Chapter 7: Interrogation Room

Ethan and I talked till midnight. Perhaps it's one of the effect of the drug or he was simply tired from his emotion outburst, I came to notice that he had fallen asleep when I didn't get a response during our conversation. Chuckling a bit, I covered him with a blanket and left the room with the unfinished cocoa. For safe precautions, I locked the door and kicked the key back into the room.

No one should be able to enter now.

Grabbed myself a torch and began heading towards my next destination. Along the way, I emptied the cup down the underground sewer system and discarded the cup by smashing it into pieces.

It would be troublesome if someone knew what I did tonight.

As I proceed deeper into the tunnels, the pained cries began to echo from afar. I continued on walking, not being affected by the noise until I finally came to a stop in front of a metallic door in which the noises originated from. Raising my hand, I knocked on the door three times and and noise began to die down from within. I didn't have to wait long to hear the door gets unlock, then Estella pushed the door open.

"Ho? I kind of expect that you would come in the morning instead? Aren't you like extremely particular about bed times? "Estella laughed as she steps aside to let me through.

"I am willing to sacrifice a bit of my sleep time for far important things. You of all people knows how far I'm willing to go when it comes to my family. "Randomly hanging the torch on the side of the door, I stepped inside of Estella's secret room. Or perhaps, it would be more accurate to describe it as her personal interrogation room.

As soon as I came inside, the two assassins who I caught during the day was being chained onto the wall. They're practically stripped down to their underwear with bruises, blood and water covering their entire body. Judging from Estella's equipment and the state of our prisoners, it's not hard to tell that Estella had entertained them with everything she had on her book. Before I could start questioning Estella on the progress, a soft thud sound on the center of the room caught my attention.

The executioner had offered me a cushioned chair.

"Ah, thank you. "Taking upon his offer, I gave him my right hand and he helped me to sit down. He was being such a dear for being so gentle that it's difficult to imagine that he was the one who inflicted all those injuries onto the two prisoners.

Perhaps that's what Estella like about him.

"Ted, show my sister our results. "Estella said proudly as she sat down onto the armchair with her legs crossed. Ted nodded and carefully picked up an item from the table before presenting it to me.

"Oh my, it seems that we have hit the jackpot. "I was extremely pleased with what I saw. It's an emblem with a rather familiar symbol on it.

"Baroness Livia was the one who opened the door for these two buffoons. What do you think? Can I charge her for treason? "Estella smirked as she shared her thoughts.

"Unfortunately it's still too early for that. After all, their target is the Meala Prince. The outcome of a successful assassination will result in a war with Meala. It's difficult to directly link her to treason. But, this is inevitably an attempt to mingle with our succession war. She has a son who is at my age, I believe she's trying to make you leave for war and use the opportunity to approach me. If I marry her son as consort, the Baroness's family will inevitably raise in great heights in society. It will be even more so, if I become Empress. So, you can't rid her yet, after all, it's only a simple plan to remove you from the capital. "I analyzed.

"Still, she let assassins into our empire. I don't believe it's wise to just leave her be. "

"Of course, she must be removed. We must nip the bud but I still have use for this clown. So, I'll just let her dance a bit longer. Though, you can use the emblem to scare her a bit during the wait. "

"Ho? Now that sounds fun. "Estella waved her hand and Ted proceeded to keep the emblem in a safe location.

"So, what about you? Manage to get info out of them? "Eyeing on the two men, I asked Estella if she had achieved her goals.

"No, in fact, Ted and I had to stop them from committing suicide for a few times. I believe that they're probably trained as Shadows in Meala. "Estella sighed in defeat. My gaze narrowed at the word.

Shadows. As per the name suggests, it is a group of elites who functions in the shadows. Specifically, people who would do the dirty work for the imperial family. Shadows are only a name used by the imperial family in Femalia as it is not an uncommon occupation. I wouldn't be surprise that Meala had their own group of elites at their disposal. I must say, I was rather disappointed by the quality of these men.

If they are the Shadows of Femalia, they would've immediately taken their lives the moment I had the guards surround them. For them to be still alive at this moment, it means that they still believed that they have a chance to survive.

Hmph, stupid men. Do they really think I would just forgive and forget after they dared to touch what's mine? If the hope to survive is what they desired, then I guess I'll give it to them.

"Sister, do you wish to question them more? "I asked with a rather 'innocent' smile on my face. But, I know well that I could fool Estella.

