"Until then, sleep well, brave Vanya." Aleksasha said softly as she tenderly kissed Vanya's forehead like a mother reassuring her scared child.
Matias's gaze lingered on the tenderness Aleksasha showed the boy as she readjusted Vanya's blanket, as it touched something in him.
She nodded to Matias as she reached him at the door. She tilted her head as she noticed his expression but did not comment on it as he opened the door for her. He followed her out, closing the door behind them.
Matias placed a hand on her lower back. She found comfort in his firm and reassuring touch. "Come, we should talk to Ser Turold again."
She let out a soft breath and walked with him away from the guards toward the staircase.
I need to say something to him after all that.
"I don't want to let him down," Aleksasha softly commented.
I want to focus on what I can do rather than how we might've failed those boys.
"We need to be careful." she stated wanting to fill the silence. "If whoever is behind this realizes we're onto them, they might try to hurt Vanya again. And destroy the rest of the evidence."
Matias nodded as he led her carefully down the stairs. "We'll get to the bottom of this," he reassured her. "As expediently as we can manage."
They found Turold near the entrance to the manor, issuing orders to the guards stationed at the gates. He turned as they approached, bowing as his brows lifted in surprise. "Your graces," he greeted. "Has the boy provided useful information?" He quietly asked.
"He has," Matias confirmed, his voice low to keep the information from being heard by anyone else. "We need to search the old well near the stables. Vanya said the rest of the message was hidden there."
Turold's expression hardened and his posture stiffened. "I'll gather a team immediately."
"No," Aleksasha interjected, placing a hand on Turold's arm. "We can't risk drawing attention. Too many people searching could tip off the culprits."
Turold hesitated, his gaze flicking to Matias as Aleksasha withdrew her hand.
"We'll go ourselves." Matias nodded in agreement. "Have two men nearby in case we need assistance, but no more."
"Understood." Turold nodded, his posture relaxing slightly. "I'll make the arrangements." He walked away to give orders, leaving Aleksasha and Matias alone.
"Let's go." Matias reached for her hand, lifting it to his lips and kissing it. "It's a beautiful evening for a walk."
Aleksasha started to voice a protest at such a statement in light of the seriousness of it but caught herself. Her cheeks blushing pink.
Oh. It's an excuse for us to be walking out that way this late at night. The married couple on a moonlit stroll.
—
The night air was colder now, and the soft crunch of their shoes against the gravel path seemed unnaturally loud in Aleksasha's hands. Aleksasha tightened her grip on Matias's hand, drawing warmth from his touch as they approached the well. With the full moon high and the sky clear, deepening shadows wrapped around the old grey stone structure.
Matias knelt by the well, running his fingers running along the edge of the rough stone. "If they wanted to hide something here, it wouldn't be in plain sight," he murmured. "This place gets visited too often to be a secret but it is a good place for those boys to have an excuse to visit."
Aleksasha scanned the area, her eyes adjusting to the dim light. "Perhaps there's a compartment or a loose stone," she suggested.
Matias nodded, his hand brushing against one of the stones that felt slightly warmer than the others. He pressed on it, and with a faint click, it shifted inward, revealing a small cavity.
Inside was a folded piece of parchment, its edges frayed and stained. Matias carefully pulled it out and unfolded it, his eyes scanning the coded symbols.
"It's the rest of the message," he said, his voice low but urgent.
Aleksasha leaned closer, her breath mingling with his as they deciphered the message together.
"The snake coils tighter. The betrayal comes from within. Trust only the one who holds the key."
Matias's jaw tightened, and he folded the parchment carefully before slipping it into his coat. "We need to get back. And go over the other messages. This implication can be a red herring or a new truth."
Aleksasha nodded, her mind racing.
Who among us is the snake? And what key does the message refer to?
As they turned back toward the manor, the darkness within the shadows of the windows leered at her. Her home had been invaded by a murderer and betrayer. Someone had violated their privacy to steal their secret code.
Even now they could be watching us.
She shivered and huddled closer to Matias. The fear of being watched pressed down upon her. She said nothing but gripped his hand harder as they walked back along the trail.
Matias wrapped his arm around her sensing her distress. He paused and leaned down to softly kiss her cheek. "We'll warm you up." He removed his jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders, letting the massive coat drown her figure. He nodded with a satisfied smile. "For now, that'll do. Just bear with it for a short while, we're almost back at the gate."
Aleksasha looked up at him with a grateful smile. Some of the warmth returning to her eyes again. "Thank you," she said softly. "Please stay with me tonight. I… I don't want to be alone."
He blinked a couple times in surprise and nodded. "Of course." He took her hand in his again, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I meant it when I said I wanted to spend every night with you and wake up every morning beside you. We can start that tonight."
Her eyes widened and she looked quickly away, feeling giddy at the admission but also conflicted by her own selfish desire. "If it's… no trouble…. I know there is still much to do with the investigation…"
He lifted her chin up to look at him again. His icy blue eyes intense as they focused on her. "You are the most important person I need to be with."