Duncan was eating lunch in peace, enjoying one of the rare moments he had been able to rest in days. The news about the tavern had left him disappointed, and he sighed as he picked up another piece of fruit.
He had barely finished when he stood and headed towards his room. Just then, Lucas entered.
"My Lord, I have news concerning Alora."
Duncan immediately stopped. "Go on."
"She's working at a grocery store now. Mr. Benjamin sold the bakery, and she moved to the Noble District for work."
"She's in the Noble District?"
"Yes, my Lord."
Duncan's eyes widened slightly, "That's good news. What's the name of the grocery store?"
Before Lucas could answer, Skender walked into the room.
"I believe I have news concerning the poison," Skender said. Then he looked at Lucas. "You may leave."
Lucas bowed. "Yes, my Lord."
Once he left, Duncan turned toward Skender.
"What did you find?"
Skender's expression was serious, "It wasn't the tavern."
Duncan frowned. "Then where did the poison come from?"
"We don't know yet. But there's something troubling me." Skender paused. "I think Nathaniel may have something to do with it."
Duncan stared at him. "Nathaniel? Why would he poison me? Does he even have a reason?"
"That's exactly what I'm trying to figure out. It might not be him, and I don't want us accusing him without evidence. But until we know more, we need to be careful around him."
Duncan nodded slowly, "You're right."
Skender left soon after, leaving Duncan alone with his thoughts.
Nathaniel Clifford.
The name echoed in his mind.
If Nathaniel had poisoned him, why hadn't Duncan noticed anything when they were together? And why had the Duke waited until the wedding before even asking about his condition?
"Gosh..."
He rubbed the back of his head before dropping onto the sofa.
"I need to investigate that, man."
***
The next morning, Alora arrived at the grocery store earlier than usual. The other workers were already there, quietly preparing for the day.
Everything was ready.
The decorations had been placed around the shop, and a cake sat carefully hidden behind the counter.
They only needed one person.
Roxana.
After waiting for some time, the door finally opened.
"Happy birthday!" Everyone shouted at once.
Roxana froze.
Her eyes widened as she stared around the shop. It wasn't extravagantly decorated, but the little ribbons, flowers, and handmade decorations made the place feel warm and cheerful. In the centre was a cake with her name written across it.
She looked around in disbelief, "How... how did you all know?"
Liam placed a hand against his chin and leaned against the wall. "Hmm. I think we've given her a brain shock."
Everyone burst into laughter.
Roxana finally laughed too, her eyes shining with happiness.
"A little bird told us," someone teased.
Everyone looked toward Alora.
Alora smiled. "I just wanted to wish my best friend a happy birthday."
She walked toward the cake, "Come on. Blow out your candle."
Roxana stepped forward and blew out the candle as everyone cheered. One after another, the workers gave her their gifts. Alora handed her a neatly wrapped dress.
Roxana opened it and gasped, "Alora! It's beautiful."
"I'm glad you like it."
Then Ambrose approached, "I wasn't sure what you'd like, so..." He handed her a small sack of coins.
Roxana stared at it before smiling brightly, "Thank you."
She instinctively moved forward to hug him, but Ambrose quickly stepped back.
"You're welcome."
His attention shifted almost immediately toward Alora. Roxana's smile faded for a moment. She tried not to let anyone notice.
The celebration continued, and eventually Alora, Ambrose, and Roxana sat together, talking and laughing. They explained everything that had happened while Roxana was away.
Roxana laughed when she realised how much she had overthought everything, but then she noticed something.
Whenever Alora spoke, Ambrose listened, and whenever Alora laughed, he smiled. And whenever she said something, his attention seemed to drift toward her.
Roxana's smile slowly disappeared. Soon, the celebration ended, and everyone returned to work.
Roxana tried to focus, but her thoughts wouldn't settle. She had gone too far.
Alora had been her friend since the bakery. How could she have even thought about betraying her?
Maybe she had been wrong. There were other men out there. She looked toward the carpentry shop where Ambrose was working.
Then she remembered the letter, he still hadn't said anything.
Roxana sighed.
Maybe that was her answer.
During lunch break, she decided to leave the shop and clear her head. She was on her way to meet Herbert when something caught her attention.
She stopped.
Across the street, Ambrose stood with Alora.
Roxana frowned.
Why were they together?
She moved closer, but before she could understand what was happening, Ambrose suddenly grabbed Alora and pulled her toward him.
Alora struggled against him, "Ambrose, stop!"
He ignored her.
Before she could pull away, he forced his lips against hers.
Roxana's eyes widened. For a moment, she couldn't move. Then anger exploded inside her.
"How dare you!"
She rushed toward them and pulled Alora away from him.
Ambrose stumbled back.
Roxana turned toward him and slapped him hard across the face.
"How dare you treat her like that!"
Ambrose's expression darkened, "You shouldn't have interfered."
He slapped Roxana back.
Alora gasped. "Roxana!"
She immediately stepped between them, "Don't touch her!"
Ambrose moved toward her angrily. Alora tried to push him away, but he was much stronger.
"Leave me alone!"
She struggled against him before her eyes caught sight of a stone lying nearby.
Without thinking, she grabbed it, "Stay away from us!" She struck him on the head.
Ambrose staggered backwards, and blood immediately began running down the side of his face.
By then, people had already gathered around them.
"What happened?"
"Why is he bleeding?"
"Did those girls attack him?"
The crowd began whispering.
Alora was breathing heavily, her hands trembling.
"He forced himself on me," she said, her voice shaking.
Roxana quickly added, "He grabbed her and wouldn't let go."
But the crowd's sympathy quickly became divided.
Some looked at Ambrose with concern because he was a man working in the Noble District, while others whispered about the two young women causing trouble.
Alora grabbed Roxana's hand. "Let's go."
They hurried back toward the grocery store.
Once they arrived, the other workers immediately noticed their injuries.
"What happened?" Nathan asked, rushing toward them.
Neither girl answered immediately. They were still trying to catch their breath.
Nathan frowned.
"You both need to be careful. The Noble District isn't a place where you can afford to get involved in trouble."
"But he attacked her," Roxana protested.
Nathan sighed, "I know. But you also know how things work here. If the other person has influence, people often look the other way."
Alora lowered her eyes. She hated that he was right.
Not long afterwards, Ambrose returned to the carpentry shop.
His head was bandaged, but he behaved as though nothing had happened.
He simply continued working, as if he hadn't forced himself on Alora, as if Roxana hadn't been slapped. As if none of it mattered.
Inside the grocery store, Alora and Roxana sat quietly beside each other.
Neither spoke.
The friendship between them had already been strained by jealousy, but now something much worse had happened.
And neither of them knew what would come next.