Into the Forest
"The duchess is dead."
"What?" Charlotte was stunned. She couldn't hide her confusion. "What are you saying? We haven't even finished our investigation and we've only spoken to the maid," she exclaimed, struggling to make sense of Lady Kierra's statement.
"I just know." Lady Kierra was looking at Charlotte with calmness, offered no further explanation.
"But how can you be so su--"
"The forest…We must go to the forest now." Lady Kierra stated, leaving Charlotte in a state of bewilderment.
Lady Kierra summoned the butler, conveying their intention to delve into the forest. Gerard, hesitating slightly, shared the exhaustive efforts of the duke's knights and the dukedom's people in searching the whole vicinity including the forest, were all in vain. He also disclosed that the duke is on his way back to the mansion. "With all due respect, Lady Kierra, everyone has scoured every inch of the surroundings including the forest, there's no trace of the duchess." Gerard explained with a furrowed brow.
With an air of confidence, Lady Kierra responded, "Of course you wouldn't find her. She doesn't want to be found." Without waiting for Gerard's response, she turned to leave, heading towards the forest.
Despite his hesitation Gerard hurriedly said, "I can gather the knights to accompany you for protection, my lady."
Looking back, Lady Kierra responded, "No need for a battalion, one knight will do." She then started walking again. Charlotte, bewildered by the unfolding events, hurriedly caught up to her master.
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Gerard ushered forward a young, strong-looking knight to the two detectives. "Lady Kierra, this is Sir Gilbert, a seasoned knight with excellent tracking skills, he is also well-versed in navigating the intricacies of the forest."
Lady Kierra observed the knight with a thoughtful expression, nodding slightly "Sir Gilbert, we appreciate your willingness to assist us."
"Thank you, Lady Kierra, I'll do my best to assist you." Gilbert replied with a respectful bow.
However, Lady Kierra's attention was caught by another knight walking nearby she subtly asked Gerard to let the other knight join them instead. Gerard approached the other knight, "Sir Allen, Lady Kierra requests your prescience." Gilbert, though perplexed, stepped back with a nod, allowing the scrawny-looking knight, Allen to take his place.
"Sir Allen, you'll be accompanying us into the forest." Lady Kierra declared, her voice carrying an air of authority.
"Of course, Lady Kierra, I'm at your service." Allen affirmed, his eyes mixed with determination and curiosity.
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As they ventured the looming forest, Charlotte couldn't help but quietly ask, "Lady Kierra, why did you choose the scrawny-looking knight over the other? Isn't the seasoned one better?"
Lady Kierra with a fixed gaze on the path ahead, offered a cryptic smile, "It'll be easier for us."
"Huh? For what?" Charlotte continued, "How can a knight like that protect us? The other one looked strong and-"
"And handsome?" Lady Kierra interjected; her tone playful.
Caught off guard, Charlotte blushed, her words stumbling, "Well, I…I trust my master's judgement." She quickly fell silent and focused of walking.
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Deeper in the forest, Lady Kierra, with a pensive expression, declared, "This is far enough." She beckoned the scrawny knight closer.
As the knight approached, Lady Kierra swiftly struck him on the head. Charlotte, wide-eyed and startled, demanded an explanation. Lady Kierra, calm amidst the tension, whispered, "The duchess is nearby. Stay calm and listen to me."
Charlotte with her voice trembling, questioned, "But why did you hit the knight?"
"To ensure he doesn't interfere. We need to be discreet. The answer you seek is close." Placing a hand on her apprentice's shoulder, Lady Kierra reassured Charlotte.
The scrawny knight, know unconscious, lay at their feet. Lady Kierra beckoned Charlotte to follow her lead. In the eerie stillness of the forest, they continued on.
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Not long after, the duke arrived at the mansion, greeted by the ever-diligent butler, Gerard. Gerard updated the duke on the activities of the detectives, mentioning their venture into the forest. The duke, maintaining his calm demeanor, simply nodded, expressing his intention to join them shortly.
As Gerard offered knights to accompany the duke, he waved them off, stating, "There is no need to gather the knights." Determined, Duke Victor strode swiftly towards the forest, a sense of urgency in his step.
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Charlotte couldn't contain her curiosity any longer, as they walked, she mustered the courage to ask her master, "How do you know where to go in this vast forest?"
Lady Kierra steps were unwavering, spoke with a hushed tone, "A soul leaves a trail, my dear. Soon you'll see it."
Taken aback, Charlotte stammered, "Me? What do you mean?"
Soon, their journey led to a tranquil lake reflecting a lush canopy above. Lady Kierra gestured towards the serene water. "This is it," she announced with quite certainty.
The air around them seemed to vibrate with an otherworldly energy. Suddenly, wisps of light appear creating a luminescent path leading to the shimmering figure of the duchess.
"Behold," Lady Kierra whispered, "the trail of the departing soul."
Charlotte's eyes widened as she witnessed the spectral trail. "H-how…" Charlotte stammered, trying to make sense of the surreal scene.
The translucent figure of the duchess glowed softly atop the tranquil surface of the lake. Her form shimmered, she seemed weightless, suspended in a realm between reality and something far beyond.
Charlotte stood captivated, witnessing the shimmering image of the duchess that seemed to radiate a silent plea, a yearning for closure that hung in the air like a melancholic melody.
The atmosphere around the serene lake felt charged with an inexplicable tension, Lady Kierra's voice cut through the stillness, resonating with the air of solemn authority, she addressed the ethereal figure.
"It's time go Lucille."
As Lady Kierra uttered the name, the shimmering figure of the duchess remained eerie silent, her form exuding resignation and quiet despair. The air seemed to thicken, carrying and unspoken weight that hung heavily between the two women and the spectral figure before them. The duchess remained unresponsive, seemed lost in a world of her own.
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Soon after, the duke discovered the knight, unconscious amidst the woodland, with urgency edging into his voice, he attempted to rouse the knight. The knight struggled to sit up, rubbing his temple and attempted to recount the incident to the duke. "The lady struck me, your grace. I can't fathom why," he muttered still in daze.
"Where did they go?" the duke inquired urgently.
"I do not know, my Lord," the knight replied, shaking his head. "She called me, and then…darkness."
The duke's expression was clouded with frustration. "Go back to the estate. Bring reinforcements. Quickly!" He gestured to the knight's sword. "Give it to me and I'll follow their trail."
The knight nodded, staggering to his feet, gave the duke his sword and hurried back towards the mansion.
The duke equipped himself with a sword, his heart pounding with uncertainty about the unfolding events. Determine to uncover the truth , he ventured deeper into the shadows of the woods, searching for any trace of the two detectives.