Unraveling Secrets

***

I've had a terrible week. I've lost several goods and packages from Assenav to sea. I'd received news of foul play and as such I'm heading over to investigate.

Then I ran into someone I hadn't expected to run into.

Lady Veronica Irida Henderson.

I was a bit annoyed when Beatrice had invited her to sit at our table. I didn't want anything to do with the person who has been horrible to Charlotte.

I spent the greater part of the day going over some documents and discussing with other business men. It was well past two in the afternoon and I'd figured I'd have a cup of tea to relax myself.

But to my complete dismay I find that she's still sitting there. In the exact same spot she'd been in since we had breakfast in the morning. Her back turned to me and gazing out the window.

I don't understand how someone can be so cruel and mean.

She's made fun of Lottie so many times. Ridiculing her and taunting her just to make herself seem bigger. Just looking at her is enough to make my blood boil.

As if sensing my gaze on her she and looks directly at me. Her eyes are teary and red. As soon as we made eye contact she turned and continued looking out the window.

I stood there in mild shock Veronica Henderson 'The Vermilion Noble' was crying.

I couldn't comprehend what I just saw.

I make my way over to her and place my hand on her shoulder.

"Are you okay" I ask concerned. Inwardly cursing my kind nature.

She rubbed at her eyes before turning to face me.

"I'm fine did you you need something?"

"Um! Your eyes are red"

"Oh don't worry something just flew into my eye that's all"

I had heard that excuse several times.

I start to feeling bad about what I said to her.

So I sat down opposite to her and looked out the window. Wondering whether I should apologize or not. Despite the fact that she is technically my enemy. I was still rude to her. And considering the fact that she'll be the future queen means that I shouldn't do anything that may cause her to dislike me.

"You seem a bit stressed is something the matter" I contemplate a bit before answering her.

"I've had a bad week" I muse.

"That's terrible what happened"

"I lost quite a number of goods to sea and I'm beginning to suspect something odd is happening"

"Hmmm why do you say that" she asked me.

"Baron Kent and I had ships that were due to arrive at the docks a few days ago. Our ships arrived but mine was missing half it's cargo contents with the crew insisting they had to throw off excess weight to avoid sinking. It wouldn't be suspicious at all if he'd incurred losses as well. But his ship was in perfect condition even though they had the same route and I've never had my ship overloaded before"

"Speaking of Baron Kent I have something as well"

And then she tells me this story of a servant of hers that was held by the Baron after witnessing what I would call human trafficking. I've always known him to be a man lacking in virtue but this is impressive even for him.

"I always knew he was scum but I didn't expect this"

"What if the Baron is behind your missing goods"

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"This is all just hypothetical but consider this. Your ships were both loaded at the same dock but yours would be only loaded with half of your goods"

"And why is that?" I ask pensively.

"Let me finish. As I was saying yours would only be half loaded. To make room for something else. Let's assume the following scenario. If what my servant said is true then it's possible then half of your goods were abandoned to make room for the extra people that were going to be in the cargo area. Think about it he'd pay them to only load half of your goods and pay the crew to say that they lost the goods to sea. All in an effort to smuggle people into Aendesia"

I pause for a moment and think. If it is true then I'm in a lot more trouble than I anticipated. If this is investigated I could face charges as an accomplice to this crime.

"This has gotten awfully complicated" Of all the things that could happen I hadn't expected something this in the slightest. "We have to do something"

"Regrettably we can't do much with the evidence we currently have right now" She sighs to herself.

"If a lesser noble such as myself were to pursue this case. It wouldn't be taken seriously. And it'll most likely be seen as a petty feud over cargo. I'll lose credibility and he'll get away with it. But if someone like you were to take the case to his Majesty then we can successfully expose the Baron"

She was a bit hesitant at first but agreed. "Before anything we need to gather solid proof. We need to check if this is something he's done before and if it is we'll need evidence of it. When you're investigating something I want to confirm two things"

I nod my head solemnly.

"First of all I want you to confirm to obtain proof that your goods weren't in the ship in the first place. The second part maybe a bit difficult but if possible we'll need some kind of proof that there were indeed people on your vessel"

I glance at the clock on the wall I've spent way too much time here. I still have many things to sort out.

"I'll be staying at a townhouse in the capital. I'll contact you if I find anything out"

I excuse myself and leave. But I can't help but feel a bit uneasy.

****Inside the Mattel Manor*****

Asa did her best to comfort her. She wished she could do more when the young lady had a headache put simple healing herbs just weren't doing it.

She held the sobbing Isabella in her arms doing her best to calm her down. Sometimes maybe once or twice a week the lady would have a terrible headache. And no amount of medication seemed to be of help.

"Asa my eye hurts"

She hated how powerless she was to help her. She didn't know what else she could do. She'd already given the lady her medicine but it seemed like it had no effect. 

A knock at the door sent worry down her spine. "Isabella is everything alright?''

Isabella stiffened as cried even more. It was inevitable that her brother would follow her out of concern for her but she didn't want to face him.

"Asa please don't allow him in. Tell him I don't want to see him." Isabella pleaded with her.

Asa was unsure. The young master was a stubborn as a mule and could be rather persistent. She doubted that the young master would listen to the lady's wishes.

"Please Asa I'm begging you"

Asa stared at her lady trying to think of a way to save the both of them for this situation. They'd been prepared in case something like this happened. She just never expected it'd happen so quickly. She had sworn she'd protect her so she wasn't going to stop now.

"Alright I won't let him set foot in this room"

Isabella thanked her and covered herself with the bed's blanket.

Asa stood up left the room and shut the door behind her.

"Asa! Is Ella okay? Is she alright?"

"The lady is fine sir. She was just tired and wanted to rest" she answered in a monotone voice.

"I need to see her" He said urgently as he reached for the door handle.

Asa stood defiantly in front of the door blocking him from opening it.

"My apologies young master but the lady wishes to be alone"

Asa knew the second she uttered those words. The young master was going to be even more determined to see the lady.

"What does that mean" he asked incredulously. His voice rising and his temper flaring

"The lady wishes to be left alone"

Adelio felt angry and confused. But the pleading look in her eyes begged him not to take the matter any further.

"Did something happen to her while I was away" he asked his voice calm and low.

Unable to keep her composure Asa burst into tears as she nodded her head.

Adelio felt his heart sink. But she seemed just fine when she was with him.

"Asa come with me"