Chapter 15 - Checkmate

It was only then I realized I had spoken too much of the original story.

“That’s… When I saw the wounds on her wrists, memories came to me little by little. It's just a feeling."

"Alright."

Amon nodded meekly and continued.

“That's why the Lady said she was suspicious of the Duchess in the first place. Perhaps you knew about this situation before you lost your memory."

“…Right."

"And that could also explain why you were targeted as the true culprit."

My conscience pricked as I observed Amon's innocently curious expression, clear of any doubt. I worried about how I would make it up to him in the future.

"Anyhow, it's evident that the Duchess isn't the true culprit."

"That's right."

I didn't think someone brainwashed and manipulated to that extent would be capable of ending Russell's life.

“Are there any other suspicious people?”

"Hm..."

I recalled back to the original. Considering Russell's personality, victims like me were bound to exist, though, like me, they wouldn't be mentioned in the book. There was no way I could recognize their identities.

I attempted to retain composure in case the voice offered me any clues, but like always, the darned thing never appeared when I was most desperate.

"I don't know. Nothing comes to mind."

"Is that so?"

Amon responded calmly. I couldn't help but widen my eyes in bewilderment at his serene expression.

“Do you happen to have any additional clues?”

“No, it's not like that.”

Reading my confused expression, Amon continued.

“Something like this isn't new to me. Investigations are usually quite vague.”

"Ah… So what do you plan to do now?”

“We will reaffirm the scene and body, and investigate the victim's relationships with the people around him. After identifying all potential suspects, we will search for any possible alibi or motive."

His response was literally that of a textbook answer.

“That is my method.”

But to me, this was reassuring. His words gave me the comfort that even without the voice, we would be able to find the true culprit. My eyes locked with Amon's and I nodded my head.

From that day, Amon appeared quite busy. He claimed to be identifying the main aspects of the scene and corpse.

Unable to visit the place myself, I didn't see Amon's face for several days. It reminded me of when I first entered the Knight's Templar.

However, if there was one thing that had changed, it was that I had adapted to life within the knights.

“Lady, are you in the library again?”

Marvin's clunky footsteps announced his arrival as he approached my side. His head shook with excitement as he gazed upon the books that reached the ceiling.

“I thought there would only be one person within our Knights who'd ever touch this place. But the Lady came and now there are two."

I raised an index finger to my lips and whispered.

“Shh- Sir Yuste is researching data over there. You'll get scolded if you make noise.”

“It's already too late.”

Carlyle had long approached our side. He tapped Marvin's shoulder with the back of his book. It didn't seem to be a hard smack, but Marvin grabbed his shoulder and cringed in pain.

“It hurts!”

Carlyle simply ignored Marvin and lightly handed me the book he had just harbored as a weapon.

“I found this while researching materials and thought the Lady would be interested. Please read it."

"Thank you."

"And as I've said a few times, you may call me Carlyle for convenience."

“If Sir Yuste calls me Julia first.”

“No matter how uncharacteristic of a knight I am, that would be difficult.”

Carlyle's expression shifted to a smile. Thanks to the prominent dimples on his cheeks, he now seemed mischievous and playful.

“What are you searching for anyway? You haven’t taken a break since morning.”

“What can I do about it? It's what our knight commander ordered. Does he think everyone possesses the same physical strength as him? Without giving us even a minute to rest."

I burst into laughter at Carlyle's little tantrum. At first, when I heard these complaints, I worried about the two's relationship, but it turned out they had been close friends since childhood.

That also became the reason why Carlyle was entrusted with the information between Amon and me.

'If anything happens when I'm gone, find Carlyle.'

Amon himself said so.

Carlyle turned to address Marvin, the poor knight still massaging his shoulder.

“Anyway, why did you come here? You, a person who is far from books.”

“…Oh! I came because I have something to tell the Lady.”

Marvin continued as he removed his hand from his shoulder.

“The Vice-captain is looking for the Lady.”

"Yes? Me?”

