A few weeks had passed since Angelique decided to stay with Sumiatra. In that week, Angelique found out that her powers did not heal her as fast because of a mental blocking, she simply didn't care about the wounds. When she focused on them for long enough they healed quickly. It allowed her to return to her training much stronger and confident.
Every day and night she worked hard and trained in sword fighting. She had begun sparring with the soldiers and Sumiatra, and progressed faster as she worked for entire days on end. During her breaks, Minnielle and Angelique both helped in returning the money and estates to the women Angelique had affected.
“We’ve dealt with Dalphene, Maricra, Luchia, and Vienna in one week!” Minnielle and Angelique embraced each other happily. “We are the best! That only leaves...Tracey Delmont, the daughter of Lorden Delmont.”
Angelique took in a deep breath. “It's already been two months since I arrived in this world...but I’m almost free.” She hugged Minnielle tightly. “All with your help, and all my other friends.”
Minnielle smiled and pulled out her notebook. “I’ve also got some new information about the missing person. He went missing after visiting Tracey, maybe we can kill 2 birds with 1 stone. What do you say?”
Angelique nodded. “Hopefully we can finish this all soon, and after this, I can open up my own little bakery in a small town.” Angelique closed her eyes and hummed fondly. Minnielle smiled to herself. “You know, I’ve always wanted my own private business, but I had to work as a maid due to my mother's debt.”
Angelique knew a bit about Minnielle’s past, a girl filled with hate over years of being mistreated, even from birth. Her mother had gotten into serious debts after her father passed away. She was sold to the Vosce family to repay the debt, and her mother died soon after. Angelique patted Minnielle on the back.
“We can run it together when the time comes... if you want.” Angelique spread her hands above her and stretched them out. “We’ll have shops all over this kingdom! And we’ll be filthy rich!”
Minnielle jabbed her in the side playfully. “I thought you said you wanted to have a small town business.” Angelique shrugged. “We can do whatever once we’re free!”
Sumiatra had just finished her training when she walked up to the two, wiping the sweat from her forehead. “What are you two yapping about?” She asked, sitting beside them.
Angelique explained her dreams of running a business with Minnielle as Sumiatra nodded along. “Well, what about funding? Kingdom-wide businesses are as rare as the Olphia gemstone. Only people of high class, like Alishe’s or the upper tier Lordens, are ever cocky enough to create them.”
Minnielle and Angelique just shrugged it off. “We’ll find a way, and with food as wonderful as mine, there's no way we’ll fail.” Sumiatra slapped Angelique’s back once again. “That's a nice dream kid, but if things fall through, how about joining my troop as the chef, or even a soldier? You have the potential to really be something.” Angelique nodded her thanks, and Minnielle followed her to her horse. The horse whined as she untied it from the post, and hopped on. “Last stop, Tracy Delmonts home.”
…
They rode their horse to Tracey’s estate. They had signed over the contract just the other day, and now we're looking for answers. “I told Tracey the other day that I would visit, so I’ll go ahead and knock on the door.” Angelique tied her horse to a tree and lifted Minniell down. They knocked on the door loudly. “Hello, is anyone there? This is Angelique?” No answer. ‘She should be home…’
The sound of shouting made them turn around. Soldiers? Angelique quickly looked around, backing further into the doorstep. Her arms flew up to shield Minnielle. “Who are you?!” They were surrounded by men in shining silver armor. “Do not move!” They shouted loudly at her.
The soldiers rushed to tie up their wrists and escorted them at sword point to the back of the house, and inside. “Once again, who are you!?” Angelique asked, struggling as they tossed them into an empty room. The door was shut in their face. “I didn't expect this to happen.” Angelique quickly broke the ropes around her wrist and untied Minnielle.
“Are you feeling alright, did you get injured?” She asked. Minnielle shook her head and walked towards the door. "I'm fine, just a bruise." She jostled the doorknob. "It's locked, we're stuck here.”
The room had no windows, only a door. It was most likely a broom closet. Angelique plopped down against a wall, and a bit of it crumbled beside her. “This room is in shambles.” She said, dusting off the dirt. Minnielle sat beside her. “I agree, this place is a definite mess.”
The two waited in the dark silence for a few minutes before the lock on the door was clicked, and bright lights shone in on them. “Sorry for the trouble, my Alishen, please, follow me.”
It was Tracey Delmont, with her golden hair and deep brown eyes. Her lavish dress with shimmering lace contrasted with the decrepit estate around her. The two followed her to her salon, where the windows were blocked out by wood.
“Pardon the mess of this place, I’m in a bit of trouble,” Tracey said, calmly sitting in her lounge. “Deadly trouble. A matter of my own safety.” she clarified.
Minnielle and Angelique stared in confusion. “What do you mean?” Angelique asked, leaning forward. A blade stopped her in her motion and she glanced at the guards beside her. “You are not in my house as guests. This is an interrogation.” Tracey said with a smile.
A small maid brought in black tea and cream and left quickly. “What do you mean, an interrogation?” Angelique asked as Tracey sipped her tea.
“What I mean is, I need all the information you have regarding the issue with the White Swan Guild.”
Angelique looked to Minnielle for more clarity, but Minnielle shook her head. ‘We know nothing.’
