Chapter 280: The Killer of The Lightning Spirit (2) The Duke’s Part
As Lyan and Griselda approached the Duke’s prison cell, they heard muffled voices. The sound of anger and frustration seeped through the thick wooden door, punctuated by the occasional thud of something heavy hitting the walls. They exchanged a glance, and Griselda’s eyes hardened with determination.
Inside, they found Julius and Crown Prince Erich, both visibly shaken and furious. The Duke sat chained to a chair in the center of the cell, his face a mask of defiance. Julius was pacing back and forth, his hands clenched into fists, while Erich leaned against the wall, his face twisted in a mix of rage and grief.
"You know where she is," Julius growled, his voice raw with emotion. "You had a hand in her death, didn’t you? Tell us!"
The Duke remained silent, his eyes fixed on a point on the floor. His refusal to speak only seemed to fuel Julius’s anger. "You owe us that much, at least," the captain of the knights continued, his voice cracking. "We deserve to know who took her from us. Why did she die, who is she fighting!"
Erich stepped forward, his expression dark. "You were seen with Loris, conspiring with the nobles of Redania. We have witnesses, evidence. We know you played a role in the unrest, in widening the gap between the nobles and commoners. Why? What did you hope to gain!?"
The Duke’s silence was infuriating, a wall of stubbornness that seemed impenetrable. Erich’s hands clenched at his sides, flames flickering around his fingertips. "Damn you!?" he shouted, his voice trembling with barely suppressed rage. "You sit there, silent, while we suffer, while we grieve. Do you have any idea what it feels like? You’ve promised me, Ravindor. You promised me that we’ll reach the end we all want! So why...? Why change your mind and betray me...?"
The interrogation went on for over an hour, each minute stretching painfully as the Duke refused to answer their questions. Julius’s voice grew hoarse from shouting, and Erich’s flames flared dangerously, casting eerie shadows on the walls.
Lyan glanced at Griselda, who stood hidden in the shadows, her face unreadable. He respected her privacy, understanding the complex emotions she must be feeling. As someone who was supposed to be dead, it was bittersweet to see people she cared about in such pain, striving for years to uncover the truth.
Finally, Erich’s patience snapped. He punched the stone wall with a force that shook the room, flames erupting from his fists and leaving scorch marks. "I can’t stay here, not any longer," he spat, his voice thick with emotion. "I’ll kill him if I do."
With a final, seething glare at the Duke, Erich stormed out of the cell, Julius following close behind. The door swung shut behind them, leaving the Duke alone with his thoughts—and his tormentors.
Griselda and Lyan stepped into the dim light of the cell. The Duke’s eyes widened in surprise, but he didn’t show any fear. Instead, a resigned look settled on his face. "I see," he murmured, his voice calm. "What an unexpected outcome."