The atmosphere in the study was softening, and Henry Fitzroy, Duke of Richmond, was somewhat pleased with Isabel's answer. Until then, he had confined his impressions of her to wandering landless peasants or witches begging for food. At this moment, his impression of her began to gradually improve.

Just as he was about to find out more about whether Isabel had received an aristocratic education, and in a convent or in an affiliated school of the guild, Arthur Field, his butler, confidant, and private secretary, used a cold reality to extinguish the adolescent agitation that emanated from young Henry.

Arthur, who was standing to the left of the duke, leaned down and whispered in the duke's ear: "Your Highness, I believe that this violent case of the murder of a serf will soon reach the ears of Lord Haswell, the magistrate. If the Lord takes advantage of this to make a big fuss, I am afraid that it will affect your reputation and position. ”

Henry raised his head, looked sideways at him and whispered in contemplation, "How is this possible?" It's just that a serf died, and he also has to report to the Privy Council in London? ”

"Your Highness, Ackerman's death does not mean that you are not loyal to His Majesty the King. But what if this unknown woman is indeed what I suspected? ”

"Well, you're saying that the Lord will use this woman to accuse me of opposing His Majesty's Reformation to the Star Tribunal?"

"That's what I'm worried about. Your Highness, you should be well aware of some of the special roles played by the Star Chamber in our country's judicial system. ”

Henry shuddered at the thought of the torture methods used by the Star Chamber against the rebellious nobles, the old-fashioned nobles, and some of the high-ranking clergy of the church who opposed the reform, such as whipping, cutting off their ears, amputating limbs, and shackles.

Add to that the Lord Haswell, the magistrate of the Magistrate, who was loyal, shrewd, and pervasive, and completely subordinate to the Privy Councillor of the Privy Council, and he felt an inexplicable pain in his head again.

Picking up the wine glass on the desk, he took a big sip and asked the butler in frustration, "Well, Arthur, what do you think I should do next?" ”

Arthur didn't have any expression on his face, but still said softly: "Your Highness, you should inquire about the identity and origin of this woman, as long as you can prove that she is not a person sent by the old nobles or church people who oppose His Majesty the King." ”

"So, how do you solve the matter of her killing Ackerman?"

"Your Highness, in ordinary violent civil or social cases, you may impose heavy fines on her, both property and person. Of course, as long as Lord Haswell thinks there is no problem. ”

Henry nodded, turned his face thoughtfully to the standing Isabel, and said, "Witch, now begin the formal interrogation." ”

Isabel could see the change in attitude from Henry's face, and she had a hunch that her environment had invisibly added some dangerous factors. She was determined to minimise this risk factor and to change some of her views on life and values that she had become accustomed to in later life. If necessary, she will also use some of the working methods and methods of the Naval Intelligence Agency that she has learned at the Naval Academy.

Isabel smiled faintly and said, "Well, what do you want to know?" ”

"Your name, last name. Where did it come from? Why come to Nottingham Castle? ”

"Isabel Walton from the Principality of Andorra. I came to Nottingham Castle for the only purpose and for the only thing, to make a trip through the territory of the Kingdom of England that would leave me with fond memories. ”

The Principality of Andorra, a small landlocked country born in the 9th century on the border between France and Spain in southwestern Europe, has existed on the European continent until later generations. Luckily, Isabel still has a vivid memory of the European history lessons she had taken in middle school. Pick out a familiar region or a small principality, it's easy to hide your true situation.

At this point, Henry seems to have found a solid reason to improve his current relationship with Isabel. According to the steward's suggestion, it would not be a big problem as long as it could be proved that she was not sent by the old nobles of the country or by people from the church who opposed the king.

Henry had some teenage excitement and picked up the glass again to find that there was no more wine in the glass. He shouted at the valet standing outside the door, "Eugene, come in." ”

When Eugene came in, he saluted and said, "Your Highness, what do you command?" ”

Henry raised his glass and said, "Pour me some more wine." Wait, bring me the bottle as well. ”

"Oh, Isabel! Your name is Isabel, and that's a wonderful, beautiful name. Miss Walton, I... Can I call you that? Henry said happily as he raised his empty glass and waited for the valet to mix it.

"Of course. Still, I like to be called by my name. Isabel said with a contemptuous smile.

"Well, well, I'll call you that in some private instance, if you will."

"Thank you."

The butler did not believe Isabel's words, and bowed down to the lord while he drank wine and whispered in his ear: "Your Highness, as your loyal servant, may I take your place in the work of interrogation?" ”

Henry nodded with satisfaction and said, "Yes." ”

Arthur stood up straight again and asked solemnly, "Miss Walton, your words do not completely dispel His Highness's doubts and speculations. Therefore, Your Highness must know everything about you in order to judge what punishment is to be imposed for your crimes. ”

Then he asked: "Where were you born in the Principality of Andorra?" What ethnicity do you and your parents belong to? Do you believe in God? Is it an aristocrat? ”

Isabel is very calm and relaxed: "I was born in Andorra la Vella, my father is Anglo-Spanish, my mother is Andorran, and my parents and I are both Roman Catholics. One thing that I regret for the rest of my life is that I am not a nobleman. ”

"Well, can you swear to God that what you say is true and can be believed."

"I swear to God that what I say is true."

Arthur stared into Isabelle's eyes as she spoke. He hoped that he might see a trace of a lie in the other man's eyes, but he saw nothing. After pondering for a few seconds, he said, "Miss Walton, do you know what crime you have committed?" ”

Isabel speculated on the other party's intentions and said tentatively, "I have committed a great sin, a sin worthy of death, a sin that causes the soul to die. And it is through baptism, confession, and sacraments that my grave sins can be forgiven. ”

Henry didn't wait for Arthur to continue asking, and hurriedly said, "Arthur, do you still have any doubts about Miss Walton now?" ”