CHAPTER 67………………………………………….
“Gasp.”
Startled, Serret drew in a sharp breath.
Yuan quickly pulled her behind him, shielding her with his body. His fierce eyes turned toward the man approaching the bars.
The man, who had come close to the cell, stared blankly at Yuan before suddenly falling to his knees and bowing his head.
“I was wrong. I’ve committed an unforgivable sin. I was drunk and not in my right mind.”
He began to beg for forgiveness, repeating over and over that he was sorry and only wished to be spared.
Seeing him, Serret pulled her arm free from Yuan’s grasp and started toward the man—but Yuan caught her arm again and pulled her back.
“Don’t go near him.”
“It’s all right.”
Serret slipped free once more and stood before the man anyway.
Yuan sighed and moved to stand beside her. You never listen, my wife. Instead of stopping her, he decided to stay close.
“I want to see his face.”
Serret looked up at Yuan.
He nodded and told the man to lift his head. At the order, the man looked up at them.
Serret studied his face carefully. Since she’d been attacked from behind, she hadn’t seen the assailant’s face—but she wondered if he might be someone she’d known in her past life.
However, it was a completely unfamiliar face. She was certain she had never seen him before—neither in this life nor the last.
“Are you really the one who attacked me?”
Serret asked the man directly.
“Yes, it was me. I’m truly sorry. I was too drunk to think straight.”
“For someone that drunk, you seem to remember my face quite clearly.”
Serret’s gaze bored into his. The man looked flustered and quickly averted his eyes.
Serret watched him silently for a moment, then turned away. She wasn’t convinced he was the culprit.
“Is there something suspicious?”
Yuan asked as they walked side by side. His wife looked troubled.
“It’s strange that he remembers my face so clearly, even though he claims he was drunk.”
“I see.”
Serret had her doubts, but Yuan thought differently. She’s beautiful enough to sober anyone up. It would’ve been stranger if the man didn’t remember her.
Serret frowned slightly at Yuan’s indifferent tone. Judging by his attitude, arguing that the man wasn’t the culprit would be pointless.
After leaving the underground cell, Serret and Yuan had tea with the chief of police.
Setting her teacup down, Serret turned to the officer in charge.
“I heard the medicine bottle from the crime scene is missing. Is that true?”
“Yes, none was found.”
“Before I was attacked, I was holding a bottle. It might have contained the same poison Sophia drank. I saw the mark of the Held tribe on it.”
Serret carefully baited the officer with her words.
“The Berun region has many Held people. That bottle doesn’t necessarily mean it contained poison.”
But the officer didn’t take the bait. He answered casually.
“Have you confirmed where Sophia obtained the poison?”
“Her suicide note said she made it herself.”
“Sophia? That’s impossible.”
Serret frowned. How could Sophia have made poison? It’s not something you just whip up easily.
“You may not know, Duchess, but it’s not entirely impossible. One could make it after reading a few books.”
“My wife doesn’t know…?”
Yuan’s quiet but firm voice filled the room. Though soft, it carried weight that froze the atmosphere instantly.
Both the police chief and the officer stiffened under Yuan’s intimidating presence. The officer quickly realized his blunder and bowed to Serret.
“I misspoke. My deepest apologies, Duchess.”
His ingrained habit of belittling women had slipped out, and he now broke into a cold sweat.
“Please investigate thoroughly how Sophia obtained the poison.”
Serret spoke calmly, not revealing her irritation—maintaining composure was part of her dignity.
“Please ensure the Duchess of Frekthuster’s concerns are investigated thoroughly.”
Yuan emphasized her title—reminding them she was of the Frekthuster family.
“Yes, Your Grace.”
The officer and even the police chief nodded vigorously, unable to defy him.
Outside the station, Yuan glanced at Serret, who was lost in thought. Seeing her deep in contemplation made his head ache—she was surely planning something reckless again.
“The culprit has been caught, yet your doubts remain, I see.”
He stopped walking and looked at her. She stopped too and met his eyes.
What happened to her could have been pure bad luck, unrelated to Lydia. But after hearing what the police said, she was now certain—Sophia’s death had not been suicide.
“Sophia was just an ordinary eighteen-year-old girl. How could someone like that make poison?”
“You mean you don’t trust the police’s conclusion?”
“No, I don’t. Honestly, I can’t.”
“And you intend to keep pursuing this matter?”
“Most likely.”
Serret nodded as if it were obvious.
