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But when she woke up, she spoke in a weak but fiercely defiant tone, “If you have any other tricks up your sleeve, go ahead and use them.”
Naturally, Matthew showed no mercy since she had said that. He put her through every basic form of torture, working to break her stubbornness, but she endured in silence. She didn’t reveal a single thing. keeping her lips sealed tight.
Everyone had anticipated this outcome. After all, the severe punishments had been abolished during the reign of the late king. If they truly resorted to extreme torture, perhaps they could pry something out of her.
Salvador wouldn’t resort to the brutal punishments that Sigmund had abolished. He wouldn’t act against the late king’s wishes, at least not now. With most of the court filled with Sigmund’s old officials, Salvador didn’t want to place himself under public scrutiny.
As Matthew finished reporting, Malcolm arrived.
Sophie, who had been working on the current case files over the past two days, looked up at Rafael and asked, “Should I excuse myself?”
When she returned from the palace, she had talked to Rafael, discovering that he had tossed out the remark without a care because he had waited an hour for Malcolm to show up. If Malcolm hadn’t been informed in advance of the visit, Rafael wouldn’t have been so furious. But the fact that Malcolm went missing after being told clearly showed his dismissive attitude toward Sophie, which had provoked Rafael’s ire.
The prince’s gaze was cold. “He’s likely here about his mistress. This matter was yours to investigate, so no need to step aside.”
“Understood,” Sophie replied, returning to the case files.
Henry hadn’t been tortured yet, but it was likely he would claim ignorance. If he admitted to knowing anything, his entire family would pay with their heads. Most likely, he would stubbornly hold his ground. Malcolm entered, his usual straight posture slumped. He typically walked with a certain dignity, embodying the spirit of a scholar. But today, he entered with his head down, his back slightly hunched.
Rafael had never seen Malcolm in such disarray. It was clear that dealing with affairs at home had been challenging enough. However, he felt no sympathy for him, knowing the man’s arrogance had led him to this point.
With a wave, Rafael dismissed Matthew and the others, preserving Malcolm a little dignity in the process. Once inside, Malcolm stood awkwardly. He didn’t utter a word or even address anyone and simply stood there in a daze. Rafael ignored him entirely, and it was Sophie who broke the silence first.
“Lord Malcolm, please take a seat.”
Slowly, Malcolm bowed his head, acknowledging Rafael with a respectful “Your Highness”, before nodding at Sophie. “Thank you, Commander Devin.”
‘He sat down, having mentally prepared himself for the encounter. But upon arriving at the Supreme Court, all that preparation seemed futile. He would have preferred to be here for corruption than to face this shameful situation.
Malcolm shifted uncomfortably, as if sitting on pins and needles, but he still managed to ask, “Your Highness, what will His Majesty do with these women?
Rafael replied, “You should ask Commander Devin. She’s in charge of this matter.”
Malcolm awkwardly turned to Sophie, his gaze evasive “If I may ask, Commander Devin…”
Sophie cut him off, answering directly, “Lord Lionel has already spoken to me. I’ve informed him that the families can either keep the women or send them to the Capital Guard for centralized supervision. It’s up to you, Lord Malcolm. If you choose to keep them yourself, they cannot leave the capital or have contact with anyone else since the mastermind behind the treason case hasn’t been identified yet.”
Upon hearing this, Malcolm let out a small sigh of relief and inquired, “If we hand them over to the Capital Guard, where will they be taken?”
“We’re currently reaching out to various convents in the capital to find one large enough to accommodate them. The funds seized from the Marquis of Grovehill’s family and Eleanor will cover the expenses.
“A convent?” Malcolm rubbed his knees with both hands, a thoughtful expression on his face. “That means the conditions won’t be very good.”
“Basic needs will be met, but if you’re expecting luxury, you’ll be disappointed,” Sophie stated.
After a pause, she added, “But this is only temporary. Once the treason case is resolved, they will be free to leave.”
“So, as long as the case remains unresolved, they’ll have to stay in the convent.”
“Exactly. However, if you’re reluctant to part with her, you could keep her under your care, but any issues that arise will be your responsibility.”
Malcolm shook his head. “I won’t keep her.”
“If that’s your decision, we will take her away. But I remember you have a daughter with Casey. Do you plan to bring her home or have her follow Casey to the convent?”
With a look of determination, Malcolm replied, “Neither. I will make separate arrangements for her.” Sophie said, “Actually, if Casey takes the child to the convent, life won’t be too harsh. Having a child around means she’ll be given extra care. At that age, being away from both parents isn’t necessarily a good thing.”
