Evelina’s boots echoed on the uneven cobbled path as she walked toward the village’s central well. Her breath rose in misty puffs in the cool morning air.
The sun was hiding behind the clouds, casting a gentle glow on the dew-covered grass.
However, the peacefulness of the early hour was disturbed by the painful accusations still ringing in her ears. Selene’s smug tone, filled with satisfaction, grated on her nerves like an annoying itch that wouldn’t go away.
Eve could nearly see her rival’s smug expression, a vivid reminder that fueled her determination as she prepared to face whatever awaited her at the well.
Two weeks. That was all the ti she had to prove her innocence before they decided her fate.
She clenched her jaw. Then I better start now.
The town square was quiet this early, with only a few servants, guards and town people passing by. The well, the very thing that had nearly beco a death sentence to the people, stood still and unassuming in the centre.
A place of life—turned into a tool—or should we say, a pool—for death.
Evelina crouched beside the old stone structure, pressing her hand against its rough surface. Her golden-finger ability had previously activated, showing her glimpses of the past whenever she touched specific objects.
If only she could discover who had tainted the well, at least a glimpse of the person’s face or feature; anything but...
Nothing.
That’s all she ca up with.
Her fingertips tingled, but there was no spark, no visions flooding her mind. Just cold, lifeless stone beneath her palm.
Why won’t it work? Evelina gritted her teeth. Is it because too much ti has passed?
"Or maybe there isn’t anything to see? Relia suggested.
Eve let out a slow breath and turned to the well’s edge. Carefully, she leaned over and peered inside. The water was clear now, but that didn’t an much.
If soone had poisoned it, they had either tid it perfectly or disposed of any evidence afterwards.
Running her fingers along the rim, she searched for any unusual markings, scratches, or signs of tampering. And then—
A faint residue.
Her brows furrowed. A slick, almost invisible substance clung to the stone. If she hadn’t been looking closely, she might have missed it.
"This wasn’t an accident," she murmured.
Soone had deliberately introduced the toxin here.
Her heart pounded as she reached for her satchel, where she usually kept her dragon pearl—Zade’s gift to her, the artefact that sohow heightens her abilities. If she could use it, maybe she’d get a better sense of what had happened here.
But when her fingers searched the pouch...
Nothing.
Evelina froze.
She checked again, her hands rummaging frantically through her things.
It’s not here.
Panic surged through her veins as she replayed the last ti she had seen it. It had been with her... before she was kidnapped.
That was a week ago.
Her throat tightened. She had never looked for it since she got away from the pit, or in the cabin or returned to the palace. Had soone taken it? Or had she lost it during the struggle?
Relia’s voice rumbled in her head. Evie, calm down. Panicking won’t fix this.
But I need that pearl, Relia. Her wolf was right, but the sinking dread wouldn’t leave her. Without it, I can’t—
A voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Quite the sight, finding Lady Evelina at the well again."
Her breath stilled.
Luther.
She turned to find him standing a few feet away, hands clasped behind his back. His posture was relaxed, but his eyes were sharp. He was studying her like a puzzle he was trying to solve.
Evelina forced herself to stand, masking her unease with indifference. "Lord Luther. Do you make a habit of sneaking up on people?"
He chuckled. "I wouldn’t call it sneaking. rely observing." His gaze flicked to the well. "Investigating, are we?"
Evelina held his gaze, unwilling to let him see her nerves. "Shouldn’t I? Since I’m the one being accused?"
Luther humd thoughtfully. "True. Though I find it fascinating how quickly you’ve returned to the scene of the cri."
Evelina crossed her arms. "And yet, here you are too."
His lips twitched at her sharp response. "Fair point."
Silence stretched between them before he continued, "Tell , Lady Evelina, do you truly believe the culprit will be so careless as to leave behind evidence for you to find?"
"I don’t believe in carelessness," she said evenly. "Only in mistakes. And everyone makes them eventually."
Luther’s expression didn’t shift, but there was sothing unreadable in his eyes. "That, we can agree on."
A tense pause followed before he tilted his head slightly. "You’re a curious one. So efficient. So... never mind."
Evelina stiffened. There it was again—that strange way he spoke, as if he were looking for sothing specific in her. As if he recognised sothing no one else did.
Relia’s voice was cautious in her head. He’s fishing. He knows sothing. Don’t give him anything.
Evelina forced herself to shrug. "I take that as a complint, my lord."
"Hmm," was all he said.
Then, sothing in the corner of her eye caught her attention.
A piece of cloth.
Evelina’s entire body tensed. It was wedged between the stones near the base of the well, almost hidden. Torn fabric, slightly frayed at the edges, dark in color—black or deep blue.
Soone had been here.
And recently.
Trying to keep her movents natural, Evelina took a step closer, subtly angling herself so Luther wouldn’t notice her shifting her foot toward the cloth.
"Well," Luther sighed. "It seems you are determined. I’ll leave you to it, then. For now."
Evelina forced a smile. "How generous."
He inclined his head slightly before turning on his heel, walking away with slow, deliberate steps.
Only when he disappeared around the corner did Evelina exhale sharply, allowing her tense shoulders to drop.
She quickly crouched down and picked up the cloth. It was coarse, rough—possibly from a cloak or uniform. And it slled faintly of damp earth and sothing tallic.
Blood.
Her fingers curled around it.
This might be what I need.
Two weeks.
And now, she finally had a lead.
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