The woman reportedly left Urs Stellarum; her whereabouts are unknown.
Age: 18-25
Hair: Red
Eyes: Grey
Height: 5'8
In closing, there is a sealed confidential document from the Royal Family of Stellarum. The document indicates, with the utmost confidence, that this individual is in possession of Jester's Guise.
Her motives are unclear; at present, we can only determine that she targets young men approximately 20-25.
The frequency depends on her mood or unknown factors.
The last eyewitness account reported a beautiful red-haired woman boarding a carriage headed north for the Highlands.
Asher finished reading the document, feeling more lost than when he started.
So why did the detective have a photo of Renee Duval on top of this document?
Maybe she was a person of interest? Coincidence?
Or was he merely suspicious, relying on intuition. I'll have to ask him later.
I do sympathize with those investigators from Stellarum, though.
I, too, know what it feels like to be ensnared by charm.
At the café yesterday, I experienced the true meaning of attraction.
It was magnetic, entirely irresistible; my thoughts had been clouded.
As evident by my uncharacteristic blunder, it wouldn't be unreasonable to suspect I had been drugged.
There is almost certainly a connection between Renee and the Guise's owner.
I don't believe it's a coincidence that I found myself befuddled after catching Renee's scent.
Additionally, Renee told me herself that she had just come to Menthil.
She had even said it hadn't been more than a month. The canary in the coal mine being; she said she had come from Urs Stellarum.
I'd be a fool not to connect these facts after assessing the information provided by the consultancy firm.
Asher wasn't particularly attached to Renee; they were strangers, after all.
They had only met briefly, even if he had agreed to friendship. He even knew exactly where she resided.
"Wait a second; she also knows exactly where I reside as well.
Is that by design?
Did she manipulate me into sharing my information, agreeing to her request?
Was it a safety measure she decided on to prevent complications?
It was very strange for a woman to invite a stranger, especially a man, over for tea.
Wouldn't it make more sense for her to request a rendezvous somewhere public?
In fact, it is extremely suspicious. Perhaps I'm not the only one who received an invitation for tea.
I daresay that the tea might just be poisoned.
My assignment is to research the mask from a historical perspective.
Is it really necessary for me to join the operation? If I do report Renee, the chances of it causing danger to me are very high.
Even if Renee is apprehended, I still have to be wary of the red-haired woman.
For the time being, I will maintain the status quo. There is danger in seeking involvement. Whereas if I abstain, nothing will change. Hands off seems to be the correct approach here."
Asher looked back at the documents again, his eyes falling on the painting of Antoine.
He was about to pack up when he read the title of the painting again.
It had almost entirely escaped his notice during his review.
Florence Hesparee 1627, A Simple Self Portrait.
Asher felt something forming in his mind he couldn't quite grasp it. However, he then checked the rest of the paintings.
Each and every one of the two dozen paintings enjoyed the same title, the only difference being the year in which they were completed.
Asher remembered the poem Florence Hesparee had left:
"Discard your inhibitions,
Embrace your desires.
Attone with blood,
Tear them apart.
Have no fear for all are silent in her embrace."
If I thought this poem was morbid before, I can scarcely describe it now.
This is no different from a thief openly parading his spoils in front of the establishment he liberated them from.
Asher felt grim apprehension towards the red-haired woman. What was it that she had said?
"Do you think you're better? You would do the same. Perhaps he was right to seek solace in sin. How foolish I was to drink so deeply from this poison chalice."
Was the poison chalice she was referring to the Jester's Guise?
If so, what did that mean for him?
He too possessed a relic from the illustrious Knights Stella.