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“I will consider it carefully,” he said. “I will issue another arrest warrant for Mr. Prince and post a notice saying that if he surrenders on his own, his family will receive a lighter sentence.”
Zoey’s good deeds were truly a model for noblewomen, and even Salvador was deeply moved. Anthony stepped forward and said respectfully, “Understood, Your Majesty. I will carry out your commands.
Sophie had not yet returned to her official position-she was still on leave. However, this gave her a certain freedom, allowing her to move about as needed.
The royal edict had already been sent by swift riders to the Southern Frontier. Although the Southern Frontier’s military trusted Rafael, having a royal edict in hand would make everything much more legitimate.
The Ministry of Defense had also shipped the newly produced six-barreled matchlocks to the Southern Frontier. This was their first use on the battlefield, and there was great anticipation for what they might bring to the fight.
The war at the Southern Frontier had begun to stir a sense of urgency in the capital.
Curfews were imposed, and inns and taverns were strictly inspected. Even the more disreputable places, like the brothels, were under scrutiny. The Sandorian spies uncovered at the gentlemen’s retreats had raised suspicions that others may still be operating in the city.
Though Sophie was on leave, Michael and Max occasionally kept her informed of the situation. It was Max who brought her the news that Salvador had decreed that if Oliver turned himself in, his family might receive a lighter sentence.
Sophie felt frustrated. Even now, Salvador failed to understand Oliver.
Didn’t Oliver know that this flight would bring ruin to his family?
He knew, but he didn’t care.
Oliver was disloyal, unjust, lacking in compassion, neglectful of his duties to his family, and without a shred of decency. Such a man couldn’t possibly be relied upon to surrender voluntarily.
Sophie went to the Arcane Sanctum and collected several medicinal preparations from Sebastian before personally visiting Astral Prison.
The Earl of Silverstone’s family, with its elderly and children, could manage with meager food and drink. But if they fell ill, their chances of recovery were slim. Without proper care, they would only wait for death. Galen personally oversaw Astral Prison. If someone were to send a random servant in, they would never be allowed entry. So, Sophie had to go herself. Although Galen didn’t dare to stop her, he was still cautious and asked to inspect the medicines she brought in.
He sent for the physician, who examined the remedies and said, “These are common medications: treatments for colds, heatstroke, summer heat, diarrhea, vomiting, as well as some ointments for itching and poison removal.”
Seeing that the medicine contained no poison, Galen immediately allowed her to proceed.
However, Sophie had one more request. She wished to meet with Zoey alone and asked Galen to bring her to the interrogation room.
Galen was well acquainted with Kevin and knew that Kevin’s master was Violet. Though he did not dare to approach the Hell Monarch’s household himself, the connection made him feel a little familiar with them. He immediately agreed and personally went into the prison to get Zoey.
When he announced that he would take Zoey to the interrogation room, Courtney and Luna grew nervous. They insisted on accompanying her, and even the daughters of the concubines from the household, though frightened, clung to Zoey.
However, Viola stepped back and hid behind Evelyn.
Galen noticed this and calmly said, “Quiet down. It is Lady Sophie who wishes to see her.”
Upon hearing Sophie’s name, everyone sighed in relief. Evelyn immediately struggled to her feet and grasped Zoey’s hand, saying, “Lady Sophie has come to see you-it’s a good opportunity! You must ask her to save us and inquire about Oliver’s whereabouts.”
Zoey quietly withdrew her hand, offering no response. Her eyes were cold and indifferent. As Galen opened the prison door, she lowered her head and stepped out, offering only a simple thank you.
Galen observed her, noting that Zoey was truly adaptable. If she had maintained her usual arrogance upon entering the prison, the guards would have tortured them beyond endurance.
It had been six days since the Earl of Silverstone’s family was imprisoned, and not a single tear had fallen from Zoey’s eyes.
But now, in Sophie’s presence, her eyes suddenly reddened. She quickly turned her head, her voice breaking as she whispered, “Thank you, Your Grace, for visiting a prisoner like me.”
