Maya paced back and forth inside her bedroom, unable to think clearly. Before she could even speak with Duncan, Lord Skender had taken him away for a private conversation. By the time they finished, Duncan had already left the palace without seeing her.
She had until the end of the year to fulfil her father's condition. Panicked and out of ideas, she decided to visit her closest friend.
Ravenshire Manor
"I warned you," Clara said after listening to everything. "Now look at you. Lord William is blackmailing you."
"I was careful," Maya replied, troubled. "I never imagined I would get caught."
Clara frowned.
"But why does Lord William want you to keep Duncan busy? Isn't Duncan His Majesty's closest Lord?"
"He is," Maya answered. "That's exactly why William hates him. Duncan is respected by everyone, and His Majesty always speaks highly of him."
Silence settled between them, finally, Clara spoke again.
"What are you going to do? Will you tell Duncan the truth?"
Maya slowly shook her head.
"I can't, I know him. He values honesty more than anything. If his reputation before the King hadn't been spotless, those rumours could have ruined him." She lowered her eyes, "And... I've already accepted Lord William's proposal."
Clara sighed.
"Then you have no choice. Your father's condition still stands, If you want to marry Duncan, you'll have to act before the year ends."
Maya nodded silently,"I will."
After finishing their tea, Maya left Ravenshire Manor, her mind heavier than when she arrived.
Back at the palace, Duncan remained buried in his investigation. The mysterious ring was still the only clue linking him to Chief Zion.
Hours passed inside the royal library as he searched through ancient records, but nothing matched the symbol engraved on it.
Exhausted, he leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes for a moment. His thoughts drifted to Lord Skender.
"His reaction... it wasn't normal."
Just then, a shadow flashed across one of the bookshelves. Duncan's eyes snapped open, In one swift movement, he drew the dagger hidden inside his boot.
"Who's there?"
Silence.By the time he reached the shelf... No one was there. He frowned.
"Someone is watching me..."
Several days had passed since Duncan left the commoners' district, and life slowly returned to normal. Alora devoted herself to the bakery while Irene continued recovering. William had returned to the commoners' school, where boys received a fuller education, while girls were taught only basic reading and writing before leaving school.
The tension between Alora and Irene had faded, and peace had finally returned to their small home.
Then...
The bakery door opened. Alora instinctively looked up, and her eyes widened.
"Duncan..."
He wore ordinary clothes again, blending in with the crowd. Without saying a word, he accepted his pastries and discreetly slipped another folded note into her hand before leaving.
Once the bakery became less crowded, Alora unfolded it. Please meet me where we met last time, she folded the paper carefully and returned to work.
After closing time, she told Irene she was visiting a friend before quietly making her way to the meeting place.
Duncan was already waiting beneath the tree, unlike before, there was no smile on his face. He looked troubled.
"Mr. Duncan... What's bothering you?"
He looked at her seriously. "The last time I was here, you told me about the commoners' district. Tell me honestly, besides me, have you ever seen nobles coming here?"
Alora thought carefully.
"Personally, no. But I've heard people say that some nobles secretly visit the district, they come to drink, gamble... and for other shameful things. I've never seen it myself. They're only rumours."
Duncan remained silent.
"Did you ever hear their names?"
"No, I'm sorry."
Duncan sighed deeply.
"So much money is allocated to this district... yet the place still looks neglected."
He looked around before asking,
"I need your help. Where do these rumours usually come from?"
"The bars, eateries, and the brothels." She hesitated, "But those places are heavily guarded. You can't simply walk in."
Duncan nodded.
"Thank you, You should go home and get some rest."
Alora blinked. "...That's all?"
"Yes."
She smiled politely before turning away.
Deep down, disappointment filled her heart.
She had hoped their conversation would be like the last one. Instead... His thoughts never left the investigation.
As she walked home, she reminded herself not to become too attached.
"He's a Lord, I'm only a commoner.I should stop hoping for something impossible."
But even after making that promise... She wasn't sure she could keep it.
Duncan remained beneath the tree.
"The bars... the brothels... How did I miss that?"
During his previous stay, he had spent so much time focused on Alora that he had overlooked the rest of the district.
"So nobles really do come here... But who? And why?"
Lord Skender was responsible for the commoners' district. Could he somehow be involved? He needed answers.
Without informing anyone, Duncan returned to the commoners' district alone. As he walked through the narrow streets, the uneasy feeling returned. Someone...was following him.
He suddenly turned around, nothing.
"It can't be the mastermind...Or can it?"
He quickened his pace, turning into one alley after another, moments later... The footsteps followed.
"Whoever it is knows these streets well."
He suddenly rounded another corner-
-and collided with someone. Both of them fell to the ground.
As Duncan looked up, he caught sight of the mysterious figure disappearing around another corner.
For a brief second...
He noticed the person's clothing.
"I've seen that uniform before... At the palace."
He was about to chase after the figure when someone grabbed his leg.
"Ah! Young man, are you trying to kill me?" an elderly woman shouted.
Duncan looked down, and his eyes widened.
"Mrs. Irene? I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention."
He quickly helped her to her feet and gathered the groceries scattered across the road.
Irene winced as she tried to stand.
"You've injured your leg. Let me help you home."
When they arrived, Duncan helped Irene sit on a large stone outside the house since there were no chairs. He gently massaged her ankle.
Alora rushed outside, surprised to see him.
"What happened?"
Irene explained everything, seeing that Duncan had also fallen, Alora offered to treat his injuries
.
"I'm fine," Duncan replied with a small smile.
"I have somewhere I need to be."
Without another word... he left.
Alora watched him disappear into the distance.
"That's strange," Irene murmured, "He usually finds excuses to stay."
Alora remained silent. Something had changed.
As Duncan hurried away, only one thought echoed in his mind.
"That clothing... I've definitely seen it before." His footsteps slowed, then it struck him.
"The palace..."his expression hardened. "Someone from the palace is following me, and from this moment on... I know I'm no longer investigating alone."