I look around for a solution and end up pouring the tea on the letter, sighing for the relief once the fire exringuish...
After scrolling it, I open to check on the status of it... A few corners are burnt and the ink got ruined slightly, but it's still readable...
"Now we have the meeting place!"
I put the letter in the bag tied on my tight and begin searching for more proofs in the box... But it's empty.
I quickly search in the drawers of the desk
More countability... War reports... Letter of congratulations... But nothing useful!
-Where did he go? He was there patrolling with me.
He said he was going to take a quick nap so I agreed on covering him up but... It's been way too much time now-
"I'll search elsewhere, there's too much movement on this floor" I take the vassoil and head toward the kitchen to put everything away and blow out the candles
-Miss! Have you seen an old man around somewhere? He is dressed in full armor- asks a young guard approaching me
-No, I'm sorry-
-It's fine, thank you anyway...- he bows walking away.
I begin walking up the stairs to go back into said room and get changed, but as I reach the 2nd floor I hear quite the commotion and a door banging open -We found him! He... He's dead!-
"Dead?! Change of plans... Leave!"
I rush behind the corner of an hallway waiting for other guards to rush onto the crime scene and when they pass over me, I head to the 3nd floor with fast steps.
"Now then... How do I leave...?"
I walk in the hallway searching for a promising room untill finding one that is locked...
"If it's locked... Nobody entered, right?" I begin to force the door, staring at both my sides as voices approach my location...
"Come on... Almost there..." I see the point of an helmet peeking from the stairs as the locker clicks open
"Yes!" I exultate slipping inside, locking the door once again, taking a deep breath resting on the door behind me with the soldiers all passing over the room...
I get changed and throw the bag over my shoulders before finally looking around me.
Chests over chests of salted food and dried Mian...
-Whoa... What is this?- I wonder while opening one
A food storage room on the third floor? This is not right... There were two storages on the map, and none was on this floor.
And not only it's out of place... But there seems to be a double end to the boxes, I notice when knocking on one.
I take out the containers of food and open the secondary compartment to find some arrows and bottles inside, with a symbol I don't recognize on it...
But although it might be an evidence, it's not something I should care for now...
I approach the window looking outside.
It would be quite a jump from here trying to reach that wall... And I cannot go to the 2nd floor since it's full of Guards.
-Search everywhere! Whoever killed him should still be inside the house!- yells a guard downstairs
So my only option is to jump... But how?
An idea comes to my mind as I stare at the chests...
"If there is food and weapons... Couldn't there be a robe or something?"
I begin empty them one after the other
-You found anything?- -No Sir!- -Let's try upstairs then!-
"This is not good..." I think, moving my hand faster
-Wait this door is locked...!- -Who has the keys?- -Me! Wait let me try- their voices are right outside this room now...
"If any luck good exists, please do something now...!"
-Not even this one... What...?- the guard tries a few keys but apparently none is the right one
-You there! What are you doing?!- The Prince!
-Your Highness! Excuse our tumult but a man was found dead tonight so we must search the culprits, to assure your safety-
-That room is extremely private, nobody can enter not exist so easily... He's clearly not there.
Search elsewhere! And call for more guards!-
-Yes Your Highness!- the men yells before running away
"That was close... Oh! A rope!" I clean up the mess to pass unnoticed and exit on the roof
I take the rope out and tie it to an heavy crossbow I found, which will help to aim at the nearest branch.
Once the rope is tied to a big arrow I shoot and without a second thought hold on to it swinging to the other side...
When I finally secure myself on the tree I take back the rope and crossbow hiding them in my backpack, climbing down...
As I walk, on my way back to the Len residence, I again am lost in thoughts...
I feel electricity running into me for how much I'm still excited about the escape, but one thing doesn't add up...
That man... "He was only sleeping when I got in... I'm sure of it, so that means I wasn't alone in that Household"
I hear some steps approaching and turn around taking out my knife
-You...- I growl at the man with golden eyes in front of me
-The maid from the baths... Or should I say... Miss Ying?- he smirks -Take her!-
-What the...!- but before I could say anything a heavy hit on my neck make me loose conscience as someone rise me from the ground...
...
When I open my eyes again I'm tied to a chair and a cloth cover my mouth.
-You must be wondering where you are... ChangLai.
Oh excuse my rudeness!
Guys come on! Is this how you treat such a fine Lady? Untie her...- he orders to the men while going behind his desk, in front of me
-Now... Don't try to run or anything, it would be useless to try anyway...
Some tea Miss Ying?- he asks pouring two cups
-Who are you?-
-I thought you already knew... I'm just a Noble who goes by the name of Wang Chia-Hao, a merchant to be precise- he comments, seating down
-Are you going to kill me or what now?-
-No I won't... I actually want to... Let's say, offer you an alliance-
I rise my chin -I'm listening-
-As you already understood, the Crown Prince is doing some shady business...
At first I had no idea either, but he gave me a few reasons to worry so I made some reseaches and found out he is shipping provisions to the enemy faction... With the intention of gaining the favour of the other Monarch...
He seems to be decided to dethrone his father and share the kingdom in fair parts with that man. He believes we're doomed under his father's domain.
I, of course, didn't knew about this since I'm just a merchant and he's been using me like a toy for such a thing...
So I'm offering you this...
I will provide you with the papers, signed by the Crown Prince himself, with all his transactions... And you will maintain my identity hidden in this matter once you will denunce him.
We will both be gaining something from this, don't you agree?-
-How can I know you are not liying?-
He chuckles lowering his cup -Let me make it simple for you...
A man was found dead inside that house and the only proof you have is a piece of paper you stole, from the Heir himself, the same night of the murder... Indicating simply a place, not a conspiracy... The Emperor would arrest and kill you on the spot.
Even more if a some kind of witness was to pop out... How does that sound?
You will eventually find the proofs if you refuse my help, but at what price Miss Ying?- he asks taking a sip
-Give me everything you have... At the moment, it is my priority to stop the Prince-
-I knew you were gonna cooperate- he smiles behind the cup