What kind of question was that... I thought she would ask something like, "Did you ever love me?" Judging by Trissy's expression, she must have thought so too...
Angel frowned slightly and searched her memory, but the name meant nothing to her.
Still, Shermane had mentioned the "former" Palace Guard Captain, so this Mason Diel Earl was presumably Viscount Stratford's predecessor. Stratford might even have taken over directly from him.
But what did that have to do with Shermane?
Angel looked at Viscount Stratford, who answered calmly:
"Yes. Before I became Palace Guard Captain, he commanded the Royal Guard and protected the Royal Palace. I was his deputy."
"Eight years ago, he was stripped of his title and lands and executed on the spot for taking part in a rebellion. Is that true?"
Shermane seemed to have known the answer to her first question already, and continued without hesitation.
"Of course not." A hint of struggle appeared on Stratford's face, but he soon calmed down and answered Shermane's question. "In truth, he discovered His Majesty's secret and tried to leave the Royal Palace to inform the Three Great Churches. He was discovered and executed on the spot... Afterward, the royal family purged some members of his family, sparing the more distant relatives, as well as the children and women of his direct line. That was also an acknowledgment of the Dill family's contributions over generations of service to the royal family... I then took over his position and continued serving His Majesty."
"Were you involved in Mason Dere's death?"
Shermane immediately followed up.
"No. A member of the Royal Guard reported his betrayal. A demigod from the royal family personally intercepted him and brought him under control, leaving him unable to utter another word, even when he reached the gallows...