Heading into the third week of August, Isabelle Walton used the Duke of Richmond's trip to Windsor as a reference, knowing that Henry and his party would return to Nottingham Castle by next week at the latest. Therefore, on the days when the boss is out of tolerance, she should try her best to let her body and mind get enough rest.

Rest is one thing, and there are two things she still has to do. One is to select a quasi-knight from among the many guards loyal to Henry who is in every way suitable to be the governor of the security army; The other is the unresolved matter of the informant. On the question of who the whistleblower was, Isabel felt that she might have overlooked an important person, none other than Father Boniface Thomas, the presiding officer of the church in the castle of Nazareth.

In every respect, this "servant of God" had easy access to Henry, Sir Augustine, and his own daily habits and routines. Especially in the religious North and in Richmondshire, Father Thomas's appeal was no less than that of the Duke of Richmond.

After attending Sunday Mass on the third week, Isabel quietly left the church of Nazareth in the castle. Since Henry had not yet returned to Richmondshire, and because she was anxious to find the informant, Isabel decided to go to the Second Guard to consult with the second son of the Viscount of Darlington.

On her way to the castle's stables, she saw a squad of guards returning from a mission to patrol the county borders, including Herbert Frederick, whom Euphemia neither hated nor liked. As the guards were leading their horses into the stable, Herbert suddenly saw Isabel leading her horses out of the compartment.

Herbert, who did not care to take care of his horses, hurried out of the stable and bowed to Isabel. When Isabel saw that it was him, she said gently, "Herbert, I am not performing my duties as an advisor now, so you can not use it to protect me." ”

Herbert smiled and said, "Your Excellency, will your sister Miss Euphemia come to watch the tournament this afternoon?" ”

Isabel led the horse and laughed, "If Effie doesn't come, are you going to give up the competition?" Or is it unwilling to be a knight husband to Effie? ”

"Of course not, Your Excellency, I wish very much the divine love that comes from Miss Euphemia. It's just that... It's just that... I hope that the arrival of the young lady will increase my courage in the competition. Herbert's face turned a little crimson.

"Well, it's like a peacock with brilliant feathers, showing its beautiful ass and feathers to the girl he likes. Herbert, is that so? Isabel teased a would-be knight who might become her brother-in-law in the future, using a species that did not exist in all of Europe, including England.

Herbert, of course, didn't know what she was talking about, and asked in a low voice, "Your Excellency, what is a peacock?" Why show your butt and feathers? ”

"Well, don't mind what I'm talking about. Herbert, Effie may come in the afternoon, and you have to do everything to prepare for the joust. ”

"Yes, Your Excellency, I will definitely do my best to win the competition."

When Isabel stopped and stepped on her horse, she looked down at the would-be knight standing on the ground: "Herbert, remember my words, to participate in the tournament, you must do your best to defeat every opponent. Assuming you lose, Effie won't think anything else about you because you didn't become the Governor of the Security Army. ”

Herbert picked at the back of his head and subconsciously thought, "Your Excellency, how do you know what Miss thinks?" If I lose to my opponent in a joust. ”

"Herbert, this is just a contest about the governor of the security army, this contest is not everything, do you understand?"

"Your Excellency, I see, you want me to let the young lady see my bravest side, to become a true knight?"

"Yes, you'll have that chance."

"Thank you very much for your advice, Your Excellency."

Shortly after 11 a.m., Isabel rode alone to the second guard outside the castle, and had Francis, who was competing with several elite knights of the Black Friars, be brought in from the schoolyard. The second son of Viscount Darlington, who was ready to win the knightly contest, entered the parlor excitedly, saluted Isabel and said happily: "Your Excellency, are you here to congratulate me?" ”

Isabel just smiled and sat him down, and after contemplation, said slowly, "Francis, now is not the time to congratulate you. The purpose of my letting you come is for another thing. ”

Francis's face was very serious, and she quickly put away her smug smile and said, "Your Excellency, what's the matter?" ”

"Before Your Highness left for the South, my father Sir Augustine and I were assassinated, you know?"

"I know. At that time, His Highness was very angry and blamed the people of the Guards for not protecting you and Sir well. ”

"Today, I'm talking to you about the whistleblower behind this assassination."

Isabel and Sir were assassinated, and she had a secret conversation with Henry alone. As for Jazz and Francis's sister Caroline, who knew the cause of the incident, it was even more impossible to mention a word to others. Francis, who was confused, glared at him, opened his mouth slightly, and said, "Your Excellency, this... Whistle-blower... You don't seem to have ever talked about it. ”

Isabel took a sip of the ale in her glass, then played with the glass and whispered, "Because the real reason for this assassination is not what everyone sees, His Highness has not asked me to tell anyone about it." ”

"yes, I see. Your Excellency, the Black Friars and I will do our best to resolve this matter. ”

In the following time, Isabel told each other the conclusion that she and Caroline had come to after some reasoning. Francis pondered for a long time after hearing this, and when Isabel had a glass of ale brought to him, he looked at the advisor unusually nervously: "Your Excellency, this is a palace political battle. Someone wants to kill His Highness and deal with a threatening political opponent that he may encounter in the future. ”

"I know, and so does Your Highness." Isabel stood up and glanced at the closed door of the parlor, paced beside Francis, and said in a very small voice, "The purpose of my secret conversation with you today is to find out the bastard who betrayed His Highness, me, and Sir . ”

"This guy must have taken a decent commission. However, for all this time I have not found anyone talking to anyone about getting a treasure. ”

"If it weren't for the money, what do you think he would be for?"

Francis hesitated and said, "For the faith?!" ”

Isabel stopped and watched him spit out a sentence: "What do you think of Father Thomas?" ”