Maya hadn't seen Duncan for almost two weeks, unable to hide her worry any longer, she paid a visit to the Valcrest Mansion. Ruby welcomed her warmly, and after exchanging pleasantries, Maya finally asked about Duncan.
"He left on an important mission for the palace," Ruby answered with a smile. "I'm not sure when he'll return, but knowing my son, he'll complete whatever task he's been given."
Maya nodded. "I hope he returns safely."
"So do I," Ruby replied.
After spending a little more time together, Maya excused herself and returned home. Although Ruby hadn't revealed anything about Duncan's mission, Maya couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right.
Meanwhile, Duncan and the others had spent three weeks in the commoners' district. Despite searching every day, they still hadn't found Chief Zion, everyone seemed to mind their own business, yet Duncan couldn't shake the feeling that someone was secretly supplying the fugitive with food and information.
That morning, Duncan, Lucas and Lord Matthew had breakfast at a small roadside eatery before continuing their search.
As Duncan rested, his eyes landed on a man walking through the market. The man kept his head lowered, his face hidden beneath a hood as he quietly spoke to someone.
Lucas noticed him too. "I'll check him out," he whispered.
Pretending it was an accident, Lucas walked straight toward the man and bumped into him.
"Oh, forgive me," Lucas apologized while bending slightly to help him.
The man stepped back quickly. "It's fine."
Lucas glanced at his face.
It was only an elderly middle-class man.
"I'm sorry," Lucas said before returning to Duncan.
He simply shook his head. "Not him."
After a moment, the old man suddenly hurried away much faster than expected.
Lucas frowned.
"My Lord..."
Duncan looked in the same direction.
"Did you notice his hands?"
Duncan nodded slowly.
"They were too soft, no commoner who works every day would have hands like that," lucas said.
"And the way he ran..." Duncan added. "Something isn't right."
Without another word, they chased after him. But the man disappeared into the crowded streets before they could catch him.
Lucas stopped, breathing heavily.
"How could I miss it?"
Duncan looked down the empty alley. "That man was strange."
"And again," Lucas added, "his hands were too soft. I don't think he was a commoner."
Both men were disappointed, but neither intended to give up.
Sooner or later...
The truth would reveal itself.
Back at Mr. Benjamin's bakery, Alora attended to customers as usual, the rumours had only become worse, some customers deliberately whispered loud enough for her to hear.
"That's the girl."
"The one chasing the young lord."
Alora ignored them. She had learned not to react, ever since the incident at their house, things between her and Irene had become strained. Irene insisted she was only trying to protect her daughter, while Alora believed her mother worried too much.
Thankfully, Irene's health had improved ever since she resumed working at the bakery.
William had also returned to school after spending months caring for his sick mother.
Commoners' schools were very different from those of the nobles. Boys were taught how to read, write, calculate and learn practical skills so they could earn a living and provide for their families. Girls, however, were only taught how to read and write before being expected to help at home or learn simple trades. Alora had completed her education years ago. Sometimes she wished girls were allowed to learn more, but society believed there was little need for it.
One thing she admired about Mr. Benjamin was his education. Although he was rude and difficult to deal with, he was knowledgeable, and that was one reason his bakery had become one of the most successful in the district. He pays his workers fairly, which was why Alora never wanted to leave.
If William finishes school, she thought to herself, perhaps one day we can open our own business.
The thought alone made her smile.
After work, Alora and Irene stopped by the market, using part of the money Duncan had given them, they bought a simple dress for Alora and a few clothes for Irene and William.
The following day, they wore their new clothes to work. Instead of compliments... More whispers followed.
"They're buying new clothes now?"
"I wonder who's paying for them."
As usual, Alora ignored them and continued working. That afternoon, Irene went to the physician to collect her herbs, on her way home, she suddenly came face to face with Duncan.
"We meet again, Mrs. Irene," Duncan greeted calmly.
