Specific Details

"Nonsense! Utter rubbish!" Alexander Hayes thundered, his anger crackling as he pointed at the constable and shouted, "As an official of the court, you believe in those ignorant country rumors? Shameful—an utter disgrace!"

The constable trembled with fear, dropping to his knees. "Please, Your Highness, spare your anger! I was only repeating what I heard outside—I don't believe it myself! I would never dare deceive Your Highness or Her Highness. The rumor is spreading like wildfire outside the capital, and the countryside folk are all terrified. It's only because it's confined to the poor and lower classes that it hasn't caused a bigger stir in the city yet."

"But if this keeps up and more children go missing, sooner or later the rumor will explode." Lily Evans sighed, her expression grave.

The situation was even worse than she'd imagined. This wasn't just a rumor smearing her name—those thirty-seven children's lives had been sacrificed by someone with ill intent, all to strike a heavy blow against Lily Evans.

The constable hurriedly said, "Your Highness, Princess Consort, all the constables and officers of the Capital Constabulary are investigating thoroughly. Every village and township has organized teams for the search. We will do our utmost to capture the villain who harmed the children and bring them to justice."

Lily Evans looked at the constable and said, "I know the Capital Constabulary serves the nation and its people, and you all fulfill your duties diligently. I trust you will do your utmost in this case. Constable, could you show us the detailed files so His Highness and I can review them?"

The constable looked troubled. "Princess Consort, it's not that I don't want to show you the case files, but they're not actually here at the Capital Constabulary. Since all the incidents happened in the countryside, the detailed records are kept at the local offices for investigation. Only after the cases are closed are the files collected and stored at the Capital Constabulary. If Your Highness and Princess Consort truly wish to see them, I can send someone to fetch a few from the countryside and deliver them to the Prince of Qin's Manor tomorrow morning for you to review."

Lily Evans thought for a moment and said, "No need. Since those files are useful for the investigation, it's best to leave them in the countryside for now. The most important thing is to solve the case."

"Yes, Princess Consort." The constable felt a wave of relief. Princess Consort was truly understanding and gentle. After sending off Prince Alexander Hayes and Princess Consort Lily Evans, he wiped his sweat vigorously. If not for Princess Consort's kindness today, he feared he might not have kept his head.

Watching Lily Evans's departing figure, the constable shook his head. Was this gentle, pleasant woman really the monster who stole children and drank their blood? He'd once half-believed the rumors, but after meeting her in person, he couldn't believe them at all.

What kind of monster is that gentle and friendly—and that beautiful, too?

After leaving the Capital Constabulary, Lily Evans said to Alexander Hayes, "Your Highness, the Capital Constabulary may be the highest authority in the city, but since these cases happened in the countryside, if we want more details, we’ll have to go out there ourselves."

Alexander Hayes looked at Lily Evans with concern. "My lady, the country roads are rough and the carriage will jolt. Will your health be able to bear it?"

Lily Evans smiled and got into the carriage. "My health has already recovered and I am well cared for, Your Highness need not worry. Besides, you forget that I was born in the countryside. When I was a child, I could walk dozens of miles at a time without a carriage, and I was perfectly fine."

Alexander Hayes nodded and said, "Very well, my lady. Let us go to the countryside and see for ourselves."

The Prince of Qin's carriage turned its head and headed toward the countryside outside the capital. In the distance, at a teahouse, Sophie White stood by the railing, watching the carriage and showing a strange smile...