Chapter 5
When the Grand Duke ordered the butler to bring something, the butler immediately told the servants to hurry.
Commissioner Marcel looked toward the Grand Duke.
“What problem are you referring to…?”
“The Grand Duchess is not in a condition to be investigated.”
“…What?”
Marcel frowned as if he hadn’t expected this, looking between me and the Grand Duke.
The butler quickly returned with documents and placed them on the table.
As Marcel checked them, his expression hardened.
“Amnesia…?”
These were the reports from the seven doctors who had examined me earlier.
All of them stated that Lea Dorleang von Hedeigen had memory loss.
“As you can see, that’s the situation.”
“But…”
“So many people seem to want the Grand Duchess.”
The Grand Duke lightly tapped the table and stood up.
“Even if she hadn’t lost her memory, taking her away from here wouldn’t be allowed.”
“Your Highness.”
“If the Grand Duchess is the culprit…”
He walked toward me.
The officers stepped back instinctively.
He placed his hand firmly on my shoulder.
For some reason, it felt like I had gained a strong shield.
“Whether she’s killed or tortured… I’ll be the one to do it.”
…What?
Did I hear that right?
I looked up at him in shock.
“I don’t see why I should let anyone else take that pleasure.”
His grip tightened slightly.
What is this man saying?
Did I save a crazy person instead of avoiding death?
Then—
He smiled in a strangely twisted way and looked down at me.
“I should handle everything myself. Don’t you think?”
Handle what?
“If the Grand Duchess is the culprit, that is.”
A chill ran down my spine.
But he simply smiled and looked at Marcel.
Marcel straightened immediately.
“Understood, Your Highness. Since she has been confirmed to have memory loss, questioning her is not possible at this time. However, if she regains her memory, please inform us immediately. This is a very serious crime—”
“Of course. I also want the truth to be revealed.”
“Thank you for your understanding. We will take our leave.”
As the Grand Duke cut him off calmly, Marcel bowed and left with his men.
Countess Azanie and Lily, who were still there, hesitated before speaking.
“Then… may we take Lea with us to care for her…?”
“Is it hard to understand the situation?”
“N-No, not at all! We just thought we might help.”
The Countess quickly denied it and stood up awkwardly. Lily followed her.
“Leave.”
At the Grand Duke’s cold command, they bowed and quickly left the room.
Now what do I do?
I stared blankly at the closed door.
Then I felt a sharp gaze and looked up.
The Grand Duke was watching me coldly.
“Uh…”
It felt like I had been saved—but not really.
It felt like he might kill me after watching me for a few days.
Still, I had no choice but to act like I felt nothing.
“Yes… thank you.”
I forced a smile and pretended to trust him.
He removed his hand from my shoulder as if brushing something off.
“Wash yourself.”
“…What?”
He looked down at me with a disgusted expression and leaned closer.
“Do you enjoy making me repeat myself? I hate it.”
“Wow… he had a point.”
The moment I saw myself in the mirror, I couldn’t help but sigh.
My pink hair was messy and greasy.
Dark circles hung under my eyes like a panda.
And I looked… lifeless.
I touched my pink hair and then my face.
Wasn’t I supposed to be the most beautiful woman?
The most beautiful in the empire?
The woman in the mirror looked weak and thin, like she hadn’t eaten for days.
Honestly, the Grand Duke looked far more beautiful.
If he wanted to see beauty, he could just look in the mirror.
No wonder my desperate act didn’t work.
“We will help you.”
The maids spoke as I struggled with my dress.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
But I quickly regretted thanking them.
They handled me so roughly it almost made me cry.
I grabbed one of their hands.
“I’ll do it myself!”
“But Madam, you have a head injury. You can’t do it alone. We must wash your hair.”
They spoke politely, but their attitude was clearly cold.
They carefully avoided the injured part of my head while washing my hair.
I closed my eyes tightly and endured it.
They obviously saw me as a suspect.
Still, I had no choice.
“Shall we wait outside now?”
After finishing, they stood up.
“That would be good.”
“Understood, Madam.”
How could I even call them if I needed help?
I nodded weakly.
They bowed and left.
As soon as the door closed, I dipped my foot into the bath.
“Cold…”
Of course.
Even the water wasn’t warm.
I wanted to complain, but it would be useless.
The maids were loyal to the Grand Duke.
And I was the one who tried to kill him.
Even if I told him, he wouldn’t take my side.
“This is so unfair…”
I didn’t even do it.
I wanted to grab the real Lea Azanie and ask—
Why did you do that?!
But there was nothing I could do.
As I washed with cold water, I saw bruises all over my body.
They were from Countess Azanie.
“She’s definitely done this many times before.”
My legs, my sides—there wasn’t a single place without injuries.
And all of them were hidden under the dress.
“I should’ve scratched her more…”
I gritted my teeth.
But something didn’t make sense.
How could a mother treat one daughter so well and abuse the other like this?
How could Lily just sit and enjoy it?
That’s not what family should be.
Are they really family?
“That’s so strange… Wait…”
Lea gave up her life for her family.
Like a loyal servant in a story.
But in the original novel, Lea had no childhood memories and grew up only with abuse and brainwashing.
On that day—
The Grand Duke drank poisoned tea and died.
Lea was there.
She prepared the tea.
Of course she would be suspected.
Did she not realize she would become the suspect?
“That can’t be…”
Anyone with common sense would know that.
At that moment—
Something caught my eye.
A strange light was glowing nearby.
It was coming from a newspaper on the side table.
I quickly wiped my wet hands and picked it up.
[Congratulations! Lea Azanie has finally begun her awakening!]
