Chapter 112

Chapter 112 – Jack (3)

Translator: Atlas / Editor: Regan

Annette waited patiently for him to continue, but Jack glanced at Celestine for permission first.

“Perhaps it will surprise you to learn,” he began, basking in the tremendous revelation, “that Ben March said that his patron was the King. His Majesty, Selgratis, the King of Deltium!”

The words were met with a cold silence. Celestine had already heard this, and Annette would not betray any surprise. This was only an affirmation of her own theories. The only surprise was that the King would interact so directly with someone like Ben March. What could he be thinking, to work with his mistress’s brother? Subordinates could have easily done that work on the King’s behalf.

Jack seemed disappointed with their reaction.

“And what happened to Ben March afterward?” Annette asked, breaking the silence. “Do you remember the last time you saw him?”

The opportunity to talk a little more was some consolation to Jack.

“I’m not sure, maybe six months ago? He looked very strange that day, nervous and excited. He finished gambling early, and I heard when he left, some strange men were waiting for him in a nearby alley. That was the last time I saw him.”

Six months ago. Maybe that was the day before “coachman Ivan” kidnapped Celestine. He had colluded with knights from the palace to plan the abduction, which surely meant the King was behind the affair. Only Selgratis himself would be able to command the obedience of knights.

But Jack was not done.

“The last time I saw him in person,” he said, with a broad smile. “But my colleagues say otherwise. You know there are many establishments, and dealers will frequently move from one casino to another. I hear all sorts of rumors. For example, about a scruffy-looking man who recently started frequenting Gruti 4.”

“What about him?” Annette asked automatically. She had a few guesses. She had been unable to find any clues about Ben March herself, despite considerable effort.

“Well, I don’t know that you would know this, but Gruti is a very dangerous place. Lawless. It’s a favorite hangout for Deltium’s criminals, they pack the place like rats,” he said, grimacing. “Of course, that means the casino is always crowded, and one of the dealers there mentioned one of his new customers, which sounded a lot like one of my old regulars. Who do you think it was?”

He paused, pleased. Jack had been a dealer for a long time, so even far-flung Gruti still fell within his information network. As long as Ben March kept gambling, Jack could find information about it.

“…I see. Gruti 4.” Annette nodded and turned away. As far as she was concerned, this was all the information she needed, and Celestine followed her out of the basement, with Jack’s anxious shouts rising behind them.

“Hey! Wait, what did I do wrong? Can’t I go? I told you everything I know, let me out of here! Please?”

But Celestine only slammed the basement door shut again and covered it with the tapestry. She did not seem to have any immediate plans for his release.

Fortunately, the basement was thoroughly soundproofed. Though Jack’s shouts continued, the moment she shut the door, the silence was complete. No one would ever know he was down there.

“What do you think, Lady Annette?” Celestine asked. “Was anything I showed you useful?”

“Yes. Thank you so much. I know you took a risk, showing this to me. In return, I will keep my faith with you,” Annette replied, taking Celestine’s hand.

Her expression was somber. The person who had framed her was no less than the King of Deltium. Just thinking about it was enough to make her hands tremble and her blood run cold. One mistake might have catastrophic consequences.

And it was the same for Celestine. Actually, worse. Her family was not as powerful as the Bavarias.

King Selgratis could destroy the Keers marquisate with a single finger.