Vana's POV
“What the…? How is Chairman Danuel’s death related to this case?”
“What are you talking about?” I asked with a baffled look, brows furrowed at Jerome.
“The entry was written two months after the case, and a month after father started the investigation. The same time as Chairman Danuel’s death,” Yuna stated, answering my question.
“And?” I wondered.
“The carriage accident that resulted to the death of Chairman Danuel is the same carriage accident where former duchess Zeraphine was thought to have been killed,” Jerome stated, dropping a bombshell.
“What?” Yuna and I exclaimed in unison.
“It says here, Duchess Zeraphine and Chairman Danuel got in an accident that resulted to their deaths,” Jerome read, quoting Detective Clorence’s written words.
But Ms. Zeraphine did n
Vana's POV I paused for a moment to let the written words sink into my head. I remind myself that Chairman Zerondale and Detective Clorence are mentor and student. I had to remember that Chairman Zerondale is Detective Clorence’s mentor. I’m sure the two had a close relationship; one that is filled with trust and memories. For Detective Clorence to say these words would be of great challenge. The fact that the Detective had the determination and conviction is what made me aspire to be him in the first place. And the fact that he was willing to stop and apprehend his own teacher and mentor, is a heartbreaking thing to witness. Most especially, the feeling of being killed at the hands of your own teacher can feel worse than death. A nightmare I wish that I would never have to go through. In silence, I flipped over to the next page, with Jerome and Yuna heaving breaths in a quie
Vana's POV “What will be our next move?” Jerome asked, raising a scorned brow. I glanced over him, pondering over his question. My mind lingered at the raw emotions of sympathy to Detective Clorence, unable to relieve myself of the feeling. I erased these thoughts away, focusing on Jerome’s question. “We should inform Jerome about everything once we’re back. His Majesty will know the right call to make,” I stated. We work for the King now and only he can give us orders. And if anyone would know how we should proceed in all of this, it would be Gregory. “Gregory would be shocked if he hears of this. My only wish is that he controls his expression in front of Chairman Zerondale once he learns of the truth,” Yuna stated, sighing in concern. “Is Gregory not good in acting?” Jerome wondered. “He’s bad at hiding his expression or emotio
Vana's POV The carriage we rode on our way back to the capital past through the noble societal circle around the palace, driving through the main road where mansions and manors of the noble class were built. Elegant carriages and lavish-looking nobles trailed on the path and the sidewalk, living a whole different life from ours. “It’s my first time in this part of the city,” I mumbled, taking in the noblesse scenery outside the carriage window. “I’m rather over with it,” Yuna scowled, snarling as she glances at the window. “Outside these premises, people are suffering in poverty and survival, and yet these nobles are living as though none of those exists.” “You’re a noble, too, though, right, Yuna?” Jerome pointed. “I am, but unlike those ignorant fools, I know firsthand the reality of this world and this kingdom. I’ve seen it with my own eyes,” Yuna re
Vana's POV “Let me locate those places,” Gregory volunteered, hands propped flatly on top of the table. I nodded as a response to Gregory, letting him do what he can to it. He rolled up his sleeves up as he held a pencil and a compass in his hands, lowering his body. I gazed down on the map as I search for the palace and the guildhall, unable to find any of their landmarks as I realize that the map was the map of the kingdom. “Don’t we have a map of each territory? The range of the kingdom map is vast for us to pinpoint the location,” I pointed, eyes squinting as I realize the wrong thing we’re doing. “What maps do we need?” Yuna asked, striding to the door. “I’ll fetch it for us.” “One map of the Glymoke territory, the East Coast, Archborn City, the City of Eriflame and the surrounding territories between these four,” Jerome muttered, listing down the maps we
Vana's POV Jerome and I met up at the clock tower a couple of days after we visited the palace. Our first assigned location is the place near the clock tower, the location of the testimony that Sir Hendry wrote in order to prove that Chairman Zerondale manipulated the nominations eight years ago. “Are you sure we’re going at the right place?” Jerome scowled as we found ourselves lost in the middle of a shopping district. The alleys were lined with shops, stores, and boutiques, the sidewalks filled with strolling people that bustled in the afternoon sun. Vehicles horns blared as traffic jams the intersections, making the whole scene way chaotic than usual. We were walking for the past few minutes, drenching ourselves in our sweat as the scorching sun glisten against our skin. It’s not a good idea to walk in the middle of a street at exact noon, with no skin protection and no hat to w
Vana's POV We travelled all the way to the Northern Bridge of Archborn in search for the school the old lady in the bookstore mentioned. We were so focused on our search that we even forget to ask the old lady’s name and the son’s name. That’ll be another challenge in this mission. “Would that be the school the old lady was talking about?” Jerome wondered, pointing at a small building beyond the Northern Bridge. “That might be it, though we don’t know the name of the man we’re looking for,” I said, glancing at Jerome. “We’ll just ask,” Jerome grunted. “How? We’ll ask, ‘hey, is there a teacher here whose mother owns a bookstore named The Paperfelt’?” I retorted, snorting. “Yeah, well, that’s basically the only information we had. And I don’t want to go back there just to ask the old lady’s son’s name,” Jerome scowled as we
3rd POV Flickering lights, empty streets, and busy pubs overpower the capital as nighttime came, the clocktower striking midnight. It chimed as its hand ticked twelve, sending a message to the whole capital that it was time to end festivities and head home. It was not the case for Gregory and Yuna, as they walk the empty streets with quick, swift, and light steps. Their shadows danced against the flickering lights, their silhouettes concealed by the dark cloaks they are wearing. Like what they have discussed earlier in the day, Gregory and Yuna went to the Southern Bridge of the river in search for Madison O’delai’s evidence file. They were informed by Vana a few hours ago that they have found one of the four files, surprising them with the fact of where the location led them. “Any idea which part of the Southern Bridge area is the file hidden?” Yuna wondered at Gregory, glan
3rd POV “Yes, Your Majesty. I shall try to send a letter to Detective Clorence’s secret mail, if Lady Yuna knows about it,” Yddet informed, nodding. “Father’s secret mail…” Yuna murmured, remembering the mail Yddet was talking about. “Do you know about it?” Gregory wondered, eyeing Yuna. “I do. I’ll go check it out from time to time. Thank you for your help, Mr. Yddet,” Yuna responded while pondering. “No worries. Feel free to come back here whenever you wish. I’ll inform my staff to be discreet of your arrival whenever you drop by,” Yddet stated, assuring them that their identities will remain among themselves. “It’s a pleasure to have a conversation with you and His Majesety. I shall be of service whenever you need me.” “Thank you… we’ll take our leave now,” Gregory said, standing up from his seat as he and Yuna leaves the pub.<