung fell into thought after hearing Kaisern’s words. If the witness’s statement was true, it meant the culprit had no intention of hiding their crime. If so, why bother disguising it as a suicide?
“And there’s one more thing that troubles me. It might not be related to this case, though.”
“Please tell me everything. Even the smallest details.”
At Yi Kyung’s words, Kaisern showed a slight hesitation. The story he was about to tell involved matters within the knight order.
However, he thought that since things had come to this, it was better to share all the information and receive help in catching the culprit.
After a moment, as if having made up his mind, Kaisern spoke.
“Actually, for a few days, I called in the knights one by one and asked them about the incident. I simply asked various rambling questions, such as whether there was anything unusual about Ruidel’s behavior recently.”
“And?”
“But there was one commonality in their statements.”
Yi Kyung looked at him with eyes urging an answer. Kaisern glanced towards the door, then lowered his voice.
Soon, a voice barely audible only to her could be heard.
“They said Ruidel must have committed suicide.”
“What…?”
“They all said it in unison. They didn’t want to answer further, so I looked into it through other channels, and it seems he was being bullied within the knight order.”
“Bullying? So the bruises on his face and body were indeed signs of bullying.”
"It seems so.”
Kaisern bowed his head and exhaled deeply. It seemed like self-reproach for not knowing the truth until things had escalated this far.
‘In that case, could the culprit be one of the knights?’
Yi Kyung recalled the Calisto Knight Order’s commander and knight she had seen that day. Given the commander’s remark that it was as good as him killing him, there was a high probability that the commander already knew what was happening within the knight order.
If the culprit was someone related to the knight order, and all the members were hiding that fact…
“Things are going to get quite complicated.”
Yi Kyung sighed deeply. If everyone remained silent like this, revealing the true culprit seemed difficult.
***
"That’s all.”
The work report, which began at dusk, ended deep into the night. Kaisern, as always, gathered and sorted the scattered documents on the desk.
Due to an upcoming business trip tomorrow, Ruan was working harder than usual. Kaisern looked at Ruan, who was reviewing documents even skipping meals, with a worried expression.
However, despite his concern for the Lord’s health, he still seemed to be hesitating, as if he had something more to say.
Noticing this, Ruan raised an eyebrow, signaling him to speak.
"May I ask just one thing?”
It was an uncharacteristic preface for him. Ruan looked up at Kaisern, who still seemed hesitant, with a puzzled expression.
“What is it that makes you so hesitant?”
“I apologize if it’s an overstepping interference, but is there a reason you are holding her even though the culprit has been revealed?”
“Oh, I thought it was something else. Derrick is not the culprit.”
Derrick Mencal. He was one of the Calisto Knight Order members who was dragged to the Public Security Bureau this morning. As the Lord’s gaze returned to the documents, answering dismissively, Kaisern carefully opened his mouth.
“Perhaps… do you still believe that woman is the real culprit? My Lord, that young lady is not the culprit.”
“I know.”
“Then why do you still hold her? It would not be good for her to stay in this mansion for a long time, would it?”
"Do you think that woman has some ulterior motive for stepping into this house?”
“That…”
Kaisern had also initially thought that might be the case. Even as he looked at her clear face, shivering, drenched in rainwater.
‘The cursed mansion.'
'The monster of the Crusene mansion.’
These were phrases that any imperial citizen living in Bestia would have heard at least once.
It was a statement that was both right and wrong. Some called Ruan Crusene’s eternal life a blessing, while others called it a curse. He thought it unlikely that an outsider who had crossed the border to enjoy the New Year’s celebration wouldn’t know the rumors about Ruan.
But it didn’t take long for him to realize. She had truly just been caught up in this incident by chance. It was not the face full of curiosity, envy, or fear that he was sick of encountering.
She had no shred of curiosity about Ruan Crusene, who was said to have obtained eternal life, with time stopped. She just wanted to clear her name quickly and leave the mansion.
“And have you already forgotten? Who it was that let that woman into this house.”
Kaisern awoke from his thoughts at the voice that quietly broke the silence. To be daydreaming at such an important moment. Kaisern bowed deeply.
