Unlikely Suspect

"You mean it? There's a vacancy for me?" Nikun leaped up in excitement, nearly vibrating with joy. 

Daphne and Atticus were in Nikun's cabin to deliver the news that he was able to participate. In fact, Cordelia wanted him to move into the newly vacated room by tomorrow morning, the latest. 

Yael's death was a tragedy, but she supposed that there was at least a silver lining after all. Nikun's hard work would finally see some form of reward now that his participation in the contest was all but guaranteed. 

According to the servants, Nikun had spent the whole time on the ship, locked alone in his cabin as he studied the material for hours, and then he apparently went swimming in the sea to cool down. 

"Don't look too happy about it," Atticus said, narrowing his eyes. "You got your opening because someone happened to commit a murder. If you don't wisen up, that might be you next."