Maya hurried through the mansion doors as though something was chasing her.
She gathered the hem of her gown and climbed the staircase almost two steps at a time, desperate to put as much distance as possible between herself and the afternoon she had just endured.
"Maya?"
Evelyn, who had been arranging flowers in the hallway, immediately noticed the troubled look on her daughter's face.
"How did it go?"
Maya stopped abruptly. She turned towards her mother, her expression caught somewhere between disbelief and frustration.
"Horribly."
She let out a dry laugh before shaking her head, "I have never met a man like him."
Concern flickered across Evelyn's face, "What happened?"
Maya exhaled sharply and began recounting everything-from Nathaniel's unwavering stare to the strange way he had eaten from her plate, drunk from her cup, and smiled as though none of it was unusual.
"...And the entire time," Maya groaned, "he kept smiling!"
Evelyn listened quietly without interrupting.
When Maya finally fell silent, her mother noticed the sapphire necklace resting elegantly around her neck.
"It suits you beautifully."
She reached out, gently running her fingers across the shimmering gemstones.
"The craftsmanship is remarkable."
Maya frowned, "Don't admire it." She carefully removed Evelyn's hand from the necklace, "I don't even want to wear it anymore."
Evelyn smiled knowingly, "He's trying to get a reaction from you."
Maya blinked, "...By behaving like a lunatic?"
A soft laugh escaped Evelyn, "No." She shook her head. "By making sure you think about him after you've gone home."
Maya folded her arms, "I assure you, Mother, I would have preferred not to think about him at all."
"I believe you." Evelyn's smile softened, "But men can be rather foolish when they're interested in someone."
She looked towards the window, as though recalling an old memory. "Your father once climbed a tree outside my sister's bedroom just to leave flowers on her windowsill."
Maya stared, "...Seriously?"
"He fell out of the tree."
That earned Evelyn a quiet laugh from her daughter, "But the point is," Evelyn continued, "people do strange things when they're in love."
Maya's smile disappeared.
"This doesn't feel like love."
"It may not be."
"It feels..." She searched for the right words. "...Unsettling."
For the first time, Evelyn hesitated, she hadn't expected that answer.
Maya turned to leave, "I've had enough excitement for one day."
As she walked past, Evelyn gently caught hold of her wrist.
"My dear."
Maya paused.
Evelyn's expression became unusually serious.
"Never allow your anger to control your decisions." She gently squeezed her daughter's hand. "Anger rarely solves anything. It clouds judgment, blinds wisdom, and often leaves us regretting the words we speak."
She released Maya's wrist, "The person who masters their emotions possesses a strength that no sword can ever match."
Maya looked at her mother for a long moment.
"...I'll remember that."
Evelyn smiled warmly before walking away.
Maya quietly returned to her room.
She stood before the mirror and looked at the sapphire necklace around her neck.
Her fingers slowly brushed against it, "It's beautiful..." She sighed. "...Such a shame it came from such a strange man."
Several days later...
Duncan slowly opened his eyes.
A dull ache spread through his stomach the moment he tried to sit up.
He gritted his teeth with considerable effort, he pushed himself upright. A sharp groan escaped his lips, the bedroom door immediately swung open.
"Duncan!"
Ruby hurried inside, relief flooded her face the moment she saw him awake.
"Please, don't force yourself."
She gently supported his shoulders and eased him back onto the bed.
"The healer said you mustn't strain yourself."
Duncan lay back obediently, fragments of memory slowly returned.
The tavern.
The drink.
The unbearable pain.
Nathaniel.
His brows knitted together, Ruby noticed immediately.
"Please don't think too much about what happened," she pleaded softly, "The healer said worrying will only delay your recovery."
Duncan gave a faint nod, "I'll try."
The days passed quietly, little by little...
His strength returned, each morning he walked a little farther than the day before until, at last, he no longer needed anyone's support. The feeling of standing on his own again filled him with relief.
One afternoon, he stepped outside and found Ruby, Althaia, and Skender speaking at the dinning.
The three turned as he approached, a smile spread across Althaia's face.
"You're finally walking properly."
Duncan smiled back, "I owe all of you my life." His eyes settled on Skender. "My Lord... thank you for saving me."
Skender waved a hand dismissively, "No thanks are necessary." He smiled warmly, "I merely did what anyone should have done."
"I'm just glad you're recovering," Althaia added. "But next time..." She pointed a finger at him. "Be careful what you drink."
Duncan rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, "I certainly will." His smile slowly faded. "Though..."
Everyone looked at him.
"I still can't stop thinking about what happened."
Skender folded his arms, "I've already sent men to investigate the tavern."
Duncan listened attentively.
"They found very little." Skender sighed, "The tavern has been closed ever since the incident, and most of the workers disappeared before anyone could question them."
"So..."
"We're still searching."
Ruby nodded gratefully, "Thank you, my Lord."
Skender smiled, "It's the least I could do."
Silence settled over the group, Duncan lowered his gaze.
"I've been thinking..."
Skender noticed the seriousness in his voice, "What is it?"
Duncan hesitated, "I think..." He looked up. "...Duke Nathaniel may have something to do with it."
The words hung heavily in the air, no one spoke, Althaia exchanged a glance with Ruby, even Skender seemed surprised.
"What makes you think that?" he asked calmly.
Duncan took a slow breath, "We drank together." He frowned. "So why was I the one poisoned?"
His voice grew quieter, "And..." He paused again, "The way he looks at people..." He shook his head, "I can't explain it, It's as though he's looking straight through you."
Skender considered his words, "I understand what you mean." He looked thoughtfully into the distance. "He certainly has... an unusual way of observing people."
