Chapter 16 She needed help

Hazel placed her hand on her chest to calm her racing heart when the rodent ran away. She couldn't tell where it went, but she was sure that it didn't leave the room. She wondered if there were other rodents in the cupboard, yet she had no option but to check further. She finally landed on a towel and on inspecting, it was clean although it seemed like it's been long ever since it was used. Having no other alternative, she decided that she was going to use it.

Picking the towel, she closed the cupboard and walked outside the room as she made way towards the servants' bathrooms. Having stayed in the same quarters with her mother, she could tell where to find them.

Getting to the bathrooms, she took a bath and wrapped the towel around her body before walking back to the room. Luckily, no one was outside to see her in this state.

...

Going to Duke Raven's bed chamber, he came out of the bathroom wearing a black robe. He then got a towel and wiped his hair with a number of thoughts flying through his mind.

In the afternoon while he was at the justice league offices, his close friend Viscount Audry informed him that he had discovered of a plan where some justice members wanted to kill him.

Some people wanted him dead because he had embarked on ending embezzlement in Hollowvale. Murder was quite a common occurrence in their works but what surprised him were the people involved.

He walked to his closet and opened it before getting a bottle of wine and a glass.

Walking to the bed, he took a seat and poured himself a drink. Taking several sips on it, he placed it back on the table and he remembered the brunette he had brought over.

For some odd reason, she felt farmiliar from the very first day he had seen her. He finished the drink and went to change into his nightwear, deciding to let the girl be as he still had a number of things to take care of. Sitting on the table besides the bed, he got his glasses and wore them before starting to pass through some documents.

Hazel was woken up by a knock on the door and she sat on the bed slightly alarmed at the strange environment. Shortly, her mind registered everything that happened and she remembered that she was in the Atticus Manor. She still couldn't believe it though.

She immediately got up and walked to open the door then saw the butler holding some clothes.

"Good morning. Here are the clothes," he said and she picked them from him. "Good morning. Thank you," she replied. "I will be waiting for you in the kitchen," he spoke before leaving and she looked outside to see that the sun had already risen.

She was late but she at least had an excuse that she had been waiting for clothes.

Checking the four dresses, she realized that they were old but not that bad. At least they were better than those she used to wear back in Hollowvale. After changing into a black one, she left the room to go find the butler.

...

"What did Mr Rufus say?" asked one of the workers at Hemm's tailors. "He hasn't replied yet. I think I should go over personally," spoke Lauren. "I'm sure he did something to her. I saw the way he was looking at her," spoke the raged Lucas. "Maybe she wanted it too," said one of the workers. "Hazel is not like that! She was so excited about going to the theater with me. If she really slept at his house then it was against her will," he replied sending her a glare. "It was just my opinion. Girls are so shameless nowadays and can do anything for money. I will get to my work now," she stated before leaving and the rest followed her.

Lauren looked at Lucas and said," I think the same way as you do because he insisted the other day that it should be her to deliver his coat. I thought that maybe he wanted to have a talk with her. Honestly, she seemed reluctant to go." "I have to go to Hollowvale right now!" said Lucas. "I will go there myself and you will remain here," she declared before walking to get her purse.

"Hemm's tailors?" they heard a voice and turned to see a man. "Yes please," replied Ms Lauren. "This is for lady Lauren from the Duke," he spoke and her eyebrows raised. "Okay," she replied as she walked forward to receive the letter.

"I can go if you're occupied," said Lucas to her.

He couldn't relax without knowing how Hazel was doing.

"Lucas no. I will leave after here," she replied as she opened the letter. It was not common for her to receive a letter from the Duke and she had to first find out what it was about.

Reading through the letter, she looked at Lucas and said," She is at the Duke's place."

"Hazel?" he asked and she nodded. "What? Why?" he asked frowning. "The Duke said that there was a confrontation at the Rufus Mansion and she ended up at the Atticus Manor. His house," she said. "Is she alright? What happened?" he asked. "I don't know. He also ordered me to give her belongings to this man," she informed. "No. She might be in danger," he said.

"Unfortunately I can't defy the Duke's orders," she said and walked to get her things.

Lucas approached the messenger and said," Good morning. Do you know what happened to Hazel?" "Hazel?" he asked. "Yes. She is a brunette, young and beautiful. She must have been brought to the Duke's home," said Lucas. "I don't know her or anything about her," he spoke much to his disappointment.

Lauren brought the bag and handed it to him before saying," Please tell her to write to me whenever she can. We need to know what happened to her."

When he left, Lucas was more anxious now. He had a feeling that something had happened to her and that she needed help.

"You should relax. If she is fine, she will write to us," she said before adding," Let's get to work."