The Duke's Suspicion

A knock on the door startled Kaito from his grim reverie.

"Enter," he called out, his voice rough, the echo of Mary's death still ringing in his ears. He glanced at Hope, still sleeping peacefully in her bed, a pang of protectiveness tightening his chest. He had to protect her, had to keep her safe from the darkness.

The door opened, and Sebastian stood in the doorway, his expression as impassive as ever. "Master Kaito," he said, his voice smooth and polite. "Duke Darius requests your presence in his study. He wishes to speak with you."

Kaito's brow furrowed. This felt eerily familiar, like a scene replayed from a previous loop.

He couldn't shake the feeling that he was trapped in a repeating nightmare, the same events unfolding with subtle variations, each loop a cruel twist of fate.

He nodded, his stomach churning with a familiar mix of anticipation and dread. He rose from the bed, his legs shaky, his head pounding with a relentless ache.

He hadn't fully recovered from the previous loop, the mental strain starting to take its toll.

As he followed Sebastian out of the room, he saw Mary standing in the hallway, her hands clasped in front of her, her head bowed.

The sight of her, alive and well, sent a jolt of conflicting emotions through him –a lingering fear of what might yet come to pass.

He couldn't help himself. He rushed towards her, his arms wrapping around her in a tight embrace. "Mary," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I'm so glad you're alright."

Mary stiffened in his arms, her eyes widening in surprise. She pushed him away, her hand instinctively reaching for the dagger at her belt.

"Master Kaito!" Sebastian exclaimed, his voice sharp with disapproval. "What is the meaning of this?"

Kaito, his composure shattered by the resurgence of grief and the overwhelming need to protect Mary, stammered, "I... I just..."

He couldn't explain. He couldn't tell them the truth.

Sebastian's eyes narrowed, his gaze flickering between Kaito and Mary. "Control yourself, Master Kaito," he said, his voice stern. "The Duke is waiting."

Kaito, his face flushed with shame and confusion, nodded. He followed Sebastian, his mind a whirlwind of emotions. He had to get a grip, had to focus on the task at hand. He had to warn the Duke, had to expose Alaric's treachery, had to find a way to break the curse.

They reached the Duke's study, the doors opening to reveal Duke Darius and Commander Gavril waiting for them. Kaito bowed respectfully, his head pounding, his vision blurring.

"Kaito," Duke Darius said, his voice grave. "We have much to discuss."

Kaito's mind raced. This was his chance. He had to tell them everything.

"Your Grace," he began, his voice trembling, his words tumbling out in a torrent of desperation. "There's a conspiracy, a plot against Aloria. Prince Alaric of Eastvale... he's behind the orc attacks. He's working with a cloaked figure... they're searching for something called the Gospel... they're going to invade... they're going to destroy everything..."

Duke Darius and Commander Gavril exchanged bewildered glances. The Duke's brow furrowed, his eyes filled with concern.

"Kaito," he said gently, "calm yourself. What are you talking about?"

Kaito tried to collect his thoughts, to explain in a coherent manner. But the words wouldn't come. He was overwhelmed, the weight of his knowledge, the burden of the loop, the fear of losing those he cared about – it all crashed down on him, crushing his composure.

He opened his mouth to speak, to blurt out the truth about the loop, about the resets, about his impossible knowledge.

But as the words formed on his lips, it was as if an invisible hand clamped over his mouth, silencing him.

He struggled against the unseen force, his eyes wide with panic. "I... I have to tell you..." he gasped, his voice strained. "It's about the curse... about the attacks... about..."

He couldn't say it. He couldn't break through the barrier that prevented him from revealing the truth.

Duke Darius's expression shifted from concern to suspicion. "Kaito," he said slowly, "what are you hiding? What is it you can't say?"

Kaito shook his head frantically, his eyes pleading. "I don't know," he choked out. "I can't explain... I just know..."

He felt a wave of dizziness wash over him, his vision darkening. He stumbled, his legs giving way beneath him.

"Kaito!" Duke Darius exclaimed, his voice filled with alarm.

Kaito collapsed to the floor, his consciousness fading. He heard the Duke's voice, distant and muffled, ordering Sebastian to take him back to his room.

He felt himself being lifted, carried through the corridors, the world a blur of colors and shadows.

The last thing he heard before darkness claimed him was the Duke's voice, sharp and urgent, calling for Mary.

He woke to a chilling sensation, a cold blade pressed against his throat.

He opened his eyes to see Mary standing over him, her face pale, her eyes filled with a terrifying resolve.

He tried to speak, to move, but his body was paralyzed, his limbs heavy and unresponsive. He could only stare at Mary, his heart pounding with fear.

Duke Darius stood beside her, his expression grim, his eyes filled with suspicion.

"Are you a devil, Kaito?" the Duke asked, his voice low and dangerous. "Are you an apostle of the Devil?"

Kaito's mind reeled. A devil? An apostle? He didn't understand.

"No," he croaked, his voice hoarse. "I'm not a devil. I don't know anything about apostles."

"Then why do you know about the Gospel?" the Duke demanded, his voice rising. "Why do you speak of things you couldn't possibly know?"

Kaito tried to explain, to tell them about the loop, about the resets, about his impossible knowledge. But the words wouldn't come. It was as if that invisible hand was still clamped over his mouth, preventing him from revealing the truth.

"You're lying," the Duke said, his voice cold and hard. "You're hiding something from us."

Kaito's heart sank. He couldn't convince them. He couldn't make them understand.

"I'm not," he pleaded, his voice desperate. "I'm telling the truth."

But the Duke shook his head, his eyes filled with a chilling certainty. "I can't take that chance," he said, his voice heavy with regret.

He raised his hand, a silent signal to Mary.

With no hesitation, Mary drew back her dagger and plunged it into Kaito's throat.

[Death Confirmed]

Cause of Death: Stab wound to the neck.

Time of Death: Unknown

Location: Castle Aloria

Resurrection Point Set.

Returning to the designated checkpoint.

Kaito's eyes snapped open, his body jolted awake.

He was back in his chamber, the soft sunlight streaming through the window. He sat up, his hand instinctively going to his throat, but there was no wound, no pain.

He was alive. But this time, the relief was tinged with a bitter taste of betrayal. He had trusted them, had tried to help them, and they had repaid him with death.

He clenched his fists, his knuckles white.He had to find a way to survive.