Chapter 3
Kallion came upstairs after dinner, running a hand through his hair as if tired.
“Y-you already finished eating?”
Ines awkwardly asked, quickly hiding the calendar behind her back. With no Stanley or maids present, being alone with him in the room made her tense. She knew, by the timeline, he wouldn’t harm her yet—but facing someone who hid such a terrible truth was unsettling.
“Lost my appetite… because of someone.”
Because of me?
Ines blinked rapidly, unsure what to say. Kallion frowned and called her.
“Don’t just stand there. Come here and undo this button. The thread must be stuck—it’s choking my neck.”
“Ah, o-okay… just a moment.”
Spreading her hands to calm herself, Ines stepped closer. Kallion bent down slightly, bringing his neck within reach.
Her eyes fixed on the button at his collar. But then came the warmth of his body, the weight of his scent—deep, heavy cologne that filled her senses.
It was nothing like the faint metallic smell of blood from her memories. Instead, it was… disturbingly pleasant.
Her mind blanked. She raised her hand hesitantly.
Through the crisp white shirt, she saw the firm lines of his throat, the thick veins, the pronounced Adam’s apple. She drew in a nervous breath.
What—what was she supposed to be doing again?
“What are you waiting for?”
His low voice dropped over her shoulders, making goosebumps rise across her arms. Startled, she clumsily grabbed his neck.
“I asked you to undo my collar, not strangle me.”
“Ah…! S-sorry.”
Flustered, Ines quickly shifted her hands to the button. A loose thread was tangled tightly around it. She leaned in carefully, working it free.
With a soft pop, the button slipped loose. She undid it fully, then quickly tucked her hands behind her back.
“It’s done.”
“…”
Instead of answering, Kallion brushed a hand over his collarbone—right where her breath had touched.
He turned his gaze downward, studying her still standing close.
Uncomfortable, Ines stepped back and forced her voice out.
“Would you like to wash? I already told the maids to prepare hot water.”
“And you?”
“M-me?”
She blinked in surprise. His question was unexpected.
But Kallion only tugged down the rest of his buttons and shook his head.
“…I meant, step aside.”
“Ah… right.”
She quickly moved out of his way, lowering her head. Because she knew his secret, every small moment around him made her nerves fray.
She listened as he walked into the adjoining bath.
Is he heading out to kill after this? Or will he send someone else in his place?
Her thoughts swirled in confusion, heavy and unsettled.
That night, Ines’s eyes snapped open in the darkness.
Turning her head carefully, she saw Kallion asleep, breathing evenly. The blanket had slipped low, baring his chest. She flushed and turned her gaze away.
“….”
They didn’t share a bed often. But whenever he returned from a long trip, Kallion would always take her without restraint.
And this trip had been particularly long. So his demands had been just as relentless.
Moving slowly, Ines let out a small sigh so as not to wake him.
Normally, she would be unconscious by now, too exhausted to rise until the next afternoon.
But tonight was different. Tonight, she forced herself to stay awake until she was certain he had truly fallen asleep.
What if tonight is when the first murder happens?
Carefully, she glanced back at him. His face in sleep was calm—almost angelic. Hard to believe the same man could commit such crimes.
She turned away again and slowly sat up.
Now… what do I do?
On the third floor of the Elmenhardt mansion, behind a hidden bookcase in the Duke’s study, lay a secret room.
That was where Ines had discovered the proof of his murders. His private place to plan them.
Before his return from Erenbert, she had checked several times—but found nothing. Perhaps he only began his schemes after coming back.
If so, maybe now something had appeared.
If I find proof and bring it to the police… could I stop the murders?
Most likely, yes.
It would save countless people in the Delphius Empire. And it would save her own life.
…But after that?
If Duke Elmenhardt was exposed as a murderer, what would happen to his wife? Would she escape punishment? Or forever bear the shame?
Doubts chained her thoughts.
“Haa…”
No matter how she reasoned, the outcome seemed grim.
But still—she had to see it with her own eyes.
Yes. I’ll go.
Resolved, Ines slipped out of bed, placing her feet quietly on the floor. Slowly, carefully, she moved toward the door.
Her slippers muffled the sound, but the old mansion creaked underfoot, louder than ever in the silence.
“…”
After a tense journey across the room, she reached the door at last.
Her hand stretched for the handle. She turned it slowly—
Rustle.
The blanket shifted behind her. Then came heavy footsteps.
Suddenly, the world flipped. The floor dropped away.
“Ah—!”
Ines gasped. She was in Kallion’s arms before she even realized what had happened.
When did he—?
“Where are you going?”
His voice, low and heavy with sleep, rumbled above her head.
Heart hammering, she forced herself to answer.
“You’re awake? Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“Where are you going.”
“I just… got up for a moment. I was thirsty.”
Her breath came shallow, still caught in his arms.
So there really is something hidden in that study. That’s why he reacted so quickly.
Without a word, Kallion carried her back to the bed.
All her careful effort not to wake him had crumbled in an instant.
Frustrated, she blinked rapidly. Then came his husky voice.
“I’m awake now.”
“I-I didn’t mean—”
She couldn’t finish.
His large hand caught her chin, tilting her face. His lips pressed against hers, rough and demanding.
Ines squeezed her eyes shut as his tongue forced its way into her mouth, stealing her breath.
Her carefully laid plans dissolved like smoke.
After a long, punishing kiss, Kallion rose above her, pushing her back into the sheets.
Breathless, cheeks burning, she felt his face bury against her thigh. She gripped the blanket tightly, unable to look.
The night began again.
By the time Ines woke, it was already late afternoon.
The space beside her was empty. Her body, however, still bore the marks of the night. She sighed.
Her plan to stay awake and watch him had failed miserably.
In the end, I fell asleep first…
Slipping into the robe folded neatly by the bed, she tied the sash and opened the door.
She was about to call for Amy, her maid, when she noticed a group of servants whispering at the far end of the hall. Their faces were pale, their voices urgent.
A chill prickled her skin.
“What’s going on there?”
