"Young lady, are you perhaps a dunderhead?"
Duchess Vermillion called Helena for some tea after her house arrest was over. However, it was just a ruse for a scolding section. Helena looked down on the floor and accepted the lecture. She deserved it after barging into the cult by herself.
"We're grateful for your help with the password, but you should stop at that. I was shocked when you sent us that letter. I could not believe you were reckless enough to attend the Black Market!"
"I'm sorry..."
"Apologize won't cut it. What were you thinking? You could lose your life in there!"
Helena could not tell her the truth. Duchess Vermillion was a logical woman. She would not believe her regression story. Helena shifted the topic before the Duchess lectured her further. "What is going to happen to me now?"
"Well, you are free for sure. The list found by the investigation team was fake. We cross-checked it with some data in Sabbath, and it did not fit." Duchess Vermillion touched her head. "If only that damn brat discussed it first with us."
Helena almost spurted her tea. She could not believe she heard the Duchess cursing and calling Prince Ruby a brat. Helena wiped her mouth with a handkerchief before continuing the conversation. "Oh, right. What happened to the Greys after my trial?"
"Arrested. You were right. The couple was involved with the cult. Our investigation discovered a list of sold humans. Gold, jewellery and gems were found in their house. They had been apprehended because of your testimony. Prince Sapphire will take over the institution for the war veterans and elderly. He thinks it will be a waste to destroy the facility."
Helena was satisfied to hear it. The couple finally got to taste their own medicine. Speaking about the cult reminded her of the forged list. "That's a relief. How about the rest of the arrested people?"
"We are lucky that execution never happened." The Duchess looked distressed. "Most people set for punishment are neutral nobles or upstanding citizens. It would be a mess if the execution went on."
Helena was racking her brain. "Is it possible to have an enemy inside?"
Duchess Vermillion was furious that she broke the handle of her teacup. She clicked her tongue and put the broken cup on the table. Helena was frightened and made a mental note not to anger the older lady.
"I hate to say you are correct. The cult has infiltrated the palace. Otherwise, how could they tamper the list?"
"Perhaps the Duchess know the culprit?"
The noblewoman crossed her arms. "I have a guess. A knight from the investigation team gave the list away. Prince Ruby must think it was real to jump to action. He even pushed the King and nobles to punish these people."
Helena was upset hearing the information. She lost her life in the past because of this? How could Prince Ruby be that reckless? His mistake caused hundreds to lose their life and led to the worst riot in history.
"Where is that knight?"
"Ten feet underground. We found the knight dead several days after your trial."
Wrinkles appeared between Helena's forehead. "They sure work fast as usual."
The Duchess sighed and bowed her head. "We must apologize, Lady Blackmoore. You had been wrongly accused without concrete proof. The Crown Prince decides to give you compensation for your loss. What do you want? Gold, jewellery, land, or title?"
Helena was surprised. "How can I receive those things? It's too much!"
"People who wrongly accused receive the same compensation, Young Lady. We threw them into jail and tarnished their good name. Giving them something is the least we can do."
Helena was thinking for a moment. "Hmmm, I don't need anything right now. Can I ask some questions instead?"
The Duchess was puzzled by her request. "Go ahead."
"Who knows about my involvement with the investigation before the trial?"
"Only me, my husband, and the Prince Sapphire. No one knew other than us, not even the Second or Third Prince. Prince Sapphire was shocked when he received the news of your arrest. He wondered whether he should reveal the truth or not. He decided your death would be too much and gathered evidence to prove your innocence. You are our wild card. We could not give a blowing damage to Paradise Star without you."
Helena's cheek flushed with the praise. She fake coughed and returned to her question. "One more thing. This sounds rude, so I hope you will not be angry."
A maid brought a new cup for the Mistress of the House and filled it with tea. Duchess Vermillion took her new cup of tea and sipped it. She chuckled at Helena's anxious behaviour. "Go on, what is it?"
"Why do you choose me to work with you?"
Duchess Vermillion was frozen. The joy on her face had been replaced by a dejected expression. She put her cup of tea on the table and stared at the young lady in front of her. That woman gave a sign for servants to leave the room. "I hope you will not be mad, Lady Blackmoore."
"Your Grace, you saved me. How can I be angry?"
She raised her eyebrows. "Do you realize you are way too calm as someone who has faced danger multiple times?"
Helena could not say she got used to dancing with death. This was not her first tango, after all.
"I guess there is no further reason to hide it from you. We need someone without any ties or affiliation with us. You somehow fit the criteria. You are an adopted daughter and noble lady in high society. Paradise Star would assume you want to join them instead of investigating them."
"But why me? I'm sure anyone can fill my role."
"We tried it before. Our knights or officers were murdered before investigation, turned against us, died or went missing. Just look what happened at Matthew Brown." The Duchess leaned against the seat. "However, I did not expect you to be daring. I only wanted you to get us the password for Sirius, yet you infiltrated the cult by yourself."
Helena was embarrassed. "Hehehe..."
"It's not a praise, Lady Blackmoore."
"Our fight continues then. We have not caught the mastermind yet."
