Chapter 27: Terms and Truths
"Attention, esteemed guests," the man announced, voice echoing through the main ballroom like someone reading from a very official script. "As of now, the Starcrest premises will remain in full lockdown. No entry. No exit. No exceptions."
Murmurs broke out instantly. Nobles don't take kindly to being caged, especially not in their own peacock feathers.
The man in question—Captain Rovan, head of security—stood straight-backed in the center of the room. Gray uniform. Too many buttons. That 'I-eat-gravel-for-breakfast' tone of voice. A few guards stood behind him, all very professional and definitely not paid enough for this.
"We will conduct interviews," he continued. "Sweep every floor, every guest chamber. I assure you, the murderer will not leave these grounds."
Another noble—probably a Count of Something Irrelevant—stepped forward. "Do you have any leads?"
"We have blood," Rovan replied. "And a body."
Someone gasped. Someone else fainted. Someone dramatically spilled wine.
Rovan didn't flinch.
"The investigation begins immediately. Until then, you will all remain within the gala wing. Any attempt to leave will be treated as obstruction. Dismissed."
---
I found Seraphine seated in a small lounge off the eastern corridor, away from the babble of terrified aristocracy. She was sipping something that looked suspiciously like wine but definitely wasn't—it had too much thought behind it.
She didn't look up when I stepped in.
"You heard the speech?" she asked.
"Yup. Nobody in, nobody out. Trapped with a murderer and a buffet that's probably gone cold."
She gave a humorless smile. "Perfect breeding ground for paranoia."
"I've already heard three theories," I said. "One claims it was an enchanted pen. Another says it was a coded message to someone in the royal treasury. Third believes it was divine punishment."
She raised an eyebrow. "Which one do you believe?"
I shrugged. "Whichever doesn't involve me getting stabbed."
Seraphine finally met my gaze. "That's exactly why I wanted to talk."
"Uh oh."
She motioned to the chair across from her. I sat, cautiously.
"You've proven useful," she said.
"Flattering."
"And careful."
"Even more flattering."
"I need someone who doesn't just obey but thinks. Who won't panic the moment plans go sideways. Who can keep quiet."
"You're buttering me up for something ridiculous, aren't you?"
She leaned forward slightly. "I want you to help me investigate what really happened to Lady Ilennia."
I stared at her. "Isn't that what the guards are for?"
"They'll find a scapegoat. I need the truth."
"Why?"
"Because this wasn't about Ilennia. She was just the first domino."
I exhaled through my nose. "Look, Seraphine, I don't do shadow conspiracies. I was hired to keep you alive, not to crawl through noble politics with a magnifying glass and a suicide wish."
"I know what I'm asking."
"Then you know why I'd say no."
She was quiet for a beat.
"I don't care about justice," she said finally. "I care about prevention. If what I think is happening is true, more people are going to die. Important ones. Families. Entire houses."
"You think this is part of something bigger?"
"I know it is."
"And what exactly do you expect me to do? Break into rooms? Interrogate guests? Steal scrolls?"
"Yes."
"Seraphine."
"You're good at it."
"I'm good at staying alive. This? This sounds like the opposite of that."
Her fingers tightened slightly around her glass.
I stood. "I value my life more than being your hero."
"I'm not asking you to be a hero."
"Then what are you asking me to be?"
She was quiet again. Then she stood too.
"I didn't want to use this card," she said softly. "But maybe you won't understand unless I explain why this matters to me."
"You're going to tell me your tragic backstory?"
"Yes."
"Because that always works out great."
She walked past me and locked the lounge door.
Then she turned, eyes clearer than I'd ever seen them.
"My name isn't Seraphine Vale," she said. "That was a name given to me when I was ten. Before that, I belonged to something else. Something you've probably never heard of. And something that—if it finds out I'm here—will burn this entire estate down."
I crossed my arms. "You've got my attention."
"Good," she said. "Because this is where the story begins."
---