Interrogation

"Speak," Alvin warned in a low, threatening voice. 

That was the difference between him and other people, and one of the similarities he had with Harold. He didn't waste his time with a question-and-answer session. If he wanted an honest answer, he knew how to get it, just like he was doing now with the tip of his sword pointed at the neck of the head of the kitchen after assuring him they were only going to have 'a word' privately. 

There was no way he would openly threaten him to tell him about the maid when others who were working for the queen were lurking around. As far as he was concerned, this was the queen's doing. 

"I... I d-don't know... I ssswear..." The poor man stammered and put his hand up while his eyes kept moving between Alvin's face and the tip of the sword on his neck.