The middle-aged man looks Claude up and down before asking, "Are you, Claude?"
Claude frowns, wondering why two inspectors have come to his door so early in the morning, and the only reason that comes to his mind is the bandits from yesterday.
"Yes, I am Claude," he replies.
The man nods. "I am Inspector Roy," he says, then gestures toward the young woman beside him, "and she is Inspector Leanne."
Claude's gaze shifts to Leanne, and for a brief moment, he is caught off guard by her appearance.
Her face is delicate yet defined, with smooth features that carry a quiet harmony, her skin clear and soft like polished jade, her black eyes deep and lustrous like dark jewels, and her long black hair, sleek and shining, is tied neatly into a ponytail that falls behind her back.
Claude quickly nods at her, then looks away toward Inspector Roy, forcing himself not to stare.
Inspector Roy continues, "We have some questions for you. Can we come in?"
Claude glances back into the room, where Claudia is still asleep under the covers.
"Can we go somewhere else to talk? My sister is still sleeping."
Inspector Roy leans slightly and peeks inside, confirming the sleeping girl, then exchanges a glance with Inspector Leanne.
She gives a small nod.
"Then come with us," Roy says, "there is a tea shop nearby."
Claude puts on his shoes, steps out, and closes the door behind him.
"Let's go."
He follows them.
As they reach the staircase, he notices Elisa and the old man standing near the counter.
"If my sister asks for me, tell her I went outside and will return shortly," he says.
Elisa nods, though both she and the old man watch him with a hint of suspicion.
Claude turns and continues after the inspectors, descending the stairs and stepping out into the street.
They walk past two buildings from the inn before entering a small tea shop.
Inside, the air is warm and filled with the faint aroma of herbs and leaves.
They take seats at a corner table by an open window that looks out onto the street.
A waiter approaches and asks, "What can I get you three?"
Inspector Roy says, "Black tea."
Inspector Leanne follows, "Rosemary tea."
Her voice is soft and clear, carrying a gentle sweetness that lingers.
Claude freezes for a moment as the sound echoes faintly in his mind.
"Sir?" the waiter prompts.
Claude shakes his head lightly, snapping himself back, and says, "Light green tea."
The waiter nods. "One black tea, one rosemary tea, and one light green tea."
She pauses. "Anything else?"
Inspector Leanne says, "Bring a plate of your best cookies."
The waiter nods and leaves.
Silence settles over the table.
Inspector Roy and Inspector Leanne both look at Claude.
Claude feels his heartbeat tighten with tension as he waits for their questions.
Inspector Roy begins, his tone measured, "So, Mr Claude, where are you from?"
Claude looks at him steadily and asks, "Have I committed any crime?"
The two inspectors exchange a glance.
"We have not found anything," Roy says, "but you could, as you cross a forest to come here, so I am asking where you are from, because you may have."
His eyes narrow slightly, a faint edge entering his voice. "So answer the question, where are you and your sister from, and if you refuse…"
Claude smiles faintly, calm despite the pressure. "I don't think that even if I refuse, you can do anything to my sister or me."
Inspector Roy's gaze sharpens.
"But I will answer," Claude continues, his tone even, "it is not a secret, my sister and I are from Fontana."
Fontana is a city-state along the south-eastern coast of the Dream Continent, and reaching it from the Duex Kingdom requires passing through the narrow Black Mountain Passage.
Before they can ask further, Claude adds, "My sister is a Dream Magician, and we are taking her to the Emerald Tower near Darksun City for further training."
Inspector Leanne speaks, and Claude subtly pinches his thigh, forcing himself to stay focused and unaffected by her voice.
"You and your sister are travelling alone?"
Claude's thoughts flicker to his father and mother, and his eyes begin to tear up.
"Your Duex Kingdom is truly dangerous," he says, his voice trembling slightly, "my uncle and several family guards were escorting us, but bandits ambushed us on the road, and when they began to lose, I took my sister and escaped into the woods."
He wipes his eyes with his sleeve and adds, "We thought the Duex Kingdom was safe."