"Mr. Duncan," Irene replied, trying to walk past him.
"I know what you did."
She stopped.
"I've done nothing but try to help your family. What did I get in return?" He looked directly at her.
"A bowl of food filled with salt and pepper."
Irene remained silent.
"You've done nothing but bring trouble into our lives," she finally answered.
Duncan raised an eyebrow. "I thought returning Alora's job would've helped."
"It helped us keep our jobs," Irene admitted. "But it didn't stop the gossip."
She sighed deeply.
"People insult us every day, they laugh at my daughter, William was beaten because of it. Even buying new clothes has become another reason to mock us."
Duncan listened quietly.
"I didn't know...I would've dealt with them."
Irene shook her head.
"That's exactly the problem, you nobles think everything can be solved with power, It can't. If you dismiss one person, ten more will continue talking." Irene paused.
"The only thing we poor people have is our reputation, and right now... It's being destroyed."
Silence filled the air.
For the first time... Duncan truly understood.
After a while, he spoke quietly.
"So... What do you want me to do?"
Irene looked at him with tired eyes.
"Leave us alone. I know your intentions are good, but every time people see you with Alora... They make her life harder, they even think she's your mistress."
Before she could continue, Duncan gently raised a hand.
"That's enough."
He sighed.
"I understand now, I never wanted to make life harder for your family. I'll keep my distance, I only saw you as a mother, William as a younger brother... and Alora as a friend, If staying away will bring your family peace... Then that's what I'll do."
Tears gathered in Irene's eyes.
"Thank you."
She wiped them away before quietly walking home.
Duncan remained standing there.
"So that's why everyone looked at her that way..."
He clenched his fist. "People can be cruel."
Chief Zion sat inside the small house, quietly eating his meal while thinking about his next move. A sudden knock echoed through the room before his servant rushed inside, breathing heavily.
"Chief, sir!" he panted. "Two men chased me today."
Chief Zion immediately stood up.
"What happened?"
The servant explained how two strangers had become suspicious of him after he accidentally bumped into one of them at the market.
Chief Zion's face darkened. "So... they have finally reached this place."
He took a deep breath. "We are no longer safe. I need to inform him immediately."
Not long after, a man dressed in simple clothes entered the house. Although he looked like an ordinary noble, there was something intimidating about him.
Chief Zion immediately stood and bowed.
"My Lord."
The man glanced at the food on the table and smiled faintly.
"Hmm... having dinner without me?"
"I would've bought some for you, my Lord," Chief Zion replied nervously, "but something happened today."
He narrated everything that had taken place in the market.
The mysterious man listened without interrupting, when Chief Zion finished, the room fell silent. Finally, the man spoke.
"I warned you. Duncan must never suspect anything."
"But we weren't caught," Chief Zion replied quickly with a smile.
"It was a close one," the man answered coldly.
He slowly stood up and walked toward the frightened messenger.
Without warning, he drew his dagger, before the servant could scream—
Slash!
Blood splashed onto the floor as the servant collapsed lifelessly.
Chief Zion stumbled backwards in fear.
"My... my Lord..."
The mysterious man calmly wiped the blood from his dagger.
"If your messenger could almost get caught, do you know what would have happened to us?"
Chief Zion swallowed hard.
"I'm... sorry."
The man looked at him for a long moment before asking,
"Where are the goods?"
"They're buried beneath my house," Chief Zion answered quickly. "No one will find them."
A faint smile appeared on the man's face. "That's smart."
He took a few steps toward the door before suddenly stopping.
"If the goods are hidden..."
He slowly turned around. "...then there's no longer any need for you."
Chief Zion's eyes widened.
"My Lord... please—"
Before he could finish, the dagger pierced straight through his chest, he looked down at the blood staining his clothes, his legs gave way.
Everything around him became blurry as darkness slowly swallowed his vision.
The mysterious man watched his lifeless body for a brief moment before quietly leaving the house, disappearing into the night.