Chapter 180

"Prince Joshua."

Under the trembling guidance of the maid, Emma, who had replaced Li Ang as the primary interrogator, entered Prince Freckles' room and ignored the room's devastation—as if a storm had torn through it—politely offering a greeting:

"Long time no see. You've grown considerably since last we met."

Hm?

Hearing the tall, beautiful woman's words, Prince Freckles, his face flushed with rage, raised an eyebrow and studied her for a moment before hesitantly asking:

"You're… uh… the woman who joined the Cleanup Bureau six years ago?"

"Yes."

Emma smiled gently, then softly flicked a bandage that rose and moved like a serpent, righting every overturned and kicked-over piece of furniture, before calmly explaining her purpose:

"Prince Joshua, our branch received a distress call this morning concerning a rebel assassination attempt against the royal family. We need you to answer a few questions.

You know our branch is tasked with protecting the royal family, but we've long been chronically understaffed, and occasional oversights are inevitable. To better ensure your and your family's safety, we ask for your cooperation in this investigation."

"Tch… Again with the Cleanup Bureau?"

At Emma's words, Prince Freckles rubbed his face, a lingering spark of anger flashing in his eyes.

But seeing the eerie, snake-like bandage gliding through the air, he held his tongue, instead glaring with irritation and demanding:

"You know you're supposed to protect the royal family? Then why do other kingdoms' royals have your agents permanently stationed beside them, and even powerful nobles get guards, while we get nothing?"

"We ask for your understanding."

Facing Prince Freckles' accusation, Emma's expression remained gentle, replying calmly:

"Our branch is uniquely understaffed—our personnel number only a fraction, even less than one-tenth, of other branches. Over the past few years, anomalies have erupted constantly across the kingdom, leaving us stretched impossibly thin. We simply cannot spare fixed personnel to guard the royal family.

But our director has remained stationed in the capital, rarely venturing far, and constantly monitors the palace and surrounding key areas through anomalous artifacts. So unless an extreme, exceptional situation arises, your and your family's safety is assured."

"Hmph!"

Still dissatisfied with Emma's answer, Prince Freckles scowled and pressed further:

"If it were a normal situation, would we even need you? Isn't the whole point of the Cleanup Bureau to handle extraordinary cases?

Frankly, your director has no sense of priorities. When manpower is scarce, you should prioritize royal safety above all else—not waste it chasing after some random anomalies!

If the royal family is in danger, the entire kingdom will collapse. But those anomalies in the provinces? Even if they spiral out of control, they just kill ordinary people. They can't cause real chaos. What's the harm in delaying?"

"…"

After patiently listening to Prince Freckles' long tirade, Li Ang took a deep breath, his wrist trembling involuntarily.

Fuck, I really want to slap him right now.

What the hell… who raised this piece of shit? How can he be this goddamn provoking? Wait—your sister's talent is intuition. Is yours just attracting hatred?

"Understood. I will relay your suggestions faithfully to the director upon my return."

Not angered by Prince Freckles' accusations, Emma merely smiled warmly and gently gestured toward the sofa.

"Prince Joshua, are you available to answer our questions now?"

"Ask away!"

Satisfied with Emma's deference, Prince Joshua strode to the single seat on the sofa and sat down first; Li Ang and the others followed, taking seats opposite him.

"Wait—who are you?"

Seeing the man across from him—clad in a hooded robe and mask, as if terrified someone might recognize him—Prince Freckles suddenly felt an inexplicable wave of revulsion, glaring at Li Ang's mask and snapping:

"She's a high noble; she has the right to sit before me. What's your rank? You didn't even greet me upon entering, just sat down silently across from me? Has no one ever taught you basic manners?"

She is a noble of high rank and has the right to sit before me; what is your status? After entering, you didn't even greet me, and simply sat silently across from me? Has no one ever taught you what propriety is?

Are you talking about manners? Like pressing your face against my palm?

Li Ang, beneath his mask, gritted his teeth. He found this prince's absurd behavior utterly unbearable—and it made him laugh. He reached to rip off his mask and turn this interrogation into a full interrogation.

But just then, a soft, warm hand closed over his right one, gently pulling him back, then lightly pressing down on his knee, signaling him to hold his temper.

"Prince Joshua, if you continue like this, you'll make things difficult for me."

As if incapable of anger, Emma, facing Prince Freckles like a living hedgehog rolled from a cesspit—prickly, hostile, and eager to sting and disgust anyone—still smiled gently:

"He is my colleague, and even my junior under my tutelage. He's naturally shy and unaccustomed to royal etiquette. Please bear with him.

Moreover, he specializes in souls, willpower, and spirit—areas complementary to my own abilities. Should you ever encounter minor issues in these domains, you may well need his help."

Moreover, he has deeply studied the soul, will, and spirit—areas that complement my own abilities perfectly. Should you ever encounter minor difficulties in these areas, you may well need his help.

Faced with Emma's serene, calming words, Prince Freckles hesitated, then slowly retracted his bristling hostility. He huffed, leaned back against the sofa, and impatiently urged:

Faced with Emma's gentle persuasion, as if wrapped in a halo of calm, the freckled prince hesitated, then retracted his ever-raised spines, grunted, and leaned back against the sofa, slightly impatiently urging:

"Very well. First question."

Gently patting Li Ang's hand to calm him, Emma spoke in a voice as soft as clouds:

"Have you ever had private contact with any rebel members?"

"What kind of ridiculous question is that?"

Prince Freckles frowned, his expression darkening:

"Why would I ever associate with them? They're trying to kill me! If I met them privately, wouldn't that be asking for death?"

How could I possibly have any connection with those people? They're trying to assassinate me! If I secretly contacted them, wouldn't that be actively seeking death?

Watching Prince Freckles' soul flame remain steady, Li Ang silently reached out and lightly marked a check on Emma's soft thigh through the silk of her plain dress.

Emma's thigh twitched slightly beneath his touch. Smiling, she continued:

"Apologies—that's standard procedure. Next question:

Prince Joshua, if you had a sister who was superior to you in every way and the first heir to the throne, how would you feel about her?"

"Prince Joshua, if you had an older sister who surpassed you in every way and was the first in line to the throne, how would you view her?"