Duchess Vermillion nodded. The true leader of Paradise Star, the Masked Man, was still roaming out there. "Siegfried still refuses to cooperate. He does not even budge despite being tortured as we speak."
Helena was silent after hearing her words. She could not imagine that man went through the agony of torture. He might be a member of Paradise Star, but Siegfried aided her before. Helena might not be in there without that man's help.
"Can I do the interrogation?"
Duchess Vermillion was perplexed. "You've done so much for us. There is no need to be involved further."
Helena chuckled. "I am afraid it is already too late, My Grace. The cult has recognized my existence. They already tried to assassinate me. My only choice from here is to fight."
Duchess Vermillion stared at her with a sad expression on her face. "I think of you as my daughter since my husband and I do not have a child." She held Helena's hand tightly. "Please promise me that you will stay safe."
Helena smiled at her. "I will."
She received permission to see Siegfried three days later. The prison was depressing. Unlike her jail when she was imprisoned, this one was damp, dark and cold. The gaze of criminals and their harassing words were uncomfortable. Helena glanced at the knight next to her. He obviously got used to this situation.
Siegfried's jail was isolated and farther from the rest of the prisoners. He was surprised to see Helena appear right in front of him. His body was filled with scars and wrapped bandages. Helena took pity on his condition. Duchess Vermillion was not kidding about the torture.
"Well, this is a nice present. What can I do for you, young lady?"
She huffed and put her hands on her hips. "I need the truth. Who is the real mastermind? Perhaps I'll tell the Duchess to lessen your punishment."
That man laughed. "It is an interesting offer, but I must refuse. My mouth is sealed. If you know the answer, your life- No. Your family will be in danger as well."
She clicked her tongue. "Higher than my family ranking, huh?"
"Should have closed my mouth. However, you were right."
"I know noble involves, but higher than a Count? No wonder it was so hard to catch them."
"You should be worried about yourself, Lady Blackmoore. I was the one who kept the cult blind from you. Paradise Star always keeps their tab to anyone searching for them for various reasons. I made sure they did not know you came to me. Unfortunately, you blew one of their hideouts. The cult first was set to kill you. Yet the Goddess of Fortune smiles at you. You were close to the royalty after the Royal Ball. The cult was reluctant to kill you since it would attract too much attention."
Helena frowned. Duchess Vermillion and the Crown Prince definitely calculated this.
"Let me guess, they do not expect me to work with the Duchess."
Siegfried laughed loudly. "Of course, they do not know! You might accidentally destroy their hideout, but no one expects you to work with Prince Sapphire and Vermillions! How do you even have a connection with
them?"
"The Duchess interrogated me in a salon and found me interested. The rest just happened. I did not exactly volunteer for the work." Helena scratched her head. She wondered why she was roped into this unknown situation. "Is this why you sent me the invitation to Sabbath?"
"Not really. I only sent you the invitation as a gamble. I know you do the right thing despite the risk."
Helena sighed. She could not believe what she just heard. "Why did you even follow the dangerous cult? Do you want to see a demon too?"
"Demon?" He cackled at her remark. "Oh, please. They just created a random ceremony to gather followers and money."
Helena was shocked hearing that statement. "What do you mean by that? How do you explain hundreds of people that died because of the cult?!"
Siegfried was frowning. "I do not know why you think that way. The incident that involved hundreds of followers was caused by gas poisoning. Didn't you read the file about it already?"
"But the ritual and everything..."
"They need to make the cult authentic. Everyone thought demons would grant them wealth and fame. However, there is no way a demon is involved. People will be scared of their wit to join Paradise Star otherwise."
Helena was taken aback. Siegfried did not seem to lie. That man did not know about Karl's existence. Perhaps all members of Paradise Star thought the same thing. They did not know the true purpose of the cult. Helena felt a chill crawled across her spine and shuddered in fear. The mastermind had lied to the whole Paradise Star.
"Lady Blackmoore, is he well?"
Helena realized Siegfried was talking about Adham. She shook her head. "He is devastated by the truth and locks himself in his room. Adham feels betrayed for trusting you. Don't you care about him?"
That man only chuckled bitterly. "I spent my whole life lying, scamming and dirtying my hand with blood. I only took him to feel better. However, one good won't erase your sins. Every night, I am still plagued by nightmares of people I've been killed."
Helena became silent. Siegfried was similar to her. Both of them walked the path of atonement. She continued her charity and good acts because of her regrets in her second life. However, Siegfried no longer had a second chance like her. There was nothing but death waiting for him.
"Perhaps you only did one good deed, but it is still good. Adham became the way he is because of you."
Siegfried smiled weakly toward her words. "Thank you. I cannot believe I am comforted by a young woman in prison."
Her time was up when the knight spoke to her. Helena asked him one more question before leaving the prison.
"Don't you have better information? As the leader of the guild, your information is pretty disappointing."
"As the last customer, I will drop you a good one." That man smirked, hiding a secret underneath that smile. "The truth is hidden under the Blue Moon.
"A riddle? Oh, come on! Just tell me directly!"
Siegfried cackled. "Have fun guessing!"