Being framed

That's what all the suspects say," Bahram scoffed, dismissing Kyle carelessly.

"This is ridicu — ugh..." Kyle tried to voice his complaints, but the chain

hanging from his shackles was yanked hard, throwing him off-balance and

sending him toppling to the ground. Bahram looked down at him.

"I have determined that you are deeply involved with the kidnapping of Her

Highness, the Second Princess. Therefore, an interrogation will now be

conducted. You have no right to remain silent. Answer the questions truthfully

— refusing to answer will only bring you pain," the knight explained.

"Piss... off..."

Kyle had almost fallen speechless from astonishment, but the rage within him

burst forth as he glared at Bahram.

"Hmm... What rebellious eyes. Typical of a criminal with no morals, I'd say."

Bahram heaved an exaggerated sigh of exasperation, a mocking action filled

with sarcasm. It made it unclear whether he was being his honest self or

intentionally provoking Kyle.

"I suppose we'll have to teach you your place first. Do it."

Bahram gestured with his head, prompting the knights to move. One knight

yanked the chain from Kyle's shackles up to the pulley hanging from the roof and

started to adjust the height for him.

"Hey, stop it!" Kyle protested, but the knight continued to work. He strung

Kyle's hands upward until his feet could just barely touch the ground, placing all

of his body weight on his wrists.

Despite his weight being that of a child, it was still quite a burden on his

joints.

Kyle's face twisted in pain as Bahram huffed smugly. He held in his hands a

wooden club that he had picked up at some point.

"I don't want to do this the hard way, either. If you're cooperative with the

interrogation, I can release you right now. First, acknowledge your participation

in the kidnapping case of the Second Princess. What do you say?" Bahram offered, caressing Kyle's cheek with the end of the club.

Enduring the pain in his wrists, Kyle gritted his teeth. "No thanks," he said. "I

did... no such thing."

He shot down Bahram' proposal.

"Are you sure?"

Kyle replied with silence. Bahram then swung the club in his hands into Kyle's

abdomen.

"Gah! Hah..."

A groan slipped from Kyle's mouth. Bahram gently brushed the club against the

stomach area he had just hit.

"You were involved in the kidnapping of the Second Princess. Isn't that right?"

he asked once again.

"I... did no... such thing...!"

"Fool."

Bahram heaved another dramatic sigh, before leaning into Kyle's ear.

"You're going to regret that," he whispered coldly.

◇◇◇

Meanwhile, on the upper floors of the Erugenia Royal Castle, in Eira's

bedroom...

"Zzz... zzz..."

The Second Princess, Eira Erugenia, slept peacefully in a luxurious four-poster

bed. A gentle spring breeze blew into the room through her balcony, which

overlooked the scenery of Beltrant, the capital.

"leveres."

William chanted the spell for detection, and a circle of light appeared at his

hand. He closed his eyes, moved his hands over Eira's body, and focused his

mind. After a moment, William opened his eyes and exhaled in relief.

"There are no traces of any sorcery being cast. Medicine is outside my area of expertise, but I'd say she'll recover quickly with enough water and rest."

Alice sighed with relief after William reported her diagnosis.

"Thank you, William. If your levres couldn't find anything, then Princess Eira is

surely safe from any possible curses," Alice said, bowing her head at William.

"No, I'm glad I was able to help. Now we can all rest easy."

"Yes, but we never found out what the culprit wanted to achieve from the

kidnapping..." Alice said.

"I think the information we received from Kyle will be useful. We may be able

to identify the culprit from that."

"...If what that boy said was true, that is," Alice added.

"You think he was lying?" William asked with wide eyes.

"No... Of course, that might not be the case. It's just an occupational hazard

of mine to doubt everything."

"Well, I don't believe he's a bad child."

"I guess if a professor at the Royal Academy says so, then it must be true,"

Alice said with a small smile.

"I'm still a newbie, though," William replied bashfully. Then, he noticed

something, and asked, "Come to think of it, where did Princess Annora, prince Henry and

Collete go?"

"Oh. They're probably being scolded for abuse of power and leaving without

permission by His Majesty right about now..." Alice answered tiredly.

Just then,

Eira stirred.

"Uhh... Mmh..."

"Princess Eira!" Alice called in a panicked voice.

Eira opened her eyes slowly. She blinked a few times before looking up at

Alice's face in a daze.

"Is that... Alice? Where..."

"You're in your bedroom, Your Highness. You were weakened from dehydration and it caused you to pass out. Please, drink this."Alice picked up a metal jug from the table and poured water into a glass to

offer to Eira.

"Thank you." Eira accepted the glass and sipped slowly from it. After a

moment, she lowered it and noticed William watching her.

"Oh, umm. Who might you be?" Eira asked.

"My name is William, Your Highness. I am Princess Annora's class

instructor at the Royal Academy."

"You're my sister's... I've heard a lot about you."

"I'm honored."

William bowed respectfully as Eira gave a weak smile.

"Would you explain what happened to me? I don't..."

"Yes. Please allow me that honor, Your Highness," Alice said, and began

explaining the situation to Eira. She spent the next few minutes giving Eira

the general outline of what happened.

" —which brings us here. The boy claimed he was merely protecting Your

Highness. Is this true?" Alice asked Eira after finishing her explanation.

"Yes. I faintly remember asking a child my age to save me," Eira confirmed

with a nod.

"And that boy's name was Kyle?"

"...I'm sorry. I didn't ask for his name, so I don't know," Eira shook her head,

eyes downcast. "But I'll know his face when I see him. Where is he now? I want

to thank him."

"...He's probably being interrogated right now," Alice replied.

"Interrogated? Why?" Eira asked curiously.

"There was a need to confirm whether the boy's statement was true, so..."

"Then please bring him here. He's the one who saved me."

Eira declared Kyle's innocence and made her request, but Alice seemed troubled as she looked down.

"That's... I'm afraid it's a little difficult to call him to this room."

"Why?"

"The boy is a mere orphan. He'll need to be cleaned up and receive

permission from His Majesty first..."

"...Then please do that quickly," Eira requested rather forcefully. "I won't

allow him any more discomfort."

"Understood. Please rest some more, Your Highness. It will be better for your

health."

"I know. Please do as I asked."

"Of course. William, could you please keep Her Highness company for a

moment? I need to get some things ready."

"It would be my pleasure."

"Thank you. I shall return as soon as possible."

Alice extended her thanks at William's agreeable nod before hurrying off to

find Kyle.