Duncan nodded immediately, "Exactly."
"But..." Skender continued, "He's only recently arrived in Valtheris." He looked back at Duncan, "What reason would he have to poison you?"
"I don't know." Duncan answered honestly. "I have no proof."
He clenched his fists.
"But every time I look into Duke Nathaniel's eyes..." A faint chill ran down his spine. "...I feel like I'm standing before someone I shouldn't trust."
Silence followed.
No one dismissed his suspicion. Yet... no one agreed with it either.
For now...
All they had were questions, and somewhere beyond those unanswered questions...
The truth patiently waited.
Alora was slowly getting used to her new job.
The work was exhausting, and by the end of each day her feet ached from standing for hours, but she didn't mind. It paid the bills, and more importantly, her mother's health had begun to improve.
That alone made every tiring day worthwhile.
Unlike Mr. Benjamin, Nathan was much easier to work with. He was strict and expected everything to be done properly, but he rarely lost his temper unless someone was careless. The grocery shop had become a place where Alora could finally work without constantly worrying about making a mistake.
For the first time in a long while...
Life felt peaceful.
She should have known it wouldn't stay that way forever.
Across the street from the fruit shop stood a busy carpentry workshop. The rhythmic sound of hammers echoed through the road from morning until evening, and among the workers was a young man named Ambrose.
He was in his early twenties, with a lean build, short dark hair, and warm brown eyes that always seemed to carry a friendly smile. There was nothing particularly noble about his appearance, yet he had a quiet charm that made people feel comfortable around him.
For several days, Ambrose had found excuses to visit the fruit shop.
Sometimes he bought apples.
Other times oranges, occasionally, he left with only a single pear, it didn't take Alora long to realize he wasn't coming for the fruit.
Each time he arrived, his eyes would briefly search for her before he greeted everyone with the same cheerful smile.
She noticed.
But chose to pretend she hadn't, as the days passed, brief greetings slowly turned into conversations. Before long, Ambrose had become familiar with both Alora and Roxana, often stopping by after work to chat whenever business was quiet.
Their friendship blossomed naturally. They were all young, hardworking, and trying to build better lives for themselves, making it easy to enjoy one another's company.
One afternoon, Alora caught Roxana stealing a quick glance at Ambrose while he laughed at one of Nathan's jokes.
A smile tugged at her lips.
She likes him, the realization amused her more than she expected.
Perhaps...
She could help the two of them grow closer, it was the least she could do for her new friends.
A few days later, Nathan asked Alora to accompany one of the delivery carts to a noble mansion while Roxana remained behind to manage the shop.
The journey took nearly an hour, as the carriage rolled through the enormous iron gates, Alora's eyes widened in amazement.
The mansion before her was magnificent.
Towering white walls surrounded the estate, while colourful gardens stretched across the front lawn. Elegant fountains sparkled beneath the afternoon sun, and marble pathways wound gracefully through neatly trimmed hedges. Servants moved about withpractisedd efficiency, each carrying out their duties without wasting a single step.
Alora couldn't help imagining what it would be like to live in such a place.
No worrying about tomorrow, no wondering where the next meal would come from. It felt like an entirely different world.
The carriage eventually stopped near the servants' entrance.
Alora and the other workers began unloading baskets of fresh fruits and vegetables while the mansion's servants carefully carried everything into the spacious kitchen.
Once the delivery was nearly complete, Alora stepped away from the carriage to admire the estate.
Her eyes wandered across the gardens until they settled on a tall dark figure standing some distance away.
The man had his back to her, dressed in dark clothing that contrasted sharply with the bright afternoon sky. He appeared to be speaking with someone, though she couldn't make out their conversation.
Realizing she had been staring for too long, Alora quickly looked away.
Unfortunately...
She wasn't watching where she was going, her foot caught against a stone.
"Ah!"
She stumbled forward and landed awkwardly on one knee, heat rushed to her cheeks.
Wonderful...
She hurried to stand, dusting off her skirt before anyone could notice.
"Are you alright?"
A calm voice spoke behind her, Alora turned and found herself face to face with a tall man.
He had light brown hair that reached his shoulders and striking golden-brown eyes. Though lean, his broad shoulders and defined features gave him a commanding presence. There was kindness in his expression, but it was the quiet confidence of a man accustomed to being obeyed.
"I-I'm fine, sir," Alora replied quickly, lowering her head in embarrassment.
He raised an eyebrow, "You don't seem convinced."
"I only lost my balance."
A faint smile crossed his lips, "Then be more careful next time."
"Yes, sir."
He studied her for a brief moment, "I don't believe we've met before."
"No, sir. I'm new."
"I thought as much." He gave a small nod, "Welcome."
Alora blinked.
The simple greeting caught her by surprise.
"Thank you, sir."
"You may return to your work."
She bowed politely before making her way back to the carriage, trying her best not to limp after her fall.
The other workers glanced at her but said nothing.
Once everything had been loaded, the driver urged the horses forward.
As the carriage rolled away, curiosity got the better of Alora.
She looked back through the small window.
The tall man who had spoken to her was now walking toward the mysterious dark-haired figure she had noticed earlier. The two men exchanged a few words before disappearing deeper into the gardens.
Who were they?
Before she could think any further, the carriage passed the estate's grand entrance.
Mounted above the black iron gates were two words carved into polished stone.
VALCREST MANSION.
Alora quietly repeated the name to herself.
"Valcrest..."
For reasons she couldn't explain, she had a feeling that this wouldn't be her last visit there.
Hello, everyone!
If you'd like to have a better idea of what the characters in The Blonde Blunder look like, feel free to visit my Instagram page: @United Ani.
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— Ani United