Carlyle also jumped, just as startled as I was.

“Eloise is back? When?"

"Yes? This morning—"

"You should have told me!”

Carlyle, the same person who had insisted the library be quiet, broke his very own rules and shrieked in shock. He randomly inserted his book inside one of the shelves and ran out of the library. He sped through at flying speed.

I gazed at his figure blankly, then asked Marvin.

“Doesn't Sir Yuste really like the vice-captain?”

This was not the first time Carlyle had behaved like this. Anytime, anywhere, whenever someone even mentioned Eloise's name, he would run and yap like a dog looking for its owner.

Marvin turned to me, the most bewildered and flabbergasted expression on his face.

“Whaa?? No way! He just wants to tease her.”

“Are you kidding me?”

“He just likes to touch and sneak and hang around the Vice-captain. Don't bother with such thoughts."

Touching and sneaking and hanging around… Aren't those things you do to someone you like?

“The Lady has quite the imagination. Anyways, let's go. The Vice-captain is waiting for you."

“Yes…”

I walked out of the library and followed after the clueless Marvin.

"Isn't the Vice-captain still working on the arson case?"

"That's right. And I'm right with her, right next to the throne."

Marvin stuck out his chest proudly.

“But why is she calling for me?"

I was slightly nervous. I hadn't met Eloise since that day because my focus was glued to the investigation. Besides, unlike Marvin, she was not very expressive, so I knew it wouldn't be easy to deal with her.

"Well. I'm not sure either.”

Marvin tilted his head in marvel.

“Wouldn't she want to ask you something? By the way, Lady, are you really visiting the library just to read?"

"Yeah? I am."

"Why? Are you looking for anything specific? Maybe it’s not just because the books are interesting.”

I chuckled at his face filled with conviction. Marvin was quite a child for his age. I guess the word 'youngest' suited him best.

"That's right. Actually, I go there every day to see Sir Yuste."

“What? For real? Don't tell me the Lady—"

“Don't you think so?”

I passed by the stunned Marvin and entered the break room.

The break room was crowded as usual. Everyone was busy eating or chatting. Some jumped up and down in their seats, overflowing with energy.

Eloise was seated on one of the sofas in the farthest corner of the room. Marvin pushed through the crowd surrounding her and announced his arrival.

“Vice-captain, I brought the lady.”

“Great.”

Despite her acknowledgment, Eloise's head didn't budge. I glanced down and noticed she was playing chess with one of the knights. Swearing and scratching her head unfortunately didn't seem to help her in any way.

“Come on, time is running out. Vice-captain.”

Her opponent hummed, a gentle smile on his face. It seemed very cheeky, whether it was because of the blonde hair covering the nape of his neck or because of the snicker that leaked out.

Eloise's face crumpled, her hand on the verge of drawing her sword. At that moment, Carlyle, who had been observing behind her chair like an escort, lowered his head. And the moment he whispered,

“…Checkmate!”

Eloise shouted. At the same time, her knight crushed the king.

“That's against the rules! Lord Yuste helped you!”

The knight jumped up and shouted in frustration, but Eloise did not budge.

“Foul play? How could such a thing exist within the Blue Knights."

“Vice-captain! Anyone can see—”

“Are you saying you are unable to concede to the match?”

Eloise gazed at the protesting knight's face. She had a very solemn expression on her face for a game as simple as chess.

In the end, as the knight trudged away, the onlookers naturally dispersed. I took the opportunity to advance a little closer to her. It was only then that I could see a stack of silver coins lying on the board.

'Gambling?'

Eloise hurriedly swept the silver coins from the table and beckoned me to take a seat.

"I showed you an embarrassing side."

I made out a slightly flustered expression on her face.

“It's fine. I heard you were asking for me. What's the matter?"

“There is nothing special going on. I just wish to get to know the Lady.”

“…Yes?"

"I've heard that you've developed close relationships with all the other members, including Carlyle. I've also heard that you have a special connection with the Captain."

“A what?”

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