Chapter 1328

The city was under curfew, with the Capital Guard and Garrison Unit patrolling in shifts. Royal Citadel officers also assisted. At the city gates, Carissa had deployed extra personnel for thorough checks, intercepting suspicious individuals.

Since Alistair's fall from the king's favor, Kevin temporarily commanded the Royal Guard, while Ivan served as the king's trusted bodyguard, maintaining communication between Alistair and others. Homer, Felix, and the Septimus Tetra reconnaissance team were integrated into the Mystic Army, assigned to city guard duties.

Salvador aimed to make the capital an impregnable fortress, finally utilizing those with titles but lacking real positions. Strangely, aside from unusual activity at Willowbrook Estate, covert movement within the city was minimal.

Violet's investigation into the source of food for over a hundred people yielded nothing. Bun, stationed at the kitchen door, observed meals being sent out thrice daily. Willowbrook Estate housed only Hayden, Chaya, Gordon, and their guests; the food volume seemed excessive, even accounting for servants. Hidden chambers or passages were considered, but none were found.

After meal deliveries, Bun inspected the kitchen, finding nothing unusual—a smaller space than even Hell Monarch Estate's kitchen. He checked repeatedly for secret doors, finding none. After several days, he observed the cooks' preparation. They used only the best cuts—a pig's tongue, knuckle, or choice meat; the rest was discarded. Only bellies were taken from twenty to thirty fish, with occasional sashimi preparation; the remainder went into buckets. Other ingredients were similarly treated. Even when preparing servants' meals, much was left over.

Stunned, Bun asked a cook, "Are you throwing all this away?"

The cook chuckled, "Of course not. It would be wasteful. We're sending it to help the poor folk."

Bun followed the cook to Blessed Street, the impoverished district. He observed gaunt, hungry faces. The Willowbrook Estate cart's arrival prompted immediate lines. Daily deliveries seemed routine.

However, Bun noticed a discrepancy. Days of observation suggested the impoverished should not remain so thin if daily food deliveries occurred. Without comment, Bun bid the cook farewell, feigning exploration.

After the cook left, Bun knocked on an alley door. Instead of earlier recipients, a stranger appeared, confused. Smiling, Bun asked, "Prince Hayden's residence sends food daily. Why weren't you here to collect it?"

The man stared, bewildered. "That's not for us. Why would we come out for it?"

"Not for you?" Bun pressed. "Weren't the people waiting for food living here?"

"No, we don't know them," the man replied, swiftly closing the door.

Bun inquired at several houses; all denied receiving food. An annoyed crippled laborer snapped, "If there was free food, would we still be carrying heavy loads? Who are you? Don't accuse us of theft! We've never heard of this royal prince."

Still smiling, Bun offered a small coin pouch. "I'm just asking. No harm intended."

The man's eyes widened; he pocketed the coins. "Ask away."

"Were those people already here?" Bun asked.

"Two or three days," the man replied. "A new batch of beggars appears daily. It wasn't like this before. If my leg wasn't bad, I'd chase them away myself. They're noisy, and I can't rest. I have a family."

Bun understood. The whole kitchen operation was a staged spectacle. He doubted anyone could convince him nothing suspicious occurred at Willowbrook Estate.