SHE WAS halted by her questions which made her hands clench in her stained uniform. She was uncomfortable to answer her with her minds somehow reminds her of the things that disturbs. With a low voice, she responds to her. "Don't ask me why, be grateful that I cleaned up the mess," Lindice snapped back at Charlotte, her voice sharp and irritable, her tone making clear that she was not in the mood for questions or lectures.
"But they're still human! You're—!" Charlotte attempted to protest, but Lindice cut her off again with a fierce look and a harsh, sarcastic response. "A MONSTER! I KNOW! NOW SHUT YOUR LAVISH MOUTH YOUR HIGHNESS! I'M DOING WHAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD TO DO SO!" Lindice yelled at Charlotte, her tone full of anger and defiance, her words threatening and intimidating as she stood up from her seat.Realizing how she raised her voice to her, her eyes who was widened with anger turns for a reason to feel sorry. Taken aback by her own words, she returns to her seat and hug both of her legs and rests her head on her knees. She felt an utter fool speaking harshly to someone who genuine cares about the others even if they were their enemies. Out of jealous, she hopes she has that kind of heart of empathy."Sorry... just let me be alone for a moment. Besides, we're almost to the port," Lindice added, her arms still hugging both of her legs and her gaze towards the window.The carriage ride was a silent one, with the only noise coming from the clatter of the horses' hooves against the ground. Lindice, however, was determined to hide her bloody appearance, wrapping herself in a cloak to conceal her attire from inquisitive eyes. With the port finally in sight, Lindice settled herself in her seat, careful to keep her appearance inconspicuous in the midst of the bustling hub of activity and people.They quickly boarded the ship, finding themselves submerged in the crowded and bustling environment. The spacious cabin offered some relief from the chaos outside, and the two women quickly located a suitable place to settle down and take a moment to rest their weary bodies. Finding a seat, both of them sank into it, relieved to have found a moment for composure and respite. The crowds and noise around them remained, but they were able to take a short moment of rest in the relative tranquility of the ship's cabin.It was the middle of the night when they boarded the ship, the darkness blanketing the world around them. Only the dull glow of oil lamps and the faint illumination of the moon offered some small amount of light to pierce through the darkness. After a few moments, the ship's anchor clanked upward, signaling that the vessel was ready to depart. Along with the sound of the ship's engines and the minimal noise of the crew, the soft lap of the water against the hull and the rustling of the sails filled the air as the ship set out on its journey.The sailing experience aboard the first-class ship was decidedly more peaceful and tranquil, with fewer disruptive noises and interruptions to the passengers' comfort and peace of mind. With more spacious accommodations and greater insulation against the outside environment, passengers enjoyed the quiet and calm of the ship, with minimal disturbance or distraction from any outside sources. The winds carried a cold chill as the ship sailed, the passengers left silent as they gaze out at the landscape of Normaine below. In a moment of peace and harmony, their silence was disturbed by a man who approached them to break the serene atmosphere."What a pleasant view," the man remarked, attracting Charlotte's attention with his words. The young woman's eyes widened with recognition as she realized who he was, her expression growing troubled and concerned. "To return to my homeland," he added, his tone soft and gentle, yet with a tinge of nostalgia that suggested a certain level of joy and anticipation at the thought of returning to his roots."That voice... it seems familiar.""Lucien?" Charlotte inquired softly, calling to the man with curiosity and slight suspicion. The man turned to her, his expression one of confusion as he attempted to recall who Charlotte was. "Oh? You know me?" he asked, a hint of surprise in his voice as he processed her words and tried to place the young woman he stood before. She recognized the familiar features beneath the blindfolds before her, realizing that she had indeed encountered with the man who's standing in front of her."We met at the library yesterday," she said, reminding the man of their previous meeting. Her words were met with a brief moment of confusion, but it soon lifted, and he recalled who she was. "Oh, that woman who's looking for Theodore and Mrs. Del Mar!" he exclaimed, the realization dawning on him."Yes, and what are you doing here?" Charlotte inquired in a dubious and skeptical tone, her brow raised in curiosity at why he was here, rather than working at the royal library as he was supposed to be. Her question spurred a reaction out of Lucien, provoking a laugh out of the man. His lighthearted response left her feeling both confused and annoyed, her suspicions and doubts growing greater as she tried to understand his true motivations behind his unexpected appearance. "I thought you were supposed to be working at the royal library as a substitute," she said coldly."That? Oh, I'm not really a substitute there," Lucien responded with a dismissive wave of his hand, his tone and expression betraying no hint of concern or tension at the prospect of potentially lying to Charlotte. His nonchalant dismissal sent a spike of paranoia through her, his words adding to her confusion and heightening her suspicions. "What do you mean by that?" she asked, attempting to conceal her inner turmoil