Chapter 1339

After two days of careful observation, Carissa selected her target: Miles Grant, the deputy head of the Waterworks Department. Thirty-five years old, he had served five years in the Ministry of Infrastructure. Born to a family of farmers and scholars, he'd lost his parents in his youth. To fund his education at prestigious academies, he had exploited his older brother, draining him of all resources.

After passing the national examinations, Miles entered government service. His avarice and miserliness were notorious. He had long since abandoned the brother who'd supported him, discarding him like an old garment. He had also divorced his first wife, citing jealousy, and remarried the daughter of his former mentor, the headmaster of Whitecloud Academy. His mentor had since died, and despite his second wife's noble lineage, she fared no better than the first.

He was contemptible; an ungrateful scoundrel. Yet, such men were useful—consumed by greed and too self-absorbed to conceal their weaknesses. Once controlled, they readily revealed everything.

That night, Carissa ordered Travis into action. Miles was apprehended and taken to a secluded estate on the city's western edge. He was confined in a woodshed, left to languish in darkness. Fear and hunger would weaken him before the interrogation.

Ambushed on his way home, Miles was thrown into a burlap sack before he could call for help. Awakening in a pitch-black room, he assumed he'd been kidnapped for ransom. His hands and feet were bound, and a gag prevented him from shouting. Hours passed, his isolation fueling panic.

When the door opened the next morning, and light flooded the room, he instinctively shielded his eyes. He quickly glanced up, fixing his gaze on the darkly clad figure. The person was dressed as a man, but Miles instantly recognized her: Carissa Sinclair, the Hell Monarch's princess consort.

His initial assumption of banditry was shattered. His voice hoarse and trembling, he stammered, "Your Grace, I don't understand how I've offended you."

Carissa remained silent, sitting on a chair Travis had brought in. Her gaze was steady and inscrutable as her men worked behind her, carrying in an assortment of implements: an iron brazier, tongs, whips, wooden stakes, and a rust-eaten rack.

The sight drained the color from Miles' face. His breath caught. "W-what is this? What are you planning to do?"

Finally, Carissa spoke. "There's no need to panic. I only have a few questions. Answer honestly, and you'll leave unharmed."

Her calm tone surprised him. He attempted composure, adopting a harsh tone. "Your Grace, I am a court official! Kidnapping a servant of the kingdom and conducting a private interrogation—do you not fear the king's wrath? His Majesty will not forgive your transgressions!"

Carissa chuckled. "Are you reminding me that I can't let you leave alive?" Tilting her head, she mimicked a throat-slitting gesture, her dark eyes glinting with menace. Miles' legs buckled. "What...what do you want from me?"

"I told you, I have questions. Answer them, or you will suffer," Carissa replied, her tone edged with impatience.

Travis tossed tongs into the brazier. The flames eagerly consumed the metal as he turned them, the crackling embers filling the room. Miles, accustomed to the Waterworks Department's bureaucratic routine, was overwhelmed. His heart pounded, his eyes wide as he frantically nodded, eager to comply.

Carissa leaned back, crossing her legs. "First question: How much have you embezzled?"

Miles' eyes widened, and he shook his head. But when the red-hot tongs were aimed at his eyes, a scream tore from his throat. "I'll tell you…!"

Travis returned the tongs to the brazier, the hiss of the coals sending sparks flying. Miles' voice trembled. "One… one or two thousand silver coins. I can't remember exactly…" Carissa's eyes narrowed. She picked up the tongs and pressed them lightly against his chest. The searing sound of burning flesh filled the room, followed by Miles' agonized cries.

"Thirty thousand! No, 30,000 silver coins!" he cried, his body convulsing. Sweat streamed down his face as he gasped for breath. "I swear it's the truth! No more lies!"

Carissa tossed the tongs back. "Second question: Does Mr. Judd know you've been embezzling?"

"Yes." His face drained of color.

"And what about him? Has he taken anything?" Carissa's tone sharpened.

"I… I don't know. I really don't know!" Panic crept into Miles' voice. He feared his answer wouldn't satisfy Carissa.