Chapter 768

Eleanor tilted her head, her laughter fading as she spoke earnestly. “It has always been Jacob who contacted me. Remember? You said you couldn't show your face and couldn't let anyone gain leverage over you. So, after you first mentioned your plans to rebel, Jacob handled everything. If you bring him here and interrogate him rigorously, the truth will come out, won't it? Oh, and later, when you returned from the battlefield, Carissa, besides Jacob, was the one who contacted me. Wasn't she the one who had those martial artists deliver the weapons? Just bring her in—she'll confess under torture, too.”

A slow smile crept across her face. “But if you don't torture them, you can't torture me either. That would be unequal treatment. Besides, since I'm pointing to you as the mastermind, you can't be in charge of this case. Get someone else.”

Rafael replied, “You don't need to worry about that. The king will decide after reviewing your testimony. If he deems it necessary to change the interrogator, you won't see me again.”

Eleanor looked at him, smiling, but her eyes were filled with malice. “I truly hope I never see you again. You're revolting! A prince known for your military achievements, yet you married a divorced woman. That's how you've disgraced our royal family.”

Rafael reminded her, “You're no longer part of the royal family. You don't need to worry about that.”

Eleanor huffed. “You have no shame! I insult you, and you don't even get angry. Your shamelessness is infuriating! If you didn't have leverage over me, do you think I would have let myself be used by you in this treasonous plot? You're useless! You were too scared to keep weapons in your own home, so you hid them in mine instead. Many of those weapons—including the armor—were smuggled back from the Southern Frontier battlefield by you.”

The scribe turned pale, terrified by the implications. Should he be recording all of this? Once written, the testimony needed to be submitted to Salvador. This was the first interrogation, and the king would surely want to know everything Eleanor had said.

Rafael nodded, his expression neither angry nor amused. “Write down everything she says.”

A venomous glint flickered in Eleanor's eyes. “Of course, the harder I bite, the more you can distance yourself. But don't think you can escape, Rafael! You've ruined me, and I won't let you off the hook. Even if I'm headed for hell, I'll drag you down with me! His Majesty is sharp and will uncover the truth. Rafael Sanford, you're the real traitor plotting rebellion! I'm just a pawn in your game. The world will see your true colors. Those who say I conspired to rebel are blind and foolish. I'm just a woman with no sons—what purpose would treason serve me? Our kingdom doesn't even allow female officials. How could they accept a queen to rule the kingdom?”

“Women do hold official positions now,” Rafael corrected. “Take Carissa, for example, the one you claim is conspiring with me. She's now the commander of the Mystic Army. She oversees the Capital Guard, the Garrison Unit, the Royal Guard, and the Crown Guard. She's also involved in the investigation into your rebellion.”

Eleanor froze, then fury ignited in her eyes. “Her? Hah! His Majesty is truly confused! He's setting such a precedent for her again and again, just for Hector's merit. Is it not enough that she enjoys a lifetime of wealth and power? Now she's even been given real authority? The Mystic Army is the city's shield. Does he want to destroy himself?”

Rafael smiled. “I think His Majesty's decision is quite wise. Commander Sinclair's capabilities are evident, and her family has been loyal to the court and the king. They despise traitors who disrupt the country. With her guarding the city, any traitor attempting rebellion has no chance of success. Those who have plotted for years may find their efforts wasted.”

“You're insane!” Eleanor stared at him in disbelief.

It was clear Rafael was speaking for Salvador's benefit, but the king wasn't foolish. How could he not see through the prince's intentions? By stating that Carissa was guarding the city, Rafael implied that traitors would never succeed in rebellion. However, it also hinted that if Carissa turned against them, no outside reinforcements would be able to enter the city! To test Salvador's trust in such a way was utterly reckless. How could the king believe them? In all of Starhaven, they were the greatest threat to his throne!