She just bowed to them and then left? Miss Vissage crinkled her eyes and lowered her cup of coffee before looking towards where Tori and Piers were seated further away. A small table was between them, along with a piece of paper torn from Axtons story guide.
Axton looked at his two friends as he sat at the head of the main table with the others. He had brought with him a map he was working on along with a small book where hed written a storyline. It was still incomplete, but he doubted theyd finish the ga in one sitting.
The entire ballroom was silent, Albert said as he rolled the dice. Before that, once a na was announced, everyone clapped and talked about the young lady nad.
No one clapped for Tori? Miss Vissage frowned. Thats rude.
Do you want people to clap for her considering the circumstances? Mr. Vissage asked across from her. He was sipping on his own cup of coffee. Half the people there were probably from Lyce. And everyone knows they dont get along. Not to ntion that Tori and His Highness Prince Piers are close. How could they clap knowing that?
What if they clapped and it bothered the first prince? Henrik added. Wouldnt that be an affront to him?
At least she wasnt in trouble for leaving suddenly, Miss Vissage said.
The important ceremonial parts were over, Axton told them. Albert, you opened the hidden panel. Henrik, you are with him.
Im reading the glyphs on the wall for clues as to whats inside, Henrik replied as he rolled the dice. And if everyone knows that they dont get along, why would they put Tori on that list in the first place?
Lady Guevera has also been escorting His Highness Prince Piers for so ti, has she not? Mr. Zisos said as he eyed the map. Isnt it strange to put her on a list for the second prince?
Apparently, it has sothing to do with her accomplishnts at the delta. Albert shook his head.
The better job one does, the more work they are given, Mr. Zisos said with a sympathetic nod.
Axton and the others mirrored his sympathy. Axton looked back at Tori and Piers, who was still mulling over his ga. It could also be that soone doesnt approve of a partnership between those two and wanted to cause trouble.
Oh...intrigue, Miss Vissage said as her brother looked interested. It doesnt look like it had much effect, though.
Regardless of the reason, I believe Lady Tori deserves to be listed amongst so of the most accomplished young won in the empire, Madam Martin said. She was moving between the tables, also clutching a small cup of coffee. Eventually, she took her seat and moved closer to Piers and Tori, who was leading Piers through a different storyline.
From what Axton could gather, it was a murder that Piers had to solve. Madam Martin seed much more interested in it than in their fantasy ga.
Is everyone going to the delta next weekend? Mr. Vissage asked. He and his sister didnt play, but continued to observe the ga.
We should be! Tori replied from her table. Weve started planting and Im going on a tour around the farmland with Lady Idunn. Instructor Ignatius and I are also testing so aquamarine irrigation plans.
Whens the next ti you are going to celebrate sothing? Madam Martin asked. Is it the last weekend of the Spring Festival?
Well be going there for the event, Madam Martin, Henrik said as he looked over his shoulder. However, we will mainly be hosting the visiting guests and have our Spring and Sumr collection for Lions Gate presented there.
Will it be another overnight event? Madam Martin asked, with a flash of excitent across her face.
No, it will only be for one day, from dawn until evening, when we will have another fireworks presentation to finish off the event, Henrik told her. Although, we will invite a few to stay overnight in the resort tents on the beach, to further experience Viclyas retreat hospitality.
Well also be staying the night, Miss Agafonova said. Except for Sonia and JP.
There are nurous lunches, dinners, and gatherings after the competition. Mr. Vissage sighed. We wont have ti to go to the delta with everyone.
Oh, thats disappointing, Madam Martin said.
Madam Martin, after finals, well be celebrating and my brother, and Henriks, birthdays at the delta, Miss Vissage said. Well be staying in tents again, but well get to stay longer. Im bringing Ciel Noir. She almost rubbed her hands together in glee. All I could think about since we went for Ewans birthday is getting to ride around the shores.
Well, Ill be doing training and review for the La Garda entrance exam, Ewan told them.
How long is it supposed to be? Mr. Zisos asked.
About two weeks.
Miss Vissage let out a low hiss. Two weeks of exams?
There are physical assessnts and then ti to rest before the written exams, Ewan said, cringing. If I pass them, there are the formal interviews I and my references need to have.
Youll be fine, Mr. Vissage assured him. Especially with those written exams. Your scores have never been higher.
And then, we will have another celebration! Miss Agafonova bead. Ewan threw them thankful looks. I just hope we dont have to bring him again.
