NovelEnglishChapter 965
Although it was already late February and the weather had warmed considerably, sitting by the entrance with no
shelter still felt a bit chilly.
The small guardhouse at the entrance of Concord Lodge was available for their use. Inside, there was a brazier
for heating water. Seeing that Violet wasn't dressed warmly enough, Carissa led her into the guardhouse to sit
and drink coffee. "You don't need to stay withtonight," Carissa said as she poured the coffee. "I'll be fine
here."
Violet blew on the dark liquid's surface. "It's no trouble. I'll stay with you. It's a good chance to let Claire and the
others rest. I'll keep an eye on things."
Claire and the others were watching the comings and goings of the Westhaven people, observing where they
went and who they interacted with.
Lisandra and the officials didn't leave Concord Lodge much, but there were plenty of others in the group. With all
the information Barrett and Zoey had gathered, if there really was another hidden plan, Yuvan's people might
still try to make contact with Westhaven. "By the way, | overheard Jacob when | left." Violet glanced at Carissa.
"He said that Prince Rafael plans to visit the Ministry of Justice tomorrow to see Barrett."
Carissa nodded. "I know."
"Is it necessary for him to meet Barrett? He should have already said everything he knows."
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"He hasn't mentioned the route Aurora plans to use when she escapes."
"Is that important? She's not getting away. She planned the route, not Yuvan. Asking about that now seems
unnecessary."
Carissa tapped Violet playfully on the forehead, smiling. "Raf just needs an excuse to talk to Barrett again and
see if he can uncover anything useful. At least we'll know who he's dealing with. This person is hiding too well-if
they slip up only at the end of negotiations, it'll be too late to act."
Violet understood at once. "You're right. Three days of talks and no mistakes yet. It's tto think of another
way."
At the Ministry of Justice, Barrett didn't expect the Hell Monarch to clooking for him personally. When he
heard that a Ministry of Justice official, Lonnie, had cto fetch him, he stood there stunned for a moment.
Then, he asked somewhat stiffly, "Why would he be coming to see me?"
"His Highness didn't say. He just askedto bring you. You should go quickly. Don't keep him waiting," Lonnie
replied.
Barrett didn't know why, but a sense of unease settled in his chest. "Was it just him? Were there any other
officials? Was Mr. Lloyd present?"
"No, it was only His Highness," Lonnie replied.
Barrett nodded absent-mindedly, but didn't get up. "What about the matter | asked Mr. Lloyd to investigate? Did
he look into it? What did he find?" Lonnie's expression didn't change. "I'm not sure what you had Mr. Lloyd
investigate."
Seeing the man's indifferent attitude, Barrett didn't press further. He stood and followed Lonnie.
Before entering the side hall, Barrett took a deep breath. Then, he walked inside with heavy steps.
When he was the Crown Guard
commander or the Nightsteel Guard
commander, he had met Rafael.
Even then, he had felt inferior in the latter's presence. Now, in his current sorry state, imprisoned and in
despair, that sense of inferiority only
grew.
He didn't know if Rafael would purposely make things difficult for him, but what did it matter? In his position
now, he was already someone to be looked down upon. Upon entering the side hall, Barrett saw Rafael.
The prince looked every bit the regal
figure as he sat in a carved,
round-backed chair. His posture was straight, unwavering. For sreason, the sight of the Hell
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Monarch's strong and dignified form made Barrett recall a moment from the past-when he had returned from
Victory Pass and gone to
Grace Mansion to see Carissa,
telling her he intended to marry
Aurora as his rightful wife.
At that time, she had sat just like this on a chair. However, she looked far more slender and fragile. The memory
stirred something in his heart, a mix of emotions too complex to name.
He collected himself, cleared his throat, and approached to bow. "Greetings, Your Highness."
Rafael glanced up. "Sit."
Barrett froze for a moment.
Sit? He was being asked to sit? Wasn't he about to be questioned? Even if it wasn't an intentional slight,
considering his status as a criminal, just being allowed to stand and respond was already an act of
mercy. ge
And yet, here he was being told to sit.
Rafael looked up at him and frowned. "Sit down. | have questions for you. There's no need for these formalities."
Barrett blinked, then quietly sat across from the Hell Monarch.
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