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Dark Moon Third Arc (Fallen Heart) - 381. Interrogation
🕑 Added 2025-03-13 15:28:23 +0000 UTCThird Arc (Fallen Heart) - 381. Interrogation
Angel leaned back in his chair, one hand resting lightly against the armrest while his other fingers tapped idly against his thigh. The room was dimly lit, only the soft flicker of candlelight illuminating the space as the faint sounds of maids moving about filled the air. Rose was in the next chamber, her attendants busy changing her dress while they chatted in hushed tones.
To anyone looking in, Angel appeared like a king who had finally allowed himself to relax after a long night. His shirt was unbuttoned at the top and his posture was deceptively lazy. But in reality, his mind was far from rest.
His eyes were closed, his breathing steady, but in the air before him, a small, glowing eye floated—a projection of his power, unseen by anyone outside of its target. His Evil Eye hovered silently in the middle of a different room, where Lord Darius stood, arms crossed, watching the tied-up man sitting before him.
Angel focused, listening carefully.
“Let’s start with something simple,” Darius said, his tone sharp but measured. “Who exactly gave you your orders? Be honest with me.”
The man remained silent at first, his jaw tight, his hands bound behind the chair. He had already been searched; there were no weapons, no hidden trinkets, nothing that could get him out of this.
Darius sighed, pacing slowly. “You understand that if you lie, this situation will only get worse for you?”
The man exhaled through his nose. “I already told you. Prince Jake.”
Darius stopped, turning his sharp gaze toward him. “And I told you—I don’t believe you.”
The man scoffed. “What do you want me to say? That I was sent by a ghost? A shadow?”
Darius’s jaw tensed. “I want the truth.”
Angel smirked slightly. ‘Good.’ Darius was pressing him, but he wasn’t jumping to conclusions. That meant Angel’s decision to leave the spy with him was already proving useful.
The man let out a dry chuckle. “The truth is, you’re scared. You’re scared that your precious position as the king’s trusted man might not be as stable as you think.”
Darius’s expression darkened. “Watch your tone.”
Angel watched the exchange unfold, letting the tension build. Darius wasn’t the type to break easily, and the spy was either very bold or very stupid to push him.
The man shifted in his seat. “You can’t threaten me, Lord Darius. If I die here, people will know. That’s how these things work.”
Darius didn’t flinch. “You seem to misunderstand your position. You’re not going to die—not yet. But you will talk.”
The man’s smirk faltered for a moment.
Darius stepped closer. “Let’s make one thing clear. If you were sent by Prince Jake, he will know you were caught. If you weren’t, and you’re lying to cover for someone else, that will come out as well. Either way, you’re not leaving this palace until I have answers.”
The man hesitated. “And what if I have nothing more to say?”
Darius’s voice was low, dangerous. “Then you’ll stay here until you do.”
Silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken threats.
The man wasn’t breaking—yet. But he wasn’t denying his story either. Was he truly a pawn of Prince Jake, or was he trying to manipulate the situation into something more dangerous?
Darius leaned forward, his expression sharp, unwavering. He wasn’t in the mood for games.
"You still haven't answered the question," Darius said, his voice calm but edged with steel. "Why would Prince Jake send you without the king’s permission?"
The man exhaled slowly, as if debating whether or not to answer. Then, with a quiet chuckle, he lifted his gaze. "Because the king won’t be around much longer to give permission."
Darius stiffened. "What?"
The man tilted his head slightly. "You know it as well as I do. The king’s condition is getting worse. It won’t be long before he’s gone, and when that happens, the throne will pass to Prince Jake—whether he wants it or not."
Darius’ jaw tightened. He had heard whispers, of course. The king had been unwell for some time, but to hear it spoken so plainly, so confidently, made it feel much more real.
"That still doesn’t justify sending an agent unannounced to another kingdom," Darius said, his voice clipped. "That’s as good as an act of provocation."
The man scoffed, shaking his head. "You still don’t get it, do you?"
Darius narrowed his eyes. "Then explain it to me."