as she demanded further explanations from the man."I am there for a motive as well," Lucien responded, his tone even and casual despite Charlotte's persistent questioning. "I am only gathering information about a specific case that could be beneficial once I arrive at the House Grimoard, located in Albiana," he explained, producing a suitcase from nowhere and displaying it with pride."A specific case? Huh, somehow are you working with a strange lady who claims to be blind a countess?" Charlotte uttered in surprise, her thoughts racing as she tried to piece together Lucien's motives. "Uhh, you mean Her Excellency Countess Grimoard? How did you know?" Lucien asked curiously, his expression mirroring confusion and uncertainty. "Well, that's where I'm headed too!" Charlotte exclaimed, suddenly realizing that they shared a common destination.Lucien stepped closer to Charlotte and spoke in a hushed voice, his expression concerned as he pointed in the direction of Lindice, who had fallen asleep on a nearby bench. "Don't tell me you're with her psychopathic maid?" he asked in a whisper, his question aimed at Charlotte."Yes, it was she who brought me here," Charlotte said, wrapping her arms around herself to ward off the chill of the wind. Lucien's gaze remained fixed on her, a puzzled expression upon his face as he took in her appearance. "Tsk. Tsk. I knew it. You better be careful with her. That woman is insane and arrogant just like the tiger." He said pouting his lips as he strokes his own chin."Oh, out of the topic, did you happen to be at a certain ball?" he asked. The two began to stroll alongside the metal rails of the ship, taking a moment to rest and survey the surroundings. Lindice, the supposedly murderous maid, continued her slumber on the bench nearby."It was my birthday party, actually," Charlotte said with a hint of sadness and disappointment in her voice. Lucien took note of her words and offered his congratulations. "Happy birthday," he said in a pleasant tone, leaning back against the metal bars of the ship as he did so."Not a 'happy' birthday celebration, indeed," Charlotte lamented, her arms also resting against the bars as she leaned against the ship's railings. "I was forced to be engaged to this Crown Prince of Luxtonia," she continued, the burden of her unfortunate situation apparent in her voice.Lucien erupted into laughter upon hearing Charlotte's unfortunate predicament, his laugh causing annoyance and annoyance to fill the air. "What's so amusing about my situation?" Charlotte inquired in a tone of irritation. Her frustration clear in her voice. Lucien took a moment to straighten himself, clearing his throat as he attempted to hold back his laughter. "Oh, pardon me it was nothing," he responded with a hint of apology, but his expression still betraying the amusement he felt at Charlotte's situation.The passage of time proved to be slow and seemingly endless for Charlotte, as she was forced to witness the endless expanse of the ocean and the slow encroachment of the rising sun. As the darkness of night began to fade and the light of day slowly brightened the sky, Charlotte attempted to take comfort in the beauty of the sunrise and the sight of the sun's rays gradually illuminating the seascape before her. However, the beauty of the moment was fleeting, and Charlotte soon found herself once again lost in the chaotic thoughts of her current situation, and the uncertain future that awaited her.Once the morning sun slowly made its way into the sky, the ship bearing Charlotte and her companions docked at the port of Albiana. The area was relatively quiet, with few people present at that early hour, and even fewer paying attention to the newspapers being passed out that detailed recent events in Grenswood.After a long and arduous journey aboard the ship, Charlotte and her companion stepped off the vessel and onto the port of Albiana. Lindice, who was still with her, woke up for their departure from the ship. However, a surprise awaited them, as Lucien, who they had assumed to go alone, suddenly appeared, and decided to accompany them on their trip to House Grimoard."Oh, it was just you, pasta-head," Lindice said, greeting Lucien with an unsmiling face that radiated animosity and coldness. Her words received a similar response from Lucien, who mirrored her unpleasant expressions as he questioned the manner in which she greeted him, "Hey! Who said I look like a pasta? Take back those words!""I would rather let my cut tongue than taking it back." Lindice replied as she proceeds to step off the ship they were on. While both of them engaged in their chaotic exchange, Charlotte took the opportunity to observe her surroundings, her curiosity piqued as she explored the foreign land of Albiana for the first time. Her eyes roamed over the unfamiliar environment, taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of the new place before her."Wow! I never thought Albiana is such a great place! Look at that big tower over there!" She pointed in the air, directing towards the giant clock on a beautiful tower of Albiana. Charlotte couldn't help but appreciate the mesmerizing beauty of this foreign land she was setting foot right now.Meanwhile, Lucien's stride was interrupted as he picked up one of the newspapers being handed out. He proceeded to unfurl the paper and began perusing the headlines, his tone filled with mild curiosity. "The Grenswood incident was still fresh, huh?" he uttered in a questioning tone, directing his words towards Charlotte. His statement prompted a response from her in the form of a query of her own. "Huh? Isn't that just recent?" she asked, expressing her surprise and curiosity at the mention of the recent event in Grenswood."What do you mean it was recent?"