It is a dark and stormy night, and Marianne is feeling restless. She is not supposed to be out and about at such an hour, but she couldn't help himself, but to try and investigate the death if the Baron.. Slipping into the estate, she made her way through the darkened halls. She is careful to avoid the watchful eyes of the servants, who would surely report her to the Viscount, if they sees him. Finally, she reaches the door to the garden, and she opens it just a crack.
The rain pours down, but she can make out the shapes of the trees in the moonlight.
She creeps into the garden, her boots sinking into the sodden ground. She can smell the sweet scent of the roses, even through the damp air. He moves slowly, not wanting to draw attention to herself. As he turns the corner, she sees a figure standing beneath a tree.
As she gets closer to them she realizes her father is speaking with a mysterious figure.
So her father is back?
She stands rooted to the spot, unable to move or speak. Her father seems unaware of her presence, and he continues to speak with the mysterious figure.
"I have a proposition for you," the mysterious figure says. It is a voice of a man "It is a delicate matter, and one that must be handled with care." Her father nods and she can feel the tension in the air.
"I am listening," Her father says.
The Man speaks in hushs tones, his words heavy with meaning. "I have a business proposition for you," he says. "It is a matter of great importance, and it could change the course of your future."
The Viscount's eyes narrows, as though weighing the options before him. "I am listening," he repeats . "What is the nature of this proposition?"
Marianne hold her breath, afraid to make a sound. This was not a conversation she is meant to hear.
The cloak man looks around the glade, as though ensuring that they are alone. "There is a rival company that is looking to expand into our territory," he says. "They have made a tempting offer, but I know that they cannot be trusted."
The Viscount nods, his expression unreadable. "What is your proposal?" he asks. The mysterious man takes a deep breath, and Marianne can see the strain on his face. "We must form an alliance," he says.
The father's eyes widens, and he takes a step back. "An alliance?" he asks, his voice filled with surprise. "With whom?"
The man's gaze is steady, his features set in stone. "With them," he says, his voice barely above a whisper. Her heart pounds in his chest. This is not right, she thinks. This is not the way things are supposed to be.
As the father and the figure continues to speak, Marianne's eyes are drawn to the second man. He is tall and imposing, his face hidden by a cloak. But there is something familiar about him, something that the she cannot quite place. And then, suddenly, she realizes what it is with his name being mentioned..
"I don't think we should trust the Duke, Master Shakespeare." Her father says.
The second man is a baron, a powerful and influential man in their village after her father. And now, he is here, in this secret glade, speaking with his father.
The man that is going to die next week...
"What if he is the only one that is going to change our status. We are really one of the powerless nobles in London, but the duke Is ready to assist us and form alliance with us."
She steps on dry leaves and they hear the sound of something crunching beneath the feet. It sounds like dry leaves, being crushed into the ground. And then, there is a sudden, sharp sound, like a fruit falling to the ground.
"Who is that?" The Viscount says as they hears footsteps that are low and urgent. They are frozen in place, their heart pounding in their chests if their secrets has not been heard.
Her heart is racing as she creeps back to her room. She has not been caught, but she knows that she has come dangerously close. And now, she has heard things that she is not supposed to know. She is filled with a mixture of fear and excitement, her mind racing with the possibilities.
What if her father killed Baron in her previous life an he is also going to kill him in this life. She lays in bed, unable to sleep, her mind racing with questions.
It can't be her father. It's definitely the duke.
What is the baron's offer? What would happen if the alliance was formed? - What would it mean for her and her family?
And also she is confused about the duke they are talking about.
Is it the duke of Westminster? Or the Duke in city of London?
She needs more investigation.