MYSTERY IN THE ATTIC

A flustered Heidi bit on her lips, an attempt to gather her thoughts after Viktor left with Levi. Time was slipping and she knew it. She had to act fast or all her efforts would be in vain. She turned to the opposite direction of the celebration hall, her footsteps echoing rapidly against the marble floor.

Heidi's eyes darted around the labyrinthine corridors, her heart pounding in her chest. She had to find the attic before it was time for the evening party. She also had to get back to Charlotte and Anna without arousing any suspicions. She had been searching for what felt like hours, but the castle's grandeur and complexity seemed designed to confuse her.

As she turned a corner, a faint glimmer of light caught her attention. A narrow staircase, almost invisible in the shadows, beckoned her. Heidi's pulse quickened; this had to be it – the path to the attic.

With a deep breath, she began to climb, her skirts rustling against the steps. She breathed in relief as she finally got to the top of the stairs. Her eyes fell on a door at the far end of the corridor. Heidi's heart pounded against her chest as she walked towards the door.

Her hands trembled as she turned the handle. The door creaked, revealing a dimly lit space filled with forgotten relics, treasures and gifts for the celebration. She had made it to the attic but one thing bothered her. How was she supposed to find a small bottle in the midst of thousands of gift?

Heidi began to search through the gifts and boxes that were scattered around. Her hands worked deftly, as she tried not to make a sound. She wouldn't want to attract unwanted attention to herself.

Heidi sighed in disappointment as most of the boxes she opened were filled with jeweleries, gold and other artifacts. She wondered if she heard lady Genevieve's words wrong. But she had clearly instructed for the flower to be kept in the attic.

Heidi had almost given up when her eyes fell on a golden box at the top of a cupboard. She stood up and walked towards the cupboard. She stood on her tiptoes as she tried to reach the box but the cupboard was quite long for her petite figure.

She looked around and her gaze fell on a nearby stool at a corner of the room. Taking the stool, she placed it in front of the cupboard. She then climbed on the stool and stretched her hands until it finally grabbed the box. Heidi smiled in satisfaction as she got down from the stool.

She carefully opened the box and her eyes sparkled at what was in the box. The blue bottle sat there with the pisali flower inside it.Heidi's fingers trembled as she took out the bottle, its delicate glass and the pisali flower inside just as she had seen it before. A smile of satisfaction spread across her face as she carefully returned the bottle to its hiding place in the box. But her joy was short-lived, as the sound of footsteps echoed through the attic, growing louder with each passing moment.

Her heart racing, Heidi quickly hid the box in an inconspicuous corner of the room before darting behind the long cupboard. She held her breath, her grip on her gown tightening as the footsteps approached. The wooden floor creaked beneath the unknown person's feet, each step echoing through the attic like a drumbeat.

The footsteps stopped in front of the cupboard, and Heidi's heart skipped a beat. She could feel her pulse pounding in her temples, her senses heightened as she waited. But then, the footsteps turned away, and Heidi felt her breath return to her body. She listened intently as the footsteps walked out of the attic, the door creaking softly shut behind them.

Heidi emerged from her hiding place, her mind racing with questions. Who had been in the attic? Did they know about the flower? She couldn't shake the feeling that something didn't feel right.

As Heidi stepped out of the attic, her curiosity got the better of her. She caught a glimpse of a golden-haired figure disappearing down the stairs, their footsteps echoing through the corridor. Heidi's mind raced with questions. Who was this mysterious person? A guest, perhaps? She pondered, her eyes narrowing in thought.

Her gaze drifted back to the attic, ensuring the pisali flower remained safely hidden. Satisfied, she shook her head to gather her thoughts. More pressing concerns demanded her attention. With a deep breath, Heidi descended the stairs, her footsteps swift and silent.

As she reached the bottom, she muttered softly, "Please turn to the slave gown." The fabric shimmered, transforming into the humble attire the queen mother had sewn for the slaves. Heidi's eyes scanned the corridor, ensuring she went unnoticed.

As Heidi navigated the bustling corridors, her gaze swept across the sea of guests, searching for Charlotte and Anna. Just as she was about to enter the next corridor, a familiar voice called out to her. "Heidi!" She turned to see Charlotte and Anna approaching, their elegant gowns rustling with each step.

"I searched everywhere for you," Anna said, her voice tinged with a soft pout. "It was as if you vanished into thin air." Heidi bowed slightly, her hands clasped together. "Forgive me, miladies. I had pressing matters to attend to."

Charlotte nodded understandingly, her expression gracious. Heidi breathed a silent sigh of relief as they didn't press her further. She knew she was a poor liar, and the truth was too complicated to share.

"We should change for the evening party," Anna interjected, her blue eyes sparkling with excitement. "It's almost time." Heidi's heart skipped a beat as a wave of anxiety washed over her. The thought of facing Viktor and the queen mother again made her stomach twist into knots.

"Are you okay, Heidi?" Charlotte asked, concern etched on her face as she noticed Heidi's distress. Heidi forced a small smile, her lips trembling slightly. "I'm fine, milady. I'll help you prepare for the evening party."

As they made their way to the chambers, Heidi's mind raced with the thoughts of the evening ahead. She couldn't shake off the feelings of unease that settled in the pit of her stomach. Viktor's words echoed in her mind, "Don't even think of omitting the party." She pushed the thought aside, focusing on the task at hand.

Upon entering the chambers, Heidi helped Anna and Charlotte select a gown for the evening party. Charlotte's midnight blue gown shimmered in the light, its soft fabric rustling as she moved. Anna's emerald green dress, on the other hand, seemed to radiate her vibrant personality, the corseted bodice accentuating her slender waist.

"It's a pity I couldn't dance with the first prince," Anna said, her voice tinged with disappointment, as Heidi tied her corset. "Another lady caught his attention." Heidi's fingers, still fastening the delicate laces, faltered for a moment. She knew she was the "lady" Anna spoke of, and the knowledge made her heart skip a beat.

"We should speak to her during the tea party; she seemed like a lovely lady," Charlotte said, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. Heidi bit her lip, her mind racing with thoughts of the impending conversation. Being the subject of their discussion made Heidi squirm inwardly, her hands moving with a nervous energy as she finished tying the corset.

Charlotte's gaze turned thoughtful, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Come to think of it, Heidi, you look a lot like the ginger brown-haired lady." Heidi's hands stilled, her heart pounding in her chest like a drum at Charlotte's words.