Chapter 12 - First Suspect

Amon repeatedly opened and closed his eyes for an extended period of time.

“What did you say just now?”

“I believe it's a case of memory loss. Though I'm not sure such reasoning is accurate. So I can't tell you."

Sharing the information I knew with him in this way rather than revealing the non-believable truth was my intention. Although this may seem like a weak excuse, it would prove to be helpful when I addressed many unanswered questions.

"Memory loss..."

Amon sank deep into the sofa, his slumped posture revealing a sense of despair in his eyes. I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt in my conscience.

“Then why did you come to see me? Why did you insist that Russell died of poison, despite the fact you have amnesia?”

“I will explain step by step, from the very beginning. About what happened that day.”

Amon nodded for me to continue.

"When I regained consciousness, the first thing I recall was being in a room by myself with the lifeless body of Russell Bolev. I was holding a dagger and my dress was stained with blood."

I spoke deliberately, at a moderate pace, blending both truth and falsehoods accordingly.

"I was in a state of confusion and disbelief. I couldn't even recognize myself and was confronted with the sight of a lifeless body in front of me... I was overwhelmed with fear and self-doubt."

“Then what happened?”

“I coincidently discovered a secret passage.”

“A secret passage?”

Amon's eyebrows furrowed.

“You mean a secret passage exists in Russell Bolev’s room?”

"That's right. As I looked around the room, I discovered a dog hole in the wall behind the cabinet. At first glance, it appeared to be hidden by a decorative cabinet."

I couldn't mention the voice in my head, so it was best to cover it up like this.

“The fact that the secret passage wasn’t closed implies you used it to break in.”

“I think that was probably the case.”

“Where did the secret passage lead to?”

“To an alley in the shopping district. I left and wandered around for a while. Then I located an inn and resided there.”

“If so, why did you approach me and what is your purpose? Where did you learn information that Russell died of poison?”

"That…”

I hesitated for a moment before placing my hand gently on my forehead, like I had a headache.

“I don’t know either.”

"What?"

“How do I explain it. It suddenly dawned on me. Memories came flooding in small fragments..."

I blurted out such words and then looked away, aware that they might come across as awkward. However, it was crucial to maintain the appearance of honesty, even if the truth was less than ideal.

“The sudden thought that you must tell me the cause of Russell Bolev’s death?”

“It sounds strange, but that is the case. I was able to learn my name in such a way as well."

"That must mean you possess knowledge regarding the poison or the true perpetrator prior to losing your memory. You can't remember something that you were not previously aware of."

Amon's questions stabbed me. I continued to frown and rub my forehead.

“Perhaps?”

“Perhaps…”

Amon sighed in exasperation and pondered for a while before speaking.

“Doesn't this mean you witnessed the murder of the true culprit? That would explain how you knew everything.”

“No, that isn't the case."

“How can you be sure? You lost your memory, after all."

“That…”

I smiled wryly, finding Amon's question too ridiculous to warrant a response.

Upon discovering Julia Reitz's past, a terrifying rage consumed me. If she shared that same sentiment, the answer to Amon's inquiry would be self-evident. It hardly needed to be pointed out.

“If I had witnessed the murder, I couldn’t have kept still.”

"What?"

"I wouldn't stand someone else depriving myself of the chance to personally end Russell's life."

His sunken blue eyes turned towards me. My expression reflected in those eyes was frighteningly cold.

Amon inquired more about the day of the murder and I found myself explaining in great detail, even longer than the time I spent in Russell Bolev's room.

My explanation was mostly truthful, except for the fact that I heard a voice in my head and that I had previously read a novel about this world.

"I…”

I glanced at Amon, who was diligently taking notes on my story and organizing them.

“I want to apologize.”

“What do you mean?”

"I apologize for pretending to know the whole story when you asked about the incident the other day. I was afraid if I told you I had amnesia, you wouldn't believe me and it would deter our relationship... I am sorry for not being honest with you."

To that, Amon kept his gaze fixed on the documents and replied casually.

