I did it!
"So, here's what I think. There are parties who want to bring you down using witchcraft. Then they found me, the stupid and powerless woman to use, to distract you."
When Alpha Sharx and Beta Sam didn't respond, confidence emerged within me, so I continued blabbering.
"Please listen. Even though I'm stupid, I know who Alpha Sharx is and what kind of legacy the Alazzar family has. Does it make sense for me to attack you and your family, knowing that you are so powerful? That's like digging my own grave, don't you think so?"
I caught my breath as it came out in a rush. I need to be calmer from now on to present my defence in front of these two men.
"So you're saying, you're used and not part of those who want to bring me down?"
"Of course! Why would I do such a dirty act to you? When I love you so damn much."
"You what?"
"Ah, did I just confess my feelings? I apologize. I know it's not the right time, but it came out on reflex." I lowered my head, glancing slightly at him.
"Can you guess who used you?"
'It's Hazel, of course.'
But I can't reveal that yet because now I'm Hazel. And if my theory is correct, the real Hazel might be possessing my body right now.
Damn it...
She ran away like a coward when Alpha Sharx discovered what she had done. Then she put me in her body, which was on the verge of death because of this witchcraft. Talk about grudge, huh?
She definitely chose my body out of everyone else's because I was the most consistent in bullying her. Imagining the smug face she might make right now using my face makes my insides twist.
I answered regretfully. "No. Not yet."
"Not yet, huh?"
And now, it's time for me to make an offer with this pitch.
"That doesn't mean there's no other way. Why don't you use me as a bait?"
I saw a hint of interest on Alpha Sharx's face through his eyebrows moving slightly.
"You can use me to fish out the people involved. Of course, on the premise that you are willing to continue pretending to be unaware of this plot."
Although I didn't know how it would turn out if I used Hazel's face, I put on my most professional smile.
"How is it? Isn't that a mutually beneficial offer?" I pushed a little more.
He smirks.
Oh gosh! That scornful smile could always send the butterflies inside my chest going berserk.
I bit the inside of my mouth, suppressing the excited squeal that almost escaped my mouth.
"So, you claim that you weren't involved in any of this and are the victim instead?"
I nodded hard.
"And you are willing to act as bait."
"Yes!"
"What if it turns out your family was the perpetrator? The Harzebloom."
I was silent for a moment, then answered. "Then you have to punish them."
"Are you sure? They are your family, though."
Well, the Harzeblooms aren't technically my family. I gave no damn about their life as long as I survived. Besides, even if it were my real family, The Maureen, I wouldn't care regardless.
I looked straight into his eyes.
"The moment they used me, they were no longer my family. I refuse to die in vain to cover their sins. I want to live. I really… want to live. In this world, only I matter most. Ah, of course, even I was number two after you."
"What?"
"You… are my number one treasure. This is why I want to catch those sinners so that you can relax, Alpha Sharx." I smile. It was an honest confession that emerged from the deepest part of my heart.
I knew how cold-hearted Alpha Sharx was despite smiling so often. I still hoped my words would shake his heart a little. Just a little.
"Please spare my life. I too am a victim in this situation. I promise to reveal everything I know after investigating this and that. To tell you the truth, it even seems like I'm still affected by the remnants of this witchcraft."
Alpha Sharx narrowed his eyes. "Then, is the reason for your change in personality and the failed rejection for our bond is because of there's still some spells left within you?"
"I don't know for sure, but I guess so…"
He notices a change in personality, meaning that he pays enough attention to the real Hazel in his daily life. Somehow, realizing this left a bitter taste in my mouth.
Hazel's personality change occurred due to me, another soul, entering this body. Meanwhile, his failed rejection was because I wasn't the real Hazel. My soul is that Maya Maureen.
'He must feel so frustrated that he can't cut these bonds.'
"Perhaps, have you lost your memory, causing your personality to change?"
Well, I'm not losing my memory. It's all changed cause there's a different soul in this body. But, I could use that. As expected of my Alpha Sharx.
"Yes, I think so. The reason I kept fainting also seemed to be because my body couldn't handle the effects." I smiled, then added. "It's nice to know that you noticed my personality change."
"Only a fool wouldn't realize that."
"Ah, I see."
Yeah, all this makes more sense than saying that someone else's soul is in Hazel's body. It's not even a fantasy novel.
"And only someone stupid and naive if they quick to believed everything you said, right?"
"Yes? Ah… yes."
"I'm not that kind of guy, you know?" He grinned again.
"Of course, I know."
"And frankly speaking, all of this only happened because you were ignorant and stupid, thus providing other people the opportunity to take advantage of you. Don't you agree?"
He's saying I'm dumb.
I smile. "Yes. I couldn't agree more. This is all my fault."
"Well, at least this whole situation turned out interesting, and you're entertaining me enough for now."
I gasp in delight. "Thank you for the compliment! So, what should I do to earn your trust, Alpha? I'll gladly do anything to prove my innocent!"
"You will be under strict supervision. You also won't get access to contact anyone. No phone, no internet, no interactions with people outside this mansion without me by your side."
"I understand. Let's do that." I nodded in satisfaction, then murmured softly. "What more could I need when I can be near you? Hehet~"
"Hey, I can hear you. And stop talking that way 'cause it's creepy."
"Ah, I apologize. I will keep those thoughts to myself in the future."
Starting today, I must do my best to gain his trust.
When the time comes, I will expose Hazel's crimes as myself, Maya Maureen. Then, perhaps at that moment, he will look at me and realize that I am the only one for him. Kyaaaa~
"Ah, may I ask how you realized that you were under the influence of witchcraft?"
"Why do you need to know that?" Beta Sam asked curtly after being quiet for so long.
He seems to hate me more than Alpha Sharx is.
"It's just, I think it would help my investigation if I knew how to notice that something was under the witchcraft's influence."
"Hmm, I could answer that." Alpha Sharx chimed in, then added. "I know it for sure when we…"
He dragged his words and grinned mischievously.
"When we...?" I repeated his last words like a parrot. No wonder he saw me dumb.
"When we slept together last night. Don't you remember?"
"…"
Oh.
No.
Why do I hear the sound of thunder roaring in the back of my head? I could even hear the rumble of landslides inside my chest.
I took a deep breath, then held it. For some intelligent reason, I knew it was best not to question the information any further now. I knew I would hate what I heard from his mouth.
And yet, I'm just a stupid woman.
"Are you saying that last night, the two of you—I mean, the two of us, slept together?"
"Yeah. Did you forget that part too?"
"As sleeping together, do you mean ma-ma-making love?"
"Isn't that a given?"
I gasp. I regained my breath before asking again. I guess I'm torturing myself.
"So, we-we slept together, and that's how you finally caught on that you were under the influence of witchcraft. So then you caught her, I mean, you caught me in the spot to interrogate me. Is that really what you mean?"
He lifted one corner of his lips. "That just happened last night, and yet you've forgotten that part? This is bad…"
My legs gave out.
Oh, the Almighty Moon Goddess, what kind of trial do you put me now? If you think I can bear all this, you have overestimated me.
"Damn it."
"Did you just curse at me?"