Lucian's absence from the manor led him on a quest for answers, his first destination being Lord Malaichi's house. However, the passage of time had erased any trace of the brutal massacre. It seemed as though the evidence had been meticulously cleared, leaving Lucian frustrated but undeterred.
Undeterred by the lack of leads, Lucian turned his attention to the darker corners of the empire. His journey led him to the infamous areas, where crime and shadows intertwined. One destination, in particular, beckoned with ominous familiarity—the slave market where Elena had once been sold into servitude by Malaichi.
As Lucian approached the market, a gruesome sight awaited him. The air was heavy with the stench of death, and the once-bustling market was now a scene of horror. The lifeless bodies of slave traders lay strewn across the ground, their limbs torn apart in a ghastly display of brutality.
The realization struck Lucian like a cold wind—someone had massacred the traders. The macabre scene sent shivers down his spine, and a foreboding sense of urgency settled over him. He knew he needed to delve deeper into the connection between these murders and the ominous pattern he discerned.
Lucian, standing amidst the gruesome aftermath of the slaughtered slave traders, felt a tumultuous mix of emotions. The evidence pointed toward a connection between the merciless killings and the Sable family's dark legacy of assassination. The missing princess, the mysterious murders, and Elena's past all intertwined like threads in a complex tapestry.
As Lucian delved deeper into the investigation, a revelation struck him—the age at which both the missing princess and Elena had been sold into slavery was identical. The realization that Elena and Isolde shared the same age added a layer of complexity to the unfolding mystery. The urgency to uncover the truth intensified, and Lucian's determination swelled.
However, amidst the revelation, a dark undercurrent stirred within Lucian. The idea that Elena might not be as weak as she appeared excited him, casting a twisted shadow of obsession. The conflicting emotions of feeling betrayed and intrigued consumed him, urging him to continue the investigation rather than return to the manor.
Back at the castle, a sinister plot unfolded in Lucian's absence. The head maid, seizing the opportunity presented by the Duke's journey, saw it as the perfect time to eliminate Elena. A clandestine plan was set in motion as she instructed a maid to mix poison into Elena's tea, weaving a web of treachery within the castle walls. The stage was set for a perilous turn of events, with Elena's life hanging in the balance.
The maids watched in anticipation as Elena raised the poisoned tea to her lips. The room fell into an eerie silence as they expected her demise. However, to their astonishment, Elena calmly finished the entire drink. A wicked smile played on her lips as she locked eyes with the stunned maids, a murderous aura enveloping her.
With a sudden, unsettling change in her demeanor, Elena's once-docile personality turned cold. A haunting laughter escaped her lips, echoing through the room. The maids, now terrified, exchanged nervous glances, realizing their plot had failed miserably.
Elena's laughter intensified, sending shivers down the spines of those who had underestimated her. In a swift motion, she revealed a concealed dagger from the folds of her skirt. The atmosphere thickened with tension as Elena, now transformed into a formidable force, approached the maids with a steely determination.
Without a moment's hesitation, Elena unleashed a brutal onslaught, her movements swift and precise. The maids, caught off guard by the sudden turn of events, fell victim to Elena's calculated wrath. The castle walls bore witness to the gruesome scene as Elena, driven by a vengeful force, ensured that those who had plotted against her met a merciless end.
The aftermath of Elena's brutal retaliation left the castle in a chilling silence. The lifeless bodies of the maids bore witness to the newfound strength that lay beneath her seemingly fragile exterior. As the echoes of the confrontation lingered, a group of shadowy figures emerged from the concealed corners of the room.
These men, clad in dark attire, stepped forward and bowed before Elena. They were Duke Sable's trusted confidants, their allegiance apparent as they addressed her with deference. "It's time for your return, Princess Isolde," one of them declared, acknowledging her true identity.
Elena's gaze remained cold and unforgiving. "Not now," she asserted with a steely tone. "First, I need to settle my scores with Viscount. Come with me." Her command hung in the air, leaving no room for dissent.
The revelation unfolded like a clandestine play, hidden behind the curtains of deception. The missing princess, believed to be lost, was, in fact, within the castle walls all along, concealed under the guise of Elena. The intricate dance of shadows had concealed her true identity, weaving a tale of intrigue and deceit.
With determined steps, Elena, or rather Princess Isolde, walked out of the castle accompanied by Duke Sable's men. The air outside bore witness to the impending confrontation, as the once-submissive Elena now embodied the resilience and strength of the missing princess.
The journey toward settling scores with the Viscount awaited, as Elena's past, veiled in secrecy, now unfurled before her like a twisted tapestry of destiny. The castle, once a bastion of conspiracies, now braced itself for the storm that would inevitably follow in the wake of Isolde's return.
To be continued...