After parting ways with Weiss, who returned to her room to focus on her own tasks, Rinko found himself with the entire day ahead. Determined not to waste a moment, he resolved to search for clues that might reveal the murderer's identity or hint at their next move.Rinko headed to the kitchen, intending to grab something sweet to drink while subtly gathering information. His mind remained sharp, focused on uncovering any leads that might hint at the murderer's next move.As he entered the spacious, marble-tiled kitchen, the aroma of freshly baked bread filled the air. Amidst the quiet hum of the kitchen appliances, a lone figure stood near the countertop, skillfully chopping vegetables—a tall, broad-shouldered man in a crisp chef's uniform. His apron was immaculately clean despite the busy prep work he was doing.Rinko recognized him from one of the resumes he checked—Bart Lamenphew, the newly hired head chef of the Schnee Manor. The previous chef had retired a few weeks ago, and while Rinko had no reason to suspect Bart outright, his cautious nature kept him on edge."Good morning," Rinko greeted casually, stepping further inside.Bart turned around, offering a polite nod. "Master Rinko. Can I get you something? Tea? A snack, perhaps?" His voice was steady and warm but with the practiced politeness of someone used to serving nobility.Rinko smiled faintly, keeping his tone light. "Just something sweet to drink... maybe some iced tea?""Of course. Please, have a seat." Bart moved with practiced efficiency, gathering ingredients with a quiet confidence that came from years of experience.Rinko leaned casually against the counter instead of sitting, keeping Bart within his line of sight. "How are you settling in? Must be quite the change working here compared to your last job."Bart smiled while brewing the tea. "It's been... interesting. Different from my previous posts, certainly. The Schnee household runs a tighter ship than most."Rinko nodded thoughtfully. "I imagine. You came highly recommended, I heard."Bart chuckled. "I'd like to think so. I take pride in my work." He poured the iced tea into a glass and handed it over. "Here you go, Master Rinko. Freshly brewed."Rinko accepted it with a small, appreciative nod. "Thank you." He took a sip, letting the cool sweetness refresh him. After a pause, he added, "I assume the retirement of the previous chef came as a surprise to the staff?"Bart's hands briefly stilled before resuming their task. "Somewhat, though from what I gathered, he'd been talking about it for a while. He wanted to spend more time with his family."Rinko studied Bart's expression closely. Calm. Controlled. No visible signs of deceit. "Change can be hard for the staff, I'm sure," Rinko continued. "Adjusting to new faces."Bart nodded, his expression turning thoughtful. "True. But people adapt, given time. The manor runs smoothly despite the... turbulent times."The weight of those words lingered in the air, unspoken truths hanging just beneath the surface. Rinko's eyes narrowed ever so slightly, his mind already working."So... about the food you prepared," Rinko began, his tone casual but deliberate. "Did you gather it from the newly stocked supplies?"Bart arched a brow but answered smoothly, "Yes, Master Rinko. The fresh produce arrived from the central Atlas market just two days ago, delivered directly to the manor's storage."Rinko folded his arms, stepping closer. "Who approved the delivery? Given the increased security measures, I imagine inspections have tightened."Bart wiped his hands on a towel, his demeanor still calm. "Mr. Schnee himself approved it, though the security team inspected everything before it was cleared. Standard protocol.""Standard, huh?" Rinko's gaze sharpened. "And you're sure no... substitutions were made along the way?"Bart's smile faltered just slightly, enough for Rinko to notice. "I handled the delivery myself, sir. Every crate was accounted for."Rinko nodded slowly, still scrutinizing the chef. "Did anyone unexpected linger near the shipment?"Bart met his gaze steadily. "Only the usual manor staff—myself, the security team, and two warehouse workers from the market."Rinko's mind worked through the possibilities. "Names. Of the warehouse workers."Bart hesitated but answered, "Samuel Vance and Elias Harker... long-time suppliers for the Schnee family."Rinko committed the names to memory. He nodded, though his suspicion hadn't eased. "Good. Make sure only trusted staff handle future deliveries.""Of course, Master Rinko." Bart inclined his head respectfully, his tone unwavering. "If there's anything more I can do...?""Just... be vigilant." Rinko's voice was low but firm. "There's no room for mistakes."Bart nodded again, this time with genuine understanding. "Understood, sir."As Rinko turned to leave, his mind still churned with possibilities. Something about the delivery process felt... off. He couldn't shake the feeling that the cracks in the manor's perfect routine were widening—and he intended to find out exactly where they led.Willow Schnee's RoomWillow lay motionless on her bed, the once-elegant room drowned in heavy silence. Her broken scroll lay shattered on the floor—a forgotten casualty of a drunken night, its cracked screen reflecting faint rays of light. Days blurred into nights in a suffocating haze of wine and isolation.A soft knock interrupted her thoughts."It's Selene, Miss Willow."Willow sighed, her voice hoarse. "Come in..."The door creaked open, and Selene entered gracefully, balancing a silver tray with breakfast, tea, and several bottles of wine. She approached quietly, placing the tray on the nightstand."I brought your