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Lucian arrived at the crime scene with Aziah behind, their eyes swept through the narrow alley for anything. It was quiet, barely a passerby in sight.
Lucian's gaze scanned every inch— the walls, cobblestones and the faint shadow of a pavilion which was ahead. Nothing seemed out of place. Yet something tugged at the back of his mind, an unease he could not ignore.
Suddenly, Aziah broke the silence. "The men at the office said they didn't see anything. What exactly are you looking for?"
Lucian's brow furrowed deeply. "It is not what I am looking for," he said slowly. "it's why."
Aziah tilted his head confused. Lucian crouched, his gaze tracing the cracks in the cobblestone. "she went for a walk… probably stopped at the pavilion ahead, if she indeed made it that far," he said.
"But," he continued, rising and moving slowly down the alley."If it were truly just a walk, why take this alley? Why not the main road where there is light, people and safety?" Lucian said.
His gaze swept through the alley, then suddenly landed on something strange.
He leaned closer, scanning the
cobblestones. Then he noticed it. Dark residues settled deep, between the cracks of the stones. Too deep to be from a simple stumble.
His brows furrowed deep, then glanced towards the pavilion ahead.
"What is it, Lucian?" Aziah asked. His eyes narrowed into confused interest.
"She wasn't headed to the pavilion."Lucian muttered. "She was coming from it."
Aziah moved closer to Lucian, then lowered his voice. "So whoever took her… watched her from the pavilion first, then attacked after she left?" He asked.
Lucian didn't answer immediately. His eyes remained on the ground as he followed the faint trail along the path.
Aziah frowned. "But why not attack her there? Why wait?"
Lucian stepped forward, his boots pressing against the hard surface of the cobblestone.
"because the pavilion is open," he said. "Too visible. Very risky."
They moved deeper along the alley.
Observing every sign of movement, struggles. Then suddenly the mark stopped.
Lucian halted, while Aziah nearly walked into him before looking ahead. The land sloped downwards from where they stood.
Beyond the hill, rooftops could be seen in the distance. Aziah's eyes widened slightly.
"That's the commoners district."
Lucian's gaze hardened as he stared at the view. "You don't think she might be there do you?" Aziah asked quietly.
Lucian exhaled slowly. The thoughts of endless possibilities settling in. "There is only one way to find out."
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The back gate clicked shut behind them, with a soft sound faintly heard. Ray didn't breathe properly until the manor walls were no longer in sight.
Gaia adjusted the cloak around Ray's shoulder, pulling it lower over her head.
"My lady… are you certain about this? If madam Elara notices we will be in trouble.."
"She will," Ray said quietly. "Just not yet."
Gaia sighed, but did not argue. Instead she stepped back to inspect her work.
She had dressed her lady in a disguise. To look more commoner-like, for their own safety. Ray was in a faded brown dress, rougher than anything Celestine had ever touched.
And her hair was braided plainly, tucked properly beneath the cloak.
But still, she looked as extravagant as always.
Gaia frowned, "you still look like a noble, playing dress up," she muttered.
Ray blinked in confusion. "I look bad?"
"No, you look beautiful," Gaia corrected helplessly. "Even simple clothes look expensive on you."
Ray pulled the cloak closer, and then spoke. "Let's just hope no one looks too closely."
Ray and Gaia walked through the paths. As the smell of elegant perfumes began to fade.
Less polished stones and more smoke, the smell of bread and people moved around.
Ray's heart beat quickened. This was the
part of the world she had written about, the background noises and the people disappearing.
And now it had become her reality. She swallowed and scanned the street, searching for the only option she had in succeeding in this mission.
Finally, she saw him.
The Red headed young boy from earlier, the one who had argued with the old shop owner. He stood near a wooden post, as he continued to hand out his fliers.
Most people still ignored him, others took the paper and tossed it aside.
Although he looked tired, determination still flickered in his gaze.
"There he is," Ray spurred out in excitement. Gaia followed her gaze, her eyes narrowed. "Are you sure we should get involved with him again?"
Ray nodded, even though she knew she had no actual plan, no strategy.
She knew she had to start somewhere.
Ray moved towards him, calling out with excitement faint in her voice.
"Hey, kid."
His gaze swept to her direction for only a second before he rolled his eyes in contempt and turned away.
Gaia's jaw dropped. "He's just as rude as before!" She muttered besides Ray. "Didn't you hear my lady call you?" She snapped, hurrying after him as he continued to hand out fliers.
"I did," he said flatly. "I just chose to ignore it." He didn't even spare her a glance.
Ray blinked, stunned. Gaia's eyes narrowed into irritation. "How dare you…" she pointed a finger at him, but Ray gently caught her wrist, stopping her.
"It's okay, gaia," Ray said softly. "I understand why he is like this."
The boy let out a scoff. "Understand?" He asked, finally turned her way. "That's a lie. All you nobles do is take and take. You never understand, you don't even see us unless we are in your way."
Ray was silent. Because he was right.
That was the natural order of things. The rich grew richer, while the poor suffered in ways the wealthy never had to witness or imagine. That's the way the world had always been.
But…did it have to be this same in this world too?.
Her hands slowly curled into a fist by her side.
" I understand," Ray said calmly as she took a step closer. "I really do. I only want to help."
"Well, you can help by leaving," he snapped with a hiss. For a moment, irritation flickered in Ray's gaze. She understood his anger, but she needed him to understand her as well.
"You asked me earlier if I knew the woman and the child on the flier," she said, while his steps slowed. "I only met them briefly," she continued. "But they seemed like kind people."
Her voice softened. "They didn't deserve what happened to them." For a moment, the loud chatters of the bustling streets seemed to fade.
"I am not here to mock you," she added gently. "I just… don't want more people to disappear."
The boy studied her in silence, his eyes searching her face as if trying to catch a lie before it formed.
Although he was still suspicious, for some reason he hesitated. Then clenched onto the fliers tightly.
"What do you say?" Gaia quickly asked. While hope threaded in Ray's heart. "Will you tell us what you know?"