The following morning, Duncan, Lord Matthew, Lucas and the palace guards packed their belongings, preparing to leave the commoners' district. As Duncan climbed into the carriage, his thoughts drifted back to the previous afternoon beneath the old tree.
A faint smile appeared on his lips, the carriage slowly began to move. Almost instinctively, he looked back one last time, hoping to catch a glimpse of Alora, she was nowhere to be seen, e smiled softly before turning away as the commoners' district disappeared into the distance.
Upon arriving at the palace, Duncan, Lord Matthew and Lord William immediately reported everything to King Alexander.
"The mission was only partly successful, Your Majesty," Duncan began. "Chief Zion was murdered before we could question him."
He carefully placed the mysterious silver ring before the King.
"We also found this at the crime scene."
King Alexander examined the ring for a long moment before handing it back."I have never seen this crest before."
"We questioned several people in the commoners' district," Matthew added, "but no one recognized it."
Duncan stepped forward. "We believe Chief Zion was merely a pawn. Someone silenced him before we could uncover the truth."
The King's expression darkened.
"So... this is no longer ordinary treason."
The throne room fell silent. "A hidden enemy within our kingdom is far more dangerous than one standing beyond our borders."
He slowly walked toward the large map hanging on the wall. "If this mastermind is willing to kill his own allies to protect his identity, then he is already several steps ahead of us."
None of the three Lords uttered a word, King Alexander clasped his hands behind his back. "This investigation must continue in complete secrecy. We cannot allow panic to spread throughout the kingdom."
He paused before speaking again. "Unfortunately... I have more troubling news."
The three Lords immediately straightened themselves.
"Our border scouts have reported unusual military activity from the Kingdom of Zafarya. We cannot confirm an invasion yet, but we must prepare for the worst."
Matthew frowned. "Do you believe the two incidents are connected, Your Majesty?"
"I do not know," the King answered honestly. "But if they are... then Valtheris faces enemies both within and beyond its borders."
His eyes hardened.
"I am placing the security of this kingdom in your hands."
"We will not fail Your Majesty," Duncan, Matthew and Lord William answered together.
The King nodded.
"This is no longer merely an investigation, It is the beginning of a war we cannot yet see."
After leaving the throne room, Duncan and Matthew walked quietly through the palace gardens.
"It seems our burdens have only increased," Matthew sighed.
Duncan nodded, "I only hope we discover the mastermind before he makes his next move."
Matthew smiled faintly, "let's not worry about that today. We've just returned."
Duncan chuckled. "You're right. I desperately need a bath."
The two laughed before going their separate ways.
Back at Valcrest Mansion, Ruby welcomed Duncan home warmly. After bathing and changing into clean clothes, he joined her for dinner and recounted everything that had happened during the mission. Finally, he placed the mysterious silver ring on the table.
Ruby picked it up and carefully examined it.
"It looks... familiar."
Duncan looked at her. "You've seen it before?"
"I'm not certain."
She slowly handed the ring back.
"But one thing is certain, this ring does not belong to Valtheris."
Duncan carefully placed it back into his pouch. "Then perhaps it belongs to our enemy."
Ruby remained silent, lost in thought.
Meanwhile, at Ashbourne Mansion, Maya was relieved when she heard Duncan had returned safely. However, her relief quickly disappeared as her father's words echoed in her mind.
"Until the end of this year."
With everything happening in the kingdom, Duncan would become busier than ever.
She had little time left.
The following morning, Maya hurried to Valcrest Mansion, hoping to see him, unfortunately, just as her carriage approached the entrance, Duncan rode past on horseback.
"Lord Duncan!" she called.
But the sound of galloping hooves drowned out her voice, and within moments he had disappeared.
Disappointed, she returned home, several days passed without seeing him, normally, Duncan would visit her and tell her stories about his adventures.
This time... Nothing.
When Mr. Ashbourne was asked to deliver food supplies to the palace. Maya accompanied the workers, hoping fate would finally bring them together.
The palace was unusually busy. A council meeting was taking place, forcing her to wait outside. As she stood in the courtyard, several maids and servants glared at her before whispering among themselves.
Maya pretended not to notice, she already knew what they were discussing, as she searched for Duncan, someone tapped her shoulder, she turned around.
Lord William.
"Lady Maya..." he said with a grin. "Or perhaps I should congratulate you in advance and call you Lady Duncan."
Without saying a word, Maya turned to leave.
"Walking away from a Lord?" William called after her. "That's rather disrespectful."
She stopped and faced him. "What do you want?"
William folded his arms, "I need you to keep Duncan occupied."
Maya frowned, "And why would I do that?"
"Because he's always with my brother."
"So?"
"It irritates me."
Maya smiled mockingly, "Perhaps because Lord Duncan is far more capable than you."
William's smile disappeared, "Watch your tongue."
"And you should mind your jealousy."
His expression darkened, "You forget who you're speaking to."
"No," Maya replied calmly. "I know exactly who I'm speaking to, I'm speaking to a man who hides behind his title because he lacks Duncan's ability."
William stepped closer, "I could have your tongue removed for insulting a Lord."
"And I could report you to His Majesty."
William suddenly laughed, "You won't."
Maya rolled her eyes,"I have no intention of helping a loser."
She turned to leave.
"Very well," William called after her. "I'll simply tell Duncan that his dear childhood friend was the one who spread the rumours between him and the commoner girl."
Maya stopped walking, her body froze. Slowly, she turned around.
"...What did you say?"
William remained silent.
Maya hurried after him and grabbed his collar. "You heard me."
His smirk returned, "Did you really think no one would discover it was you?"
Maya's face turned pale.
"If Duncan's reputation before the King weren't spotless, he would have been questioned already."
Her grip slowly loosened.
William gently removed her hand from his collar.
"You're a clever woman, Miss Maya. I'm sure you'll make the right decision, I'll be waiting for your answer."
With that, he walked away, leaving Maya standing speechless, standing alone in the palace courtyard.
Back in the commoners' district, life gradually returned to normal. The rumours surrounding Alora had begun to fade as people focused on the recent murders.
Standing behind the bakery counter, she served customers with her usual smile.
Every now and then, her eyes wandered toward the entrance whenever the door opened, each time, disappointment followed.
"He's already returned to the palace," she thought, sadly smiled to herself.
The rumors surrounding her had begun to fade now that the entire district was focused on the recent murders. For the first time in weeks, people looked at her with less suspicion.
She was grateful, yet she couldn't stop thinking about Duncan, she still remembered the moment beneath the old tree.
How close he had been... How embarrassed she became before running away.
Without realizing it, she touched the folded letter hidden safely inside her pocket.
A small smile crossed her lips."I hope we meet again someday." Then she returned to serving customers.
Late that night, a hooded servant entered Chief Zion's abandoned manor. Following his master's instructions, he dug beneath the wooden floor until he uncovered a heavy wooden chest. Without delay, he carried it to a secluded house hidden deep within the forest.
"My Lord." He bowed respectfully. "I've recovered the goods."
The mysterious man slowly opened the chest. Gold coins, important documents and several sealed scrolls lay inside, a satisfied smile appeared on his face.
"Chief Zion completed his assignment," he gently closed the lid. "It is unfortunate...He became a liability."
The servant hesitated. "My Lord... I heard one of your rings was found at the crime scene."
The mysterious man calmly continued smoking, "A ring proves nothing, no one will trace it back to me."
"What are your orders now, my Lord?" the servant asked.
The man looked out into the darkness beyond the window.
"The next phase...has already begun."