Malcolm firmly disagreed. “That’s not something you need to worry about, Commander Devin. She can’t take the child to the convent. There can’t be any children around her.”
Sophie nodded. “Alright, we won’t force the issue. His Majesty has classified the women as victims. If the noble families they lived with don’t arrange anything for them, we will. As for the child, she is your flesh and blood, so I trust you will take good care of her.”
“That is my responsibility and mine alone. You don’t need to concern yourself with it.” Malcolm clearly disliked Sophie’s continued mention of the child. “Is there anything else I need to address? These matters must be reported to His Majesty, right?”
Sophie replied matter??f??actly, “Yes, they must be reported. His Majesty is keeping a close eye on this case, and he already has the list of the women. Therefore, we must account for everyone’s whereabouts.” “Your Highness!” Malcolm looked at Rafael earnestly. ask a favor of you. Please handle this matter. discreetly. It should not be common knowledge.”
Noting the irritation in Malcolm’s tone, Rafael responded with equal bluntness, “I’ll say it again- Commander Devin is in charge of this matter. You’re asking the wrong person.”
Malcolm sighed deeply. “Is it possible to handle this discreetly, Commander Devin?”
“This is already the most discreet handling possible. If hadn’t kept it low??ey, I would have given the case straight to the Supreme Court to inquire. You should understand that this matter shouldn’t have been known by anyone in the Quinton family, Lord Malcolm. It was your oversight. The Supreme Court has plenty of cases to handle, and their officials can’t wait around for your family. We reached out to the Quinton family last, which allowed you to prepare in advance. Strangely, it seems you didn’t take the necessary steps.”
“I wasn’t aware who she was.” Malcolm waved his hand, his expression weary. “As for my household, we already have an explanation. We just need to keep this from spreading outside.”
Sophie replied calmly, “To protect those women, we won’t casually spread any information. You should focus on keeping a close watch on the people in your household, Lord Malcolm.”
Malcolm pressed his lips together, his entire demeanor tense.
Sophie didn’t care how he felt about it, but his unwillingness to cooperate showed his inherent arrogance. Since he had chosen to keep a mistress and enjoy fleeting pleasures, he had to face the consequences alone.
The torture during Henry’s interrogation was relentless, but the spineless man suddenly found his courage and insisted that he knew nothing. He claimed he was just a pawn being used by others.
As the pain intensified, he cried out, “I’ve suffered greally! Eleanor has wronged me the most. My women, my children??hey’ve either been killed or sent away because of her. She’s truly insane! But now, she’s been caught and I can finally free myself from her graspr
The Royal Citadel’s governor, Anthony Klein, personally came to interrogate him. Their methods of questioning and torture were harsher than those of the Supreme Court, yet Henry remained adamant and refused to divulge anything.
The case was reported during the morning court session, and all the officials listened intently. Unlike before, when everyone felt on edge, their hearts had now settled into a steadier rhythm.
Even Yuvan, who hadn’t attended court, was aware that Eleanor and Henry had not implicated anyone. Servants had mentioned that Yuvan and Harvey had visited Harmony Palace, but besides them, other princes had also visited, and Hayden had made one visit as well.
However, this couldn’t be counted as evidence unless they could be heard plotting. After all, as siblings, it was completely normal for them to visit their sister or brother. Furthermore, after Yuvan returned to the capital, he only went to Harmony Palace once. There was no way he could be dragged into this.
At last, the case reached a temporary halt. Salvador issued an edict during the morning court session, placing Eleanor under house arrest at the Heritage Bureau, with the Capital Guard responsible for her transfer. The Supreme Court would continue investigating the treason, and the case would remain open until the masterminds behind it were revealed.
To provide some measure of justice for the victimized women, Henry was given a death sentence on the spot. As for the Marquis of Grovehill’s family, they were deemed accomplices and had their titles revoked. They were demoted to commoners.
However, Salvador did not confiscate their family estate. The wealth accumulated over the years through Eleanor was not seized, but they were ordered to pay out 100,000 silver coins to care for those women. The concubines could return to their hometowns, but all their daughters were to remain in the convent, their expenses covered entirely by the Kingsley family. Once the case concluded, the Royal Management Department would allocate funds to ensure their proper care.
Naturally, the funds from the Royal Management Department came from the assets confiscated from Eleanor.
The case had reached its first resolution, but there was still much work to be done. The Royal Citadel and the Capital Guard needed to collaborate with the Supreme Court to wrap things up.
Without delving into specifics, just addressing the personnel at Harmony Palace required due diligence. Those who deserved punishment had to be punished, and those who warranted exile would face that fate. Yet, sentencing had to follow the law to the letter??here was no room for carelessness.