Margaret had come with Shade to see Old Hack today not to make small talk with him, but simply to show her goodwill first. And Shade believed that Margaret had certainly not approached Old Hack alone. For the Great Witch's apprentice position, she had made far more preparations than Shade had imagined.
After Margaret finished discussing her business, Shade did not rashly step forward. Instead, he watched as the police officers returned and took Old Hack away. Dangerous criminals like him were transported in specially assigned carriages. After confirming that the prisoner had not been swapped, the haggard old man was shoved directly into a carriage lined with steel plates on the inside.
But after Old Hack got into the carriage, he was somewhat surprised to find that the person watching him inside was no longer the sheriff from before, but the princess's attendant who had poured him tea earlier.
The carriage door closed, and the fully enclosed compartment was instantly plunged into darkness. Then Shade lit a candle with a match, and the flickering firelight illuminated both their faces:
"Why are you so surprised? Princess Margaret is very cautious. If you disappeared on the way after she met you, Her Royal Highness would not be able to explain herself. I'll personally see that you return to prison."
Shade said this, while the old man eyed him suspiciously:
"This feels like more than that. I may not understand police procedure, but how could it be, sir? You're not about to pull out a gun and tell me that you're not actually a Royal Guard, but someone from Delarion's Military Intelligence Section Six, are you?"
Shade blinked.
"Of course not."
Old Hack immediately grew tense. The old man's experience allowed him to easily see that the other man was lying—and had