"Don't be. Even if you have amnesia, didn't you claim that your memories are returning to you in fragments? There's no reason to believe that won't happen in the future."

“…Do you trust everything I say?”

At those words, Amon raised his head. To my surprise, he was smiling.

It was the first time I've seen him smile. His icy eyes held a hint of warmth, and the lips that were previously sealed, curved upwards.

"Didn't we form a contract because we trust each other? I even received an imperial certification, so I can't take back my trust now.”

Amon chuckled as he spoke in a joking tone. Come to think of it, all I knew about this person was a few lines I had read in a book. Although it felt like were old friends due to the many things we had been through together, I realized that we had only met a handful of times.

It was then that I realized I had been misunderstanding him. While I was overwhelmed by emotion at his smile, Amon spoke again, bringing me back to reality.

“I also wish to apologize once.”

“…Pardon? What?"

He had returned to his usual cold demeanor before I knew it.

"The research on your past. I now understand why you were shocked that day. I apologize for any discomfort you may have experienced hearing it from someone else... sorry."

“No, it's really fine. To be honest, I am also grateful. Thanks to that, I think I am to recall a little more of the past.”

"Then I'm glad."

It wasn't a lie, at least I learned about Julia's motive for trying to kill Russell. Amon asked, turning his eyes back to the paper before I knew it.

Amon quickly redirected his gaze to the paper. It wasn't a lie. I was rather glad to learn of Julia's motive for attempting to murder Russell.

“But that memory loss. From where does it start?"

"Yes?"

"It would be helpful if I was to know from when you do recall."

"Ah… I don't know too much about that as well. Basic common sense, such as manners and etiquette, are quite vague. Some aspects are unclear, while others are completely erased. Perhaps with time, I'll be able to recall more details."

Amon nodded in agreement when I spoke vaguely, allowing me to create excuses in case of any future events. His current attitude seemed to suggest that I may have already broken some etiquette rules before.

“It’s strange. I have never witnessed a case where memory loss turned out this way. I heard that it usually erases memories of things related to a person.”

“…Is that so?”

While I turned my head and avoided his gaze, Amon continued in a grave tone.

"Considering the circumstances, the timing of the memory loss seems suspiciously convenient. If I recall correctly, you mentioned that your first memory was after the incident with Russell, correct?"

"That's right."

The memory loss never happened in the first place, but the timing of the possession was indeed strange.

“Doesn’t it seem like the whole set-up was designed to frame you?”

"Could this be more than just a coincidence? Is it possible that someone intentionally tampered with my memory?"

"What if the actual perpetrator saw you stabbing Russell and decided to take advantage of the situation to frame you?"

“They erased my memory on purpose so that I wouldn’t believe in myself? …Is that possible?”

"Well. I was just naming the possibilities.”

Amon shrugged, and a plausible idea suddenly occurred to me.

“Perhaps there is a poison that does that? I mean, the culprit faked a heart attack with an untraceable poison. Someone who knows a lot about poison must be capable of causing amnesia.”

“Perhaps.”

I found myself in a difficult situation. If a memory-erasing poison was a possibility, wouldn't a poison that could alter one's soul also exist? Although it sounded like an unlikely story, my mind was open to the idea as a result of my previous experiences that led me here.

'It's worth looking into.'

If someone intentionally caused my entry into this body, does that mean it's possible for me to return to my original body with human capabilities? I recalled what the voice had told me. To achieve my desires, I had to find the true culprit.

“Then, if we find the real culprit, perhaps I can go back to normal? My memory, that is.”

“Even if we don’t find the actual culprit, it might be possible to treat your amnesia if we are aware of the method used."

Motivated in an instant, I raised my head.

“Actually, I’ve been contemplating for the past three days. There is one person I am suspicious of.”

“You mean the culprit? Who do you have in mind?”

They were the first person I suspected upon discovering Russell was dead. A doubt that anyone who read the original would have.

“Pamilla Eleonora.”

“Pamilla Eleonora?”

The person who would have craved to kill Russell more than anyone else.

"Duchess Bolev.”

The female protagonist of the novel.

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