The sun's light was peeking through the window of the room. The young woman on the bed stirred her eyes and groaned. "Ugh.. It's too bright."
It's been three days since Charlotte arrived at the capital and started her apprenticeship. Nothing special has happened lately, and her days were a whirlwind of tasks—running errands, organizing documents, and fulfilling clerical duties.
Lifting up the bed sheets, Charlotte sat down at the edge of her narrow bed, and ponder for a while. She realized that, despite her time in Roseborn, she had yet to explore beyond the confines of her routine. The investigation department, her living quarters, and the cozy cafe run by an elderly couple near the premises were the extent of her familiarity with the city. Roseborn, the heart of the Ayrith Empire, stood as a realm of power and influence—a place where nobles and officials converged to shape the empire's destiny.
"Perhaps I should venture to the market during my break," Charlotte mumbled while standing up, she stretched her arms and legs and prepared to get ready for the day.
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"Welcome!"
The café is lively today.
The familiar chime of a bell greeted Charlotte as she entered the bustling café near the department. The cozy atmosphere wrapped around her, accompanied by the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the soothing hum of conversation. It was a haven from the city's ceaseless motion.
The elderly couple, the cafe's owner, beamed at her from behind the counter. Charlotte returned their warm smiles and made her way to her usual spot by the window. Seated with a cup of steaming tea, Charlotte found herself lost in silent observation.
"Charlotte," a familiar voice interrupted her reverie.
Startled, Charlotte looked up to find Theodore, the young man she had encountered on her first day. His silver hair shimmered in the sunlight, and his eyes sparkled with a blend of warmth and curiosity.
"My lord," she greeted with a polite nod.
Theodore chuckled. "Oh, I see you have forgotten, no need for such formality. Please, call me Theodore."
Charlotte smiled in response, a hint of pink coloring her cheeks. "I y-yes, of course, Theodore." He took a seat across from her, his gaze curious. "How has your time in the capital been so far?"
They exchanged pleasantries before their conversation naturally gravitated toward their shared experiences in the capital. Charlotte leaned in, her voice hushed with intrigue. "Theodore, have you ever encountered anything... mysterious in Roseborn?"
Theodore's blue eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Mysterious? Well, the capital has its fair share of enigmas, but nothing specific comes to mind. Why do you ask?"
Charlotte hesitated for a moment, then decided to confide in him. "On my first day at the investigation department, I saw a missing case report that needed immediate investigation while I was cleaning Lady Kierra's office, I asked her about it and Lady Kierra told me something rather cryptic. She said, 'The body will show up in three days.'"
Theodore's brow furrowed with intrigue. "The body? That sounds like a riddle."
Charlotte nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Indeed, and it's been on my mind ever since. It's as though she was hinting at something significant."
"Tell me, Theodore," she began, her gaze thoughtful, "what are your thoughts on Lady Kierra? She's quite the mystery herself, isn't she?"
Theodore raised an eyebrow, his gaze lingering on the cup of tea he held. "Lady Kierra? Well, she does have an aura of mystery around her, that's for certain." Charlotte leaned closer, her voice lowered to a conspiratorial tone. "Do you think she might be hiding something? Back then, when the receptionist learned that I was to be mentored by Lady Kierra, he acted weird."
Theodore paused, his gaze meeting Charlotte's. For a moment, he seemed to weigh his words carefully. His voice equally low. "I've heard rumors about Lady Kierra—whispers in the corridors of power, you might say. She's known for her uncanny ability to uncover secrets, and her connections reach into the highest echelons of society."
Charlotte's curiosity deepened. "Connections? What kind of connections?"
Theodore's lips curled into a half-smile. "You're asking dangerous questions, Charlotte. Lady Kierra's web of influence extends far and wide, touching upon everything from politics to the underworld. Some say she's a puppeteer, manipulating events from behind the scenes."
Charlotte's eyes widened. Lady Kierra's mystique deepened with each revelation. "But why would she choose to mentor an apprentice like me? What does she see in me?"
Theodore's gaze softened as he regarded Charlotte. "Perhaps she sees potential, Charlotte. Potential for you to uncover the very mysteries she seeks. Or maybe, she values your untainted perspective, free from the biases of the capital's elite."
