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Chapter 7
The Hand That Couldn’t Reach
“Gasp! L–Lady!”
“What you just said—was it true? That a novelist was murdered?”
“Ah, y–yes…”
“When did it happen? When, where! How was she killed?”
“Uh, well…”
Instead of pursuing them about their gossip, Himena suddenly asked about the murder case, and one of the young ladies—who had been exchanging wary glances with the others—hurriedly answered.
“Yes. About five days ago, a female author was found murdered in the capital’s central district. In broad daylight, stabbed to death.”
“Stabbed? What about the culprit? Any witnesses, or anything revealed?”
The young lady who answered nudged the others at her side, a silent signal that they should use this murder talk as a way to gloss over their gossip.
“They said it was in an alley behind the book district…”
“That’s right. Nobody actually saw it happen, so they still haven’t caught the culprit.”
Himena felt as if she’d been struck on the back of her head.
Why hadn’t she thought of it sooner?
That day, since they both fell from the high-rise, the serial killer must have died instantly as well. If she had awakened inside a novel, then the culprit could have too.
“Do you know what kind of novels the murdered author wrote?”
“Well… there were more than one or two…”
“But the content’s almost always the same, isn’t it? All love stories. About a handsome, dashing knight and a princess.”
“Yes, exactly. Love and betrayal, obsession and revenge.”
No doubt about it. It was that serial killer!
That psycho had transmigrated into this novel too.
‘Damn it, you idiot!’
Cursing her own carelessness, Himena quickly dashed out of the powder room and searched for the chamberlain who had announced the nobles at the banquet entrance.
“You there! You’re the one who called out the names of the nobles when they entered tonight, right?”
“Ah, yes, that’s me, Lady.”
“Among the guests, is there a magistrate responsible for the capital’s security?”
“…Yes. Inspector Serpentis is present as well, but…”
“Can you tell me who he is?”
“Of course… one moment, Inspector Serpentis should be…”
The chamberlain scanned the crowded banquet hall.
“Ah, there he is. This way, please.”
Himena followed him to where a group of male nobles were chatting.
“Inspector Serpentis, excuse me. This is Lady Sylvestre—”
“I’m Himena Sylvestre. A pleasure to meet you, Inspector.”
Even before the chamberlain finished the introduction, Himena held out her hand.
The young inspector, dressed in an elegant green-and-gold evening suit, looked surprised, quickly set down his champagne, and kissed the back of her hand.
“Yes, Lady Sylvestre. Eron Serpentis, Commander.”
“Commander…?”
A bit startled that he had kissed her hand when she had only meant to shake it, Himena asked curiously.
“Ah, you may call me Inspector as well. I oversee both the city’s defense and public order.”
‘Ah, so he’s in charge of both the military and the police, then.’
“But, my lady… what business do you have with me?”
“I have some questions. Could you spare a little time?”
“Ah, well… certainly.”
“Then… over there looks good.”
She spotted an empty balcony without its curtains drawn and moved toward it.
“My lady! Might I have a word?”
At that moment, Cailian called after her urgently.
“I’m sorry, Marquis, but I have pressing matters with the Inspector right now. Let’s talk later.”
Her tone was so cold and rigid that Cailian, embarrassed, had no choice but to retreat.
“My lady, I don’t know what this is about, but wouldn’t it be better to talk here…”
Eron hesitated as they reached the balcony.
“I’d prefer to speak quietly, just the two of us. It’s very important—please, just a moment of your time.”
“B–But… over there…”
Everyone knew what it meant when a man and woman slipped out to a balcony during a banquet. With the curtains drawn, a private tryst was practically implied.
“It’s about the murder case, Inspector. Please, come in.”
Her expression was firm and serious, leaving him no choice but to follow her into the balcony. He shut the glass door, and a maid promptly drew the red curtains.
At once, the nobles’ gazes were fixed on them.
Lady Himena had spurned Cailian and was now openly enjoying a secret meeting with another man. Their relationship must truly be over, and that crazy handsome killer’s next target must surely be the good-looking, well-mannered commander of the capital guard.
How pitiful, how tragic.
As the nobles whispered and clicked their tongues, Cailian’s face visibly twisted.
“A murder case? What do you mean, Lady?”