At that moment, the waiter arrives, casting a strange look toward the inspectors.
"Here is your black tea," she says, placing the cup in front of Roy.
"Rosemary tea," she adds, setting another before Leanne.
"And light green tea."
The final cup is placed before Claude, followed by a plate of crescent-shaped cookies set at the centre of the table.
"If you need anything, call me," she says before walking away.
Claude raises his voice slightly, enough for others nearby to hear.
"And even yesterday, my sister and I came across bandits attacking a village, and despite everything, I rescued three people, yet instead of going after the bandits, you come here to question me this morning."
People seated around the tea shop glance over, their expressions shifting, and some cast the inspectors dirty looks while whispers begin to spread.
Claude watches carefully.
Inspector Roy remains calm, lifting his cup and sipping his tea as if nothing had happened, showing no reaction to the murmurs.
Inspector Leanne, however, turns her gaze toward Claude, her eyes sharp.
Claude feels a sting in his chest under that look, but he does not waver.
He cannot allow them to investigate him or his sister.
Aside from admitting that Claudia is a Dream Magician and that they are heading to the Emerald Tower, everything else he has said is a lie.
If he had proof to support it, he would have even lied about their destination.
Leanne frowns slightly and says, "Mr Claude, we did not come to interrogate you; we only wanted to know more about you, since you crossed the Wetland Forest to reach here."
Claude nods lightly. "Oh, sorry, my mistake."
He lifts his cup and takes a sip of tea, his expression returning to calm.
"Do you have anything else to ask?" he continues. "My sister will worry if she does not see me after waking up."
Leanne glances at Roy.
Roy takes another sip of his tea before speaking. "Thank you for rescuing Maria, Mary, and Harry. You may go; we have no more questions."
Claude does not hesitate.
He pushes his chair back and stands, then turns and walks out of the tea shop.
Roy watches him leave, then glances at the untouched tea in Claude's cup.
"He could have finished it before leaving," he remarks casually as he picks up a cookie and takes a bite.
Leanne exhales softly. "Senior Roy, I do not think Claude and his sister are involved with the Wolf Bandits. He may be telling the truth; he might have simply come across the bandits attacking Heartstone Fishing Village and decided to rescue Maria and her family."
Roy nods. "Claude looks like a noble child."
Before Leanne can reply, the waiter approaches their table.
"Inspectors, could you please leave? Our guests do not like your presence."
Leanne glances around and notices the looks directed at them, cold, annoyed, and filled with quiet hostility.
Roy sighs and rises from his seat.
He places ten copper pence on the table and says, "Let's go."
They walk out of the tea shop, and as they step onto the street, whispers follow behind them.
"Dogs of the nobles."
"Cowards."
"Useless."
The voices trail after them, sharp and unrestrained.
Neither of them responds.
They return to the station in silence and make their way directly to the captain's office.
Roy knocks on the door.
"Come in," a female voice calls from inside.
They step in and see Captain Marilyn seated behind her desk, her steel-colored hair tied neatly into a bun, her sharp eyes fixed on them.
She waits until Leanne closes the door behind her before speaking.
"Did you get anything from the boy?"
Inspector Roy recounts everything that happened in the tea shop, his tone steady and precise.
Captain Marilyn taps her finger lightly against the table, her gaze lowered in thought.
After a moment, she raises her head.
"The Wolf Bandits cannot remain any longer."
Leanne's face brightens slightly. "When do we take action?"
"Three days later."
Both Roy and Leanne nod, faint smiles appearing on their faces.
Captain Marilyn continues, "Leanne, later this evening, go to the inn again and invite Claude for lunch tomorrow at my office."
Roy's eyes narrow slightly.
Leanne frowns. "Why?"
"Do not ask questions," Captain Marilyn replies calmly. "Do as I say."
Leanne nods.
Roy nods as well.
They turn and leave the office.
Once they are gone, Captain Marilyn stands up and walks to a shelf.
She pulls out a file and opens it.
Inside are documents detailing the massacre of the Draconis family.
Two names are marked as unaccounted among the victims.
Claude Draconis.
Claudia Draconis.