Chapter 205: The Royal Treasury II
He claimed he had buried the crystals in the dark underground and then dug them up when no one was watching, but Soleia already knew his penchant for lying. She narrowed her eyes at him.
"Did you already have this back when we were trying to smuggle crystals? Answer me wisely, Rafael," Soleia said with deliberate calm, but one had to be deaf to miss the coldness in her voice. Even the elderly Minister Goldstein shifted his ears closer, attracted to the drama.
Meanwhile, Oliver winced and looked at the ceiling, pretending to be nothing more than a piece of stone lying on the ground.
Rafael gulped. He could lie, but then again, what was the point? His biggest lie had already been torn apart, and he could only salvage matters by being honest and by pacifying Soleia.
"Well, yes― but before you try to kill me, please listen," Rafael said pleadingly, holding Soleia’s wrist. "I had this bag, but I couldn’t tell anyone I had this bag. This is the property of the Raxuvia royal family. I was afraid that if you knew about it, you’d connect the dots and blow my cover."
Soleia sucked in a deep breath in an effort to calm herself down. She reminded herself to keep the big picture in mind. At least Rafael was being somewhat honest. She could use his attempt at repentance for her own goals.
"Thank you for being honest," Soleia said, trying her best to radiate kindness and respect. "I have to admit that I’m just a bit miffed. But I understand your concerns."
Rafael’s face broke out in a smile of relief. "You have every right to be. But I swear I would never lie to you again."
"You’d better not," Soleia said, purposely shooting Rafael a mildly disappointed look. "I have been hurt so many times... I wonder how much more I can take..."