THE BARONESS WAS INNOCENT

"That was not part of the plan."

The wisp left a strange triangular mark on his palm. 'Should I be worried about it?' he pondered, and as soon as the thought crossed his mind, he felt an intense sensation, as if someone were watching him. Adrian glanced around, searching for the source of the gaze, but there was no one in sight. Yet the feeling of being observed persisted. 'This is a problem,' he mused.

In the middle of the night, with his cane gripped tightly in one hand and an unrelenting sense of being watched, Adrian returned to his home. He realized he had made a mistake by killing Henry. 'He definitely had something going on, or else this wouldn't be happening. Curses.' He climbed into his bed, attempting to sleep, but rest eluded him.

Adrian's grumbles and attempted negotiation with the unseen watcher didn't yield any results. Hours later, despite the continuous feeling of being observed, exhaustion finally overcame him, and he drifted off to sleep. 

In the adjacent room, Emilie was keenly aware of Adrian's return as sleep eluded her. Her mind was filled with worry, not for her own future but for the potential harm she might bring to those who grew close to her. Her childhood had already been a tragic tale, and she feared that the shadow of her past would cast a darker future over her newfound family.

Emilie's early years were a tapestry of muted colors as she found herself in the tender but austere embrace of an orphanage. From her earliest memories, she navigated a life without parents or a stable home. The place was a simple yet solemn refuge, with creaking wooden floors and the faint aroma of hope, mingled with the unmistakable scent of shared dreams.

As Emilie grew, her childhood remained marked by curiosity and longing. She watched other children come and go, each bearing stories of distant families and homes of their own, while she remained within the sheltering walls of the orphanage.

Then came that fateful day when she turned 13, an age at which her dormant powers finally broke free. In an explosion of otherworldly energy, her abilities reached their zenith, causing every soul within the orphanage to be swept away into the dream realm. The world she had known dissolved, replaced by a dreamscape of wonder and intrigue.

Contemplating her painful past was still a source of sorrow, but encountering Adrian and witnessing his unique abilities had kindled a spark of hope within her...

...the hope of finding a place she could truly call home.

As Adrian entered the kitchen, the delightful aroma of a morning meal wafted through the air. He spotted Emilie, savoring a meal he couldn't quite identify. It appeared to be a concoction of chips, eggs, or whatever ingredients she could find. Adrian couldn't help but smile as he saw not only her plate but another one, identical to hers, prepared for him—a touching gesture from the enigmatic girl who had recently become a part of his life. 

Adrian joined Emilie at the table, sitting across from her as he started to eat. "I didn't wake up early to prepare breakfast, mainly because I had plans to go out today too," he admitted, taking another bite of the surprisingly delicious dish somehow. 

Emilie's expression remained as cold and emotionless as ever. "I'm not going out ever again," she declared. "If you want to bring something home to eat, then it's fine with me." Her resolve was clear, and she seemed quite comfortable with the idea of staying indoors.

Adrian chuckled and shrugged. "Alright, your loss if you miss out on the adventures of the famed detective." done eating, he said while doing the dishes and Emilie remained aloof and unaffected by his playful remarks.

Adrian couldn't help but smile as he watched Emilie sit comfortably in his favorite chair, engrossed in the TV show. It was a comforting sight, and it reassured him that allowing her to stay here had been a good decision. 

"Alright then, see you soon," said Adrian as he closed the door behind him. Emilie just waved at him, and her mouth was filled with chips.

...…

Adrian strolled down a narrow, dimly lit alley, the shadows clinging to his every step. The murkiness of the path seemed to envelop him, creating an air of secrecy and intrigue. Graffiti-covered walls loomed on either side, like ancient sentinels guarding a hidden world.

At the alley's end, a neon sign flickered to life, bearing the name "The Baroness Was Innocent." It emitted a soft, eerie glow that contrasted starkly with the alley's obscurity. The name itself was enigmatic, promising stories untold.

With an air of anticipation, Adrian pushed open the creaking, weathered door of the bar. The interior was a time capsule, a blend of nostalgia and intrigue. Dusty chandeliers hung low, casting dappled light on the worn wooden floor. The bar's lone bartender stood behind the counter, polishing glasses, and Adrian found an empty stool at the counter, sinking onto it with a sigh. It was first thing in the morning, but the atmosphere in the bar held the promise of secrets to be uncovered, as if the world had just woken from a dream, and Adrian was ready to dive into the enigma of "The Baroness Was Innocent."

Adrian gave the bartender a nod of acknowledgment and then decided to be straightforward. He showed the triangular mark on his palm, which had appeared after the strange incident with Henry's death. "This is what brought me here. I need information about this, anything related to this symbol, or any unusual occurrences in the city recently." He spoke in a hushed tone, keeping the conversation discreet.

Adrian hesitated for a moment, weighing how much he should reveal. Then he replied, "I... acquired it recently. I need to know more about it and what it means. Can you help me, Chris?"

Chris remained silent for a few seconds, his brows furrowing as he examined Adrian's hand. Then he finally spoke up: "You're in some deep trouble, Adrian. Where did you get this?"