requested wine... but I also made tea and a light breakfast," Selene offered gently. "I thought... you might need something warm."Willow's tired eyes shifted to Selene, watching her move with practiced care. She placed the tray down and silently began gathering the empty bottles scattered across the floor.Selene left briefly, returning with cleaning supplies. She scrubbed away faint alcohol stains on the floor, her focus unwavering as she worked in silence. Once finished, she placed the cleaning tools outside the door and closed it softly behind her.Turning back, she approached Willow's bedside and poured a freshly brewed cup of tea."You're kind... too kind."Selene smiled faintly. "I'm just doing my job, Miss Willow.""No... it's more than that." Willow's voice trembled, strained but sincere. "You could've left... you should've.""I stay because I want to," Selene replied firmly, her tone gentle yet resolute. "You're not as alone as you think."Willow exhaled slowly, her expression softening just a little. "I don't know how... how to fix any of this.""You don't have to fix everything at once," Selene said softly. "Start with something small... like drinking this."Willow hesitated, then slowly reached for the warm cup. As her fingers brushed the delicate porcelain, a flicker of something almost forgotten stirred within her—a faint, fragile trace of comfort.For the first time in what felt like forever, Willow took a slow, steady sip of the warm tea... and let herself be still.Selene watched her quietly, relief softening her usually composed features. "How are you feeling, Miss Willow?"Willow nodded briefly, managing a faint, genuine smile. "Better... Thank you, Selene."Selene smiled back. "Always at your service, Miss Willow." She paused, hesitating for a brief moment before adding gently, "I know how hard Jacques has been on you... but please remember, you're not alone. I'm always here if you need anything."Willow lowered the cup, her expression shifting. "You've always been too good to me... even when I didn't deserve it.""You deserve kindness, Miss Willow. We all do." Selene's voice was steady but warm. "You've been through so much... more than anyone realizes."Willow let out a shaky breath, her eyes glistening. "Sometimes... it feels like everything is slipping away. Like I'm drowning... and there's nothing I can do to stop it."Selene gently rested her hand over Willow's, grounding her. "You're still here... and that means there's still hope."For a moment, Willow let herself believe those words. She squeezed Selene's hand lightly, holding onto the warmth, fragile but real."Thank you..." Willow whispered, her voice softer, almost vulnerable. "For staying... even when it would've been easier to leave."Selene's eyes softened with quiet understanding. "Leaving was never an option. You're stronger than you think, Miss Willow... and you're not facing this alone."In the stillness that followed, Willow allowed herself a rare moment of peace, cradling the warmth of the tea—and the comfort of not being entirely forgotten.After quite some time, Selene couldn't stay forever, thus she left the room leaving Willow a sense of hope. As she gathered everything and put it on the cleaning cart, she noticed a presence behind her. She cautiously turned around to see.. Rinko Schnee."Master Rinko.. Greetings. What can I do for you?"Rinko regarded her thoughtfully, his ice-blue eyes piercing but not unkind. "I saw you leaving Mother's room," he stated calmly, folding his arms. "Is she... alright?" Selene softened at the question. "She's... better than before," she admitted cautiously. "I managed to get her to drink some tea... and eat a little." Rinko's shoulders relaxed slightly at Selene's answer, though the concern lingering in his eyes didn't fade. The two began a steady pace down the dimly lit hallway, the quiet tap of Selene's cartwheels echoing softly."She's been... difficult to reach lately," Rinko admitted, his voice low. "I wasn't sure if she'd even let anyone in."Selene nodded her gaze forward but attentive. "It took time... but she let me stay." She paused thoughtfully. "Miss Willow hides behind her walls, but... she doesn't want to be alone. Not really."Rinko's frown deepened, his fingers absently brushing the silver cuff of his coat. "I should've checked on her sooner."Selene's gaze softened, her tone gentle but firm. "She wouldn't have let you—not when she felt abandoned when she thought you'd moved on and left her behind."Rinko halted for a brief moment, the words sinking in, and then continued walking in silence, the weight of them hanging heavy between them.Selene, realizing the depth of what she'd just said, quickly added, "I-I didn't mean... No offense, Master Rinko. I just... I understand how she feels, that's all." Her voice trailed off, unsure if she'd crossed a line.Rinko's expression softened, a flicker of understanding crossing his features. "I know what you meant, Selene." He gave her a small, acknowledging nod. "It's just... hard to see how much things have changed."The two continued walking, the tension slowly melting away as they moved in sync, an unspoken understanding settling between them."It's where I'm needed," Selene continued, her voice quiet but resolute. "She's stronger than she thinks... though sometimes, she needs someone to remind her of that."Rinko nodded, a hint of something softer flickering in his eyes. "And I suppose... you're right, Selene. Thank you for taking care of her."Selene blinked, surprised by the rare warmth in his voice. She opened her mouth to respond, but Rinko suddenly stopped, his expression shifting to one of caution."You've been