Bala: The Duke's Contract Wife

Interrogation Technique (1)

"Leave us," Rose told the prison warden. The girl was standing in front of the dark cell.

"Are you sure, Duchess?" The warden saw the figure inside the prison cell. A man in shabby black clothes was seen. His nose looked broken and there was a large cut on his left hand. But what made the atmosphere gripping was the man's eyes that were like a possessed dog. Especially when the man growled. His yellow eyes lit up brightly in the darkness, as if about to pounce on Rose.

The man's entire body was chained to the floor. And there was a chain similar to the one found in the children at the auction. The difference was, on this neckband, there was a red crystal ball in the middle. A symbol like two interlocking triangles was written.

Kiife. 

In ancient languages, it means 'No'. The symbol was used to negate magic in a person. As long as the symbol on the neckband was lit, the wearer would not be able to use magic. However, the neckband had a time limit. And if the wearer's magic is strong, he will be able to destroy the symbol.

"Maraina has a Kiife necklace apparently," murmured Rose.

"Uh... Yes, although this is the last one," said the warden, "Because the number of witches has thinned in the last decade, kiife necklaces like this are no longer produced. It's lucky we still have one left. Otherwise–"

Not interested in the warden's explanation, Rose asked, "But how did you catch a teleporter?"

"Uhhm... that is because when magicians are grazed with Xoltar, they could not access their magic for a while."

Rose raised her eyebrows when she heard that. "Xoltar? Victor's black sword?"

The warden nodded. "It's a sword passed down in the Maraina family."

No wonder when the sword hurt Rose, her healing abilities acted very slowly. One thing that everyone knows from using magical tools is that the longer the tool is used, the more likely the magic of the heirloom switches to the user's body. If so, it also explains why after Victor... embraced her, the pain in Rose's body was very slow to disappear.

If Victor was the one hurting her, Rose wouldn't heal quickly.

The dungeon at the Maraina residence never accommodated many people at once. Even on that day, there was only one detained. From what Rose heard, Victor was more likely to s***h the convicted criminals on the spot. The man was not afraid to shed blood in his own area. It was only natural that all Maraina people were afraid of Victor. That was also why the nickname 'Monster of Maraina' was so attached to the man.

How many casualties will fall today? Rose wondered.

Thinking about it made Rose feel weird. Because the longer she was with Victor, she actually started seeing Victor as a big, tamed bear. It was a little strange to imagine the big bear hugging her while they sleep together as a cold blood killer outside of the bedroom. It was like two pieces of puzzles that didn't fit.

No. I must not forget that he is still the Monster from the North, said Rose in her heart. And that I am the Ugly Witch from the South.

Rose stared intently at the warden. Then he shook his head as he was kicked out from her presence without Rose having to say anything.

"Eh? You're sure... Duchess?" The warden again glanced at the detained. "That guy's pretty savage... Duke also had a hard time catching him."

"If there's anything, I'll call you."

"But–"

Rose used her intimidating gaze. With the red color of her eyes and the dark atmosphere of the dungeon, the effect multiplied many times over. The warden finally nodded and backed off, returning to his place at the entrance of the dungeon.

Rose was left alone with the figure inside the cell. The man growled at Rose.

"Hello, Costro," greeted Rose.

The man named Costro saw Rose with fires behind his eyes. He spat at Rose but because of the distance, his spit fell near Rose's shoes.

"I know why you're actually here. I know you came to kill me," Rose said, "But I didn't think you'd be this stupid trying to break into the Maraina residence alone."

Costro growled. "You w***e!" he exclaimed. He tried to stand up and move towards Rose, but the chains on his body restrained him. 

"You instigated Pierre to do your dirty work! You threatened him to kill your own father in court, didn't you?" Costro's voice was rising. Rose was grateful that she was doing this right then and not later when the prison would begin to be filled by the illegal buyers of Count Rozar. If the prison was full, Rose would risk her past being exposed.

"All this time you've been hiding behind bad rumors but in fact, you're the Fullmeir strategist! It's all your scheme to avoid the death penalty!" The sound of chains being pulled was increasingly heard. Costro didn't give up on trying to attack Rose.

For a moment, Rose fell silent. Just staring at Costro until the man finally gave up and got back in his seat.

"What if I told you that I planned everything," Rose said, "Except the part of Pierre killing Rendre? What if I told you that I even planned my own death but Pierre was the one to destroy my plan?"

Even if it was only a few seconds, Rose could see Costro's yellow pupils vibrating. Doubt had entered amidst his anger.

"What do you mean?" murmured Costro.

Rose swallowed her saliva. "I'll be frank. I need you, Costro."

Before the man could spat his hatred again, Rose said first, "I know you're close to Pierre. Pierre's death was not easy..."

"What do you know?"

"I don't want you to regret your decision, Costro. You always act rashly," Rose said coldly.

Costro flinched at her words. Because her words were the truth. It was as if Rose had known him for a long time.

"I'm going to take that collar off you. Once released, you can access your teleportation capabilities again."