The Blue Velvet Trap - Chapter 34

“The King’s cousin who’s a philanthropist, godfather to gifted children, who sadly closed his eyes due to the betrayal of his subordinates. I don’t want to give him such titles. I want everyone in the world to know the horrible things this man did.”

“Then there’s only one way.”

Ivlik interjected.

“Dispose of all the bodies and then seize an opportunity to expose the Duke’s corruption. Since domestic media might be hesitant, it would be better to target influential foreign newspapers.”

Karen’s deliberation wasn’t long. As soon as the remaining schedule for tonight was decided, Ivlik and Karen silently procured means to transport the bodies. Unlike the two moving quietly yet swiftly, Cedine had no idea how to help. Even when she tried to ask, neither seemed to be in the mood to be spoken to.

‘It’s been a while. I feel like I’ve become an invisible person.’

Cedine felt the need to make her presence known.

“You two.”

Cedine looked at Ivlik and Karen, placing her hands on her hips.

“Are you treating me like a child again? Leaving me out again?”

“Cedine, do you know which crematorium in the capital has the most lax security?”

At Karen’s calm question, Cedine frowned.

“You should know, Sis.”

“Do you know where to get chemicals to dissolve bodies?”

“Isn’t it enough for just one of us to know such things?”

“That’s not wrong, but the problem is at the scene. Whether it’s a crematorium or a chemical warehouse, it’s the same. I don’t use places managed by those who turn a blind eye if you slip them enough money. They tend to do everything that way, often diluting the concentration to increase the volume. The flesh ends up only half-dissolved.”

“…What are you trying to say?”

“We need to infiltrate a place with strict management, dispose of the bodies, and then escape. Taking you, who has no practical experience, is too risky.”

“No practical experience? Then what was I experiencing earlier?”

Cedine tilted her head.

“Is it All Saints’ Day?”

“I’m sorry, but cases like earlier don’t count as a proper job.”

“Who decides that?”

“Both the Army Ministry and the Intelligence Bureau.”

It was incredibly unfair. To think that even body disposal was only for those with experience. Weren’t they all inexperienced newcomers at some point? As if Ivlik was skilled in combat from the start. Even Karen was just a newly commissioned officer before her first mission. Cedine rolled her eyes in disbelief. How nice it must be for both of them to be experienced personnel with uniforms adorned with medals.

“You go back to the estate. The Lieutenant Colonel and I will come once we’re done with the job.”

Cedine made a sulky face. Even she thought it was childish behavior deserving of being treated like a kid. But what could she do when her expression naturally turned out this way? Cedine glared at Ivlik.

“Don’t you have anything to say?”

“It’s summer, Cedine. The sun rises at 4:45 AM.”

“So you’re saying don’t waste time when we’re busy.”

“I didn’t put it that sharply. But I agree with Lieutenant Liere’s point. It’s a given that the chances of failure increase when someone without practical experience is involved.”

“You’re both so perfect.”

Cedine turned around abruptly. She went back to the estate, washed up, and drank tea with plenty of sugar and milk. She intended to stay awake and wait for the two, but as she leaned back on the soft sofa, her eyes closed without her realizing it.

How much time had passed? Cedine opened her eyes to the sound of someone gently tapping her shoulder and calling her name. The room had already brightened. She looked at the clock. 7:10 AM. Ivlik and Karen had already changed into fresh, clean clothes.

“Aren’t you hungry? Let’s get up and have breakfast.”

Ivlik said, gently stroking Cedine’s cheek. She had waited comfortably at home, while the two had disposed of fourteen bodies under the cover of darkness and just returned. It felt strange to hear Ivlik, who must be much more exhausted than her, inviting her to breakfast.

Cedine, Ivlik, and Karen had breakfast together at the table. It had been a long time since the three of them had a meal together at the estate. The difference from before the regression was that now, Ivlik was Cedine’s husband, and he didn’t hide his doting husband side, making Karen pause her fork-wielding several times.

Cedine asked her sister what she planned to do from now on. Karen held her coffee cup with both hands and pondered for a moment.

“I think I’ll take my first aimless trip.”

Karen suddenly chuckled.

