[TIDK] 86 – Have This Tea

Isaac brought the food in front of his eyes, scrutinised it, and put it in his mouth. It tasted terrible compared to how it looked. It was better that he didn’t know than to let his taste buds suffer. Even when he couldn’t see, he thought he had an advantage.

While eating, Scarlett arrived at the police station.

She came running in surprise as soon as she found Isaac. He was shocked to see her. Isaac’s eyes grew, and he raised himself.

"S-Scarlett?" He stammered.

Scarlett frowned and suddenly slapped him on the back. Then the police flinched and looked at her.

Scarlett asked in a sullen voice. “Are you crazy?”

“Oh, it hurts...” Isaac winced.

“Hurts! Oh, my God!” Scarlett yelled.

“I’m sorry, Scarlett...”

Isaac apologised, whining.

Scarlett sighed profoundly and asked Isaac if he had any wounds. “I heard Abel tried to stab you first.”

Isaac nodded. Scarlett’s hand shook.

She reached over to his neck where a small cut was and covered it.

“You almost got in trouble. I told you it was dangerous, didn’t I?” She reprimanded.

 “I’m sorry.” Isaac drooped his head.

Scarlett couldn’t continue her tirade when Isaac became sullen and just slapped him on the back.

She then spoke matter-of-factly.

“The police will ask you a few questions and then let you go. I’ll be right back, so stay,” Scarlett ordered him.

“Oh, I don’t care even if they sentence me to prison….”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” she scolded.

When Scarlett glared at him, Isaac quickly shut his mouth.

Afterwards, the royal police came to usher her away, and she obeyed their instructions.

♔♔♔

They took Scarlett to the Royal Police Department. 

As soon as she entered, she gradually recollected the memory of that day. Everything seemed familiar.

Scarlett clearly remembered walking before the royal police, not just taking a few steps. And she also remembered the interrogation room as soon as she entered it.

Scarlett stopped at the door after finding Hughan Hunter standing in the interrogation room. The Royal police pushed her inside as Hughan raised his hand. 

After a moment of silence, Scarlett opened her mouth. “Am I right to remember?”

Once it began to come to mind, the memory became more explicit. Hughan Hunter had initiated the interrogation on that day. Little by little, Scarlett recalled what he had said to her.

“It’s because of the black tea.”

She remembered that she shouldn’t have had tea.

Hughan relented with a smile and said, “It’s what you think, Miss Scarlett. I gave you tea.”

“The tea was drugged.”

“I see. You really must have regained some memory.” Hughan smiled and continued.

“As you know, we can’t torture. It’ll be a problem if you get hurt, Miss Scarlett. It also means we don’t want to hurt people while forcing them to eat.”

Hughan, who had been speaking so calmly, said, holding a document. “This report details the extent to which Earl Crimson beat Abel Crimson.” 

“My uncle tried to stab Isaac in the neck first,” Scarlett said.

It was true, and Hughan grinned.

“That’s right, the Earl says Abel Crimson tried to kill him with a paper cutter first. So it’s self-defence. But don’t you know? Lies are common amongst rich young masters trying to patch up ‘accidents’.”

Hughan cocked an eyebrow at her as Scarlett’s face began to lose colour.

“He’s not lying! And Viktor before, also...” She started.

“You have to compare what you have to compare. Sir Viktor is the captain of the Rubied, Salantier’s largest ship. If he beat Abel Crimson to death, he would not have charges against him. It’s a given, no? And Abel Crimson held you, Miss Scarlett, as a hostage that day. But the situation with Earl Crimson is different, don’t you agree? No witnesses, no one around to help,” Hughan mused.

“...”

Scarlett became for words.

“As long as I want, I can make Earl Crimson rot in prison for a long time,” Hughan chuckled.

Scarlett closed her eyes at his words.

The teacup pushed by Hughan clattered and got closer. He said in a soft voice.

“Have this tea. And then I’ll just pretend this report didn’t happen.”

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