Chapter 8:
Interrogations Are Terrifying
UNEASILY, TRON SAID, “I MERELY FELT APPREHENSIVE about conducting such a ghastly interrogation in the midst of a battle you were helming yourself, Your Majesty. Especially because it could affect troop morale…”
Panamera snorted. “Now that I think about it, the last time Baron Van was attacked, it was Baron Nouveau’s Chivalric Order that was on patrol duty. I wonder who was on patrol last night? We must find the answer as soon as possible.”
Nouveau swallowed audibly, sweat rolling down his forehead. Tron raised his head to look at His Majesty. “W-wait! It sounds like Viscount Panamera has suspected Baron Nouveau since the beginning! Can we really trust any information she acquires? What if she is connected to Yelenetta in some way?”
“Then what would you have me do?” His Majesty asked.
“In consideration of Baron Van’s well-being, I would suggest having someone of a higher rank conduct the interrogation.”
“I see,” said the king, looking troubled. “Very well. However, Baron Van has not been a lord for long. His only close tie among the nobility is Viscount Panamera.”
Tron said hastily, “In that case, I recommend Marquis Fertio. After all, Baron Van is his son. What better ally could he have?” He said this as if it were an exceptionally good idea. His Majesty and Panamera exchanged a brief glance.
“A tremendous suggestion. As you say, they are father and son. In that case, let us proceed quickly. Somebody summon Marquis Fertio!”
One of his nearby guards ran to call for Jalpa. Seeing this, I realized what Panamera’s goal was and had to resist the urge to scream.
This had been all been planned to draw Jalpa out from the get-go. That was why His Majesty had brought up Yelenetta, despite the goal of the attacks on me still being unclear. The reason His Majesty’s words had felt off was that his true objective was to make Tron and Nouveau feel they were in danger. If things proceeded along this path, they would both be convicted of treason and potentially sentenced to death. Tron and Nouveau, as His Majesty predicted, had sensed they were losing control and begun to panic.
For my part, I had no desire to turn up the heat on daddy dearest. At least not yet. I still had preparations to make before I tried that. But this secret game had begun so suddenly that I no longer had any control over what came next. How far were His Majesty and Panamera planning to take this?
Eventually, Jalpa arrived with Stradale, the commander of his Chivalric Order. His fury was plain for all to see, and his icy glare tore Tron and Nouveau to shreds. They prostrated themselves, their faces ashen.
As I observed this, it dawned on me that Tron and Nouveau might have acted on their own. It was just a hunch…but I suspected I wasn’t far off the mark. Of course, daddy dearest was probably at least involved with the first attack and the destruction of my container. And if so, His Majesty would not overlook it.
I kept a close eye on Jalpa, wondering what would happen next.
His Majesty turned to daddy dearest. “Thank you for coming, Marquis Fertio,” he said, sounding a bit irritable.
Jalpa had to respond obediently. “Of course! Might I ask what the matter is?” He likely had a decent idea of what was going on here but was choosing to act ignorant. I wasn’t sure how His Majesty felt about that, but he nodded as though everything was fine.
“Mm, it is a bit of a long story,” His Majesty said, prompting Panamera to grin and raise her hand.
“If it pleases you, I will explain the situation.”
“That would be wonderful.”
Panamera walked Jalpa through the events. Jalpa shot the assassins a resentful glare. “It is shameful,” he said angrily, “to attack someone in their sleep! I will see to their interrogation myself and get to the truth of the matter!”
A look of open relief washed over Tron and Nouveau. For noblemen, they sure did wear their hearts on their sleeves.
Unfortunately for them, Panamera was not so lenient. “No, no, Marquis Fertio. I couldn’t possibly trouble you with something like an interrogation. And besides, as Baron Van’s sole ally, I believe myself best suited to perform this task.”
Jalpa choked back whatever he was about to say. He could probably brute-force his way through this, but it would raise questions about his behavior—a dangerous risk to take in front of His Majesty. However, if Panamera performed the interrogation, Tron and Nouveau’s plot would eventually come to light, and that in turn would raise suspicions about Jalpa. If His Majesty dangled a death sentence in front of Tron and Nouveau, they might well talk, and Jalpa would find himself driven into a corner. With only these two options to choose from, it was obvious which he would take.
Just as I anticipated, Jalpa decided to brute-force his way through. “Viscount Panamera, I am grateful for your friendship with Baron Van. However, please consider my position as a father, knowing that my own son was attacked.” He stepped toward Panamera, glared at her, and said in a low, menacing voice, “Leave this to me.”
Panamera widened her eyes and observed Jalpa’s expression for a few seconds. Finally she let out a breathy laugh and shrugged. “I suppose I have no choice. I had no idea that you cared so deeply for your son! I would love to share this heartwarming tale with my friends.” Leaving him to chew on those words, she walked over to me. “Baron Van, are you amenable to your father handling the interrogation?”
She was giving me the final say in the matter. His Majesty was looking at me too, his lips quirking up at the corners.
I sighed and glanced at Jalpa. Never in my life had I seen that expression on his face. “Father… Marquis Fertio. I would like you to handle the interrogation.”
Jalpa looked shocked. Tron and Nouveau both sank to the floor. I watched them carefully, then turned to His Majesty and Panamera. The king was looking at me with great interest, while Panamera looked furious.
I see. Panamera must have come up with this idea. I don’t know how eager the king was about it, but at least I don’t seem to have pissed him off.
Relieved, I turned back to Jalpa, who observed me in silence. I gave him my best, most natural smile. “I am counting on you, Father,” I said, bowing my head.
He frowned and tucked his chin in.