"It is a great honor for me to welcome you, Your Highness."

As soon as Thales entered the guest room, he saw Federico Kevin Deere sitting alone in the living room, facing the door, gently rubbing the tea cup in his hand.

He has a dark complexion, simple clothes, and looks thin and thin, almost like an ascetic monk.

It is very different from the crazy and desperate Federico who entered the election in full view of the public.

Thales didn't say anything and just sat down opposite Federico.

The seat was made of hardwood, which was a bit uncomfortable to sit on. When Thales lowered his head, he found that the cup at hand only contained the most basic tea. The tea was as light as water.

"Did they treat you harshly?" Thales thought thoughtfully.

Obviously, although the room where Federico is under house arrest is right across from Zhane, the furnishings, food and clothing are much worse than those of his duke cousin.

"No, Your Highness," Federico neither stood up nor raised his head, but just played with the teacup in his hand. "In fact, the treatment here is so good that it makes it difficult for me not to recall my childhood."

Seeing Federico's casual attitude towards the prince, Glover, who was accompanying him, had a sullen look on his face. He strode forward, intending to kindly help him recall the interview etiquette, but was stopped by Thales with a wave of his hand.

"No need to search me, Jialun, he won't hurt me."

When he said this, Thales looked directly at Federico, as if he wanted to pull his soul out of his eyes.

At least for now, not when he still needs me.

"Thank you for your trust, Your Highness."

Federico said this, but his eyes were wandering, as if he was seeing something else through the teacup.

Glover snorted angrily and stared at Federico fiercely, as if he was going to cut open the other man's heart and liver at the next moment to check whether there were any hidden weapons.

But Federico still didn't raise his head.

A few seconds later, under Thales's eyes, the zombie checked the front edge of the sword in front of the opponent, and then exited the room, leaving Thales alone.

"Let's not waste time and get straight to the point," Thales picked up the teacup and said seriously, "Feder - you don't mind if I call you that? It seems that Heeley and the others all call you that."

After the prince finished speaking, Federico slowly raised his eyes and looked directly at Thales: his face was covered with various bruises and bruises, and his arms and torso were wrapped in bandages, exuding a strong medicinal smell.

"Of course not," Federico said quietly, "It's just that I thought you would come to see me earlier."

Thales changed his sitting position on the uncomfortable seat. While frowning, he couldn't help but notice that although Federico's body was covered with wounds from being arrested, some of which were quite scary, the other person spoke at a fast pace.

Smooth, with a calm expression, as if he was speaking with a different body than when he was injured.

Be alert, Thales, be alert.

The voice in his heart whispered to him:

No matter how many chances and coincidences there were, it was this man who seemed to have nothing who stirred up troubles in the Emerald City and pulled Zhan En down from the throne of the city lord.

What's even more frightening is that unlike Zhan, this man has hit rock bottom and has nothing to lose.

There is no scruple.

More unfettered.

Even at this moment, he seemed so alone.

Thinking of this, Thales' tone turned cold:

"Tell me, when did the secret department find you? What did they tell you, and what are the follow-up arrangements after that?"

Federico's tea cup shook slightly in his hand.

"So, this is what you think of me," he said with a faint smile, "a chess piece of the kingdom's secret science?"

"So, Feder, are you?"

Federico paused for a moment, thoughts swirling in his eyes.

"Although I know that they are the ones pulling the strings behind the scenes, no, I have never been lucky enough to meet any of them. Even the information was informed through an intermediary that passed through countless hands."

He raised his eyes from the tea cup.

"In the Emerald City, my eyesight was darkened. I could only fight alone and rely on my own efforts. I was really no different from a chess piece."

Thales' heart sank.

"As for the follow-up, they - if it's really them - didn't say anything. At most, they hinted to me that the less I know, the better." At this point, Federico turned his head slightly, "Of course it's not as good as

Your Highness, you have an overview of the general situation and command the overall situation."

The less the better.

Thales frowned deeply.

This is quite consistent with the style of the Kingdom's secret science.