"Oh boy, your scary side is showing again. Well, technically I couldn't get anything out of them anyways. So..... Do as you please I guess? "Estella scooted away from me a bit, making me chuckle at her reaction.

"Then, I guess I'll take upon the offer. So, can I have that 'thing'? "I asked. Estella thought for a wild struggling to remember what I meant, but Ted understood well. He pulled out a box from the shelf and showed it to Estella. Her eyes slightly widened at the sight of it, but she ended up laughing instead.

"Well, they're all yours. "Estella stated and Ted opened the box and presented them to me. A smile appeared on my face as I took out two tablets of different colors from the box. Afterwards, I turned to the two men where they visibly flinched when our eyes met.

"Well, I hate to break it to you boys. When you mess with the Empire, the Empire will make sure you pay. But, consider yourselves lucky. I wanted to deliver a message to your employer, so one of you get to go home scot-free. "Toying with the tablets, I briefly explained the game to the two of them.

"There's two tiny pills here. One is deadly poison and the other is vitamins. I believe you two are smart enough, so make your pick or else I'll pick it for you. "Holding each tablet upwards, I opened up the opportunity for them to choose. But, they casted they gaze away instead, refusing to choose so, I abide by my word.

"Make a pick, sister. "I stated as I toss her one of the tablets.

"Ahaha, the one with the ugly mustache. "Estella laughed as she made her choice before standing up from her seat. Holding the remaining tablet, I tried to stand to join my sister but a hand was offered to me instead.

"You sure? "I asked and he nods. Having no reason to reject him, I hand over my tablet to Ted where he joined Estella from the side.

"Oh my, aren't you a dear? "Having a smirk on her face, Estella grabbed Ted by his chin and pecked him on his lips. Ted shuttered before jumping away in embarrassment. Even with his back facing me, I could see how red his ears are.

"Ugh, save me some decency would you? "I complained and Estella laughed. Then, in unison, the two couple stripped off the cloth around the two prisoners' mouth and shoved the tablets straight in. The two struggled but they are no match for the great general of the Empire as well as the man who had voluntarily done all of Estella's dirty work. After making sure that the tablet had went down their throats, the two couple released their prisoners and Ted handed Estella a towel to clean herself. It didn't take long to get our results.

Soon, the man with the scar on his face began choking with blood coming out from his ears, nose and eyes. His body began to twitch vigorously as red bubbles came out from his lips. After a good 10 seconds, his eyes rolled upwards and all movements eased from his body. The surviving one watched it all, frightened by the sight yet dared not to make a sound.

"Well, aren't you a lucky fella. "I giggled as I teased the survivor. Ted on the other hand proceed to remove the body from the scene, leaving Estella and me alone with the last prisoner.

"Well then, my dear messenger. What I wanted you to do is simple. "Taking out a paper with my seal on it, I tossed it towards the man.

"Tell your king, the next time he sends people for Ethan, he'll be messing with the Empire's second princess consort. If he's smart enough, he should know what are the consequences to harm the Empire's imperial family. Especially me. Though, if he doesn't believe me, do tell him to investigate what I have done to my own father after he had dared to touch my men. "With a proud smile on my face, I relayed the message and Estella knocked that man out cold as soon as I'm done.

"Just throw him out of the Empire's borders. He would be able to crawl back to Meala on his own. "Letting out a sigh, I got up from the chair, wanting to return to my room.

"After what you've done to Uncle, I'm surprised that you would let this one live. "Estella commented as she carried the many on her shoulder like a sack. I couldn't help but to laugh at her naivety.

"If you are a proud ruler and your shadow returned not only empty handed, but also your enemy had learned of your plans and knew that you are the one behind the scenes. What would you do? "I hinted.

"...…. Unless this buffoon shares the same bond with the King as you and Dawn, he's dead meat. "Estella sighed, perhaps a bit disappointed that I'm not as benevolent and kind as she hoped that I would be.

"Being a saint won't help you protect what's dear to you. You of all people should know that. "Placing my hand protectively over my abdomen, I let out a sigh before stepping out of Estella's interrogation room.

"Yeah...… I know. "Estella responded as she watched me leave. Even though she doesn't show it much, but I could sense it.

She missed that weak innocent little girl who would follow her everywhere.

I'm sorry, Estella. I could no longer go back to those days.

The price I have to pay is far too great.