traitor chapter 17

Leonhardt’s provocation was blatant and brutal. A second vial emptied into the syringe, its clear liquid filling the chamber. He plunged the needle back into Ruby’s arm. The first dose was still coursing through the scribe’s veins. This second injection was fueled by pure spite, a jealous rage. Nothing more.

Ruby thrashed, choking, gasping for breath.

Leonhardt grabbed his hair, yanking his head back. Ruby’s neck bent at a precarious angle, his breath hitching as tremors wracked his body.

“Did you learn of the treason from my conversation with Mone?”

“……No.”

He forced the word out, his mind clouded, his response mechanical and unsettling. A manic gleam lit Leonhardt’s eyes.

“Then how did you learn of it?”

“Letters.”

“Be specific. What letters?”

“Coded, disguised letters. Exchanged through the temple.”

“What was written in them?”

“Dates, times, His Majesty’s schedule, and information regarding forbidden magic.”

“All in one letter?”

“No. Separate. Scattered across twenty-two letters.”

“You deciphered the code yourself?”

“Yes.”

Diana silently exhaled. This was a leading interrogation. It was meant to establish how long Ruby had known about the treason, how long he had concealed it. It was designed to prove his guilt, to dismantle every excuse Diana had desperately constructed to quell her growing suspicions. It was a process designed to force her to abandon even Ruby.

“When did you obtain the first letter?”

“November, two years ago.”

Diana remained silent, listening intently.

“Why did you hide it?”

She needed to know the extent of Ruby’s involvement. What had he hidden from her, and for how long? Knowing everything, why had he feigned such surprise when the treason unfolded? What was he thinking? She would listen, then judge.

“The traitors wanted His Majesty to despise them.”

His answer sent a chill down her spine. Diana bit her tongue, desperately maintaining her composure.

Leonhardt’s eyes gleamed like a patron who had discovered a masterpiece.

“Why would they want that?”

“Because they are traitors……”

His previously sharp answers now trailed off, vague and uncertain. The drug couldn’t have worn off already. Leonhardt tilted his head, studying Ruby. His dilated pupils confirmed the drug was still potent.

“Knowing they were traitors, why didn’t you report them to His Majesty?”

“They wanted to be despised.”

“Why?”

“Traitors……they are.”

The conversation was going in circles. Sensing something amiss, Leonhardt shifted his line of questioning.

“Were you jealous of His Majesty’s other confidants?”

“No. Not jealousy…different.”

“Then what? If not jealousy, what is the real reason they wanted to be despised?”

“Treacherous traitors……”

Again, the circular logic.

There was nothing wrong with Leonhardt’s questions. The problem lay with Ruby’s responses.

Diana continued her deep, measured breathing. She shared Leonhardt’s confusion. Ruby readily confessed to his deceit, yet he couldn’t answer a simple question about emotions. Something within him blocked any clear answer, even under the influence of the truth serum. What was it, and what truth was he so desperately protecting?

Betrayal warred with suspicion, making her head spin. Yet, she stood rigid, her senses focused on the unfolding scene. Just how much had her confidants hidden from her? How blind had she been as their sovereign?