“I’m sorry, but I’ll need you to stay in the capital a little longer. Albert must be found and detained. Your testimony will be vital, given all that’s happened,” he said.
I nodded. “All right.”
Siegfried let out a deep sigh and shook his head once more, as if to shake off his sadness, then stood up straighter. When he lifted his face again, the king had returned.
“Forgive me for venting. I’ll summon the ministers. We’ll need to decide how to move forward. I’ll have someone come for you shortly. Wait here.”
“Got it.”
He switched gears so quickly I couldn’t help but admire him for it. Siegfried’s footsteps held no hesitation as they echoed down the hall and faded away.
Now that I was alone in the audience chamber, I stared at the floor. This was where Kreis had died before. He’d been nothing but a burden. I could still hear his voice in my head, crying out.
“Give me the chance to have revenge.”
That wish had now come true. Revenge was complete. There was no longer any reason for either of them to be killed.
“Hah... Ha ha ha ha!”
It was finally over. From here on out, I was free to live however I wanted.
So what should I do first? I’d inherit the marquisate, naturally. I’d start by restoring the Louboutin domain and turn it into a prosperous land. I’d continue funding the orphanage, creating a better future for the children. And then after that—
“Argh!”
Suddenly, something slammed into my back. A dull impact followed by a surge of burning heat raced through my entire body.
What just happened?
The smile that had grown as I imagined my bright future froze on my face, lips twitching.
“Why...”
I looked down and saw the point of a blade protruding from my chest. By the time I understood what was happening, something was already rising in my throat.
“Nnghh!”
It was blood. There was a pool of blood spreading at my feet.
But I’d changed fate. I wasn’t supposed to die here this time. Yet here I was again, bleeding out on this cold stone floor.
I could hear someone breathing behind me.
Who is it?
Gilles and Claude had already been taken to the dungeon. Everything was supposed to be over. So why was this happening?
“Guh... Ahh!”
The blade was pulled from my chest, sending white-hot pain searing through me. My knees buckled, and I collapsed face-first onto the ground. I couldn’t move. All I could do was shift my gaze.
Who? Who did this?
There was someone there. I could feel them. But I couldn’t see.
At least tell me who killed me... My eyes were wide open, but I saw nothing.
A warped sound reached my ears. “If you die...Siegfried will go down with you.”
No, don’t touch him! I wanted to scream it, but my lips wouldn’t move.
The chamber went quiet.
I don’t know what happened after that.
“Haaah!” I jolted upright, gasping for breath. I looked around and saw I was in my bedroom at my estate. I frantically ran my hands over my body, but there was no blood. I hugged myself tightly.
I’m alive.
I could still feel the stabbing, searing sensation. The memory of it was still vivid in my mind. That meant this wasn’t a dream.
I practically threw myself at the mirror. And there it was—his face. Kreis von Louboutin.
I yanked open my nightshirt and checked my chest. No wound, no scar.
“Did I come back again?” Apparently my death hadn’t been permanent. My knees buckled with relief, and a cold sweat dripped down my back.
Kreis’s wish had been fulfilled, and I’d gotten revenge on Claude and Gilles. Yet I’d still been killed, and now I’d come back again.
But why? Who’d done it?
I thought it was all over, and now I had to start again? Was revenge really the only wish Kreis had carried? I’d granted that wish, but I still came back. Did that mean there was another wish left unfulfilled?
The killer’s voice echoed in my mind. “If you die, Siegfried will go down with you.”
Had Siegfried been killed too? Since his survival was part of Kreis’s wish, was that why the clock had turned back again?
My thoughts spiraled and confusion consumed me.
Don’t panic. Stay sharp. One way or another, Kreis had always wanted to protect Siegfried, and that hadn’t changed.
But when had I come back? How far had I rewound this time?
Since I was at my estate, that meant I’d already left the Louboutin manor. Moonlight filtered softly through the window, casting a gentle glow over the pitch-dark room. Professor wasn’t here, so he must’ve already left with the children. That would make this the night before I went to the capital.
I pulled open the drawer by the bed and took out my journal, finding the date was exactly what I expected, then I flopped down on the bed.
“What the hell happened?”
I touched my chest, recalling the sensation of the blade being driven into my back. I could still hear the breath of the person behind me lingering in my ears—it sent a chill down my spine. Someone other than Gilles or Claude wanted me dead.
“Who?”
Who the hell killed me?!
A clean strike, straight through the back. It had been calm, precise, and with no hesitation, just cold, deliberate malice. I’d collapsed in a pool of blood, not even knowing who had killed me or why. I’d just died helplessly.
I’d thought it was over and my revenge was complete...but it hadn’t been.
“So it wasn’t just Gilles and Claude...”
This was supposed to be my story. I’d written it. So why was everything so far off course? A plotline I hadn’t written was unfolding right in front of me. There was someone out there with a clear intent to kill me, and I didn’t even know who.
But there was no choice. I had to fight, because if I didn’t, I’d be killed.
“Tomorrow, huh...”
Tomorrow it would happen again.
But this time I knew I’d be targeted, so I wouldn’t allow it. I’d be fine. I wasn’t afraid.
“I’ll have someone come for you shortly. Wait here,” Siegfried said.
“No, I won’t be able to relax in a situation like this. I’ll head there myself. Is it the same room as before?” I asked.
“Yes, that room is reserved for your use. Feel free to make yourself comfortable,” he said.
“Thanks.”
This time, as soon as Claude and Gilles were dragged away, I left the audience chamber and headed straight for the guest room. I just wanted to get out of there, fast.
The whole scene had played out like a film I’d already watched, repeating the exact same steps, cornering Gilles and Claude all over again. But there was no excitement in it now. Not like the first time. Now all that mattered was keeping myself alive.
I collapsed onto the sofa in the guest room and let out a sigh. I should be safe here. There was no one else around, and I’d hear if the door opened.