Sophie looked at Zoey, who was dressed in coarse prison garb, her disheveled hair concealing a face grimy with dirt. The dignified and graceful woman she once was seemed barely recognizable.
“You have suffered, Madam Zoey,” Sophie said softly.
Zoey quickly masked her sorrow and replied, “I’m not concerned for myself, but I fear for the children.
Your Grace, what does His Majesty intend to do with us? Will we be executed?”
Sophie gently pulled her into a seat. “If His Majesty sought to execute you out of anger, he would have done so by now. He means to use you to draw Mr. Prince back. If he surrenders, your punishment will be lightened.”
Zoey shook her head. “Impossible. He will never surrender.”
“He won’t, but we’re doing everything we can to bring him to justice.”
Sophie opened her bundle and pulled out a packet of medicine, placing it before Zoey.
“Do not worry about the outside world. Focus on protecting yourself. My senior guild member has sent people to find Mr. Prince, and Isaac is working on your behalf in secret. The medicine and food you gave out before have had a great effect, and now many common people are speaking out for you.”
At these words, Zoey could no longer hold back the tears. They streamed down her face in a torrent. “Thank you, Your Grace, and thank you to my younger brother-in-law. I am truly grateful.”
These past few days, her heart felt like it was being consumed by fire. Zoey hated Oliver with every fiber of her being, wishing for nothing more than to tear him apart. The hatred threatened to swallow her sanity, but she managed to keep her composure for the sake of the children.
She hadn’t held out much hope, as Oliver’s crime of deserting his post and shaking the morale of the army was far too serious. However, hearing that Sophie and others were working on their behalf brought a glimmer of hope back to her heart and touched her.
“I’ve labeled all these medicines with their uses,” Sophie said, tucking away the remaining packet. “I hope you won’t need them. I’ll send this batch to Cedric and the others. Don’t worry. Deputy Commander Kimber won’t be too harsh with you. Just remember-stay calm, avoid making a scene, and don’t speak with defiance or anger.”
“How are Caspian and Cedric?” Zoey wiped away her tears, her voice urgent with concern.
“They’re both fine. You need not worry.” Sophie reached out and gently adjusted Zoey’s disheveled hair. She felt something crawling on the back of her hand, and she subtly brushed it off.
It was lice. The prison was crawling with them-rats, lice, and woodlice, all a misery to endure.
Looking closer, Sophie noticed Zoey’s neck and hands were covered in red, swollen bumps. They were clearly from bites, and the sight of them was alarming.
“I can’t provide you with other food or clothes, only medicine for survival during crucial times. I also have a few bottles of ointment that you can apply to the areas where you’ve been bitten by lice.”
“Thank you…thank you so much!” Zoey’s voice trembled with gratitude. Her greatest fear had been the illness that often plagued the prisoners, but with the medicine, she felt a bit more at ease. “As for food and clothing, there’s no need to trouble yourself. The prison may be damp and filthy, but the meals are served twice a day, and we manage to eat.’
Sophie didn’t say much more. The suffering was inevitable-if they didn’t endure some hardship, Salvador wouldn’t calm down.
She left with the medicines, choosing not to visit the men’s cells. Instead, she had Galen deliver a package there. She thanked Galen sincerely, but he quickly waved it off.
“No need for such formalities, Your Grace. It’s no trouble.”
Sophie watched him deliver the medicine, and only when he returned empty-handed did she feel at ease enough to leave.
With that, there was nothing else Sophie could do for the Earl of Silverstone’s family. As long as they could hold on, the dawn would come.
Taking Violet and Cynthia with her, Sophie made use of her leave to begin an investigation into the royal relatives, the noble families, and the influential figures in the capital.
Before Rafael left, he had mentioned someone to her-though he hadn’t had the chance to verify the details. He had said there was a 50 to 60 percent chance this person was involved. He urged her to keep an eye on them and, if possible, dig into their network of connections.