“If you asked me whether or not I was a gambling man, I’d say yes, I am.” Still, Raven pushed down his feelings deep inside and smiled back at Henry. “And I’ve never lost a bet. Not once, to this day. And I don’t plan to. Not ever.”
Taking Raven for a sore loser, Henry laughed this off and turned to leave. After waiting for the sound of his footsteps to fade away, Raven slammed his head and arms against the iron bars of his cell.
“Oh, for goodness’ sake...”
He couldn’t help but love dangerous games. Games he could only choose to play because he was free. The feeling of superiority that came with taking the initiative. More than anything, it made him feel alive. He had never felt afraid.
But this was the first time he had ever felt such pain from a gamble, pain in the pit of his stomach. Was he to place his trust in Octavia or not? Realizing that this bet alone was causing him such trepidation, the only thoughts that came to him were of self-deprecation.
“Perhaps this is what it feels like to be caught?” Having both of his legs broken sounded less painful. But the Phantom Thief was not to be trifled with. Grasping the iron bars with both hands, Raven breathed in and out, slowly opening his eyes.
To match her checkered deerstalker cap, an Inverness cape billowed behind Octavia. Ann had said firmly that if she was going to be a detective, this was the only outfit for it. Ann had scolded Octavia, saying, “Though I would like to see you dressed like a queen once in a while,” but everyone knew that such a day would never come.
Thus Octavia entered the audience chamber with her head held high, knowing that right now, she was a detective.
It was all the same as the last time she’d been here, from the round table to the people sitting across from her. The only difference was that Raven would not be sitting beside her. Also, there was a little girl sitting next to Prince Henry. She had black hair and clothes that exactly matched those of the girl in the photograph.
“I shall henceforth submit my report regarding the request I received from Her Majesty the Queen,” declared Henry solemnly, in the manner of a judge declaring his court in session. Immediately, he turned to face the dais where the queen was sitting. “I received word from Edward that this is the girl depicted in the photograph, Your Majesty. If you look at her and the photograph in turn, I think you will see that this is obviously true.”
“Certainly, she does look to be the spitting image. I did not think that you would manage to find her so quickly,” answered the queen dispassionately. Today, as ever, she was hidden behind her curtain of gauze.
“That I was able to find her so promptly was, I believe, thanks to Edward’s abilities. He is quite well-versed in earthbound matters. I hear that he also had the cooperation of the Earl of Reine.”
It seemed that to Henry, ultimately, the current matter hinged on the question of the succession of the House of Reine, and that he intended to ensure that it was Edward who would succeed. Jessie and Octavia’s father looked relieved. Edward turned to look triumphantly in Octavia’s direction.
“All you did was land that bothersome fellow in jail by way of a petty trick. It’s not worth getting angry for his sake, Octavia,” said Hat.
“I am surprised to see that she is alive,” said the queen lightly. “According to the information I possess, she should have been caught in an explosion.” This was a challenge to Henry’s story. Octavia felt her blood run cold. Just how much did the queen know?
Could it be that she knew everything?
But it seemed that Henry had anticipated this much. Without hesitation, Henry answered, “I believe that Edward has something to report concerning that matter. Edward?”
“Yes, uncle. I address this to mother—to Her Majesty, the Queen. There is an inscription on the back of the photograph. It is written in the script of the infamous empire, and it means something to the effect of ‘successful test subject.’ Therefore, I came to the conclusion that there are still rebels loyal to the empire, hatching some plot against us. As I was reviewing all the incidents the inquisitors have investigated up until now, I discovered the existence of a questionable organization that was conducting research on the subject of eternal life a few years ago.”
“Then you are saying that this girl is the successful product of their research?”
“As a matter of fact, she does not appear to age very much. We think that this might explain why her appearance has not changed. These researchers were probably trying to obtain the longevity of angels for themselves. Though this research constitutes blasphemy towards Your Majesty, as you are a being of eternal life, I investigated further in accordance with Your Majesty’s wishes. Unfortunately, due to an accident in their laboratory, no records remain. I can only express my deepest regrets that this girl lost her wits as a result. She can no longer speak, you see.”
“Are you telling me this girl cannot talk?”
Henry, receiving a glance from Edward, pushed the girl forward. “It appears that her larynx was crushed in that same accident.”
Octavia gazed at the girl’s profile. The light of life had gone out of her eyes. If Octavia’s deductions were correct, the poor girl had merely been caught in the crossfire of this squabble.
“No doubt they crushed it themselves. Vulgar bastards,” said Hat, indignation in his voice. Octavia clenched her fists.
“Your explanation seems to be consistent. Now then, Octavia—it was Octavia, was it not?”
If Octavia simply nodded and said nothing. This would end with her losing the earldom of Reine and her mansion. Once, she had thought that this would free her from all these irksome squabbles, and she had not minded.
It was you, Raven, who told me not to run away. There had been no word so far that Raven had escaped. Therefore, it was safe to assume that he was still waiting quietly for Octavia to free him.
“Have you any objections, Lady Octavia?”
“My Queen, that girl is a fake,” Octavia casually declared. The room fell silent. But only for a moment.
Almost immediately, Edward pounded on the round table and shouted, “Why, how dare you speak to Her Majesty the Queen with that tone?”
“I’m terribly sorry, but in the first place, I am not good with words, and when it comes to formalities, I have even less confidence that I’ll be able to get my point across. You don’t mind, do you, Queen? In exchange for your leniency, I’ll tell you what you want to know.”
“Men-at-arms, seize this woman. This is treason.” It was Henry who directed this command.