Him? Madam Martin chuckled.
Axton sighed. Prince Gideon. He intruded on our ga night once.
He kept asking so many questions and making unnecessary comnts, Henrik exclaid.
Dont get started on not understanding what our classes did and then still trying to argue against us. Miss Agafonova scowled.
He will not co, Piers said from the table. There is no reason for him to.
Id like to beat him and Hart in a boat race, though, Miss Vissage said as she glanced to the side and took a sip.
There wont be sailors to help next ti. Wont it be difficult to have a boat race? Mr. Vissage asked.
Maybe the knights can help? Miss Agafonova looked hopeful. Can knights swim? She looked towards Ewan who nodded.
Its a requirent.
Miss Vissage let out a disappointed sigh. I dont think thats really sothing we can ask of them. She squinted and looked towards Axton. Is it?
Several pairs of eyes looked at Axton. Im sure Tori will figure sothing out if we have another boat race. Im interested as well. Piers can always order knights to assist us if necessary. He looked through his book. Miss Agafonova, youve stumbled upon a pit of vipers.
Cast sleep.
Do vipers sleep? Ewan asked.
Im sure they do, Henrik said.
I am kind of curious as to who wouldve been on Prince Piers engagent list, Miss Vissage said. There is an age range, isnt there?
Four to five years older and younger, Axton replied. But its difficult for anyone young to get on that list, as they have to have so sort of significant accomplishnt. Its not all family background and wealth.
But Prince Piers didnt have one, right? Mr. Vissage asked.
Axton nodded. Right.
He did. Madam Martin spoke up and everyone at the main table seed to freeze. They turned towards her, and Albert stared at her with disbelief.
He did? But I thought.... He trailed off and looked towards Piers.
Axton also furrowed his brows together. I was there, and he was never presented with a list.
Madam Martin chuckled. He was never presented with one, but the Chamber did prepare. They put together a list for Prince Piers, but circumstances as they were, it was simply never presented and discarded.
Axton, as well as several others, turned towards the small table. Piers moved his hand over the paper. Was his body face down?
Tori nodded. Yes.
Piers narrowed his eyes. I see....
Grandma, Albert said as he leaned closer to Madam Martin. Do you rember whos on the list?
Madam Martin shook her head. Oh, goodness, no. That was quite so ti ago. I cant rember all ten. She lowered her cup onto her lap. I rember a cousin of Duchess Fekete, as she had strong business prospects and was revitalizing the economy of one of the near-by villages. Lady Guevera had been brought up in the initial discussions as a marquis daughter, but she is not local and was so young, so was not included.
Wait. Miss Agafonova sat up straight and counted on her fingers. A panicked look appeared on her face. Tori wouldve been twelve!
Eleven, Mr. Zisos said with a disturbed look. Lady Gueveras birthday is in the sixth month. His Highness birthday is in the second month. Lady Guevera wouldve been eleven at the ti.
The table collectively looked disgusted. Madam Martin let out a laugh and wiped the corners of her eyes.
My dears, she wouldnt have married at eleven! And its only a list! She looked at the group with amusent. It has no actual aning. Its just for show.
Why was Tori considered? Mr. Vissage asked. Because of her family?
That is part of the criteria, Madam Martin said with a smile. There were few marquis daughters her age. I believe it was just her, actually. The General Marquis doesnt have any children, the OTuagh daughters are all much older and married, and Marquess Nordursin only has sons her age.
Axton narrowed his eyes as he looked towards Tori. Senior Kasen had ntioned his sister many tis and there was one thing in particular she excelled in. Shes also a dancer.
Tori? Miss Vissages brows rose. I know she could do formal dances, but arent most noble daughters proficient?
Axton shook his head. There is proficiency and then there is performance level.
Tori! Henrik called over his shoulder. She looked over and gave him a questioning look. How good a dancer are you?
For a mont, she looked confused as to why they were asking all of a sudden. I have a few awards.
Senior Kasen said that at the ti, she was considered the best dancer of her age in Presidio, Axton told them. In formal regional and religious dances. She used to perform at their festivals, I think.
Mr. Zisos looked surprised and turned towards her. Lady Guevera, are you proficient in religious dances?
Tori didnt look up from the paper she and Piers were both staring at with intensity. Ceremonial? Yes, specifically for Phirus, god of creativity. Its a long and complicated dance. Kasey has one of his blessings for his trifecta, so I used to dance it for him on his birthday. The display is supposed to strengthen his blessing. She paused and narrowed her eyes before looking up and across the table, at Piers. Do you have a suspect?
