After having a soothing bath and slipping into comfortable clothes, I settled into the study. On the desk was William Albertine's letter.

"To Miss Ashbourne,

I hope you liked the little present I prepared for you in Maple Street."

His words left me pondering. Was he referring to the incident with Gemma and the woman at the bakery? It seemed this wasn't a mere coincidence after all. But how on earth did he know about Gemma's background? My eyes moved to the next line.

"In case you're wondering how I knew about your maid, I remember seeing her portrait on a wanted poster in Maple Street a couple of years ago. By the time her crime was discovered, she had already made it to the capital. The guards closed her case and compensated the bakery owners. Truth be told, I wasn't entirely sure you'd encounter that lady at the bakery, however, it seems that my worries were for naught. I'm glad I could be of help. I got wind of the incident not long after you left Maple Street."

My mind raced, trying to comprehend the situation. William's memory was truly impressive, remembering a face from a wanted poster years ago. Moreover, just from Gemma's one past record, he astutely deduced why I brought someone like her along, and not my two personal maids. He guessed that I would use her past as leverage for her to do my bidding.

The letter trembled slightly in my hands. William Albertine was undeniably formidable, and I couldn't afford to antagonize him. What if he decided to investigate me closely during my stay in Rutherford?

The weight of those thoughts caused my head to ache, and I pressed my temple. With trepidation, I continued reading his letter.

"You just thought I had a great memory, didn't you? Let me tell you, it's not every day I offer to be someone's friend. You should be flattered.

Yours truly,

Liam."

And on top of everything, he was a narcissist.

"P.S. There was a better boutique than Atlanta's right in Toddler Town. I suppose you missed it while looking around. I hope you won't be mad at me. Still, Atlanta's is good, and their collections are not bad."

I leaned back in my chair, exhaling a long sigh. William Albertine would undoubtedly prove to be a dangerous variable in the future. I had to carefully strategize my next moves, taking his presence into account.

***

Later that day, I summoned Lucas to my room.

"I have a couple of assignments for you," I began. "Firstly, I require a comprehensive list of all registered hunters in this region, along with their respective addresses. You can easily obtain it from the nearest town hall. If they ask anything, just flaunt your status as an imperial knight."

Hunting played a pivotal role in the lives of Rutherford's inhabitants and the surrounding territories, and thus, it was strictly regulated. To partake in hunting within the Vedora Forest and engage in game trade, one had to be a registered hunter and present proper identification. The hunters were organized into distinct groups, each assigned to a specific part of the forest. They operated under strict limitations, with each individual restricted to a predetermined number and type of game they could pursue daily. These regulations aimed to prevent unnecessary competition and conflicts among the hunting community. Moreover, the local authorities organized events periodically to foster camaraderie and unity among the hunters. From what I had learned, Rutherford's hunters had been engaged in this occupation for generations, and knew each other very well. With Rutherford being a small territory, tracking down Theodora, the original female lead, would not be much of a challenge.

Lucas nodded in understanding and I continued, "Also, monitor our surroundings for any signs of potential spies within the manor's perimeter." Of course, I said this with William Albertine in mind.

"Is that all?" Lucas inquired.

"Oh, and... I want you to closely observe the head butler's activities throughout the day. Report every detail to me, from the moment he rises until he retires for the night. I will also keep an eye on him."

"Understood," Lucas affirmed, and with that, he departed my room.

I rose from my study, and decided to explore the manor. James had referred to it as modest, but to me, it felt incredibly warm and inviting. While not as extravagant as the main residence in the capital, it exuded a cozy charm. The library here was surprisingly vast, probably because it served as the main source of entertainment for visiting nobles. The manor was laid out with several identical rooms and facilities, giving it the feel of an elegant apartment complex rather than a grand noble mansion. Yet, everything was immaculately maintained, neat, and tidy.

I walked up to the second floor and stepped onto the balcony. A crisp breeze rustled my hair, and I sneezed lightly. But the view from the balcony made up for it all. The garden stretched before me, exuding the delightful scent of roses. Beyond that, the lush forests of Rutherford and the serene Vedora mountain range painted a captivating panorama. My earlier anxieties seemed to melt away, replaced by an unexpected sense of tranquility. The balcony was wide, with a round table and two cushioned chairs placed near it. I already knew I'd be spending most of my time in Rutherford on this balcony.

As I prepared to take a seat, a voice called out from behind. "Miss!"

I turned to find a young man, dressed in a butler's uniform, approaching with a folded cloth in hand. He had a tall, lean frame, with long, dark hair neatly tied into a small ponytail. His eyes, hidden behind round spectacles, seemed as deep and mysterious as an endless abyss.

"Miss, you'll catch a cold standing here in light clothing. Please wear this shawl," he kindly insisted.

"Very well," I accepted, draping the shawl around my shoulders.

"Would you like some tea, Miss? The garden looks stunning. It's the perfect setting to enjoy a cup while admiring the view," he offered.

"Bring me some black tea, please, without milk."

His reaction was subtly surprised. "Oh, I didn't expect someone as young as you to enjoy black tea."

"Well, I do," I replied, my gaze fixated on the garden. "It's good that you brought it up. I don't enjoy any tea besides black tea."

"I'll keep that in mind, my lady," he acknowledged.

"And while you're at it, fetch a book as well. Something about the history of Rutherford would be good."

"I'm afraid I can't do that, Miss," he hesitated. "The earl has asked us to keep you away from books for the time being."

"Ah..." I sighed. Of course, he'd do something like that.

"You must be quite fond of reading," the butler remarked with a gentle smile.

Honestly, I didn't like where this conversation was going. He was trying to get too personal for a servant, and I felt uncomfortable. All I wanted was some peace and quiet without anyone's annoying company.

"Just do as you're told," I replied, a hint of annoyance in my voice. The man seemed to pick up on it too.

"Apologies for overstepping, My Lady. I merely wanted to ensure your comfort. How about the local newspaper instead?" he suggested.

"That'll do."

He left and returned after a few minutes with a tray containing a cup, a kettle, and a newspaper underneath. Placing it neatly on the table, he asked, "Anything else, my lady?"

"No, you may leave," I said, waving my hand.

For the next few hours, I sat there, enjoying my tea while reading the newspaper. The full moon appeared in the skies, and the clouds revealed shiny stars; it was a breathtaking sight. The light of the moon illuminated the balcony and the tall, sturdy knight standing nearby.

"Sir Hartwood? When did you arrive here?" As I spoke, I looked down and saw that he carried a bundle of papers.

"Just a moment ago," came his prompt reply.

"You should stop sneaking up on me like that," I said. "Are those the lists containing the names of hunters?" I asked.

"Yes," he replied. "I got them from the town hall, as you asked."

"Perfect," I replied. "Let's go."

I rose up and made my way back to my room. Under the dim light of the candle, I pored over the lists, reading them again and again. However, Theodora's name was nowhere to be found.