chapter 07
In suffocating tension, Dietrich’s interrogation began.
“Did you kidnap me knowing who I am?”
“Do I look crazy enough to do something like that? I was just so distracted by your face that I grabbed you without even knowing who you were. Ha… If I had just thought a little before taking you, I would’ve realized who you were.”
Then I wouldn’t be on the verge of death like this.
Of course, it was my mistake, but the situation felt oddly unfair, so I rambled on in explanation.
But was it just my imagination?
The corners of Dietrich’s lips seemed to twitch as if he were pleased.
“We’ll hear more about that later. Let’s move on to the next question. How many handsome men have you kidnapped so far?”
“It was thirty-three… so including you, thirty-four.”
The total number of attempts was well over forty, but there was one guy who got caught nine times, so I answered with that in mind.
“Hmm, thirty-four?”
“…Yes.”
Dietrich sat arrogantly in the largest, softest chair in the monitoring room and began asking questions one after another.
It was a bit absurd how he had taken my chair as if he were the owner, but I didn’t bother pointing it out, since it would only seem like I was rushing him.
But perhaps my answers had already shortened my lifespan?
He frowned as if something displeased him.
“Um… is there a problem?”
“Not a problem—just something strange. The incident reported in the newspaper a few days ago… was that your doing?”
“A few days ago… Ah, The Times?”
Dietrich gave a slight nod.
“Yes, that was me. It hasn’t been long, so that handsome man is still locked in a room. I was planning to release him after a month, but…”
If I die today, that won’t happen.
I swallowed the rest of my words.
“If you include that man, shouldn’t the total number of victims be thirty-one? Then why is it thirty-four including me, not thirty-two?”
So many questions. Anyone would think he was an investigator.
Was Dietrich always this talkative?
Where was the silent original version of Dietrich Belvedus, who would simply slice off people’s heads without a word?
Could it be because this is before that incident?
The tragedy of Belvedus.
In the original story, Dietrich first appears by brutally murdering the duke and duchess.
Did his personality change 180 degrees before and after that event?
Maybe the Dietrich in front of me was a different person from the one I knew.
After all, if he were the original, I would’ve lost my head the moment our eyes met.
A small hope formed. Maybe I could soothe him and survive.
I stopped being snippy and decided to cooperate as much as possible.
“That’s because some of the people I kidnapped didn’t report me even after being released.”
“There are two such people?”
“Yes, two.”
“Then perhaps that will become three now.”
“…What?”
I didn’t understand what he meant and asked back, but Dietrich, leaning lazily in his chair, ignored me completely.
He looked down at me sitting on the floor with a strange expression.
I forced a smile.
Harmless expression. Harmless expression! I need to look as harmless as possible to survive.
But my effort was in vain. With an arrogant gaze, Dietrich stood up and suddenly approached me.
Ah! He’s going to kill me!
I squeezed my eyes shut in fear, but nothing happened.
Carefully, I opened them again.
And there he was—his face right in front of mine, close enough to feel his breath, wearing a villain’s signature smile.
A smile that was both breathtakingly beautiful and eerily ominous.
If a demon that lures people were to smile, it might look like that.
I swallowed hard.
“Now then, Lady Vivian.”
“Y-Yes?”
I answered reflexively, but then realized something was strange.
“W-Wait… how do you know my name…?”
“I have a perfect memory to match my appearance. I remember the names and faces of all imperial nobles.”
“Ah…”
What is with that self-admiration?
But it wasn’t important, so I let it slide.
“I didn’t expect the rumored serial kidnapper of handsome men to be among them, though.”
Haha.
I scratched my cheek awkwardly.
I already knew very well that I was a serial kidnapper—no need to keep bringing it up.
“I’ll ask one final question, Lady.”
“Okay…”
I prayed desperately.
Please don’t let it be about how I’ll die!
Maybe my prayer was heard.
Because Dietrich’s question was nothing like what you’d expect from the main villain.
“Do you remember your answer to the first question?”
“You mean that I kidnapped you without knowing who you were?”
“No. The part where you said my face was so dazzling that it caused you to lose your senses and mistakenly kidnap me.”
I didn’t say it that dramatically.
But I simply nodded.
“You said you’ve kidnapped thirty-four handsome men.”
“That’s right.”
“Then if you rank all of them by appearance, what place do I take?”
“…What?”
What is this man even saying?
I tilted my head in disbelief.
“Answer how handsome I am.”
When I froze, he added curtly.
Still confused, I decided to say whatever would keep me alive.
“Y-You’re obviously number one! An overwhelming first place!”
But apparently that wasn’t the right answer.
A faint crease formed between his brows.
“Lady Vivian.”
“Y-Yes?”
“As a young duke, I’ve met many people. I can tell whether someone is sincere just by looking at their face.”
“…”
“Let me give you advice. In this matter, I dislike flattery and pretense.”
“…Yes.”
Dietrich summoned a sword formed from obsidian-like magic.
He slowly ran his finger along its blade.
The sharpened edge gleamed under the light.
Cold sweat ran down my back.
“I’ll give you one last chance. You’d better answer honestly this time.”
Terrified by the ominous figure of Dietrich holding the sword, I bit my lip.
What do I do? I’m doomed.
He’s supposed to be a villain!
What kind of villain kills someone for saying he’s handsome?!
Even if this is before his descent into darkness, his personality is way too strange.
He’s not a villain—he’s just insane.
And my life depended on that insane man.
I felt tears well up, but held them back. Crying would only make me less convincing.
I desperately tried to think of an answer.
Meanwhile, Dietrich casually spun the sword in his hand, smiling eerily.
He was clearly urging me to hurry.
“Does my face not appeal to you? It doesn’t seem like a question that requires this much thought.”
You said you’d kill me if I lied!
I swallowed my resentment.
Whatever. Screw it.
I decided to just speak honestly.
“Your face is so beautiful it’s hard to describe, but since you insist, I’ll try.”
Taking a breath, I launched into praise like I was rapping.
“You are the perfect handsome man among handsome men. Let’s break it down. First, your hair—what oil do you even use? If you sold that, you’d become the richest person in the empire. Look at that shine! Even mythical creatures couldn’t have hair this soft, elastic, and glossy. And the color—so black it seems to absorb all light. But here’s the twist! Your face shines so brightly that even that hair can’t cover it. Your face is literally glowing! Are you even human, or a light bulb? And that’s not all! Your long, languid eyes give off a mature, weary charm. And your nose—no words needed. And that center part—was it intentional? Your masculine forehead and sharp nose create a harmony more perfect than any ancient sculpture!”
For over twenty minutes, I praised his face nonstop.
Thankfully, just looking at him gave me endless material—though my throat hurt.
Dietrich listened with his eyes closed, nodding.
Satisfaction was written all over his face.
It was as if he were thinking, Every word is correct.
This is going well, right?
Carefully watching his reaction, I moved to the conclusion.
“…Anyway, that’s why it’s not a lie that you’re number one.”
At that moment, his eyes snapped open.
His pitch-black pupils filled instantly with disappointment and anger.
“Lady, it seems you don’t value your life very much. To continue with such insincere flattery…”
Dietrich stood and approached me.
Dark energy seeped from his sword.
Damn it. Please spare me.
At least hear me out until the end.
Facing his murderous aura, I swallowed my tears.
