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SHE WAS halted in her steps by the unexpected inquiry that fell from Charlotte's lips. A tremor passed through her, her jaw tightening as the weight of recollection bore down upon her. It summoned forth specters of a past she could neither escape nor erase—a past that had shaped her into the callous fiend she had become. A creature of merciless slaughter, she had long since abandoned the tenderness of humanity, reaping souls with the cold precision of a grim harbinger of death.
"Don't ask me why, be grateful that I cleaned up the mess," Lindice snapped back at Charlotte, her voice sharp and irritable, her tone making clear that she was not in the mood for questions or lectures. "But they're still human! You're—!" Charlotte attempted to protest, but Lindice cut her off again with a fierce look and a harsh, sarcastic response.
"A MONSTER! I KNOW! NOW SHUT YOUR LAVISH MOUTH YOUR HIGHNESS! I'M DOING WHAT'S MY DUTY HERE!" Lindice yelled at Charlotte, her tone full of anger and defiance, her words threatening and intimidating.
"Besides, we're almost to the port," Lindice added, her arms crossed above her chest and her gaze turned away from Charlotte toward the window.
The carriage ride was a silent one, with the only noise coming from the clatter of the horses' hooves against the ground. Lindice, however, was determined to hide her bloody appearance, wrapping herself in a cloak to conceal her attire from inquisitive eyes. With the port finally in sight, Lindice settled herself in her seat, careful to keep her appearance inconspicuous in the midst of the bustling hub of activity and people.
Lindice and Charlotte quickly boarded the ship, finding themselves submerged in the crowded and bustling environment. The spacious cabin offered some relief from the chaos outside, and the two women quickly located a suitable place to settle down and take a moment to rest their weary bodies.
Finding a seat, Lindice and Charlotte sank into it, relieved to have found a moment for composure and respite. The crowds and noise around them remained, but they were able to take a short moment of rest in the relative tranquility of the ship's cabin.
It was the middle of the night when they boarded the ship, the darkness blanketing the world around them. Only the dull glow of oil lamps and the faint illumination of the moon offered some small amount of light to pierce through the darkness.
After a few moments, the ship's anchor clanked upward, signaling that the vessel was ready to depart. Along with the sound of the ship's engines and the minimal noise of the crew, the soft lap of the water against the hull and the rustling of the sails filled the air as the ship set out on its journey.
The sailing experience aboard the first-class ship was decidedly more peaceful and tranquil, with fewer disruptive noises and interruptions to the passengers' comfort and peace of mind. With more spacious accommodations and greater insulation against the outside environment, passengers enjoyed the quiet and calm of the ship, with minimal disturbance or distraction from any outside sources.
The winds carried a cold chill as the ship sailed, the passengers left silent as they gaze out at the landscape of Normaine below. In a moment of peace and harmony, their silence was disturbed by a man who approached them to break the serene atmosphere.
"What a pleasant view," the man remarked, attracting Charlotte's attention with his words. The young woman's eyes widened with recognition as she realized who he was, her expression growing troubled and concerned. "To return to my homeland," he added, his tone soft and gentle, yet with a tinge of nostalgia that suggested a certain level of joy and anticipation at the thought of returning to his roots.
"Lucien?" Charlotte inquired softly, calling to the man with curiosity and slight suspicion. The man turned to her, his expression one of confusion as he attempted to recall who Charlotte was. "Oh? You know me?" he asked, a hint of surprise in his voice as he processed her words and tried to place the young woman he stood before. She recognized the familiar features beneath the blindfolds before her, realizing that she had indeed encountered the man who's standing in front of her.
"We met at the library yesterday," she said, reminding the man of their previous meeting. Her words were met with a brief moment of confusion, but it soon lifted, and he recalled who she was. "Oh, that woman who's looking for Theodore and Mrs. Del Mar!" he exclaimed, the realization dawning on him.
"Yes, and what are you doing here?" Charlotte inquired in a dubious and skeptical tone, her brow raised in curiosity at why he was here, rather than working at the royal library as he was supposed to be. Her question spurred a reaction out of Lucien, provoking a laugh out of the man.
His lighthearted response left Charlotte feeling both confused and annoyed, her suspicions and doubts growing greater as she tried to understand his true motivations behind his unexpected appearance. "I thought you were supposed to be working at the royal library as a substitute," she said coldly.
"That? Oh, I'm not really a substitute there," Lucien responded with a dismissive wave of his hand, his tone and expression betraying no hint of concern or tension at the prospect of potentially lying to Charlotte. His nonchalant dismissal sent a spike of paranoia through her, his words adding to her confusion and heightening her suspicions. "What do you mean by that?" she asked, attempting to conceal her inner turmoil as she demanded further explanations from the man.
"I am there for a motive as well," Lucien responded, his tone even and casual despite Charlotte's persistent questioning. "I am only gathering information about a specific case that could be beneficial once I arrive at the House Grimoard, located in Albiana," he explained, producing a suitcase from nowhere and displaying it with pride.
"A specific case? Wait, you're working for Madame Grimoard?" Charlotte uttered in surprise, her thoughts racing as she tried to piece together Lucien's motives. "Uh... How'd you know?" Lucien asked curiously, his expression mirroring confusion and uncertainty. "Well, that's where I'm headed too!" Charlotte exclaimed, suddenly realizing that they shared a common destination.
