Kapi

——Judge’s POV——

[PARTY VENUE - VIP ROOM - NIGHT]

Villainous judge: My lady, just what are you planning?

(What displeasure.)

A nice woman had called out to me at the party venue for leaders in legal circles.

She had stated “I need to talk” without an iota of grace to her words, but still I decided to indulge her and invited her to the VIP room,

and yet that woman, who had introduced herself as Kate, had come to criticize the fault in the “misdeeds” I had committed.

Kate: I know what sorts of crimes you have been committing.

Kate: It won’t be too late if you take action now. Please acknowledge your crimes and turn yourself in.

The dress she wore was a deep red the color of blood, and her voice was gentle like a song.

It was a different tone from the fawning voices of women who approached me because of my position as a judge.

The way her voice seemed somewhat refined touched my nerves.

(Did she just tell me to confess? Me, someone who is supposed to judge other humans?)

Villainous judge: Perhaps you’ve mistaken me for someone else? You see, I have not committed a single crime that warrants judgement.

[CITY OF LONDON - NIGHT]

I handed out “jobs” to those lowlifes, and I would receive the money paid to the government. Those were my “misdeeds behind the scenes” as a judge.

The lowlifes out on the edge, all the while knowing neither my name nor face,

would act as middlemen to commit high-risk crimes and rake in large sums for me.

I have never once dirtied my own hands.

[PARTY VENUE - VIP ROOM - NIGHT]

Villainous judge: And besides, even if I did commit a crime, it would be cleaned up without any need to turn myself in. I just have to end you.

Kate: Is that so— a shame, really.

The woman’s murmur was sad...but also cold.

Kate: Then right about now, the Queen of Hearts will come to judge you.

Villainous judge: The Queen of Hearts? Ahh, you mean that bizarre killer who cuts off people’s heads?

Villainous judge: Haha, you ignorant lady, that is merely a story made up by the tabloids.

Kate: By the way, how do you plan to “end” me?

(There’s something strange about this woman.)

(She’s being told that she’ll be killed, but she looks so calm...either she is used to this, or she is simply a fool.)

Villainous judge: I won’t kill you directly. Even in chess, the king seldom jumps to the center, no?

Villainous judge: The king is meant to sit on his throne and give out orders, then those farthest from him shed their blood. The world works the same way.

(I’ll just send her away now and tell those lowlifes the next day to head to her residence.)

(If they hear there’s going to be a burglary at a nice woman’s place, there will be plenty who will willingly hop on.)

Kate: ...Hehe.

Villainous judge: ...What’s so funny now?

Kate: Oh, don’t mind me. It’s simply with your leave, as far as I am aware you do not possess the caliber to sit upon a king’s throne, is all.

(...What?)

My temple suddenly tensed, and instinctively I took a step back from her.

Despite being threatened by a man at least twice her size, the woman did not show an ounce of trembling.

Villainous judge: Tch...you impudent woman. Well, it’s fine, you will probably come to regret this to the fullest—

??? (William): How do you do? Quite a fine night, isn’t it.

Villainous judge: —!?

All of a sudden a third voice chimed in, and I turned around in surprise.

There stood a man with eyes as red as blood and silver hair, possessing a beauty that seemed to be out of this world.

(Who is he?)

Man with blood-red eyes: It seems my Queen here is in good company.

(“Queen”?)

Villainous judge: Are you perhaps telling me this woman here is the “Queen of Hearts” or whatnot?

Man with blood-red eyes: ... (O_O)

Kate: Huh—?

Man with blood-red eyes: Ahahaha!

Kate: Jeez, you’re laughing too much, Will—

Villainous judge: W-what is it...who even are you guys?

Man with blood-red eyes: It’s nothing, I just couldn’t help myself. I didn’t think my reputation would be stolen by her, you see.

Man with blood-red eyes: But sorry to say, sir judge, the “Queen” was a name given to me, although without my knowledge.

Man with blood-red eyes: When it comes to myself, let’s see...perhaps you could call me the “King of Hearts”.

Villainous judge: ...Huh?

(This man— the “King of Hearts”?)

(The very same man who killed many humans by slitting their throats...?)

Villainous judge: H-how did you sneak in here? This room was supposed to be locked!

Kate: I unlocked it discreetly, while you were caught up in your own speech.

(So this woman was his accomplice all along—!)

The sound of his footsteps resounded as he entered the room before using his back hand to turn the door’s lock.