"I apologize.”
“It’s fine. I didn’t say that to rebuke you.”
Seeing his expression darken rapidly, Ruan gestured as if it was nothing. Kaisern knew he wasn’t being chastised for past events, but his expression remained dark as he raised his head.
“How about increasing the number of guards starting today?”
“Jayden alone is sufficient. Are you saying I should increase the number of personnel here?”
"Yes. And secretly assign people who have no relation to the knight order. It would be best if Jayden didn’t know about the increased number of guards.”
Kaisern’s gaze turned to Ruan, baffled by the incomprehensible order. Jayden had been the Lord’s escort knight until recently, and currently, he was guarding Yi Kyung’s room at the Lord’s command. So, if he wanted to monitor her, Jayden alone was enough.
However, at the order to increase the number of guards without even Jayden knowing, Kaisern looked troubled.
“Surely you aren’t suspecting Jayden?”
“Well.”
“If not, can you explain why you give such an order?”
His tone might have been perceived as challenging, but Kaisern seemed unaware of that fact. Ruan sat there, looking up at him blankly, then crossed his arms and leaned back deeply in his chair.
“Then I will ask you a question. Assuming you were the culprit in this case, who do you think you would fear the most right now?”
"That would be… perhaps a member of the Calisto Knight Order.”
It was a sudden question, but Kaisern answered without much difficulty. He still couldn’t grasp his intentions, but it wasn’t a difficult question to answer either.
“No. You’re wrong.”
But a firm answer came back from Ruan.
Was it a question with a predetermined answer? Kaisern hid his confusion and tried hard to find the right answer with his stiffened mind.
But after a long silence continued, Ruan offered a mysterious hint.
"Why do you think I’m still holding that woman?”
“That’s…”
Kaisern’s eyes slowly widened in surprise as he pondered Ruan’s words.
Someone who has no vested interest with anyone in the mansion, yet is the most feared person. And the person who first questioned Ludel's death.
“Surely…”
“It seems you’ve found the answer. There will be some movement from the culprit soon. If you notice anything suspicious, report it to me immediately. You may leave now.”
'But…’
Kaisern swallowed the words that were about to come out. The Lord’s emotionless eyes were fixed on him. It meant no further interference would be tolerated.
“Yes, I understand.”
His voice trembled slightly as he answered. Kaisern bowed deeply, as he had when he entered, and left the study.
***
"Excuse me… can I ask you one thing?”
Yi Kyung opened the door and poked her head out. Jayden, who had been guarding her door without moving, as usual, didn’t even glance at her.
Even though there was no response, Yi Kyung continued to speak, her face still poking out the door.
“About the murder case that happened in the mansion a while ago. They say a witness has appeared for that case.”
“…”
Still, no answer came. But Yi Kyung persistently looked at him with her head poked out. After a long time, so long her neck hurt, she felt his gaze turn towards her for a moment.
“What about it?”
“You knew, Sir Knight!”
“…What do you want to say?”
Jayden reluctantly replied, his expression clearly annoyed.
Just getting a reaction was half the battle won. Yi Kyung smiled triumphantly and secretly lowered her voice.
"So, who is this witness, exactly?”
“Why are you curious about that?”
“No reason. I’m just curious why that person is only now coming forward with the truth.”
“I cannot tell you, so go back to your room.”
Jayden turned his head and stood facing forward again. But Yi Kyung had no intention of doing so. Instead, she stepped one foot outside and looked directly at Jayden.
“But no matter how much I think about it, I feel like you know something about that incident, Sir Knight.”
"…Why do you think so?”
After a long pause, an answer came from him. Yi Kyung smiled faintly.
“You knew from the beginning that I wasn’t the culprit. That means you know who the real culprit is, right?”
Jayden’s eyes instantly began to waver. Yi Kyung slowly opened her mouth, meeting his gaze steadily.
“Still, are you guarding this door because your master ordered you to? Or are you protecting me?”
Time seemed to freeze in the silence. Jayden’s trembling eyes wandered through the empty air.