Chapter 356: Chapter 356: Method 354 (Upper) _1

The quiet night covered the earth, and the intermittent chirping of insects adorned this tranquil garden with a vibrant vitality.

Colin gazed at the dazzling moon in the sky, savoring the flower tea in his hand, waiting quietly.

Waiting for the kind of surprise that Prince Harrison could bring him. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

His visit to the Agate Manor this time was actually for Joyce.

Although he had never considered this child as a real threat, Colin was about to leave the North Territory for a while, and it was a bit uncomfortable to leave such a latent danger in Winterfell City.

Moreover, Colin also received a report from his subordinates, knowing that Count Evan of the Eastern Territory was in Winterfell City at the moment. He just didn’t reveal his identity publicly and didn’t come to visit the Lion Roar Castle.

Colin knew that the other party probably came to the North Territory to find Prince Lexie, after all, Count Evan was accompanied by the Prince’s daughter Sallya.

However, since they came to Winterfell City and didn’t visit the Lion Roar Castle to meet the Northern Duke, it was inevitably a bit rude. This made Colin feel that the Count Evan, who had a belly full of bad water, was likely plotting something, so he was too guilty to come to Lion Roar Castle.

Therefore, Colin has to eliminate all potential threats before he leaves.

The night darkened, Colin was wondering why Prince Harrison hadn’t taken any action yet. Was he getting scared when things were getting serious?

At this time, an attendant ran into the garden in a hurry and reported hastily:

“My lord, something has happened!”

Finally, it happened.

Colin’s heart moved, he asked calmly, “What happened?”

“Master Joyce… he… it is better for you to go and see it in person.”

Observing the attendant’s hesitant look, Colin’s eyeballs rolled a few times, quickly stood up, and said, “Let’s go.”

“Yes!”

The two crossed the dim corridor and arrived at the back courtyard of the manor.

A circle of guards and servants had already surrounded the area, but they all stood outside and didn’t dare to enter.

Seeing Colin approach with a confident stride, the butler of the manor hurriedly greeted him and respectfully said:

“My lord, Prince Harrison, Princess Judy, and young master Joyce are all inside, it seems that they’ve had some kind of disagreement, you should go inside and have a look.”

“A disagreement?” Colin’s expression fluctuated slightly, and he asked doubtfully.

The butler didn’t elaborate, just hinted at Colin with his eyes that it was not appropriate to publicly discuss the matter.

Colin didn’t ask any further, and just walked into the room.

There were only three children in the room, no one else.

Princess Judy sat at the table, rubbing her sleepy eyes, not looking very energetic.

To her sides, Prince Harrison and Joyce faced each other, faces flushed as if they had just had a fight.

There was a Reversi game set on the table. It seemed that the three of them were playing earlier,

but the atmosphere in the room was now heavy.

Seeing Colin walk in, Prince Harrison’s eyes lit up, and he quickly shouted out, “Count Angler, this Joyce had the audacity to attempt to take liberties with my sister Judy. You must send someone to…”

“Nonsense!” Joyce retorted with a shrill voice, “That’s slander! I clearly did nothing!”

“What slander? When I came in just now, I clearly saw you harbouring ill intentions towards Judy!”

“You misunderstood. I was just checking why Princess Judy suddenly collapsed on the table.”

“Enough!” Colin raised his hand to cut off the argument between the two boys, then turned to Princess Judy and asked with concern, “Judy? Are you all right?”

“I…” Princess Judy rubbed her eyes, yawned, and said, “I’m fine, just a little sleepy…”

Colin frowned, he walked forward, picked up the cup of water in front of Princess Judy, and sniffed it.

Prince Harrison immediately shouted, “Count Angler, I suspect Joyce has drugged Princess’s water. Please bring a pharmacist for inspection!”

Joyce was scared and shouted, “Nonsense! How could I possibly drug the princess’s water?”

Colin was somewhat speechless.

He had already noticed something strange in Princess Judy’s water and immediately guessed that it was Harrison who had drugged it, intending to frame Joyce. However, this scheme was… too crude.

Well, he was just a child after all, it was a bit hard for him to come up with a seamless plan.

Just as Colin was thinking about how to help Prince Harrison get away with this dirty scheme, he heard Prince Harrison shout again:

“Still want to deny it? Count Angler, look at Judy’s neck, it’s full of traces left by Joyce!”

Joyce was obviously stunned.

Colin also blinked, clearly not expecting the kid to have a follow-up move.

So, he stepped forward, approached Judy, and asked, “Judy, is there anything uncomfortable about your neck?”

Princess Judy seemed to realize something was wrong, touched her own neck, and murmured in confusion, “It seems to be… itchy.”

Colin pulled Judy’s collar and indeed saw a red patch on her neck.

Prince Harrison immediately crowed triumphantly, “Joyce, do you still want to deny now?”

“I…I didn’t do anything!” Joyce’s face turned red, and he cried out in grievance, “Count Angler, Harrison is framing me, you must not believe him!”

Emboldened, Prince Harrison pursued relentlessly, “Joyce, it’s clear that you have no hope of denying it.

It was you who lured Judy here under the pretext of playing chess, then drugged her cup in order to take advantage of her!”

“You’re talking nonsense! I didn’t! I didn’t!” Joyce could only shake his head in denial, unable to produce any solid evidence of his innocence.

However, Prince Harrison looked triumphant as if he held irrefutable proof.

Watching this familiar scene, Colin suddenly recalled a similar frame-up incident that occurred in the Holy Light Cathedral of Dragon City.

Perhaps the saying goes true. Like father (or mother), like son.

Of course, compared to the stratagems of Emperor Reinhardt and Queen Midela, Harrison’s was somewhat immature and could easily be exposed.

For example, the trace on Judy’s neck. Colin had already seen some barely discernible willow catkin on her collar.

However, against kids like Joyce, this tactic was more than enough. Now looking at Joyce, he was clearly panicked.

“Count Angler, hurry up and have Joyce arrested! The princess of the royal family is not to be desecrated by him!”

“I didn’t! I didn’t,” Joyce made a weak retort. Tears were swirling in his eyes, and he was nearly in tears.

Colin was secretly disdainful, but he did not arrest Joyce as Prince Harrison suggested. Instead, he ambiguously said:

“This case needs further investigation. However, young master Joyce, you better return to Lion Roar Castle. Agate Manor is no longer a suitable place for you.”

Joyce, apparently surprised that Colin just let him go, repeatedly nodded in thanks, “Count Angler, please investigate this meticulously. I had nothing to do with it!”

After finishing, he glared at Prince Harrison and ran off as if in escape.

Prince Harrison stamped his foot in frustration, complained, “Teacher, why did you let him go just like that?”

Colin ignored Harrison’s complaint and asked Judy, “Judy, how do you feel now? Do I need to find a priest for you?”

Before Judy could answer, Prince Harrison muttered, “It’s fine, she’ll be alright after a nap.”

Colin glared at Harrison, then picked up the half-conscious Judy to put her in the inner bed.

After instructing the maids outside, he said to Prince Harrison:

“Come with me.”