Lord Warrick's expression changed, uncertainty creeping in as his gaze flicked between us. He quickly donned a polite smile. "Your Grace, you shouldn't concern yourself with such a place. It's cold and unwelcoming. You're far too precious to enter a place like that."
His words carried a clear refusal.
I nodded along, noticing Simon's brow furrowed in confusion, though he was wise enough not to voice it.
Lord Warrick appeared relieved, but before he could fully exhale, I spoke up. "Then, Your Grace, I'll go on my own. You wait here for me."
Turning to Lord Warrick, I added, "Can we go now, my lord?"
His square face twitched, and he stole a glance at Simon's icy stare, trembling slightly. He seemed to reconsider his position. "Of course, I'll have someone escort you immediately, my lady."
The servant leading us was a humble lackey from the High Court, now respectful and deferential, far removed from his previous arrogance.
Once we reached the prison, he dutifully opened an empty cell, explaining that it was where my father had been held.
I followed his gesture, my gaze settling on the cold, empty space. The straw on the ground still bore remnants of blood.
I couldn't tell if it was my father's or someone else's.
My expression dimmed. "I see. You can go now; I'll find my way out."
The servant hesitated, but perhaps fearing Simon's influence, he didn't dare disobey me and retreated quietly.
The cell was dim, with only the occasional crackle from the brazier breaking the silence.
I didn't push the door open but spoke quietly, "Aren't you coming out?"
As soon as I spoke, a figure slowly emerged from the shadows. I looked up and froze for a moment when I recognized his face.
Dressed in black and wearing a mask, he was indeed a strange character.
"You have keen eyes, my lady," he complimented me, yet there was not a hint of warmth in his gaze.
As he stepped closer, I felt an odd familiarity in those eyes, but I couldn't place them right away, so I dismissed the thought.
I pushed the cell door open, stepping inside without a backward glance. "Do as you wish, sir."
I assumed he was another investigator, but my instincts told me something was off.
"…"
From the darkness, I heard a soft chuckle. "You wouldn't want to see me, would you?"
His words puzzled me. I believed we had never met, and I bore him no ill will. Why was there this sense of hostility?