Questions Surround the Death of Rising Star

Jealous Heiress Ends Rival’s Life!

Zuri Was the Last Person Seen with Bea

Zuri Artig’s Fall from Grace

Bad news spreads like wildfire, especially when it relates to someone famous, let alone two famous people.

A beloved daughter of a prominent Duchy, known for its sophistication in the arts, Zuri von Artig, now a famous opera singer, had been accused of killing her rival, Beatrice Luxus, who had been found brutally murdered in the changing room of the opera house.

***

“I thought Bea looked unnaturally frightened that night.”

“Perhaps she knew…”

Zuri could hear them, but she was too shocked to process the words.

A group of female singers who were known to be Bea’s friends stood before her, blocking her path.

Zuri saw their skirts as she kept her gaze down.

Three of them. All wore subdued colors, not because they knew someone would be found dead this morning, but because these colors were cheaper for their daily dresses.

“Are you happy now?” one of them said.

Zuri slowly lifted her chin and looked that person in the eye. She remembered this one, although this marked the first time they talked to each other.

“She’s dead after you stole her suitor!” another one said, the one in the center. She was the skinniest and the palest.

The third one spoke last. “I don’t get it. You already have everything, so why would you want what’s hers?”

***

Two years ago:

Emric stood before the Schloss Artig, which spanned 80 yards across. His stomach grumbled, demanding attention. Somehow, the cold always managed to intensify his hunger pangs. Winter didn’t seem to ever end for him, or anyone at all who couldn’t afford to buy anything out of season.

With no fresh food available, anything sold at the market was doubly expensive. Emric had been working odd jobs, taking whatever was available to keep his stomach filled.

During winter, when food was scarce, Emric’s work would be paid with food instead of gold. Porridge, sour milk, cold leftover soup, or hard crusts. Not the best, but at least he didn’t starve.

Now that winter was almost over, stocks had been mostly used up, and Emric wouldn’t even get anything. So he had to try something else.

“Surely this house has something,” he mumbled, looking up at the building.

Artigen was known for being a peaceful region. The estate itself wasn’t guarded. Who would dare harm the beloved Haus von Artig?

Emric had dressed as best as he could to blend in with the servants. With that many servants employed, no one would notice if he slipped in.

He wasn’t taught etiquette, but he managed to get into the house through the back door for employees. Not because he was aware only family and their guests were allowed to enter through the main door, but because he was avoiding detection.

For the employees of Schloss Artig, it was either a busy day or a very busy day. Today, it was the former.

And with that, it was natural that no one noticed a young man coming into the kitchen, wearing a commoner's coat, grabbing a loaf of bread, potatoes, and apples.

Emric was ecstatic. This was the first time he had ever tried stealing from a wealthy household, and he succeeded! Well, almost.

As he stepped out of the building, he suddenly stopped in his tracks. The sound of someone humming alerted him. Like a squirrel, his head snapped around, searching for the source of the noise.

What the amateur thief didn’t know was that if he had just acted normal and headed out, no one would have even noticed. He also didn’t know that standing still with a load of food in his arms would raise suspicions.

When the young lady, the one humming, looked back, Emric froze. She was breathtaking—the prettiest girl he had ever seen in his life.

Her big, blue eyes stared into his, as if hypnotizing him. She blinked, and Emric felt as if his heart was about to leap out of his mouth.

“My Lady, I’ve been looking for you.” A more mature woman came to her side.

The young lady’s long blond hair moved as she turned to the side. A bright smile appeared on her face, and Emric’s heart skipped a beat. “Rita!”

“It’s still cold outside, let’s go in!” the mature woman said. Her tone was firm, a contrast to the young lady’s sing-songy voice.

When the mature woman turned to look at Emric, he knew he was doomed. The woman glared at him, assessing him from head to toe. He felt exposed.

“I knew it!” Another voice rang as a plump, short woman wearing an apron ran out of the house’s back door. “I knew your face was unfamiliar, and yet you took so many things from my kitchen! How dare you!”

“Trudi, you shouldn’t be so harsh to a new employee. It is only natural that he has so much to learn. I’m sure he’ll do great once he learns the ropes,” the young lady said.

Did she mistake me for a new servant?