Then the moment he fixed his gaze on me, all warmth lost in his blood-red eyes—

A sensation as though a blade of ice traced down my spine, causing me to tremble.

Villainous judge: I— I didn’t do anything!!!

Man with blood-red eyes: Indeed...when committing a crime, people cross the boundaries of good and evil.

Man with blood-red eyes: What you did is blindfold innocent citizens, making them cross that line without showing them that boundary.

Man with blood-red eyes: Now the matter of “maintaining innocence by making other people commit crimes”...is indeed a complicated one.

Man with blood-red eyes: But I do not think the act of forcing others to commit crimes against their will is free of sin.

Villainous judge: B-but I have no crimes that can be judged!!

Man with blood-red eyes: And here, at this moment, I am the law.

Man with blood-red eyes: You were already guilty. Ever since you outright put down the mercy my robin once bestowed.

(H-he’s going to kill me...!)

(Who the hell is this man!? He’s in a whole different league!)

(It’s like...like— wait, no! Don’t get caught up!)

(I have a gun on me, and he’s got nothing on him but a sword.)

(If I stay at a distance...I can kill him! It’s against my principles to dirty my hands, but there’s no helping it here.)

Villainous judge: Who are you calling guilty...I should be the one to judge!!!

But, when I put my hand in my breast pocket, I couldn’t feel anything.

(What!? I could’ve sworn it was here...!)

Kate: Is this what you’re looking for, by any chance?

When I turned around, I saw the gun that should have been in my pocket now held up in her hands proudly as she smiled.

Kate: I’m sure you’re aware if you are fond of chess, no? That if even pawns find their way into the enemy queen’s pockets, they themselves will become queen.

Kate: As long as I’m living, I will not let anyone kill Will.

I felt that same bottomless deepness in her eyes as I did with the man’s.

Fear hit me instinctively, and the next moment, I lost myself in shame and rage.

Villainous judge: —You bitch!!

[SCREEN FLASHES WHITE]

I grabbed her hair and pulled on it— or, I tried to.

But, the part of my outstretched right arm past my elbow vanished.

Villainous judge: Wha...ah...?

I lost my balance from the shock of losing my forearm as I crumpled to the floor.

[CG - WILLIAM REX - AT ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY]

When I looked up, I saw the man, his back illuminated by the cold moonlight, looking down on me.

(I...I don’t stand a chance...)

The feeling of dread that rose up shook my body to the core.

Indeed, the man before me was like—

A king who looked down on the common people while sitting on a throne soaked in blood.

William: It’s been a long while since I last condemned someone with this sword.

William: It’s a precious thing Her Majesty the Queen bestowed me with. Take this as an honor.

It was a splendid checkmate, instigated by a king and queen.

[BLACK]

What colored the very last moments of my life— was complete and utter defeat.

——Kate’s POV——

[PARTY VENUE - STAIRCASE - NIGHT]

After judgement was passed, I wrapped my arm around Will’s as we left the mansion, which was buzzing with the reverberation of the party.

Kate: It really isn’t every day you use a sword, Will.

I thought back to the last words he said to the target, I softly touched his upper arm.

And while touching the back of my hand, Will closed his eyes.

William: I suppose so.

William: Seeing my dear partner facing such insolence made my blood boil to my head.

(His blood boiled...? Will’s?)

He seemed so calm, so I couldn’t help but stare at his face at the unexpected answer.

William: Up until now, I didn’t unsheathe this sword unless the situation was just that extreme.

William: But it would seem when it comes to you, I wouldn’t hesitate to hold its handle.

(Will...)

The way he concisely made it clear I was “special” moved me deeply.

To think being loved by Will could be so sinful— so blessed.

Kate: ...Thank you, Will.

William: I should be the one thanking you, Kate.

William: You tried to become my shield again tonight, right?

While gently touching my cheek and rubbing my back, Will lovingly narrowed his eyes.

William: So, no matter how much these hands get stained with blood, I will protect you—

William: Up until the very moment I taste the despair of embracing your corpse.

Kate: ...I will protect you, too, until that moment comes.

Our lips, cooled from the night fog, touched, gradually spreading heat.

We separated at the same time our carriage arrived, and Will gave a light shrug.

William: Well then, I’ll need to ask Victor to erase the evidence from this sword again.

Kate: Then I will write out a report of your treacheries for him as thanks.

William: I’ll leave it to the very capable fairytale keeper then...or wait—

William: I’m counting on you, my Kate.

Fin

william rex — at another opportunity .

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