As Tsarina knelt by the empty pedestal, her heart raced. The map she had discovered promised secrets waiting to be unveiled, but right now, all she could focus on was the eerie absence of the statue. She quickly glanced back at the entrance of the mansion, ensuring Edd was still inside, then returned her attention to the pedestal.
The groove at the base of the pedestal intrigued her. It felt like a missing puzzle piece, and Tsarina's instincts told her to dig deeper. She brushed her fingers along the smooth surface, tracing the edges of the groove, searching for anything that could provide a clue.
A sudden thought struck her. What if the statue hadn't just vanished? What if it had been hidden away for a reason? She pushed against the stone, feeling it yield slightly under her pressure.
A soft click echoed through the air, causing her to jump back. The stone shifted, revealing a hidden compartment beneath it. Heart pounding, she leaned in closer, pulling out a folded piece of parchment from the darkness. Carefully, she unfolded it, her breath catching as she realized it was a map of The House of Granny.
But this was no ordinary map. In addition to the standard layout, it marked several secret passages and rooms, some of which weren't on any official tour. A bold red X indicated a room labeled "Founder's Vault," while other symbols hinted at hidden traps and treasures throughout the mansion.
"Tsarina! Are you in here?" Edd's voice broke through her thoughts, echoing from inside the mansion.
Quickly, she folded the map and tucked it into her jacket pocket just as he stepped through the door. He had that smirk on his face, the one that always made her want to roll her eyes.
"Did you find anything?" he asked, his tone casual but curious. He had clearly been searching for her.
"Nothing much," she replied, trying to sound indifferent. "Just a few dust bunnies."
Edd raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. "Right. Well, the old woman wants us to meet in the main hall. Seems like the first challenge is about to be announced."
Tsarina's mind raced. The map could lead her to the vault, but she needed to play her cards right. "Let's go then. Wouldn't want to keep her waiting."
They made their way back through the mansion's winding hallways, the tension between them palpable. Tsarina could feel Edd's scrutiny, as if he sensed she was hiding something.
As they entered the main hall, Grandma Glory stood at the front, surrounded by an array of ornate decorations and trophies. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement, other students gathered around, murmuring about the first challenge.
"Welcome, my aspiring champions!" Grandma Glory called, her voice smooth and commanding. "Today, you will embark on your first mystery. Some of you have already uncovered clues—what happened to our beloved statue, the symbol of this house? Only one can claim the prize and move closer to the Golden Paper Bird Trophy!"
Tsarina felt a surge of determination. She couldn't let Edd get ahead of her. But he seemed equally focused, his eyes gleaming with competitive spirit.
"Remember, my dears," Grandma Glory continued, "the key to solving a mystery is to pay attention to details. A clue can be hidden in the most unexpected places."
As she spoke, Tsarina's mind raced back to the map she had found. It had to mean something—if the statue was gone, then the vault must hold the answers to uncovering its fate. She just needed to get to it before Edd did.
The crowd began to disperse, and Tsarina made her way toward a quieter corner, her heart pounding with both excitement and fear. She had a plan, and she was determined to execute it. But as she glanced back at Edd, who was already mingling with the other students, she couldn't shake the feeling that he was onto her.
"Game on," she muttered under her breath. With the map tucked safely away, she needed to figure out how to access the Founder's Vault without raising suspicion.
As she prepared to leave the main hall, she overheard Edd talking to a group of students about a rumor he'd heard. "I heard there's a hidden passage leading to the vault," he said, a knowing grin on his face. "It might be worth checking out."
Tsarina's stomach twisted. If he found the passage first, he would have the advantage. But she couldn't afford to panic. Instead, she decided to play it cool, letting the others think she was just another competitor.
As she stepped outside, the mist had thickened again, making her feel as if she were stepping into a dream. The path to the Founder's Vault lay before her, and she knew she had to move quickly. With the map as her guide, she hurried back toward the hidden corridor, hoping to stay one step ahead of Edd.
With every twist and turn, she could feel the anticipation building. The mystery of the missing statue was just the beginning. The deeper she went into The House of Granny, the more secrets she would uncover—and she was determined to be the one who revealed them all.