Chapter 9: Beneath the Surface 

"That is..." Duke Lucius hesitated, his gaze drifting momentarily as he collected his thoughts.

"I'm sorry, Elise," he confessed, his voice laced with regret. "I'm afraid I can't divulge that to you just yet. Please understand my hesitation. Perhaps in time, you'll come to see why."

"I understand," I replied gently, my voice carrying reassurance.

In truth, I hadn't asked out of ignorance, but out of awareness. Duke Lucius had just revealed his ability to communicate with the dead, a revelation akin to admitting to dark sorcery.

This realisation stirred within me a blend of fear and curiosity, yet his vulnerability evoked sympathy. Despite the weight of the truth he couldn't fully disclose, I felt a growing inclination to trust him. His honesty, though guarded, spoke volumes about his character.

'My mother was a sorcerer,' I found myself wanting to confide in him, but the promise I had made to my mother bound me to silence.

"I... I have a secret too," I whispered. "But I fear I cannot share it, not yet."

"Then, perhaps, when the time is right, and when we're both ready, we can tell each other," he suggested softly.

His response brought a gentle smile to my lips, a flicker of warmth spreading through me at the thought of sharing our burdens.

-

"It's been over a week since the attack," Duke Lucius said softly, his voice carrying the weight of recent events. "I made sure the deceased were handled properly; I trust they've been taken care of by now." 

I nodded numbly, feeling the gravity of the situation pressing down on me.

Before continuing, the Duke reached into a small satchel at his side and withdrew an object wrapped in a simple cloth. 

"I thought you might want this," he said gently, leaning in slightly as he extended it to me. 

As I gingerly unwrapped the cloth, tears welled in my eyes as I beheld my mother's cherished pendant.

"It's... it's Mother's," I whispered, my voice choked with emotion. With trembling fingers, I traced the contours of the pendant, each touch a poignant connection to her memory.

"I'm deeply sorry you didn't get to see your mother one last time," he expressed with remorse. "But once things have calmed down, you can visit her grave. I'll ensure you have the time and space to pay your respects," he promised. 

"No... thank you," I managed to say, deeply moved by his thoughtfulness.

"That's the least I can do," the Duke replied with a gentle smile, his eyes briefly fixated on my hair. 

"Ah, the hairpin!" I exclaimed, my fingers lightly brushing the delicate ornament adorning my hair. "Thank you. It's truly too exquisite for me to deserve."

"It's my pleasure, Elise," he replied sincerely. "You deserve every bit of it."

"Is there anything else you'd like?" he continued, his tone inviting and accommodating. "Please, feel free to ask."

"I, um, I wish to read some books," I said nervously.

Duke Lucius's eyebrows raised in surprise at my unexpected request. Sensing his astonishment, I hurriedly added, "If... if it's not too much trouble..."

"Of course, Elise," he replied gently as his surprise softened. "It's no trouble at all. I'll have some books brought to you right away."

"That-" I started, but stopped as I noticed his subtle change in expression.

"Actually, I have a better idea. Why don't you join me in the library?" He proposed.

"Su-sure," I stuttered, taken aback by his suggestion. "I'd like that."

"Then I'll see you this afternoon in the library, Elise," he affirmed with a warm smile.

"I'll be there," I replied with a light nod, before taking my leave from the Duke's study. 

- - -

As I left Duke Lucius's study, the echoes of our conversation reverberated in my mind.

While sorcerers were regarded with caution, their abilities typically didn't merit death. Dark sorcerers, however, faced a far graver fate; their malevolent abilities often led to condemnation and execution.

As the patter of footsteps reverberated from the other end of the corridor, growing louder with each passing moment, my train of thought derailed. 

As I looked up, I noticed Count Julian approaching, his gaze fixed intently on a document in his hand as he walked. 

Our eyes met briefly, and he acknowledged my presence with a nod before I quickly stepped aside, clearing the way for him to pass.

However, he abruptly halted in his tracks, a quizzical expression spreading across his features. 

"What do you have there, Elise?" he inquired, his voice laced with curiosity as he gestured towards the object in my hands.

"Huh? Oh, it's my mother's pendant," I replied softly, lifting the delicate piece of jewellery for him to see.

"Oh, would you mind if I have a look?"

"No..." I replied, offering it to him slowly.

"Green jade," he remarked, his gaze lingering on the pendant for a moment as if lost in thought, before returning it to me with a nod of appreciation. "It's truly a beautiful piece."

As Count Julian resumed his journey down the corridor, I turned to see him heading towards Duke Lucius's study. 

"What are you looking at, El?" Louis's sudden appearance at my side caught me off guard, causing me to jump slightly.

"Oh, Louis!" I exclaimed, feeling a touch flustered by the unexpected intrusion.

Louis followed my gaze towards Count Julian's retreating figure. "What were you two talking about?" he remarked, turning to glance at me. 

Our eyes met, and for a fleeting moment, our faces were inches apart, the proximity igniting a sense of intimacy between us. Realizing our sudden closeness, we both instinctively stepped back. 

"S-sorry," he stammered, his gaze averting away as he rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment. 

"It's all right..." I reassured, trying to regain my composure. "Um, I was just showing Count Julian my mother's pendant." 

"Ah, I see. It looks quite beautiful," he remarked, his tone admiring as he glanced at the pendant in my hand.

"Oh, right," he continued, his expression shifting to one of curiosity. "Why did Lucius want to see you?"

"He wanted to discuss some matters regarding my village," I explained. "Were you waiting for me?" 

"Yeah," Louis replied. "Let's go, I have something to show you!" He added eagerly, his eyes sparkling with anticipation as he led the way.

"What is it, Lou?" I asked while I wore the pendant around my neck. 

"You'll know when you see it!" 

- - -

"Here we are," Louis announced, his excitement palpable as he gestured towards an unassuming wall nestled in the overgrown corner of the garden. "I stumbled upon it yesterday."

"Stumbled upon what?" I asked, my brows furrowing in confusion. 

"This," Louis exclaimed as he began clearing away the vines and foliage, revealing a hidden entrance cleverly concealed by nature's growth.

With a grin, he motioned for me to follow him as he stepped inside. "Come on, let's go in!" he urged.

"Are you sure about this?" I questioned, my voice echoing softly against the ancient stone walls.

"It should be fine," he reassured, beckoning me forward with an eager smile. 

Intrigued, I trailed behind him, crossing the threshold into the dimly lit underground pathway. 

"It's so cool down here," I commented as we delved deeper into the depths. 

"Yeah, but it's not as musty as I imagined," Louis added, wrinkling his nose in mild discomfort. 

As we proceeded further, a wave of dizziness suddenly swept over Louis, causing him to sway unsteadily on his feet. 

"Whoa," he muttered, reaching out to steady himself against the wall.

Concern etched across my face, I stepped closer. "Lou, are you okay?"

But before he could respond, he lost his balance, crashing against the cold stone floor with a resounding thud.

"Louis!"