He deliberately ignored the other party's words and continued to ask:

"So, where have you been during the years since the Duke of Leinster's misfortune?"

"My father had a trustworthy old acquaintance during his lifetime, and at the risk of being retaliated by the Kevin Deere family, he allowed me to live in hiding and stay anonymous," Federico's eyes were glazed over, as if he had remembered something bad, "Excuse me.

Out of honor, commitment and gratitude, I cannot reveal their specific names."

Thales observed his expression and nodded:

"Until the kingdom's secret department sneaks you out?"

Federico shook his head and corrected Thales' words:

"Until the person who protected me couldn't stand the pressure, changed his face, packed up my luggage, and kicked me out."

Thales was silent after hearing this, but after a few seconds he sneered:

"So, you can't hide outside and are forced to return to the Emerald City. You feel aggrieved?"

"Not necessarily." Federico saw the dark and cold small room in front of his eyes, and screams and moans could be heard in his ears. "If there is a home to return to, who would want to live under someone else's roof?"

Thales observed the other person's expression, secretly inferred his experience, and tried to understand the person in front of him.

"So you just go back to the Emerald City, recruit troops, and stir up trouble?"

Federico snorted softly.

"Whether the kingdom's secret department intervenes or not, whether there is help from noble people or not, I will come back one day," he said coldly, "for my father, for the truth, and for justice."

Thales looked at him and frowned.

A second later, Federico suddenly relaxed and smiled at the prince:

"But it is true that I chose to return now because after many years, a big figure from the kingdom who is not afraid of power, is not restricted, and cannot be deceived, and who is more than capable of competing against Zhan En, comes to the Emerald City to help me redress my injustice."

Thales' expression tightened and he forced a smile.

You think highly of me.

Just now, the entire Emerald City is about to crush him.

"That day in the arena, in public," Thales calmed down, "How can you be sure that I will definitely stand up to protect you?"

"I'm not sure," Federico shook his head, as if he didn't care, "but I believe that with His Highness's intelligence and character, even if he didn't come forward at the time, he would react afterwards and speak up for me."

Thales sneered.

"But if you really wait until 'afterwards' and you fall into Zhan's hands, it won't be a matter of shouting a few words for me to reverse the situation."

"Fortunately, Your Highness responded well and made a timely decision."

Federico's answer was flawless and flawless, and Thales was silent for a long time.

It's very interesting. Although on the day of the Arena Incident, Federico seemed unbridled, bold and over-the-top, even crazy and desperate, in both his actions and behavior, but today when we met Federico, who was stroking his teacup in private, he was...

It gives people a calm, low-key and meticulous feeling.

In perfect contrast to his cousin who is humble and friendly to the outside world, but is actually vicious and vicious.

Or, in other words, the appearance is different?

"I doubt it very much, Feder," the prince leaned forward and spoke again, "do you really believe that Jann Kelvindir, as the son of the Duke at that time, the first heir to the Emerald City, will sooner or later become the Guardian Duke of the South Bank?

, he was so greedy for power that he couldn't wait to succeed to the throne, so he hurriedly killed his father and framed the blame on his uncle in order to take power as soon as possible? "

After hearing the key topic, Federico's expression changed and he became solemn.

"I know what your Highness suspects."

He thought for a moment, then put down the tea cup and looked directly at Thales:

"At first glance, the position of Duke is already within his grasp. There is really no need for my dear cousin to do this."

But Feder changed the subject:

"But doesn't my father know this? Anyway, if the Duke dies, his nephew will inherit the throne, so why is it necessary for him to kill his brother? If he really wants to seize the throne, why not kill Zhan En too?

"

"Maybe, maybe he tried," Thales narrowed his eyes, but his words were not very friendly, "But he didn't succeed?"

"Please believe me, Your Highness, or you can send someone to ask the old man: With the resolute methods and character of Viscount Sona Kelvindir, if he had really tried this, or even just thought about it," Federico faced

He didn't feel dissatisfied, but his words were unquestionable, "Then there will be no Zhan En today."
To be continued...