Yuan sighed softly. As expected. Then he placed her hand on his arm and led her toward the carriage.
“Let’s do this instead. I know a trustworthy detective. We’ll have him look into Sophia’s case.”
Stopping in front of the carriage, Yuan held out his hand to her.
He wanted someone reliable to handle the investigation before Serret got herself into danger again. Only once her doubts were resolved would she truly be safe.
“I’d like to meet that detective.”
“Let’s meet him today.”
Seeing the sparkle in her eyes, Yuan chuckled and gestured for her to get in.
Serret took his hand and climbed into the carriage. Yuan instructed the coachman to head to Retas Street, then sat beside her.
“There’s an empty seat over there, you know.”
Serret widened her eyes at him, pointing delicately to the seat across from them.
“Yes, it’s empty.”
“Should I move over?”
“Just stay where you are. What’s the big deal about a married couple sitting side by side?”
Serret’s refusal to share the seat made Yuan a bit petulant. Why does she keep her distance so stubbornly?
“It’s not a big deal, but still…”
“Still?”
“It looks… too close.”
At that, Yuan laughed and in one swift motion pulled her into his lap. Startled, Serret blinked in shock, speechless.
“Now this—this looks close.”
“I suppose it does.”
She coughed awkwardly and tried to get up, but Yuan didn’t let her go.
Serret looked up at his face—there was a mischievous glint in his eyes, so unlike his usual self that it made her stomach flutter.
Then she remembered—he still hadn’t realized his feelings for Lydia. The thought felt strangely bittersweet. And yet, it also pleased her a little that she alone could see this playful side of him.
“Now, make your choice. Here—” he tapped the seat beside him, “or here.” He then pointed to his lap. His eyes sparkled teasingly, like a boy’s.
The unfamiliar yet charming expression made her heart skip. Quickly, Serret slipped off his lap and sat beside him.
“Of course, beside you.”
“I respect your choice.”
Yuan smiled and took her hand. Just having her sit beside him was enough to satisfy him—even if she immediately tried to pull her hand away.
“Let go.”
“Stay still. Before I put you back on my lap.”
He brought her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it gently.
The warmth of his lips tickled, and Serret found herself unable to move, as though under a spell. It’s just a hand, after all… we are married.
She turned to look out the window, pretending to be indifferent, though all her attention was fixed on the hand he held. Ignoring her quickening heartbeat, she kept her eyes on the passing scenery until the carriage stopped.
Yuan and Serret entered the Townsend Detective Agency. Townsend, a sharp-looking young gentleman and a reliable contact of Yuan’s, greeted them warmly.
After offering tea, he spoke politely, “I don’t yet know what you’d like me to investigate, but I’ll serve you with utmost sincerity.”
“Go ahead, tell him what you want,” Yuan said, nodding at Serret.
Serret nodded back and explained Sophia’s case. Townsend jotted down her words swiftly in his notebook.
“What I want to know is where Sophia got the poison. I don’t believe she made it herself.”
“Understood. I’ll trace the source of the poison.”
“I might have something useful. One of Sophia’s close maids once received birth control pills from her. They were made by the Held tribe and looked exactly like the bottle I found.”
Serret lied smoothly—she didn’t want to admit that Sophia had secretly given her the pills.
“Then it’s possible she obtained the poison from the same Held apothecaries.”
Townsend immediately caught her meaning.
“That’s what I was thinking. Come by the duchy when you have time—I’ll give you the medicine.”
“That would be very helpful, Duchess. Each Held clan uses different herbs and formulas. Analyzing the ingredients might reveal who made it.”
Serret smiled brightly, impressed by his quick understanding.
Watching her, Yuan’s lips curved gently upward.
He still wasn’t sure what love was—but one thing was clear: his wife, with her eyes shining like that, was utterly endearing.
As they left the detective’s office, Yuan extended his hand. Serret took it naturally.
Instead of placing her hand on his arm, he simply held it. When she looked at him curiously, he smiled faintly.
“From now on, leave the dangerous parts to Townsend—or to me.”
“You’d risk yourself in my place?”
Serret chuckled softly.
“Better me than my wife.”
“Yes, of course.”
She answered, fighting the smile tugging at her lips.
Serret returned to the duchy in good spirits. But as soon as she entered her room, her maid Hanna handed her an invitation with a sour expression.
“A tea party invitation came for you.”
“Why that face?”
Serret laughed as she took it—but upon seeing the sender, her expression turned just like Hanna’s.
It was from Lydia.
