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Chapter 1314
Chapter 1314
It had been six days since the Earl of Silverstone’s family was imprisoned, and not a single tear had fallen from Zoey’s eyes.
But now, in Carissa’s presence, her eyes suddenly reddened. She quickly turned her head, her voice breaking as she whispered, “Thank you, Your Grace, for visiting a prisoner like me.”
Carissa looked at Zoey, who was dressed in coarse prison garb, her disheveled hair concealing a face grimy with dirt. The dignified and graceful woman she once was seemed barely recognizable.
“You have suffered, Madam Zoey,” Carissa said softly
Zoey quickly masked her sorrow and replied, “I’m not concerned for myself, but I fear for the children. Your Grace, what does His Majesty intend to do with us? Will we be executed?”
Carissa gently pulled her into a seat. “If His Majesty sought to execute you out of anger, he would have done so by now. He means to use you to draw Mr. Prince back. If he surrenders, your punishment will be lightened.”
Zoey shook her head. “Impossible. He will never surrender.”
“He won’t, but we’re doing everything we can to bring him to justice.
Carissa opened her bundle and pulled out a packet of medicine, placing it before Zoey.
“Do not worry about the outside world. Focus on protecting yourself. My senior guild member has sent people to find Mr. Prince, and Isaac is working on your behalf in secret. The medicine and food you gave out before have had a great effect, and now many common people are speaking out for you.”
At these words, Zoey could no longer hold back the tears. They streamed down her face in a torrent. Thank you, Your Grace, and thank you to my younger brother–in–law. I am truly grateful.‘
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”
These past few days, her heart felt like it was being consumed by fire. Zoey hated Oliver with every fiber of her being, wishing for nothing more than to tear him apart. The hatred threatened to swallow her sanity, but she managed to keep her composure for the sake of the children.
She hadn’t held out much hope, as Oliver’s crime of deserting his post and shaking the morale of the army was far too serious. However, hearing that Carissa and others were working on their behalf brought a glimmer of hope back to her heart and touched her.
“I’ve labeled all these medicines with their uses,” Carissa said, tucking away the remaining packet. “I hope you won’t need them. I’ll send this batch to Cedric and the others. Don’t worry. Deputy Commander Kimber won’t be too harsh with you. Just remember–stay calm, avoid making a scene, don’t speak with defiance or anger.”
“How are Caspian and Cedric Zoey wiped away her tears, her voice urgent with concern.
“They’re both fine. You need not worry.” Carissa reached out and gently adjusted Zoey’s disheveled hair. She felt something crawling on the back of her hand, and she subtly brushed it off.
and
It was lice. The prison was crawling with them–rats, lice, and woodlice, all a misery to endure.
Looking closer, Carissa noticed Zoey’s neck and hands were covered in red, swollen bumps. They were
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Chapter 1314
clearly from bites, and the sight of them was alarming
“I can’t provide you with other food or clothes, only medicine for survival during crucial times. I also have a few bottles of ointment that you can apply to the areas where you’ve been bitten by lice.”
“Thank you…thank you so much!” Zoey’s voice trembled with gratitude. Her greatest fear had been the illness that often plagued the prisoners, but with the medicine, she felt a bit more at ease. “As for food and clothing, there’s no need to trouble yourself. The prison may be damp and filthy, but the meals are served twice a day, and we manage to eat.‘
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Carissa didn’t say much more. The suffering was inevitable–if they didn’t endure some hardship, Salvador wouldn’t calm down.
She left with the medicines, choosing not to visit the men’s cells. Instead, she had Galen deliver a package there. She thanked Galen sincerely, but he quickly waved it off.
“No need for such formalities, Your Grace. It’s no trouble.”
Carissa watched him deliver the medicine, and only when he returned empty–handed did she feel at ease enough to leave.
With that, there was nothing else Carissa could do for the Earl of Silverstone’s family. As long as they could hold on,
the dawn would come.
Taking Violet and Cynthia with her, Carissa made use of her leave to begin an investigation into the royal relatives, the noble families, and the influential figures in the capital.
Before Rafael left, he had mentioned someone to her though he hadn’t had the chance to verify the details. He had said there was a 50 to 60 percent chance this person was involved. He urged her to keep an eye on them and, if possible, dig into their network of connections.