“Crotsfield submitted a leave of absence in my name. He probably intended to buy time so people wouldn’t look for me for a while after I disappeared. How meticulously he handled everything… He even paid six months’ rent in advance for my fourth-floor apartment. Well, since it’s come to this, I thought I might as well travel around and clear my head.”

“Haven’t you thought about how long you’ll travel? Then what after the trip? Will you return, or leave the Intelligence Bureau?”

“You little question mark pouch.”

Karen laughed, calling her sister by her childhood nickname. It meant to stop bombarding her with questions.

“I don’t know. I don’t know anything. I’ll think about it after I board the first train I can get a ticket for.”

40 minutes later.

The sisters said their goodbyes at the front of the estate. The small trunk Cedine had packed for Karen contained not only underwear and two changes of clothes but also a considerable amount of cash and checks. The possibility of theft wasn’t even considered.

Well, no one would survive stealing Karen Liere’s bag anyway. Cedine ignored her sister’s protests that it was enough and stubbornly added a gold-chained pocket watch. Karen sighed at Cedine’s insistence to sell or pawn it if she needed quick cash.

“Wouldn’t it be better to just contact you?”

“Ah… That would be best.”

Karen chuckled.

“Take care, Cedie. I’ll write to you.”

Karen headed to the train station in a car driven by the estate’s chauffeur. For the first time, her departing figure looked unburdened. Cedine stood there until the car became a dot in the distance. Ivlik stood beside her, his arm around her shoulder.

The person leaving looked free for the first time in her life, and the one staying had a husband who would be by her side from now on. With Ivlik beside her, Cedine felt that the days of waiting for news from her sister wouldn’t be sad or lonely.

For the first time.

* * *

Cedine entered the study. As she approached the desk, the headline of the newspaper Ivlik was holding became clearer.

Duke Crotsfield, ‘Missing’ for Two Months. Who Will Fill the Vacant Key Government Positions?

It was indeed true that Crotsfield had been particularly meticulous in processing Karen’s leave. Now, two months after the Duke’s disappearance, no one suspected Karen.

Even fewer suspected the Wintermore couple. The newlyweds, deeply in love, seemed to be in their own world even when out together. It was said they were once caught passionately kissing in their car. It seemed unlikely that the couple, so absorbed in physical pleasures, would be involved in someone’s disappearance.

Cedine, Ivlik, and Karen were thus gradually distancing themselves from Duke Crotsfield. A letter from her sister, mentioning her recent habit of bathing in hot springs morning and evening, was in Cedine’s pocket. And Cedine was indeed enjoying a ‘lustful’ honeymoon as people believed. About 80% of that lust seemed to be her husband’s responsibility.

“Ivlik, I have a question.”

“Starting with my name before asking the question.”

Ivlik looked up from his newspaper.

“You know your opponent’s weakness well, Lady Wintermore. Whoever your training instructor was, they taught you quite well.”

“I find it hard to agree on that point, Lieutenant Colonel.”

“Oh my.”

Ivlik frowned.

“We agreed to use that title only in bed. It’s only 1:40 PM, and this is the study, not the bedroom. Of course, if my wife desires a unique daytime experience, I’m more than willing to oblige.”

“Really… Is that all you think about?”

Even after doing it so much last night. How can he suggest doing it again, even as a joke? As Ivlik said, it’s only 1:40 PM. He sometimes acted like a ghost who died from lack of intimacy.

Let’s set aside the question of whether humans actually die from lack of intimacy.

Ivlik neatly folded the newspaper. Cedine watched her husband clear away the newspaper, slightly wary that he might start unbuckling his belt.

“It’s not all I think about, but it is what I’m mainly thinking about.”

“Don’t you ever get tired of it?”

“Cedine.”

Ivlik laughed as if he’d just heard an amusing joke.

“I don’t think I’ll tire of it before I die.”

It was an extreme answer. And every time her husband spoke so bluntly, Cedine was overcome with a strange feeling. It was as if her previous life, where she treated him as a brother-in-law, overlapped with her current life of passionate physical intimacy, creating an odd sensation.

Suddenly, she remembered the dictionary she used to carry around as a child. If she were to find an expression in it to describe her emotions, it would probably be something like ‘a sense of transgression’.