Chapter 801 (+25 Bonus)
The carriage arrived at the Heritage Bureau, and Carissa yanked Eleanor from it. Argent Lane, the overseer of royal prisoners, stepped forward to take custody. After the handover, Argent ordered heavy chains to be fastened around Eleanor.
Argent said, "Commander Sinclair, His Majesty has ordered the removal of most of Eleanor's teeth and the severing of her tendons to prevent suicide by tongue-biting. Please supervise the procedure and report back afterward."
Eleanor gritted her teeth. "You dare?!"
"Lead the way," Carissa replied calmly.
Eleanor was pulled inside, roaring in fury, her earlier composure shattered.
The Heritage Bureau was vast, with a wide alley separating its east and west wings. The east wing housed the offices; the west, the detention area. Since all detainees were members of the royal family, there were no conventional prisons. Instead, the area consisted of small courtyards, heavily guarded and surrounded by towering walls. Carissa had already ordered Alistair, commander of the Royal Guard, to provide additional troops. The Royal Guard had arrived, but Alistair was absent.
As an official of the Heritage Bureau, Argent was responsible for all prisoners. While the bureau had its own guards, Eleanor's situation had attracted special attention from Salvador, necessitating the Royal Guard's presence.
Upon reaching the detention courtyard, Eleanor was pushed inside. Several people awaited her. On a small, shabby table lay dental extraction pliers and iron hooks for severing tendons.
"Let go of me!"
Eleanor struggled, but the chains held her. She lost her balance, falling and kneeling.
Argent remained unfazed, as if this were commonplace. "Although His Majesty has stripped you of your title as a grand princess, your detention in the Heritage Bureau is a blessing. Your current posture is an expression of your gratitude," he said coolly.
He then ordered his men to seize Eleanor. Her fall had reopened a lip wound, filling her mouth with blood.
Argent's words reminded Carissa of Florence's assertion: to the nobles, any action against the lowly was a blessing. Carissa wished she could ask Florence if this particular "blessing" qualified.
Just as Argent's men were about to proceed, Alistair arrived with two royal guards.