The Voice of the XXth Prayer

Chatters from the crowd filled the grand hall of the Woodwind mansion. Chandeliers from the ceiling vibrantly lighted with golden sparkles given by candle lights. The tuneful music made people whirl around the hall in elaborate, enthusiastic dances.

In a corner where fewer people were standing, silver-haired woman stood beside the large window, leaning her bare shoulder on the windowpane as her eyes tediously gazed at the dark view outside the window. She wore a lavender, long-neck Grecian dress with a white, chiffon peasant sleeve on the left side of her attire. A gold, lace applique was attached to her midsection, defining small waist.

Holding a small, black pin, she sighed and frowned at the thought which caused her displeasure. Going to a crowded event like this was never her interest--nor a conversation that consists of five-to-ten people in a group. If it weren't for her husband, she would leave the party immediately.

As she took advantage of her lonely moment, her ears detected steady footsteps behind her. Even before she turned her head, she knew who it was.

"I'm sorry if I took so long."

Earl Adam Conroy Wyatt. A charming, black-headed lad whose one of the Four Horsemen of the Royal Family. His mother, Countess Celina Adelaide Wyatt died during giving birth to Adam, while his father, Earl Adelmo Didrik Wyatt, was the leader of the Knight Military Fortis but died during the massive war between two countries that was ended by a peace treaty. Being the only son of the Wyatt household, the property and title was given to him at a young age without any other choice. The Wyatt family was brought down during his first month of rule and faded in the noble society. But he returned to claim his title and became one of the chosen Four Horsemen at the age of twenty.

"How was the discussion with Marquess Woodwind?" the silver-haired woman did not heed his concerns. Her name was Countess Fenella Hermine Etienne, or now Fenella Hermine Wyatt. She was titled as the Pearl of Parola Kingdom for her rare, silver hair and heterochromatic ice-blue and brown eyes. Her rare features gave her ethereal and delicate visage of an angel. The background about Fenella was a mystery. The Countess only started to appear when the news about the Earl being married to a woman spread.

However, that marriage was a fraud.

Everyone adored Fenella for her charming character. Whoever she talked to was met with her signature gentle smile.

But that was just one of her personalities.

The couple discussed their business with the Marquess. Adam told Fenella that the Marquess was hearing mysterious voices at night, one hour before the strike of Big Ben in the manor. And everytime the voices stopped, one of his servants would have gone missing.

"That sounded more supernatural than a crime mystery," Fenella remarked.

Adam tilted his head, his expression was passive. "Everything can be strange if it's from the underground," he replied.

Just as they were about to continue their discussion, a loud cry from a familiar voice attracted them from afar.

"Adam! Fenella!" a blond-haired Duke was running towards their direction with open arms, eyes sparkling in tears of joy. He gave the young Earl a small fist bump on the back and proceeded to embrace Fenella.

"I'm so happy to see you, I missed you!" he sobbed, rubbing his cheek on Fenella. "I've always wanted to see you but someone's trying to keep me away from you," and by that, he felt a strong grip at the back of his collar, only to be pulled away from the female.

Adam plastered on a resentful face and glared at the blond Duke.

"Why are you here?" Adam asked, his nerve appeared.

The young Duke gazed at him pitifully, "The King delivered me."

His name was Duke Aaron Eugene Maximillian, a close relative to the King, and one of the Four Horsemen. He held the title as a Strategist among the four and was now the current leader of the Knight Military Fortis. In the palace, Duke Aaron was one of the most feared leaders in the Imperial society. His words are as absolute as the King. Anyone who messes with him will meet his demise.

But that story is hard to believe since the young lad behaves like a child in front of everybody especially to Fenella and the Earl.

The young Duke was now being glared by the black-headed Earl, as he gazed at Adam with pitiful eyes.

Fenella sighed at the sight of the two nobles.

Earl Adam's glaring gold orbs glanced at the young Countess only to find her spacing out back at the window.

"The Marquess offered us to stay overnight to start the investigation," he pulled Fenella from her deep thoughts. The silver-haired woman turned her head to the black-headed Earl, looking at her with passive eyes and found Aaron staring at Adam on the side, confused.

"Is it a separate room?" she asked.

"Oh?" the Earl tilted his head. "Are we not a couple?"

Hearing the question made Fenella creased her brows. The answer is contrary to her wish.

"Of course, we have to share the same bed."