Chapter 87

Calian, who saw the terrible expression on Hales face, furrowed his brows.

The Count doesnt seem to be feeling well?

Hale, who had been concerned about whether he had been caught selling information to Blue Warbler, quickly cleared his expression and started to think as fast as he could.

No. Arent Secretians the ones who are known for being tough even if they got caught? They would probably take their life the moment they got caught,

Hale, who had found a ledge he could hold on to, began to speak his honey-laced words once more,

No, its because of my anger against the person who attacked your highness is so deep. So starting today, this Hale will also take the lead in capturing these criminals after all, isnt this something that has happened in my territory?

For a moment, an expression of dislike flashed across Calians face and Hale was convinced that Calian was trying to hide something from him, otherwise he wouldnt pull such an expression and then immediately try to hide it.

So you were trying to probe me for answers well, arrogance is arrogance after al Hale sneered inwardly.

Whether Calian knew Hales thoughts or not, he nodded slowly,

Alright,

After responding briefly, Calian continued his meal without saying anything else.

It was then that Yuran, who quietly came into the dining room, whispered something to Yan before going back. Yan then approached Calian, and bowed his waist to quietly whisper the words Yuran had said to him into his ear.

Soon Calians eyes turned to Hale. Hale had already been focused on Calian from the moment Yuran stepped into the room, so Calian was able to speak without having to call for his attention.

It seems that the man named Norton has something to tell me in person, Upon relaying the message to Hale, Calian immediately removed the napkin from his person and stood up from his seat so Hale too, who had yet to eat anything properly, had to stand up.

As soon as Hale was on his feet, Calian asked,

Im going to to have a look, are you thinking of going with me?

Are you saying youll be heading the prison yourself, your highness?

Calian looked at Hale for a moment, and then answered in a quiet voice,

Thats right,

But isnt that were the prisoners are?

Why do you ask such obvious things? Since its a prison, there must be prisoners there,

No thats not what Im saying, what I was trying to say-

Are you telling me youre going down to the diary place filled with prisoners yourself? If you want to go, then go alone!

Why dont you have the man named Norton brought out you and meet him that way?

I can bring him out to meet him, or I can down and meet him is there anything here that I cant do as I please?

.No, your highness,

Eventually, he followed Calian down to the prison with a similar expression to those prisoners who were dragged their to be locked up.

When he had been a young child, while curiously exploring the castle, he had visited the dungeon prisons once. Back then, after seeing the swarm of centipedes crawling through the dense straw piles on the floor and the grim expressions of the prisoners, he never ventured down there again.

Hale, who was visiting such a place after a long time, wrapped his nose in a silk handkerchief. The normally unpleasant emall had become thick and the air was heavy due to the usually heavy rain.

Thinking he was now glad he hadnt had much to eat for breakfast, Hale paused in front of Nortons cell.

Norton as siting on a pile of straw with the exact same expression he had showed Calian the previous day. Malcolm, the butler, stepped forwards when Norton didnt react even though he saw Hale and Calian coming in.

What are you doing, not getting up and showing courtesy?

At that, Norton stared at Malcolm and said,

Im counting down the days to my death because of their d.a.m.n social status Do I still have to be polite too?

If it were not the prince whom he had faced but a commoner of a similar status than this would not have happened to him.

Hale wanted to throw the rude punk to the executioners block straight away, however he was being kept alive to catch an even bigger criminal. Norton must have been aware of that which was way he could be so gutsy in front of them right now.

Hale, who was full anger, glanced at Calian for a moment and realised that he didnt look patrictuarly displeased.

So how could be more angry than him? He just consoled himself with the thought that once everything was sorted, he wouldnt allow this man to die an easy death and held back his rage.

After a while, Norton turned to Calian and said,

I asked you to come because I thought of something,

Calian replied with a light nod,

Say it,

Norton briefly glanced at Hale, and then at Malcolm. After that, he glanced to the knights for a moment then the prison walls and the fist-sized windows on them. Having looked around like that, he slowly opened his mouth,

The one named Blue Warbler theyre a spy of Secretia,

Thunder rolled outside.

Lightning struck Hales head.

Of all the birds in the world, why was it that one that came out of Nortons mouth.

Norton took turns, staring at Calian then Hale. The he lowered his voice as if he were telling a very big secret and opened his mouth again.

They said they were going to sell something to someone here someone theyve had a relations.h.i.+p with for a long time,

Norton laughed brightly.

The expression on Hales face was spectacular. Norton continued to laugh without stopping, wondering if there would ever be another opportunity in his life to drive a Count into a corner again.

Isnt it a bit weird? I cant believe someone here would have a long relations.h.i.+p with a spy, what could there be to connect someone to a spy?

Up to here.

Norton skillfully performed as Calian had ordered him to the night before.

Confess a few more things as I say,

You want me to lie?

Its not lying Im just borrowing your mouth is all,

Well, for someone who has already taken an arm, whats borrowing a mouth going to do? Aright,

Calian, who recalled his conversation with Norton from the night before, replied to Nortons question while looking at Hale,

Another spy, do you think?

He asked with a face that seemed genuinely curious about Hales thoughts,

Dont you think so, Count Latran?

Hale nodded, wondering if the sound of his creaking neck was just his imagination.

Calian asked Norton,

Have you ever heard the name of the person who is connected to the spy?

I might have heard it, I dont remember,

Youll be escorted to Kyrisis soon, make sure you think of the name before you arrive. If the information you give is of help, it wont be disadvantageous to you either,

Okay,

Realising that Calian hadnt simply been probing his reaction at breakfast, Hale looked around the prison blankly.

That smell, that terribly unpleasant smell turned stirred in his brain. It felt like the heard of centipedes that had been crawling on the straw were now crawling all over his body.

No matter how lowly a commoner testified, he felt anxious when considering Rumein if he believed the commoners testimony then he might chop off Hales neck straight away.

Hale, using the excuse of a sudden headache, hurried back to his room. He had to ask Marquis Brissen for help! Right now!

Calian, who watched Hales hurrying back, muttered quietly,

Hurry up and start getting busy,

So that you can make some proper evidence.