Lucien stepped closer to Charlotte and spoke in a hushed voice, his expression concerned as he pointed in the direction of Lindice, who had fallen asleep on a nearby bench. "Don't tell me you're with her psychopathic maid?" he asked in a whisper, his question aimed at Charlotte.
"Yes, it was she who brought me here," Charlotte said, wrapping her arms around herself to ward off the chill of the wind. Lucien's gaze remained fixed on her, a puzzled expression upon his face as he took in her appearance. "Did you happen to be at a certain ball?" he asked. The two began to stroll alongside the metal rails of the ship, taking a moment to rest and survey the surroundings. Lindice, the supposedly murderous maid, continued her slumber on the bench nearby.
"It was my birthday party, actually," Charlotte said with a hint of sadness and disappointment in her voice. Lucien took note of her words and offered his congratulations. "Happy birthday," he said in a pleasant tone, leaning back against the metal bars of the ship as he did so.
"Not a 'happy' birthday celebration, indeed," Charlotte lamented, her arms also resting against the bars as she leaned against the ship's railings. "I was forced to be engaged to this Crown Prince of Luxtonia," she continued, the burden of her unfortunate situation apparent in her voice.
Lucien erupted into laughter upon hearing Charlotte's unfortunate predicament, his laugh causing annoyance and annoyance to fill the air. "What's so amusing about my situation?" Charlotte inquired in a tone of irritation; her frustration clear in her voice. Lucien took a moment to straighten himself, clearing his throat as he attempted to hold back his laughter. "Oh, nothing," he responded with a hint of apology, but his expression still betrays the amusement he felt at Charlotte's situation.
Charlotte narrowed her eyes, her fingers tightening around the fabric of her sleeves as she stared at Lucien in growing irritation. "I fail to see what is so amusing," she said icily, shifting her weight against the railings.
Lucien merely smirked, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Oh, believe me, my lady, I do not find joy in your predicament. Rather, I find it… intriguing." His voice carried a knowing lilt, as if he understood something she did not. "An arranged betrothal to the Crown Prince himself? It makes one wonder what, exactly, you are worth to the kingdom."
Charlotte's breath hitched. "What do you mean by that?"
Lucien shrugged, his blindfolded gaze tilting upward as though he were peering through unseen veils of knowledge. "The royal family does not make such arrangements lightly. There must be a reason why they seek to bind you to their house. Political alliances, bloodlines, wealth—these things are but pieces on the board of power." He leaned in slightly, his voice dipping lower. "Tell me, Lady Charlotte, are you a piece in their game, or are you a player?"
Charlotte turned away, her mind swirling with thoughts she wished she could suppress. "It matters little what I am. The decision was made without my consent. I am merely a pawn being moved at the will of others."
Lucien chuckled softly. "A pawn today, perhaps. But even pawns can reach the other side of the board and become something greater."
Charlotte exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "You speak in riddles, Lucien. If you have something to say, say it plainly."
He sighed, tapping a finger against the suitcase he carried. "All I am saying is that things are not always as they seem. And House Grimoard—" He paused, a small smirk playing upon his lips. "—has a habit of being at the center of things much grander than one might expect."
Charlotte's eyes flickered with uncertainty. "And you? What is your part in all of this?" she asked warily.
Lucien let out a dramatic sigh, placing a hand over his heart. "Ah, my dear lady, must you be so distrustful? I am here for my aunt, the Countess of House Grimoard. She has entrusted me with aiding her in uncovering the truth behind a matter of great importance."
Charlotte frowned. "So, you are not merely a scholar?"
Lucien grinned. "I am both a seeker of knowledge and a seeker of justice, though justice, my dear lady, is often a matter of perspective."
For a brief moment, the two stood in silence, the sound of waves crashing against the ship's hull filling the space between them.
Then, with a knowing tilt of his head, Lucien said, "Tell me, Lady Charlotte… are you truly willing to surrender to the fate they have chosen for you? Or do you seek to carve a different path?"
Charlotte parted her lips, ready to respond, but the words caught in her throat. A different path? Did she even have a choice?
As she hesitated, Lucien stepped closer, his expression growing more serious. "You and I are heading to the same destination, but our reasons may be more intertwined than you realize. If my aunt took an interest in you, then you are part of something much larger than you think. And I suggest you prepare yourself for what lies ahead."
With that, he adjusted his coat and turned his gaze toward the horizon, his smirk fading into something far more thoughtful. Charlotte stared after him, her heart pounding with questions she was not yet ready to answer.
The passage of time proved to be slow and seemingly endless for Charlotte, as she was forced to witness the endless expanse of the ocean and the slow encroachment of the rising sun. As the darkness of night began to fade and the light of day slowly brightened the sky, Charlotte attempted to take comfort in the beauty of the sunrise and the sight of the sun's rays gradually illuminating the seascape before her. However, the beauty of the moment was fleeting, and Charlotte soon found herself once again lost in the chaotic thoughts of her current situation, and the uncertain future that awaited her.
"A lady adrift in the realm of her dreams—shall she ever uncover the guiding light that may illuminate the path to the future she so dearly desires?"