“I apologize Tracey, but we don't understand what you're saying,” Angelique said, leaning back into the couch. Tracey circled her cup with her finger. “Aundertion Slick, your personal spy, you sent him to discover my secrets.” she took a long sip, “But he brought with him, many secrets of his own.”
Angelique recognized the name. It was true, Tracey was one of the last to see Aundertion Slick. “What did you do to him? Did you kill him?” Angelique asked with disgust.
Tracey shook her head. “No, we caught him after he relayed the information to you. We interrogated him, and let him go, uninjured.”
Angelique tapped her skull silently in thought. “I am looking for that man, I think we can work together to solve both our problems.” she offered. Tracey stared her down and finished her tea. “Then, I’ll begin my side of the issue."
“It was a month ago when your spy infiltrated my estate as a servant boy. He came in, gathered documents, took his little notes, and was about to run before we caught him. We expected it was you, but what we did not expect was that that little Slick had ties to the White Swan Guild’s underground forces. As soon as we had him in our dungeon, our estate was ambushed by them, we could tell who they were by the presence of their white feather calling card.” Tracey pulled the long white feather from her sleeve and held it up to Angelique. It fluttered in the breeze through the cracks in the walls.
“Anyway, they took him from my clutches and left my house on fire. We lost a fortune that day. But he managed to get to you, so I still lost even more. I was living with my cousin nearby during that time when the White Swan Guild returned and burnt down my cousin's home. I could tell they were after something, I just don't know what.”
Angelique shook her head in confusion. “These seem connected, I just don't see how. Slick was an ordinary man from what I recall, and he didn't have any connections to the White Swan Guild besides me.”
Minnielle began to ponder as well. “We could check with the Slick family, it's the only lead we have. To finding his whereabouts, and helping Lady Tracey.” Angelique shook her head. “I’d rather not bother them, they’ve suffered enough.”
Angelique stared at Tracey. “So, are you going to keep us here until you get answers?” Tracey tapped her cherry red lips as she thought. “Mmm, yes, I think I will. I have estimated the times they come to terrorize me, which is once every month, on the same day. The next day is in two nights, so we’ll be using you as bait.”
Angelique and Minnielle both seemed rather unhappy about this, as the guards once again restrained them and brought them back to the dark room.
Minnielle let out a sigh. “I feel like this has happened before.”
Angelique laughed. “Yeah, with Julian. At least this time I am stuck with you for the entire time!” She wrapped Minnielle in a bear hug.
“I wonder if Sumiatra will be worried?” Minnielle asked, laying down on the dirty floor. Angelique shook off the thought. “No, she’ll be fine, she hasn't fired her personal cooks yet, so her men will survive.” Minnielle stared up at Angelique’s face. “You know, when I say that, I don't mean her worrying about your ability. I mean her worrying about your safety.”
Angelique shook her head. “I don't ever see it that way. Because of the horrible happenings of the past, they shouldn't care.” Minnielle closed her eyes. “You don't seem to realize how many hearts you have touched, Angelique. You think I like you just because you give me food? I...I’ve come to see you as my sister, you're the closest person to me and I genuinely love you.”
Angelique froze for a moment. “Minnielle, are you serious?” Minnielle nodded, “Of course I am.” Angelique wiped the loose tear escaping from her eyes. “Thank you. So much…”
…
Julian watched as the seconds ticked by on his clock. The noise filled his mind and surrounded him. It had been two weeks since Angelique had gone missing, and the rumors about her and circled the entire estate. The entire house seemed suspicious of the Alishe, after his outbursts and furious rages.
They all spoke of a dead Alishen, at the hands of the Alishe. Somewhere on the grounds, they suspected she had been buried.
Julian on the other hand, had locked himself in his room, only leaving to retrieve more books for research. He had begun to obsessively pull apart all he knew of the Alishen's story.
“She fell into the lake on the 23rd of March.” He said, looping a small circle of string around the date. “According to witness testimony, the gardener working night shifts, she sunk in the water for longer than livable, before rising again.”
Julian stepped back to look upon his wall. It was covered from floor to ceiling with scribbles and images and documents. 2 weeks of tireless work and obsessive searching had filled the entire expanse of his room, like a prison of red string.
“She could be a demon or an evil spirit.” He said, throwing another pen into his wall. The pen hit a small drawing of her face, of which there were many, all he had drawn by himself. His scrambled mind couldn't help but wander, not being entirely conscious due to lack of sleep.
A small knock came on his bedroom door. “My Alishe. An important guest has arrived.” Julian stared at the wall more intensely. “Tell them to leave. We will not be welcoming guests at this time.”
There was a momentary pause. Then, the butler resumed, “She says she has a deal to make with you. It involves….the Alishen.” Julian shot up at the mention of her name. ‘The Alishen!’ he thought, rushing out of his room. His stumbling steps tripped as he nearly knocked into the small woman in front of him. Her flowing gold hair and clever smile greeted him, hands folded neatly at her waist.
The butler bowed his head as he led the two into the salon, and poured them both tea. Black tea, with cream. The girl lifted the cup to her lips and inhaled softly.
“Greetings, my Alishe. I’ve come to make a deal with you.”
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