Government Hall Director Tuale abruptly turned around, fixing the officer with a sinister glare. "Are you sure?"
The panting officer caught his breath. "Absolutely, Director. Knight Roland is with them, too. They didn't stop anywhere and headed straight for the harbor district."
Tuale's dark reddish face revealed nothing. He had noticed something unusual: Calvinde's orphan had only ever gone to the castle and the cemetery. She had hardly been anywhere else.
"Could Roland be trying to send her away?! What a busybody!"
A little girl didn't matter, of course. But if the prince learned that his plan had been nipped in the bud, he would probably think less of him.
How could Tuale allow that to happen? "Notify the security force to assemble at once. Stop them outside the harbor."
Storm Port had once had only one police station, modeled after the one in Poderia's capital. There weren't many officers, and they mainly dealt with brawls and other minor disturbances.
After Storm Cape lost its ruling nobles, the royal family established a governor's residence, and the Government Hall's authority expanded. It became a true civil and military administration.
The security force under its command was a newly established enforcement arm. Three hundred strong, it was equipped with firearms and coastal artillery.
The Government Hall stood right at the entrance to the harbor district, almost directly in the path of anyone entering or leaving Storm Port. So although the security force was slow to act, it still had plenty of time to stop Rebecca.
Beatrice was circling overhead above Storm Port. When Ian saw the Government Hall's moves, he sensed that something might have gone wrong. The Second Prince hadn't been as "unconcerned" about this noble orphan as he'd imagined.
Ian made a snap decision. "Milta, stay on the ship. If