Piers took a deep breath. Are you sure I am not the murderer?
Tori gave him a deadpan expression. Youre not the murderer, Piers.
What if I was possessed? I was possessed in the haunted forest, Piers replied, eting her gaze for a second.
Axton watched Tori purse her lips as she took a low breath. This is not a crossover ga. You are a constable investigating a murder. You are not possessed.
Piers frowned and looked back at the table. Is it the dog?
Toris jaw dropped and she almost slamd her hand on the table, just stopping herself before she hit it. How can it be the dog? How is he going to stab Mr. Holden? Axton slowly nodded his head. He recognized that sound of frustration in her voice. He, too, often sounded that way when dealing with Piers.
It is possible that the dog was biting the knife and Mr. Holden fell on it.
Tori crinkled her eyes. Are you even taking this seriously?
Henrik let out a heavy sigh. Perhaps its good that we dont play with His Majesty.
Axton let out a small snort and nodded as he looked back at the table. Hes very critical of our ga choices.
How often does he play single-player gas? Albert asked.
Often. Ill return to our flat and hell be pacing the main room, trying to figure out his next move. The only reason I know sothing isnt really troubling him is because his comcry is glowing and I can hear Tori, Axton told them. Trust , its for the best that we dont play with him.
I will first rule out Mr. Young, they heard Piers say. While he is in love with Widow Avery and resentful that Mr. Holden, who already has a wife, was the object of Widow Averys interest, he was also not present at the ti of death. He said he was coming ho from work and was carrying his bag of tools, which was pointed out by Mr. Gorman, as having hid the weapon.
Second, I will rule out Mr. Gorman. He was only accused because he had an argunt with Mr. Holden the day before. Mr. Gorman works from his shop next door. While he could have entered the Holden house, it is unlikely that he, who has been a neighbor for years and generally had a good relationship with Mr. Holden, would kill him over his new dog digging up his flowers once. Most people would take their anger out on the dog, and typically, it would need to be reoccurring to bring Mr. Gorman to that level of anger. In addition, he also ca when he heard a scream and had told Mrs. Holden earlier that as long as it didnt happen again, there was no problem.
The next person was the one who was there when Mrs. Holden woke up, Widow Avery. She did not murder Mr. Holden, either, because Mr. Holden was more valuable to her alive than dead. As she was in the wrong place at the wrong ti, she likely didnt want to be blad for the murder, so she accused Mrs. Holden of killing her husband due to an alleged affair with Widow Avery.
Which brings us to Mrs. Holden. She woke up covered in blood with a bump on her head and started screaming. This is because she found her husband dead. You ntioned that she had been outside, looking for their dog, who only seems to answer to her. Mr. Holden took her place in the kitchen to cut vegetables. You also said that the room where Mr. Holden was found was a ss with signs of a struggle and Mr. Holdens sleeve was ripped. His body was face down in the doorway.
I believe Mr. Holden was cutting vegetables in the kitchen, when he heard struggling in another room. Thinking it couldve been an intruder, as he knew his wife was out, he took the knife with him. He opened the door, and the dog ran out between his legs, having been stuck inside and making a ss of it. Mr. Holden lost his balance and fell. He tried to keep the knife away from him, but his sleeve caught the door handle, keeping his arm with the knife up.
As Mr. Holden fell, the knife slashed his throat, causing imnse bleeding. The blood got on the floor. Mrs. Holden ca ho, slipped on the blood and fell, hitting her head. When she woke up, she was covered in blood and screaming. Therefore, there was no murder. It was an accident.
Piers looked at Tori with both a smug and satisfied expression.
Axton and everyone else also looked at her. Tori's eyes narrowed and she scowled. Dammit.
The group let out various groans of defeat and Axton looked at them with a knowing expression. You see? For the best.
A flash of light lit up the dark sky above them as a muffled explosion ca through the glass. Upon arriving, Tori had traced the periter of the interior of the dining room with a crystal twice and wrote out Old Sulfae with it in order to keep the bone-shaking noise at bay.
The table where she and Piers sat further from the group had another two crystal circles and more Old Sulfae. Axton looked over to check on Piers and found him appearing a bit surprised, but not alard by the fireworks. Tori was holding on to Piers arm and talking. Axton let out a breath of relief.
It was really nice to have soone guard his friend with him.
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