?


    Silverbell''s meaning was clear-mess with Frank again, and Draco would find himself in the penance chamber too. "Urgh..."


    Draco breathed a long sigh, as he knew that he could not protect his brother now.


    Still, it worked for him, as Draco thought that being sent to the penance chamber was better than Silverbell killing Tigris on the spot.


    After all, Tigris did not only mess with Frank Lawrence, the son of the Lord of the Southern woods, but he insulted the chief of the Martial Alliance as well.


    Those crimes alone were enough for him to be killed a thousand times over.


    On the other hand, even after Tigris would be crippled after being subjected to the torture in the penance chamber, he would at least be alive.


    As for whether he stayed sane, that depended on Tigris'' own mental fortitude.


    Making up his mind, he waved his hand. "Take him."


    "Yes, sir!"


    Several jailers strode up, lifting Tigris along with the iron chair he was strapped to.


    While they did, Tigris continued to struggle and beg Draco and Silverbell for mercy.


    Naturally, it was pointless.


    And after Tigris was taken away, Draco hurried inside the cell, rubbing his hands as he apologized to Frank. "I''m so sorry, Mr. Lawrence. There''s been some misunderstanding before, but Lady Silverbell and I have cleared the air now, and she said it''s... ahem, all in the past, right?"


    Draco nced at Silverbell, who nodded at Frank.


    In reality, Frank and Draco had no quarrel... though technically one could argue that Draco could not move against Frank, not when he held his brother Tigris hostage.


    As such, Draco had only insulted Frank at best, and Frank was not that petty-he knew when to hold back.


    Moreover, from their call earlier, he knew that Silverbell was taking considerable risk by breaking him out of ckwater.


    In fact, he did not hesitate to put a friendly arm around Draco''s shoulder,ughing cheerfully.


    Draco wasughing with him, albeit exasperatedly.


    Còntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org


    It was certainly a bizarre sight for the inmates around them, as those two were just trading threats not few hours ago-Draco had threatened to kill Frank, while Frank had threatened to kill his brother.


    And yet, they were now buddies who looked like they had not seen each other for years, at once cordial and intimate.


    Was their earlier confrontation just an illusion? Hell, they were all watching as Frank took Tigris hostage!


    It was not just Tigris himself-most of the inmates had taunted Frank, saying that he was asking for it.


    Even Scarface Tucker, who stood at Frank''s side from the start, strained to find his resolve, and mused to himself from time to time that he should free Tigris.


    After all, Draco''s authority as warden was unquestionable here in ckwater. What good would it do for Frank to mess with the warden?


    But to the shock of everyone, including the fettered geezer, Frank acted as if it was nothing of consequence.


    Not only was the warden perfectly nice to him, but he even sacrificed his own brother by sending him to the penance chamber.


    It was simply ridiculous, and every inmate was left in stunned silence.


    To think the new kid was so


    important that the chief of the


    Martial Alliance woulde


    personally, all the way from Morhen just to bail him out. It certainly sent thejmaginations running wild!


    swne


    "Ahem." Draco cleared his throat loudly just then. "After thorough investigation, we have concluded that Mr. Lawrence has been brought here to ckwater on trumped-up charges. While we have never released any intimates, you are no criminal, and with the vouching of one of Draconia''s top individuals, we will bend the rule this one time."