April could easily recognize the police officers' armament. Those long leather coats always concealed weapon holsters. She had learned this when her family was arrested.
Moreover, their coats bore unfamiliar markings, even to April who had seen her fair share of police. Given the well-known police classifications in the Grand Duchy, this was likely a newly established organization.
The creation of a new police unit usually follows unpleasant events. And when such a unit comes looking for someone, it's rarely good news.
April gripped the axe handle she had set down and the candelabra in her other hand tightly.
As the police drew closer, she could hear them muttering among themselves.
"Surely it's not really lit by a witch?"
"If not a witch, it makes even less sense. It's like lighting a fire in mid-air without firewood!"
As their murmuring grew louder, someone spotted April holding the candelabra.
Most of them flinched and stopped, but one man, seemingly bolder, tried to approach. His subordinates held him back.
"What if she's a real witch, sir!"
"Then the case is solved."
"I'll go. We can't lose you like this, Inspector..."
"If you're going to tremble like that, isn't it better if I go?"
"Please remember my sacrifice."
With that exchange, one officer approached April. He was a sleek-looking man with a carefully groomed mustache, wearing a long coat.
"Are you Miss April Lunos, the head of the Lunos family?"
Head of the family.
Come to think of it, that's what she had become. Though there was nothing left of the family...
April pondered this as she replied, "I suppose so."
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Paul Soar, Chief of the 1st Division of the Lasa Empire Special Investigation Headquarters."
After this polite introduction, Paul produced handcuffs and cuffed April while saying, "You're under arrest for the serial killings that have occurred in the Grand Duchy over the past three years."
"Serial killings?"
The absurdity of the charge actually made April relax.
Was Miller Deus trying to pin even non-existent crimes on her now?
No, even if that were the case, there should be some context.
"I've been behind those stakes the whole time. How could I have committed serial killings? You should at least make sense."
"We'll discuss the details at the station. We'll hear you out thoroughly."
Paul Soar's words were polite, but his attitude was the opposite, gripping April's arm as one would a common criminal.
Just as April was thinking that Miller must be trying to kill her, she spotted a familiar face among the police as she was being dragged through the grass.
Unpleasantly opaque blue eyes.
Black hair, sharp yet pretty features.
It was a face she knew.
Identical in every feature to Miller Deus, but with the complete opposite of his gentle demeanor.
It was Fejin Deus, the Grand Duke's only blood relative, born in the same year as April.
Though he had grown much since they last met, his striking face was unmistakable.
April noticed Fejin lighting a cigarette and furrowed her brow, saying, "Fejin, are you old enough to smoke now?"
Fejin slowly turned his head to look at April.
After a moment, all the police, including Paul who had seemed unstoppable, halted. Then they all burst into laughter at once.
Fejin, apparently unsurprised, calmly finished lighting his cigarette. After pocketing his lighter, he said, "I'll be twenty-two in a few days. You already are."
"..."
April hesitated at his words, then muttered, "I know I'm twenty-two."
"Seems you've forgotten that seven years have passed for others too."
Fejin was right.
April had somewhat forgotten the passage of time.
In fact, she hadn't thought much about Fejin Deus over the past seven years – that disgusting boy who had fallen in love with his sister-in-law in the same way his brother had.
The boy who had suffered from first love fever had left for the Empire right after graduating from the Grand Duchy's school.
She vaguely remembered hearing he would become a police officer, but it was just a small fragment among the many memories of Miller Deus, whom she had loved.
April was led out of the estate by the police.
The dry grass left scratches on her arms and face, but none of these insensitive noblemen noticed.
April boarded the transport carriage parked outside the estate, and the door was locked from the outside.
After experiencing this absurd situation, she felt dizzy and short of breath.
Surprisingly, recalling Fejin, the only familiar face, helped her regain her composure. At least he seemed like he would listen to her, even though they had no good memories together.
Her parents had raised her to avoid even the smallest scratch.
Just once, she had run through a field to catch Fejin after he threw an acorn at her back. It was the first time in her life April had ever run.
He had thrown the acorn because he thought April was bullying Heidi.
Bullying?
That was just the culture of high society. It was justified.
Justifiably, she had spilled wine on Heidi's dress for stealing her fiancé's heart.
The problem was that it happened in a church.
In the churches of the right island, wearing red was forbidden as it reminded people of blood. Even tiny jewels as small as brooches weren't allowed if they were red.
Therefore, April spilling wine on Heidi was a religiously humiliating condemnation.
In the end, it was Heidi who had to flee the church, her white coat stained with the forbidden color. April calmly remained in her seat and participated in the service.
The seven-year punishment did nothing to make April regret that moment. Instead, it reignited her indignation.
Her parents were furious that their most precious daughter in the world had been publicly rejected by her fiancé.
To them, killing the Grand Duke and his wife was a just punishment for their daughter's honor. They didn't regret their attempt even in the moment of failure.
If their daughter's life hadn't been at stake, they wouldn't have admitted their attempt was a 'sin' in church until their last moment.
April instead recalled the pain.
She thought of the moment her parents were executed before her eyes.
After the sharp memory clawed at her entire body, she felt better. Remembering warmth was even more painful.
Did others feel the same way?
April hadn't spoken to anyone in the past seven years, so she had no way of knowing if she was strange or if others felt the same.
