Did you do it on purpose? Henrik asked as the carriage moved along.
Tori kept her eyes out the window. What if I did?
What did you tell her that made her lose her mind? Ilyana asked beside her. Tori pursed her lips. Was it about Instructor Ignatius?
Henrik raised a brow. Is she not over him? Isnt she the one who dumped him?
There are so people who will dump soone, but they still dont want that other person to be with soone else, Tori told them. Not that Instructor and I are in that sort of relationship. It just seems that Miss Moore is convinced that I had seduced Instructor Ignatius and refuses to believe that the man just loves crystals to a fanatical extent.
Ilyana made a face. Youre so much younger than he is.
Henrik rolled his eyes. Isnt he the sa age as Lord Kasen?
Im not Lord Kasens student. Ilyana defended as her face reddened. And Im just admiring him.
Tori nodded and patted her shoulder. My brother is worthy of admiration. Ilyana looked at Henrik with an I-told-you-so look. Anyway, I wasnt going to stand for having my business affairs ruined. Miss Moore didnt need to accuse us of forging our permit. If she hadnt said anything, I wouldnt have ntioned the permit dates, but she was obviously targeting us. Aside from her connection to the Cowman and animosity towards because of Instructor Ignatius, we dont have any real evidence she acted maliciously.
Who else couldve done it? Henrik frowned.
Anyone who was working there is suspect, but we have no proof. However, an investigation on misconduct may be a warning to others to stop them from trying anything like this in the future, Tori replied.
Im glad Prince Emil was there, Ilyana said. He was so angry and demanded that woman be fired.
She tried to destroy official docunts in front of her boss boss. Even if she refused to admit she did anything to our permits, Mr. Devereux saw her try to destroy official docunts. That should be grounds for dismissal. Tori rubbed her head. Henrik, what do you want to do about the break-in at your house?
Henriks face darkened and his lips pulled into a tight line. My room was locked when I left for Lyce.
Was it unlocked or broken? Ilyana asked.
Henrik furrowed his brows. My dad said that there was no sign of forced entry. My windows were also locked from the inside and werent broken, so whoever searched my room ca in through the door.
Do you want a charm to keep people out? Tori asked.
Henrik thought for a mont and shook his head. There isnt a need. Nothing important is kept in my room.
Its a good thing you kept everything at Prince Piers house, Ilyana said. I thought you were paranoid, but it looks like your precaution paid off. Im sorry I doubted you, Henrik.
Henrik sighed.
Do your parents have any idea who mightve done it? Were there any witnesses? Did the neighbors see anyone? Tori asked. The Skuldsens lived on a busy street and had plenty of neighbors. Henrik shook his head.
Most of our neighbors work during the day and the maid had the day off. The butler also assists my father at the guild and the cook only cos to make dinner. My parents found the ss when they ca ho and no one else was there.
Were any doors going into the house open or unlocked? Tori asked.
Henrik was quiet for a mont. I didnt ask.... My parents said they looked to see if anything was stolen, but nothing of value was. Things were just tossed around. I have very few valuables...so rings and such, and my mother said that they werent taken.
Tori squinted. She opened her mouth, wanting to ask if Henrik was sure a thief did it. She slowly closed her mouth. Asking would shift the suspicion on the staff or a family mber. The Skuldsens had a cook, a maid, and a butler, but they had no reason to tear around the Skuldsens ho. Tori didnt want to dismiss the possibility, though felt it was unlikely.
Henriks parents certainly wouldnt break into their sons room, which left his sister, Annika, who worked at Adriens liquor store.
Are you just going to let this go? Ilyana asked with a frown. What if they co back? If they didnt find what they were looking for this ti, they might return.
Then let them, Henrik said with a proud look. Let them waste their ti. I dont want to waste my ti dwelling on this, though I have told my parents to better secure their valuables. Perhaps look into getting a vault.
Tori nodded. If there is sothing we can do, let us know. This is a troubling event, and we have no idea who broke in.
Thanks, Tori.
They bypassed Lyce to get to Piers house. The knights greeted them and as they stepped down from the carriage, the door opened and a gray cat shot out, owing as if hed been starved.
Alexander!
Nyaow! He leapt into Toris arms, and she brought him close and nuzzled his head.
What are you doing? Are you going out for a walk?
We saw your carriage from the window, Axton said as he stood at the doorway and leaned against it with crossed arms. How did it go?
I had to call for help, but everything is settled and properly filed.
Tori got Instructor Ignatius ex-girlfriend dismissed! Ilyana said as she bounced beside Tori and scratched Alexander under his chin.
I didnt get her dismissed. She got herself dismissed for poor conduct, Tori said in defense of herself. Although, I may have provoked her into lashing out in front of the chief officer of the commission.
May have? Henrik snorted as he passed her. He went inside to put their docunts away while Ilyana and Tori remained by the front door, talking to Axton.
Axton chuckled and looked at them fondly. You wouldnt have provoked her if you werent angry.
She accused us of forging docunts, Axton.
I believe you, he said. By the way, are you ready for the first chamber eting of the year at the end of the week?
Tori nodded. Piers said that its long, but its mainly introductions of new mbers and a review of topics that are carrying over from last year. Mr. Sima and Mrs. Farkas are also prepared for a long and tedious eting.
Well take you out to eat after, Ilyana said with a sympathetic pat.
Tori sighed and tilted her head, leaning against Ilyanas shoulder. Our Ilyana is the best.
A small cough ca from behind them, and Alexander let out a ow of greeting. Tori turned around and saw Piers walking up the steps. We can go to the Three Queens afterwards.
The Three Queens is my restaurant-
Bring the others; they like the food there, Piers said, ignoring Axton. Axton squinted at him.
You have a post-eting review with the Emperor after joint chamber sessions, Axton told him in a dull voice. You cant go. Piers narrowed his eyes slightly and Axton held up his hands. I cant do anything about it. Take it up with the Emperor.
If thats the case, we can go to a restaurant closer to the First District.... Tori wrinkled her nose and frowned. Im not very familiar with restaurants there, though.
Albert might know since he worked at the palace last sumr, Ilyana told her.
Well call him, then.
All right, theyre filed away. Henrik walked out and bowed his head at Piers. Your Highness.
Piers gave him a small nod in return. Des Champs in the Second District is close. Its a favorite of Senior Kasen.
Axton raised a brow. Is it a favorite of his or is it because he ate there for free.
Why would my brother eat there for free? Tori asked, frowning.
Because his friend let him eat there for free. Axton said this while boring his accusing eyes at Piers. Its what friends do.
Piers didnt acknowledge Axtons complaint. He glanced at Tori. If you have difficulty getting a reservation, tell Senior Benedict.
Instructor Ignatius? Tori raised a brow. Does he have a connection at Des Champs?
Piers nodded. He owns it.
Tori pursed her lips. Sotis, she forgot Instructor Ignatius, who often forgot to eat, was rich. She was starting to figure out why Miss Moore was so obsessed with him.
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