A Rewarding Investigation

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As soon as they arrived, Aelia first went to check on her family. The Imperial doctor had arrived much earlier than they had and it was a relief to see her father and brothers being examined. She talked to her mother and informed her that the Grand Duke had started an investigation and that she would also be a part of it. 

"I swear, I'll catch the culprit behind this, mother." Aelia said firmly, her eyes glimmering with determination.

Upon seeing this, her mother's face broke into a smile, "I believe that you can do it, my dear daughter. Stay safe." 

Aelia returned the smile before rushing downstairs to the kitchen, where Ezekiel was. She saw that they all were crowded around something and walked up to them slowly.

"Is something the matter?"

"Ah.. well." Ezekiel looked at her before looking away, "See for yourself, my lady."

They made way for her as she came close. A gasp left her lips as she covered them with her hand. There was a hole big enough for a human to crawl inside from. It had been previously concealed by huge bags of wheat and rice. Her face contorted, Aelia was seething at the mere sight of it. Her hands curled up into fists, her fingernails digging into her skin.

"This bastard.." She murmured, her eyes icy cold.

Ezekiel placed his hand on her shoulder, "Calm down, Aelia."

"Don't- Don't tell me to calm down! How could you?! My father AND my brothers, all, have been POISONED. AND YOU TELL ME TO CALM DOWN?!" Aelia looked up at him with such rage in her eyes that left him shocked.

Her sudden outburst and anger was not really directed to him, but since he was there she ended up unjustly making him the receiver of her harsh words.

"That's.. not what I meant. You have every right to be upset, Aelia. But don't worry, we'll catch this person."

She huffed, still glaring at him. The knights and mages walked away and examined other areas, feeling slightly awkward by being witnesses to a lovers' quarrel. Aelia got on her knees and hands.

"What are you doing-?!" Ezekiel exclaimed in shock as he knelt down behind her so no one could see her.

"Crawling." She stated simply.

Aelia then proceeded to crawl out of the hole, she stood up on the other side. It led out to the back garden of the residence. She moved forward, her eyes darting here and there for any clues.

"Aelia-" Ezekiel began to speak as he too crawled then got up.

"Don't. Talk. To. Me."

She knew she was being rather unreasonable, but her heart still stung slightly at how he had told her to calm down earlier on. There was total silence after what she said. Aelia let out a soft sigh and began to look for an opening rather thoroughly. Ezekiel remained behind her, looking for clues as well but, his main concern was her. He didn't want anything to ever happen to her. Ezekiel was, of course, worried for his future father-in-law and his best friend and brother-in-law along with his other brother-in-law, but he found that his heart cared for Aelia the most. 

"Oh!" Aelia gasped as she ran towards something. 

Ezekiel ran after her, keeping her in reach and in sight. Aelia found a brooch, which she had never seen anyone in the manor possess before. Tearing a piece of cloth from her dress, she wrapped it up in it and gave it to Ezekiel. She then went on to look for more clues.

"What's that over there?" Ezekiel asked, pointing her to a direction where there was a piece of red cloth on the bushes.

The two approached it and realised that it probably had been torn off due to the sharp twigs as the culprit fled. Ezekiel immediately called the rest outside. He firstly gave them the wrapped up brooch and then guided them to the torn piece of cloth.

"I trust that you'll handle it from here?" Ezekiel asked the knights and mages in a firm voice.

"Yes, your grace!" They all responded and got to work immediately.

Ezekiel then led Aelia inside, "My lady, if I may-"

"Not now, your grace." She said coldly.

Aelia was under a lot of stress about the whole ordeal, she then rushed upstairs to check on her family. Ezekiel followed her, a slight throb in his heart by how she was treating him. 

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