around the manor long enough," he began, his tone deliberate. "Have you noticed anything unusual? Strange deliveries? Unfamiliar faces? Anything that doesn't quite feel right?"Selene's gaze grew serious as she took in his words. She paused for a moment, mulling over the details. "There have been subtle changes... A few new staff members are in the lower wings. I was told they were replacements, but..." She trailed off, her instincts telling her there was more to it than just a simple staffing change.Rinko's eyes narrowed, his gaze darkening. "Names?""I'll have them sent to your room," Selene replied, her voice steady. "If something's wrong, I want to help."For a brief moment, Rinko's guarded exterior slipped. He met her gaze, his expression hardening with concern. "Be careful, Selene. If anything feels out of place... come to me immediately."Selene held his gaze firmly, her resolve unwavering. "I will."Their silent understanding hung between them.The manor, once a place of isolation, now seemed to hum with quiet anticipation, the weight of its secrets waiting to be uncovered.A Few Hours LaterRinko sat at his desk, his attention fixed on the scroll in front of him. His fingers hovered over the screen as he sifted through the security footage, the camera feeds now accessible thanks to his father's approval.As the footage played, Rinko's eyes sharpened. He rewound the feed to the moment Klein had supposedly been pushed. But when the screen displayed the stairs, they were empty—eerily so. Then, without warning, the feed cut to black. When it flickered back to life, Klein was on the ground, motionless.It wasn't right.Rinko's heart tightened, a chill prickling down his spine. The footage didn't add up. The killer knew exactly what they were doing—careful, precise, leaving no trace except a single glaring absence: the moment Klein fell. They were playing a dangerous game, biding their time, their true goal still hidden in the shadows.Just then, a knock at the door shattered his thoughts."Come," he commanded sharply, his voice steady despite the storm in his mind.The door creaked open, and Selene entered with quiet grace, her expression calm but watchful. She held a small stack of name tags in her hands, her gaze flickering toward Rinko with subtle curiosity."As you requested, sir."Rinko nodded and took the tags without a word.He compared the names to the personnel records displayed on his scroll. Staff members were assigned to various roles throughout the manor—everything appeared legitimate.His fingers brushed the cool, stiff edges as he skimmed through them. Each name was etched in neat, precise lettering.The system cross-referenced perfectly. Too perfectly.His brow furrowed. 'Everything's... normal,' he thought bitterly. It was almost insulting how flawless it all seemed. The killer wasn't just skilled—they were a ghost, slipping through the manor's labyrinthine corridors like a shadow cast by its dim, flickering lights.Selene shifted, her gaze lingering on Rinko's tense posture. His silence weighed heavily in the room, charged with something she couldn't quite place."Is something wrong, sir?" Selene asked cautiously, her voice steady but tinged with curiosity.Rinko exhaled slowly, setting the name tags on his desk with deliberate precision. "Nothing definitive..." His tone was measured, his expression unreadable—but the sharp glint in his eyes suggested otherwise.Selene studied him carefully. This wasn't just routine due diligence. There was something personal about how he scrutinized every detail like he was searching for a ghost only he could see. Whatever he was chasing, it was driving him deeper into suspicion and calculation.Suddenly, Rinko straightened and turned toward her. "Is there anyone on staff skilled in electronics?"Selene blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the abrupt question. "Electronics, sir?""Yes." His voice was clipped but steady. "Someone familiar with wiring, cameras, security systems... anything technical or software related?"Selene furrowed her brow, thinking back. "There's Erwin from maintenance. He repairs faulty electrical systems when needed—lighting, door mechanisms, that sort of thing. And... Arthur from IT handles the manor's network and systems upkeep, including security footage management."Rinko's expression darkened. "Anyone else?""No one I can think of offhand," she admitted, still unsure where this was going. "Why do you ask?"He didn't answer right away, his mind working through possibilities with cold precision. If the manor's security systems had been tampered with, someone with intimate knowledge of its workings could easily cover their tracks—and that kind of skill wouldn't come from a random outsider."How about we see Arthur himself.." Rinko said.Selene nodded slowly. She lingered for a moment, watching him with quiet concern. "Sir... It's clear that there's something you're investigating, perhaps I could—""Selene.." Rinko's voice was steel, cutting her off before she could finish. His eyes met hers, sharp and unyielding. "This stays between us. No one else is to know."Selene held his gaze, recognizing the gravity behind his words. He wasn't just conducting an inquiry—he was hunting something dangerous."...Understood," she said finally, giving a small nod before turning to leave.As the door closed behind her, Rinko returned his gaze to the blank security footage still looping on his scroll.Whoever was behind this wasn't just skilled—they were careful, methodical, and one step ahead. But they'd made one crucial mistake: they were still inside the manor.And Rinko intended to find them—before they struck again.[End]