The duke said nothing at first, only a quiet order for the maids to lead the way. With pale faces and stiff steps, they guided him quickly toward the back of the estate.
The Grand Duke followed at a calm pace behind them,
They reached the wall, where the gate had been pushed open. The maids froze, too afraid to go further. Their eyes kept darting toward the ground, where the faint marks of blood trailed toward the forest.
The duke frowned. He raised his head slightly, his sharp senses picking up a scent in the air.
The deeper he walked into the trees, the stronger the smell grew. The forest air felt heavy, unnatural.
A patch of disturbed ground lay ahead, and there, against the fallen leaves, was a black bunny sitting atop a headless body. Blood stained its soft fur, a crimson line above its small head where droplets had splashed. The corpse's sword was still clutched in its hand, but the man's lifeless body had collapsed awkwardly, as if thrown down like trash.
