[TIDK] 108 – Are You Going To Kill Me

The royal police had three ranks. Newcomers were usually 3rd rank, and those who had been in the job for about five years or were competent were 2nd rank. Those who achieved great things became 1st rank. And within those ranks, the remaining grades were determined. Due to his family's poor heritage, Andrei had been a 3rd rank for six years and was stuck in the Dumfelt family, despite having special talents.

"With this, we can promote you to 2nd rank right away," said Hughan.

Andrei answered with an unwilling expression, "Well, then...there's nothing I can do." Andrei soon made up his mind and went into the interrogation room.

Upon closer inspection, Scarlett's condition was worse than he had expected. Scarlett Dumfelt, who had been forcibly fed with poison and antidotes repeatedly, was crouching in the corner, so mentally exhausted that she couldn't speak.

"Damn it," Andrei cursed inwardly to Hughan as he walked up to Scarlett. "Madam, lift your head a little."

Scarlett simply kept shaking, seemingly unable to understand him. Andrei sighed deeply and sat down in front of her. "Madam Dumfelt, look at me, please," he called out to her. Scarlett raised her head at the sound of his voice, and as soon as she saw Andrei, she regained her composure.

"Oh, Andrei?"

"Yes, it's me."

Andrei made a puzzled expression at her hopeful eyes. "You heard from my husband?"

"Well... to be honest, I came as a spy."

"What?"

"I came to tell you that your husband's life is in danger."

Scarlett's face turned pale again at his words. Andrei looked at her with concern and continued to speak. "If you keep your lips sealed, I will have to assassinate your husband. Of course, it wouldn't be bad for me. I would immediately be promoted to a higher rank. However, I could also die in the process. It's a risky job."

"That's ridiculous..."

"Look, I'm wearing this conqueror medal."

 "...”

 "Please, madam. Just say something, even if it's a tiny weakness. If not, make something up.”

 "Viktor... will hate me.”

 "Is it better for your husband to die than to be hated?”

 Andrei couldn't understand why she couldn't speak up and reveal her true feelings, even if it would make her appear disloyal. He stood up, and Scarlett grabbed his wrist. "Viktor sent Duchess Marina to a mental hospital.”

"The captain did?”

"And, afterwards, you continued to be trapped in the monastery.”

 Andrei breathed a sigh of relief at her trembling hands and voice. "You did well.”

♔♔♔

When Scarlett first left Dumfelt, not much was thought of it. The Royal Police had advised keeping an eye on Scarlett to prevent any foolishness, and everything seemed to be working out. There was also an order to report immediately if her memory returned.

Over the next year, Scarlett had not shown any unusual symptoms, and Andrei lived his life, thinking only of the watch shop. Maybe he took it too far, as he began to confuse himself with whether he was a real watch shop employee or a Royal Police officer.

From some point on, the most important thing in his life became the success of Scarlett Crimson's watch shop. Looking back now, the situation was so absurd that he laughed.

After seeing Andrei's face, Scarlett opened her mouth, afraid that he would harm her husband. She knew Viktor would come to hate her. She was afraid of that, but she thought it was better than Viktor getting hurt.

When thinking about how Scarlett, who had lost her memories at that time, came to choose for herself, there was only one answer. She must have unconsciously thought that she had to distance herself from Viktor Dumfelt.

Could there be anyone in the world who could secretly harm Viktor Dumfelt? Scarlett seemed to know little about his true identity compared to loving her husband. No, was it possible to love him precisely because she didn't know his true identity?

Andrei thought about what would happen if he spoke up. Viktor Dumfelt would surely rush to Scarlett, but he couldn't predict his reaction. The only thing certain was that his family would disappear the moment he revealed the suffering Scarlett had gone through.

It was the Royal Police who had brought Viktor Dumfelt into this situation. It was impossible for his weak family to withstand it. On the other hand, could Viktor Dumfelt resist it? That, too, seemed impossible. It seemed that he had no choice but to succumb to it.

As Andrei pondered, Viktor entered the room, and he felt a completely different sense of intimidation from what he had felt before. Viktor stared dumbfoundedly at Andrei, who was taking deep breaths.

"It would be better to end this quickly.”

"...Are you going to kill me now?”