Chapter 68.1
After parting with Slinky, the place I headed to was none other than the residence where the Kisha princes were staying.
Just as the prince had said, when I presented the item he had given me, I was allowed in without a single question. I waited for a short while in the drawing-room before Haroon Kisha appeared.
“I never thought you’d actually come looking for me.”
“Didn’t you give this to me to use in a time like this?”
I placed the brooch he had given me on the table for him to see.
A faint smile on his face, Haroon slowly approached.
“Of course. It should be used when needed.”
He came and sat opposite me. Standing beside him, as expected, was Ray Kewind.
I haven’t seen Ricardo.
It seemed Ricardo would be somewhere other than the Kisha princes’ residence for a while.
My eyes met Ray Kewind’s, and I gave a silent, gentle smile. She simply gave a slight nod, her expression unchanging.
“So, what is your business?”
“I believe Your Highness is aware of the matter concerning Sir Damian Ditronil.”
“Ditronil?” Haroon repeated. He frowned, feigning ignorance as to what I was asking. He narrowed his eyes as if thinking about something. Soon, as if he had an inkling, his lips began to slowly curve. “Ah, yes. Damian Ditronil.”
I carefully observed the reactions of the slowly speaking Haroon Kisha and the woman beside him, Ray Kewind. Even if Haroon knew nothing about Damian, Ray would be a different story. Ray’s face was still impassive, but when Haroon turned to look at her, her brow twitched slightly.
“It seems the Commander has something she needs to tell me.”
“I was about to submit my report.”
Ray replied calmly, but Haroon just smiled lightly, one corner of his mouth lifting as if he didn’t believe her.
“The black-hearted Crown Prince wouldn’t let the information out that easily.”
“…”
“Isn’t it obvious? You were planning to proceed without me and only tell me when you could no longer hide it.”
“That is a misunderstanding, Your Highness.”
Ray spoke to Haroon, but her voice held no real conviction. In truth, if I hadn’t mentioned Damian, Haroon would have found out much later.
Haroon stared at Ray as if to say, go on. For a moment her eyes met mine, but I turned my head and avoided her gaze.
I felt sorry for Ray, but right now, I had to use every advantage I had.
“Ledgers detailing illegal trade have been found at an orphanage that Damian Ditronil was anonymously sponsoring.”
“So you’re saying he was the one behind it?”
“Under the current circumstances, Ditronil is the only suspect.”
Damian would have insisted he did it to prevent any harm from coming to the children.
“He didn’t seem like that kind of man.”
“One cannot judge a person by their appearance, Your Highness.”
“True. After all, I never thought my own Commander would sideline me.”
“…”
Haroon Kisha seemed to be surprisingly petty, seeing as he kept bringing Ray up.
“So, what is it that you want, my lady?”
“I would like to meet with Sir Ditronil for a moment.”
“Hmm?”
“I have something I need to tell him.”
This time, Ray, who had been listening quietly, spoke first.
“If you tell me, I will pass it on to Ditronil.”
“I’m sorry, but it’s something I wish to say myself.”
For a moment, my eyes met Ray Kewind’s. Her emotionless gaze felt like it was searing my insides, but I forced myself to meet it calmly.
“Is it something that cannot be said later?” Haroon asked, leaning back in his chair.
“If it were, I would not have come to see you, Prince Haroon.”
“Hmm, I can guess the circumstances, but if the Commander’s words are true, then Damian Ditronil is currently being held as a suspect.”
No matter the circumstances, I wouldn’t be able to meet Damian in prison based on a simple acquaintance. Haroon, too, was hesitating to give a ready answer.
What’s needed in a time like this…
…is a single, simple phrase to provoke Haroon.
I slowly opened my mouth.
“I came because I believed this would be an easy matter for you to arrange, Prince Haroon. However…”
I trailed off, worrying my lip. I stood up slowly, feigning an expression that said I now realized this was a difficult matter even for him.
“If it is too difficult, I will take my leave, Your Highness.”
“My lady.”
Haroon’s voice stopped me as I turned to go.
“You certainly know how to provoke a person.”
When I turned back, I saw Haroon’s face, a light laugh playing on his lips, as if to say he knew my intent but would let himself be tricked anyway.
***
As I left the drawing-room, Ray Kewind followed me. A strange silence fell between us as we matched our pace.
“Um…”
In the end, I couldn’t stand it and spoke first.
“Are you angry?”
“Me?”
I nodded at Ray. As I studied her, her face was impassive, but she was so good at hiding her emotions that I couldn’t tell.
At my question, Ray’s lips slowly curved into a smile.
“Why do you think that?”
“Because I said something unnecessary to Prince Haroon?”
“I merely ended up reporting it sooner than planned. There’s no reason for me to be angry over something like that.”
Only after seeing her reassuring smile did I feel at ease.
“However…”
Discussion
0 CommentsNo comments yet.