Vana's POV
“Mind letting me show you how to properly dance?” he offered, a hand extended towards me.
I chuckled, gently with a smile as I take his hand without hesitation. “I hate how you saw how ridiculous me, and my brother are,” I remarked.
“Just follow my lead,” he said with a wink as he guides me to the dance floor.
I stepped forward, facing him as his hand held mine. He curled a hand around my waist, making my skin tingle in the places he touches. A hot sensation crippled down my body, and he pulled me closer to him, our bodies barely grazing each other.
My heart pounded against my ear. Not in the way of being nervous or anxious. It was similar to the feeling I have when I receive a gift or one of my favorite books. A thrilling feeling mixed with something gentle and loving.
I raised my face up at him, and his face was inche
Vana's POV I hesitantly followed the Cindre sisters down the south hall, making our way to one of the lounge rooms in the lounge hall. I left Jamra at the ballroom a minute ago, assuring her that I will be fine on my own. The two sisters led me to one of the rooms in the middle of the hallway, opening the door as they guide me inside. My eyes lost count of the doors I passed by down on the corridor, distracted by the flaring lights from the hallway chandeliers. I slipped inside the lounge, taking a step inside. Cella led us to a sofa in the center of the room, while Tacia closed the door behind us. They both wore a ball gown that weighs down on their body, with Tacia wearing a light blue gown, while Cella wore a pink gown. I took the opportunity to sit down on the couch, resting my feet from standing all evening. My feet are sore from standing up in these heels, I ought to sit down
Vana's POV Tacia and Cella are… dead… A tremor coiled inside my stomach as I saw the bloodied bodies of Cella and Tacia lying inside the room. My breathing became shallow, and my knees barely managed itself from collapsing. Jerome’s grip tightened at my arm, and a horrified expression contorted on his face. Detective Claude and Jamra quickly arrived at the scene, dashing as they tail behind us. Jamra gasped in terror and horror as she saw her stepsisters lifeless inside the room, screaming in fear and agony. A few quests rushed down the hallway to find out what occurred, but were immediately stopped as Mr. Reiki, one of the Dark War heroes present and King Gregory’s aide, Ms. Yuna, block their way from moving forward. Queen Hyacinth sprinted towards us, ignoring us as she planned to walk straight into the room. Detective Claude prevented the queen from
Vana's POV “I’m saying that one of us in this room is the killer. One in the four of us, that is,” Ezra stated. “Because you, me, Jamra, and Vana are the last people Tacia and Cella met before they were killed.” My heart thumped, pounding as it dawns in me. If Ezra’s saying the truth, it means that before me, the sisters talked to Jerome, Jamra, and Ezra. And the last person they talked to… is me. “That is a possibility. Looking at how the crime was committed, the last person with them would be capable of this,” Mr. Claude agreed. “But we shouldn’t be hasty.” “The dagger Vana brought with her as an emergency weapon is awfully similar to the murder weapon used in the crime. Isn’t that strange?” Ezra pointed, glancing at me with a devious look. I glared at her, recognizing the game she wants to play. With my dagger compared to the murder weapon, there’s a
Jerome's POV Vana was taken out of the crime scene by the royal guards of King Gregory, sending her to a room a few blocks away from the crime scene. My eyes lingered at her as she leaves the room, uneasy and doubtful. To think she’d be the first prime suspect just because she was last seen with the victims. It’s ridiculous. It’s not that I’m saying Cella and Tacia deserve their deaths, but they should’ve at least seen it coming after they were exposed as Ezra’s accomplices in all her bullying reports. Ezra’s lucky that Mr. Storm didn’t killer her earlier, too. “Shall we continue with our investigation?” Mr. Claude wondered, glancing at me. “I do hope you won’t be biased.” Unfortunately, I can’t promise that. “I’ll try my best,” I said. “Storm, go back to the ballroom and switch with reiki. With your unstable emotions and biased o
Jerome's POV “Then, Jerome, show Lady Ezra out of the room. And escort Lady Jamra in,” King Gregory instructed. “Yes, Your Majesty,” Ezra and I answered in unision. I escorted Jamra inside the room, her eyes averting away from her sisters’ corpses with quivering lips. I studied her body movement, only to be out of focus as my thoughts gather to questioning someone else. “Lady Jamra Cindre, correct? Can you state your relationship with the sisters?” Mr. Claude asked straight away, his expression stoic. “They’re my stepsisters…” Jamra answered. “Are you in good terms with them?” “No, I don’t know if you have heard, Detective Claude, but the sisters bullied me and Vana, in Ezra’s lead,” Jamra stated. “Do they abuse you in your own home as well?” he asked. Jamr
Jerome's POV “Now tell me, where were you at the time of the sisters’ death?” I gulped for a moment before answering the question. “When Ezra talked to the sisters, I followed them after I found their actions suspicious. I eavesdropped on their conversation like Ezra mentioned,” I explained, stating my answer as truthful as I remember. “Is Ezra telling the truth about her conversation with the sisters?” Mr. Claude wondered. “She basically summed it all up,” I replied. The King and Mr. Claude nodded, satisfied with the answers I gave them. “What’s your relationship with the sisters, Jerome?” Mr. Claude asked. “None. Only an acquaintance through Ezra,” I answered. “After you eavesdropped to them, did you talk with the sisters?” Mr. Claude interrogated, following the question. “I did… I t
Jerome's POV “To question you and… to tell you what I’ve learnt,” I answered, pressing a hand against the door. Something tugs against my chest, wanting for the door to open. I closed my eyes, burying the thoughts as I focus on the case we have at hand. This is no time for me to think of needless thoughts. This is not the time for me to be distracted by any unrelated feelings to the case. “Okay, what are your questions for me?” Vana asked. I felt the door creak as a force from the other side lean on it. I wetted my lips, leaning my head close to the door. “You met the sisters last, didn’t you?” I asked, firstly. “Apparently, according to Ezra, I did. I’m not sure I’m the last, considering that someone else went in the room after me,” Vana stated. “But you talked to them, right?” I wondered. I needn’t to ask her relationship with t
Jerome's POV I went back to the crime scene after I concluded my conversation with Vana, identifying the next step in solving the case. Loud noises echoed from the room of the crime, followed by a familiar voice of a person shouting. Oh, it took him some time to trespass into the crime scene. “I can’t believe this. How can a victim of bullying be the person you’d suspect the most?” Professor Zander bawled, his voice booming across the hallway. I halted outside of the room, stopping in front of the door as I observe Professor Zander and Mr. Reiki march towards His Majesty and Mr. Claude. Professor Zander pushed his glasses back against his nose, crumpled as he glares at the authorities present in the room. “Since when did they arrive?” I asked. “Just now, while you were busy talking to Vana,” Ezra answered. “I still can’t believe that Vana is Professor Z