“I overheard just now—a novelist murdered in the book district alleys. Five days ago. The culprit hasn’t been caught yet, correct?”
“Ah, that case… yes, that’s right. The culprit remains at large.”
Eron frowned, annoyed.
The murdered novelist’s death was already the biggest gossip among noble ladies. The wife of a poor baron had written romance novels that became quite popular. Though repetitive tales of knights and princesses, they contained extremely graphic bedroom scenes, secretly sold at high prices among young noblewomen.
Even the unfinished manuscript she’d been writing was in high demand for preorders. Naturally, her murder had stirred great interest.
But to be lured into a balcony scandal just for that—
‘Tch, I was tricked. She just wanted dirt on that racy novel’s next volume.’
Eron cursed himself for being so careless, despite knowing her reputation.
“Was that murder the first incident of its kind?”
“Yes.”
His tone had turned curt.
“Truly? Nowhere else, not even outside the capital?”
“…Not to my knowledge.”
“What was the cause of death? Excessive blood loss from the stab wound? Did you recover the weapon?”
“I’ve no obligation to tell you such details, my lady.”
Caught off guard by his sudden coldness, Himena faltered.
“Ah, o–of course. But this is… a very important matter…”
“I don’t understand. Why would a noblewoman of your stature care about the death of some novelist? Is this just another of your many perverse amusements?”
“W–what did you say?”
He glared at her with contempt and spoke icily.
“Enough. This seems trivial. I’ll take my leave. I’m not idle enough to indulge in your childish games.”
“You! Watch your tongue!”
Startled by her rough tone, he froze as she grabbed his collar.
“Ugh!”
“Do you think human life is a joke? Huh? Just because she wasn’t highborn, was she less than human? Was her life worth less than a dog’s? Life doesn’t have ranks—every life is the same!”
“M–my lady…”
“And for someone with such a twisted view to be in charge of security—it’s ridiculous! People risk their lives chasing criminals, while you sit in a chair calling others insignificant. That’s why those of us in the field feel so wretched! Do you get that?”
“Kh–!”
CRASH!
Throwing him with all her strength, Himena sent Eron smashing through the glass door, tumbling into the banquet hall.
The music stopped. Every gaze turned toward them.
“If you won’t find the culprit, I’ll do it myself! No matter what, I’ll catch them. So don’t get in my way! I’m warning you—if you do…”
“My lady!”
Panting with fury, she looked up at Royce’s urgent call.
Then she realized all eyes were fixed on her. Nobles whispered in shock.
Panicking, she scanned the crowd—and her chest dropped like lead.
‘Possession! If he transmigrated too… into whom? Which count’s daughter? Which duchess? A maid? Or could it be… the Empress?’
The murmuring of the women around her rang painfully loud in her ears. Her surroundings spun dizzyingly.
‘If he’s here, wouldn’t he have recognized me? Over a month has already passed… the story’s already diverging… Himena has changed… he must already know… Ugh!’
Sudden stabbing pain pierced her head.
Clutching her skull, gasping, she met Cailian’s shocked eyes across the crowd.
‘Ah… right… the explanation… I promised… to clear his name… that it was all my fault… that he did nothing wrong… publicly…’
Her face pale, she staggered toward him, mumbling.
“He… did nothing wrong… That day on the stairs… he didn’t… push me…”
And then, sharp shards of memory slashed through her mind—
“Cailian! Wait!”
“Don’t follow me! I’ve nothing to say to you!”
“I told you, it’s something important! Your life depends on it!”
“I don’t want to hear it. No doubt some made-up tale.”
“No! I’m worried about you! I truly love you!”
“Love? Disgusting.”
“W–what? Cailian… how could you…”
“I’m leaving.”
“Cailian… Cailian! Aaaah!”
“Ah! My lady!”
She hadn’t slipped by accident after stepping on her skirt.
She had hurled herself from the stairs deliberately—right after Cailian’s cruel rejection, for him to see.
And in that fleeting instant, he had reached out to catch her.
Within the flood of memories, Himena unconsciously raised her hand toward his.
“Cail…”
“My lady!”
In the banquet hall, Cailian instinctively reached for her too, but before their hands could touch, she collapsed limply.
“My lady! My lady!”
Royce rushed in, catching her in his arms. As his frantic voice faded, Himena’s consciousness slipped away.
