Rebecca had already fallen asleep on the captain's cabin bed. The little girl couldn't bear to return to her own room, so Ian had smiled and agreed to let her stay here for two nights.
Rebecca was a sensible girl. After a few days to adjust, she would be fine.
Ian hadn't told her about the special space aboard the Leviathan. It wasn't that he didn't trust her; it was a way of protecting her, too. Knowing too many secrets wouldn't necessarily be good for her.
Ian sat on the sofa, his eyes unfocused.
It was now close to dawn. Personnel stood watch in pairs at every window and in every corridor on every floor of the Government Hall, with the rooftop under especially close guard. They included not only police officers and Government Hall staff, but also people temporarily transferred or hired from elsewhere.
Tuale practically had the words "afraid to die" written all over his face.
Ian rubbed his face in frustration. The port had been temporarily closed, and the coastal artillery garrison was on standby. Sneaking ashore was unlikely.
A toad on your foot—though it doesn't bite, it still gets on your nerves. Tuale was that toad; for now, he simply couldn't bite Ian.
It wasn't that Ian absolutely had to kill him, but as long as Tuale was alive, Ian couldn't feel at ease. And as the Second Prince's chief steward, Tuale surely played a crucial role.
Even if another governor would take Tuale's place after his death, disrupting the Second Prince's plans would make it worthwhile.
After thinking it over for a long time, Ian could come up with no other way. He would have to kill Tuale by force.
Judging by the situation, Tuale really might hole up in the Government Hall and wait