Chapter 91: The Spy Caught!

Livia had just emerged from the woods when a figure suddenly lunged toward her. Marcellus pulled her into a tight embrace with such force that it felt as though he wanted to fuse her into his very being. His body trembled, and hot tears soaked into her shoulder.

"I can't bear to lose you again…" Marcellus's voice was hoarse and shaking, as though pulled from the depths of his chest, filled with endless remorse and deep emotion. "I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…"

Livia froze, caught off guard by his unguarded vulnerability. She had never seen Marcellus like this before—the man who was always calm and calculating now appeared like a lost child, laying bare his fragility in front of her.

"It's okay. I'm fine," Livia said softly, patting his back with a gentle hand, her voice tinged with an unexpected tenderness.

Elias, who had been standing nearby, couldn't hold back his excitement any longer. He stepped forward, his eyes reddened, his tone brimming with suppressed joy. "Livia, you're really safe! I… I…" His voice faltered as he struggled to articulate his emotions, and instead, he simply grabbed her hand tightly, as if to confirm she was truly unharmed.

After a brief outpouring of emotions, Marcellus quickly regained his composure. He released Livia, wiping the tears from his face with the back of his hand, his demeanor shifting back to the composed and decisive leader he was known to be. Without wasting time, he pulled out his phone and called the authorities, summoning both the police and the fire department to manage the aftermath.

Within half an hour, the responders arrived. Firefighters busied themselves among the burnt wreckage, ensuring no embers reignited, while the surrounding water sources proved to be the saving grace that had prevented the fire from spreading to the nearby forest.

As the site was being secured, Marcellus received an update from his men. Peter, following Marcellus's orders, had been leading a search team when they caught someone suspicious. The man had attempted to sneak away and was caught trying to send a message.

"He's definitely the spy you mentioned," Peter reported, his voice steady but tinged with excitement over the successful capture. "We've brought him back for questioning."

Marcellus's brow furrowed as a cold glint flashed in his eyes. His voice dropped low as he instructed, "Keep him under guard. No one gets near him. I'll be there shortly."

Ending the call, Marcellus turned to Livia and Elias. His gaze was calm yet carried a warmth that softened when it rested on Livia. The concern and care in his eyes were impossible to conceal.

"We need to leave here," he said firmly, his deep voice carrying an unshakable determination. "This isn't over yet. We need to uncover who's behind all this."

Livia nodded, gripping the dagger in her hand tightly, her gaze resolute. "Then let's go. There's no time to waste."

Elias hesitated for a moment, his emotions churning, but in the end, he followed them without protest.

The three returned to the castle as night fell. Despite the darkened sky, the tension in the air was palpable, their minds still haunted by the flickering remnants of the fire.

As they stepped into the grand hall, they were met with the sight of Peter and several guards standing over a bound man in the center of the room. The captive looked disheveled, his face pale and scratched from his earlier struggles. His eyes darted around nervously, betraying his unease.

Elias's expression darkened instantly. He strode forward, his piercing gaze locking onto the man's face. His features twisted with anger as recognition dawned.

"You…" Elias's voice was low, laced with restrained fury. His glare was sharp enough to cut. "I know you. You're one of the guards stationed at my secret outpost. A former soldier, weren't you? Starving on the streets, ready to die until I took pity on you. I gave you food, shelter—helped your family get back on their feet!"

The man hung his head, unable to meet Elias's eyes. His body trembled, a mix of shame and fear evident in his posture.

Elias clenched his fists, his breathing growing heavier as he struggled to contain his anger. He turned to Livia, his tone tinged with guilt but resolute. "Livia, you've been through enough today. Go and rest. Leave this to me. I'll make sure he talks, no matter what it takes. But… the methods I'll use won't be pleasant. You shouldn't have to see this."

Livia stared at him silently for a moment before shaking her head, her eyes unwavering. "I'm fine. I want to know who's behind this—who's trying to kill me."

Her words were like a hammer striking their hearts. Marcellus, who had also intended to dissuade her, stopped when he saw the unwavering determination in her gaze. He realized then that the woman standing before him was no longer someone who needed protection. She had faced death and emerged stronger, with the courage to confront whatever lay ahead.

"Very well," Marcellus said quietly, his tone carrying a hint of complex emotion. "If that's your decision, I'll support you. Livia, I'll always stand by your side." His gaze was deep and intense, a silent vow of his commitment to her.

Livia gave him a small, meaningful smile, though her heart was far from at ease. She knew the mastermind behind this was connected to Eryx, The General of the Second Army Group. But without solid evidence, accusing him outright could lead to disastrous consequences. For now, her only hope lay in extracting valuable information from this captured spy.

Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Elias turned to Peter. "Take him to the dungeon. I'll handle the interrogation personally."