"But you, Charlotte, are the most intriguing mystery I've encountered in Roseborn." Theodore's lips curved into a half-smile, his gaze never wavering from hers.
Charlotte's heart skipped a beat, her breath catching. Was Theodore flirting with her? She couldn't be entirely sure, but the subtle twinkle in his eyes hinted at something more.
With a playful glimmer, she retorted, "Am I a mystery waiting to be solved, Theodore? Perhaps you're the one who holds the key."
Theodore chuckled softly, his voice a velvet murmur. "Ah, Charlotte, you have a way of keeping me captivated. Who knows what secrets you may reveal?"
Charlotte found herself drawn into Theodore's charm, her curiosity mingling with a growing fondness for the young man.
The day was fading, and Charlotte reluctantly rose from her seat, realizing it was time to return to her duties. Theodore offered a warm smile as they parted ways.
"Until we meet again, Charlotte," he said.
"Until then, Theodore," she replied, her heart buoyed by the connection they had forged. With the cafe's warmth lingering in her heart, Charlotte left to rejoin Lady Kierra on her office.
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The sun's soft rays filtered through the library's tall windows, casting a warm, golden hue across the room. Annelize, the maid who had recently discovered the lifeless body of Marielle, had found herself inexplicably drawn to the mansion's extensive collection of books. Today, she wandered through the shelves, her steps light, as she explored the repository of knowledge hidden within the walls of the Dukedom of Wooddel.
Her fingers traced the spines of old tomes, each one holding secrets and stories from ages past. Among the leather-bound classics and dusty manuscripts, she stumbled upon a forgotten journal, its cover worn and pages yellowed with time. Annelize's heart quickened as she carefully picked up the journal, her curiosity piqued.
Unbeknownst to Annelize, the mansion's head butler, Gerard, had been patrolling the corridors that led to the library. He had grown increasingly suspicious of Annelize's frequent visits to this secluded corner of the estate. His instincts as a seasoned servant told him that something was amiss.
As Annelize engrossed herself in the journal's contents, she failed to notice Gerard's silent approach. His footsteps were almost soundless, a testament to his years of dedicated service. Just as she turned a page, a shadow fell upon the journal, casting it into darkness.
Startled, Annelize looked up and met Gerard's stern gaze. The head butler, with his graying hair and sharp eyes, had a reputation for being the vigilant guardian of the mansion's affairs.
"Miss Annelize," Gerard's voice was calm but firm. "May I inquire as to what you are doing with that journal?"
Panic surged through her veins as she realized the gravity of the situation. The forgotten journal, held in trembling hands, was evidence of her disobedience, her intrusion into a world not meant for her, she clutched the journal tighter, her voice trembling slightly. "I... I was just curious, Gerard. It seemed forgotten and abandoned."
Gerard's expression softened, his eyes filled with a mixture of understanding and concern. He extended his hand towards Annelize, his palm open in a gesture of trust. "I understand your curiosity, Miss Annelize. But that journal holds secrets that are not yours to uncover. May I kindly ask you to surrender it?"
Annelize hesitated for a moment, torn between her curiosity and respect for Gerard's authority. Finally, she sighed and handed over the journal, her fingers reluctantly releasing their grip.
Gerard accepted the journal with a nod of gratitude. "Thank you, Miss Annelize. Your understanding in this matter is greatly appreciated."
As he turned to leave, Annelize couldn't help but inquire, her voice laced with a mixture of worry and curiosity. "Gerard, what is in that journal? Why is it so important?"
Gerard's steps halted, and he glanced back at Annelize, his eyes filled with a depth of concern. "Miss Annelize, that journal may hold clues to the disappearance of the Duchess. We are conducting a thorough investigation, and any piece of information, no matter how small, could prove vital."
Annelize's heart sank at Gerard's words. The disappearance of the Duchess weighed heavy on her mind, and she couldn't fathom the depths of the mysteries that surrounded it. As Gerard departed, journal in hand, Annelize was left with a profound sense of unease, her thoughts consumed by the secrets that the mansion held and the role she unwittingly played in their unraveling.