The days that followed were a blur of research and investigation, as Emilia delved deeper into the world of the Valois family. She spent hours poring over ancient texts, talking to local historians, and scouring the town for any sign of the family's dark past.
But as she dug deeper, Emilia began to notice strange occurrences in Ashwood. People would act strangely, whispering to each other in hushed tones and glancing over their shoulders as if they were afraid of being watched. And then there were the shadows, dark and twisted shapes that seemed to move of their own accord.
At first, Emilia dismissed it as mere paranoia, but as the occurrences grew more frequent, she began to suspect that something was amiss. She started to feel like she was being watched, and the sensation sent shivers down her spine.
One night, as she was walking home from the library, Emilia saw a figure lurking in the shadows. It was tall and imposing, with eyes that seemed to glow in the dark. Emilia froze, her heart pounding in her chest, as the figure began to move towards her.
But as it drew closer, Emilia saw that it was just a man, dressed in a long coat and a wide-brimmed hat. He smiled at her, his eyes crinkling at the corners, and Emilia felt a sense of relief wash over her.
"Good evening, Miss Emilia," he said, his voice low and smooth. "I see you're still researching the Valois family. I must say, I'm impressed."
Emilia's instincts told her to be wary, but there was something about the man that put her at ease. Maybe it was his charming smile, or the way he seemed to know exactly what she was looking for.
"Who are you?" Emilia asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"My name is Luca," the man replied, his eyes glinting in the moonlight. "And I'm here to help you uncover the truth about the Valois family."
As Emilia looked into Luca's eyes, she felt a sense of trepidation. She knew that she was taking a risk, trusting a stranger with her research. But there was something about him that seemed genuine, something that made her want to believe.
And so, with a sense of caution, Emilia agreed to meet with Luca again, to see if he could help her uncover the secrets of the Valois family.