Duncan went to the Blackwood Estate. Skender was in his office as usual, attending to some paperwork. The office was spacious but simple, with dark oak shelves filled with files, maps, and old records. A large wooden desk sat in the middle, neatly arranged except for the pile of documents Skender was reviewing. Sunlight slipped through the tall windows, lighting only one side of the room.
Skender looked up the moment Duncan entered and sat opposite him.
"The Weeping Fig. I've never heard of it," Duncan admitted.
"Me too. I'm currently checking why it would even be here," Skender replied, his eyes returning to the documents in front of him.
"I've told Duke Marion Ashford to investigate since he has people in Aerathia. It could help."
"That's better." Skender replied.
Duncan leaned back in his chair, his expression turning serious . "I still don't know why Maya was the target."
"Neither do I." Skender finally looked away from the paperwork. "Whoever did this knew exactly what they were doing."
Duncan shook his head. "Things are getting ugly now."
"Very." Skender waved his hand slightly. "First it was you, then Maya. Who knows who will be next?"
Duncan's jaw tightened. "Exactly. We can't just stand here and wait for someone else to get hurt. Something needs to be done."
"I agree. Something needs to be done."
THREE WEEKS LATER.
Duke Marion Ashford arrived with news. The three men sat together at the Blackwood Estate.
Marion placed his hands on the table.
"I've investigated it," Marion began. "People buy forbidden goods illegally. That's how the Weeping Fig entered Valtheris."
Skender frowned. "That explains how it got here... but who would buy something like that?"
Duncan rested both elbows on the table. "This isn't only Valtheris anymore. Aerathia is involved, too."
"Maybe Duke Nathaniel can help," Marion suggested.
Duncan and Skender exchanged a look.
"I don't think so," Duncan said firmly. "I don't trust that man."
"Neither do I. He's from Aerathia after all," Skender added.
Marion nodded slowly. "Then we investigate it ourselves."
"Exactly," Skender said. "We can't risk this information getting leaked."
UNKNOWN MANOR.
"My Lord, the investigation has already begun. Duke Marion recently came from Aerathia," the guard reported.
"Good."
The man sat comfortably in his chair, reading a newspaper while eating an apple. He slowly lowered the newspaper, his brow furrowing.
"Anything more?"
"No, my lord. That's all I have." The guard bowed his head.
A smile slowly appeared on the man's face.
"Perfect."
He reached for a piece of paper beside him and handed it to the guard.
"Make sure this reaches the Ashbourne Mansion. And listen carefully..." His voice became colder. "I need only one person to read it, just only one person." He warned.
The guard bowed.
"And you know exactly who."
"Yes, my Lord."
The guard disappeared immediately.
***
Maya had returned to her usual state, although she still felt a little discomfort whenever she swallowed. She tried not to think too much about what had happened, but the news at the palace continued to disturb her. There were many people from Aerathia in Valtheris, but as far as she knew, the only people from Aerathia who had attended the masquerade ball were Nathaniel and Jasmine.
She sat quietly in the garden, staring absentmindedly at the flowers. Then she heard footsteps approaching. She turned and saw Jasmine walking towards her.
Maya smiled.
"Good day, Mrs. Clifford."
"Good day to you too, Miss Clifford."
The two laughed.
Jasmine sat beside her. "Well, I was thinking we should go out. I'm getting tired of staying indoors."
"Yes, sure. I'm tired of looking at this garden over and over again," Maya admitted.
"Then let's go out. We could go shopping or perhaps eat somewhere."
Maya sighed. "I'm not sure. Ever since the incident, Mum and Dad have been very protective. They even asked extra guards to follow Henry to the training yard."
"I understand, but I'm just tired of sitting here doing nothing," Jasmine sighed.
Maya smiled faintly, "That's true."
They sat quietly for a moment until an idea suddenly crossed Jasmine's mind.
"Let's go see the boys at the Training Yard. It should be fun since Henry is there."
Maya hesitated. "I don't know. Mother might get angry."
"Come on, it's no big deal. You'll come back with Henry." Jasmine smiled reassuringly.
After a moment, Maya reluctantly agreed, and they informed Evelyn before heading out.
The Training Yard was enormous, almost like a small military ground. High stone walls surrounded the area, while wooden training structures stood across the grounds. Targets, straw scarecrows, wooden swords, shields, and practice weapons were arranged neatly in different sections. The sound of wooden swords clashing filled the air, mixed with the shouts of instructors correcting the boys and teenagers.
The younger boys trained on one side, while the teenagers and adults had separate sections. Some practised sword fighting, others worked on their physical strength, while a few were being taught reading and other skills expected of them. Everyone trained according to their age and ability.
At sixteen, Henry was already tall and lean, with a naturally athletic build from his training. His brown hair was slightly messy from the training, and his features strongly resembled Maya's. Like his sister, he had inherited much of their father's appearance, making the resemblance between the siblings obvious. Despite his serious training, there was a playful spark in his eyes that made it clear he enjoyed teasing Maya whenever he got the chance.
One of his friends tapped his shoulder and pointed toward Maya and Jasmine.
"How's training?" Jasmine asked.
"Good."
Henry folded his arms and looked at the two women suspiciously.
"What are you two doing here?"
"Just exploring. Nothing much." Maya answered.
Henry raised an eyebrow. "You've never liked places like this."
Maya immediately pointed at Jasmine. "Yeah. She forced me."
"Guilty." Jasmine smiled innocently. "I was just bored."
Henry smirked. "Hmm... or did you come to visit the Duke?"
"Stop it," Maya said almost immediately.
"So you're shouting now?" Henry teased. "When he calls you his wife, why didn't you shout then?"
Maya rolled her eyes in annoyance, while Henry clearly enjoyed troubling his elder sister. Typical last-born.
Jasmine laughed quietly while watching the siblings argue.
"Anyway, he's not here. He's at the Great Hall."
Maya was about to stand when Jasmine grabbed her hand.
"No. We came to explore, not look for men. Let it be another day."
Maya reluctantly agreed.
The two stayed for a while watching the boys train before returning home as evening approached.
Back at the Ashbourne Mansion, Maya went straight to her room to rest. A few moments later, her personal maid entered, holding a sealed letter.
"My Lady, this was delivered for you."
Maya frowned.
"For me?"
She stared at it suspiciously. No one usually sent her letters without informing her first. She broke the seal and unfolded it.
*****
Dear Amaya Ashbourne... or should I say Amaya Clifford.
Your darling fiancé is already married and has a child. A daughter named Aurora.
If you think I'm lying... ask him yourself.
Love, Unknown.
*****
The colour drained from Maya's face, and her hands began trembling.
The letter slipped slightly between her fingers as her breathing grew uneven.
"Married?"
She read it again and again, hoping she had somehow misunderstood it.
"A child... Aurora?" she whispered.
The room suddenly felt too quiet, and her heart pounded painfully inside her chest.
Could Nathaniel really be married?
And if he wasn't...
Then why would someone send her this letter?