Chapter 13: The Warden Swallows His Anger

“Ahem…” Selena’s question caught Rhode off guard. Her deep eyes were full of sorrow. In his previous life, Rhode had always been a sucker for a sob story. But hers was no act: her suffering was real.

Then he remembered that he was supposed to be a useless prince interested only in pleasure. He set his face, folded his hands on his knee and kept his tone polite and restrained.

“Your Majesty, I was in a good mood today, but I believe I was questioning the princess. Please don’t interrupt when I haven’t addressed you.”

Selena was too perceptive to miss his momentary hesitation and pity. The infamous prince’s limits seemed higher than she had expected.

“Forgive me, Your Highness.” She lowered her head, giving him a way to move on, and drew her torn gown together. “I overstepped. As leader of my people, I’ve disgraced myself over half a bowl of spoiled gruel. Please don’t blame Elia; we’ve sheltered the child too well.”

Rhode cursed inwardly. She was difficult to handle, ready to seize on the slightest opening. He couldn’t let her lead him by the nose or the interrogation would become her personal indictment of the empire.

He cleared his throat and turned deliberately to Elia, who was still licking her lips. “You’ve eaten and warmed up, haven’t you?” He tapped the chair. “Now listen to my next question…”

……

Near noon, acrid smoke from a cheap cigar filled the warden’s office. Gray paced behind his broad mahogany desk, the bloodstained hammer discarded on one corner.

“Are you certain?” He stopped and glared at the two guards who had delivered the food. “That useless prince, who thinks with nothing but his lower half, saw the pig slop you brought in and didn’t throw a fit?”

The guards stiffened, sweat running down their foreheads. “No, sir!” one reported, his voice shaking. “His Highness frowned and looked very displeased, but he didn’t lose his temper. He even had the elven princess drink it.”

“Damn.” Gray rubbed his fleshy chin. “That hothead can’t hide a thing. Normally he’d have shouted, smashed things and beaten someone over an insult like that. What’s gotten into him today?”

Gray had intended the spoiled gruel to disgust Rhode and provoke a disturbance. Then he could report it to the First Prince and recover the prisoners. Instead, his provocation had come to nothing.

As he puzzled over it, the half-closed door flew open. A breathless messenger ran in and saluted. “Sir! The Third Prince has left the lower cell. The interrogation is over, and he’s heading for the gate.”

“What? Finished already?” Gray looked at the wall clock. Less than two hours had passed. That wasn’t enough for proper torture, or even for one of Rhode’s usual visits to Spring Breeze House.

“No time to think.” He snatched his sword from the desk and hurried out. “Let’s see what the fool is up to!”

Outside the fortress, the sunlight was dazzling. Rhode yawned and stretched without a trace of dignity. Hongye followed, clutching the huge black trunk and looking thoroughly miserable.

Gray jogged down the steps with several subordinates and forced a flattering smile, uglier than Elia’s attempt earlier. “Your Highness, finished already?” He bowed slightly. “It’s nearly lunchtime. I ought to host you in the warden’s dining room.”

Rhode stopped, looked him up and down and scoffed extravagantly. “Forget it.” He waved, making no effort to hide his disgust. “With the food you serve here, what could you possibly offer me that’s fit to eat? If it makes me sick, all your heads won’t be enough to pay for it.”

Gray’s face changed color, but he kept smiling. “You’re right, Your Highness. Our conditions are too humble.” He rubbed his hands. “Was your interrogation satisfactory? Did you obtain any useful testimony?”

“Is that a question for a watchdog like you?”

Rhode’s face darkened. He stepped forward and slapped Gray’s shoulder twice. “Listen carefully, Warden. I haven’t finished playing with those elves… ahem, interrogating them. I’ll be back tomorrow.”

Gray’s eye twitched. He lowered his head and said nothing.

“And remember this.” Rhode lowered his voice, his tone domineering. “Until my interrogation is over, don’t try anything. You aren’t to lay a finger on those three. If I come back tomorrow and find another wound on them, or a patch of skin missing…”

He paused with a sinister smile. “I guarantee you’ll be fighting the dogs for food in their cage.”

Having delivered the villain’s standard threat, he turned without waiting for a response and strode toward the extravagant carriage. “Hongye, get in! We’re going home for a bath!”