Discovering the Secrets of a Murderer

Chapter 10

As the night was getting all late and cold, as the unmarried ones play their games in such a thrilling disposition, Amelia sat by the fountain placed in the middle of the maze. Her hand was under the water, all wrinkled and white. Her gown was slightly wet from her seat. She closed her eyes and sensed the rustle of the leaves, the cold night air, and the water against her skin.

Then she lowly sang, “Icy fingers touched my soul. Hell hath no fury to a woman scorned. The willow’s leaves have come and go but why my love’s still not home. Icy fingers burned and—”

“You’re so blue, Miss.” She did not have to turn and look to know who it is. "I told you this game would be boring for you."

"I tried my best to stay hidden and to not get caught immediately," she stated.

Lance sat beside her, looking at the hand she still submerged in the water. "And may I ask why you are doing that?"

She moved her hand on the water. "To feel."

Lance chuckled. "That's deep."

Amelia moved her eyes to him. "What is it that you want from me, Sir Lance Salvatore?"

"Nothing in particular. I just find your company very amusing."

"I feel otherwise." She stood up. "You should know by now that I am not like those girls you happen to play with."

"Are you?"

Lance looks up at her. His profile was perfect from the way he sat by the fountain, with water behind him and the moon shining lightly. But however beautiful he looks, he has wicked intentions on her and she is not one to partake in any of it.

"Just because I am secluded for the past years, doesn't mean I am all innocent."

"Then you are not as pure as anyone thought?" He stood up and moved closer.

"Get away from me," she hissed.

He did not obey her. Instead, he took a step after another. She was urged to back away—repeatedly—until she felt the hedge on her back. Lance grabbed her arm and burrowed his face on her neck. His lips pressed down on her skin.

"You disgust me," she spat.

Lance raised his head slowly. Some of his hair was released from the tie he had on his nape. His eyes were hooded as they met hers.

"What?"

"You are unfathomable, Sir. You think so highly of yourself."

His grip loosened. "I get that very often."

"Then you should stick that on your head and accept that not all women want you."

"You do not want me?"

She pushed him and walked back to her seat. “You have to know your place, Sir. Try doing that again and I assure you I will do things you don't know I can."

"I'm intrigued," he said, grinning. "However, I’m very good at discovering people's secrets. So whatever these things you speak of, I’m certain I’ll find it out soon.”

“Then you will harass me again?”

Lance shook his head. “I am not harassing, Miss. I am being a good lad, giving you a taste of what it truly is in the outside world. There are much worse men than I am.”

“That, I shall not believe.”

“Oh you do not want to experience their advancements for yourself, Miss. It will not be very pleasant."

This man with his mischievous smile and witty remarks, she cannot read him. One moment he wants her, the next he would imply he was just giving her a lesson.

Lance looked around, noticing that there are more dark areas than lighted ones. “You know your way, right?”

“I do.”

“Then you should go now. Be on your way.”

“Now wouldn’t that be boring as you said?”

“From the looks of it, you are already bored, Miss. So you might as well get back to the manor and have a good respite, near a fire. It is cold out here and the night is getting quite late.” He looked up at the sky.

She stared at him intently. “And you?”

“What about me?” His gaze went to her.

“Will you go back as well?”

“I’m afraid I cannot. I have matters to attend to first.”

She will not dare as to ask what matters they were. This night, she already had too much information on who Lance Salvatore is. She doesn’t want more.

Besides, he might have someone to meet in this darkened place. She will not deprive him of his time with his woman. 

“I’ll see you back at the manor, then,” she said but the man did not reply.

She ignored his silence and walked away. After a few turns and a short time of brisk walking, she finally got out of the maze.

The elders were still on the balcony, observing the maze even though they cannot clearly see what’s happening inside. They don’t want their children to be in ill repute. However they may disagree with this game, they cannot spoil it for everyone’s fun.

Amelia saw her father standing by the edge of the stairs, waiting for her arrival. His face was impassive, hands on his back. She nodded at him and without a word, he gets back to the others.

~~~~~~~

It was not long when the gentlemen and ladies started to appear from the maze. They had a great time. It was obvious from the smile etched on their lips and their wrinkled clothing.

Amelia saw Theodore walking towards her, wiping his forehead. “I’ve been looking around for you, Miss.”

“I got out first, Sir.”

“I assume you have memorized the paths already.”

“I actually have.” She glanced at Gerjen and the others. “Did you catch someone?”

“Well,” he started. “I did but it seems she was already caught by somebody else.”

“Did you recognize them?”

“No,” he answered. “It’s too dark on that part.”

After that, they were silent.

Even though she did not try to start a conversation, Theodore did not leave her. He is not engaging as the others and is comfortable with their bubble of quietness and with their presence beside each other.

However, what he said a while ago, about waiting for the deaths of his father and his wife, is something she did not expect of him. He looks so proper, clean, and without flaw except for being a bastard turned heir. And because of what he said, she now assumes he has been praying for that inheritance, hoping until it finally happened and all fell into place, only his for the taking.

"Sir Theodore," she called.

"Yes, Miss?"

"Has my father offered you something?"

Theodore looked at her, confused. "Pardon me, Miss, but I think I am not following you."

"You know what it is but you won't tell me because you do not want to precede my father." She stared down at her gloved hands. "Don't admire my father too much to the point of following him blindly. You have to decide for your own life."

Theodore wasn't able to answer because of the commotion from the balcony. The musicians stopped playing as panicked voices scattered and alarming news was passed down.

Amelia turned her head to Gerjen, sitting not so far from her. "What is it?"

"It's Miss Helena, Helena Umerez," Gerjen informed. "They couldn't find her on the maze. The lady is missing."

They all went out of the manor. She saw her father telling orders to their servants, hounds were released from their cages, and more torches were lit up.

"I suggest that we help in the search, Sir Barkis," Theodore said.

"We will leave the ladies here. We don't want them to go missing as well. But we will need all the men. That way we could search fast," Barkis said as his eyes passed down everyone and settling on Amanda.

Amelia noticed his father's gaze and she stepped forward to get his attention. "I should go, father."

Barkis moved his eyes towards her. "We need you safe, my child. What if a killer is on the loose? I would not risk it."

Amelia did not push it further. She went back to her place.

Theodore patted her on her shoulder. "We will find her," he promised.

All of the ladies went back inside. Locking every door except for the main one where servants were on guard, knives on their hands.

"This is a disaster," one lady exclaimed.

They all settled on seats while Amelia went straight to the beverages for something to drink.

"My poor Helena," Helena Umerez's mother wailed and shook uncontrollably.

They are their each other's companion. Helena's father had long died and she is but an only child as what Amelia was informed. And now that Helena is missing, the lady would certainly be in so much pain.

After taking a glass of wine, she sat down by the window and watched the scattered lights from torches moving their way on the maze. She gulped down her wine and leaned on the wall, closing her eyes.

"I know something about Helena."

Amelia opened one eye to see who it is then completely opened both. Amanda was watching the searching men below and a small smile was etched on her lips.

"What?"

"You don't know?" The woman shot her a look. "Of course you do. You just do not want to admit it in fear for your father's reputation."

"My father's business is his, not mine."

Amanda winked. "So you do know."

"About what?" she spat.

Amanda grazed a finger on her cheek. "Do not be mad, my dear. You'll make yourself look ugly." Amanda moved closer to her, blocking the others on the back, and suddenly cupped her breast with one firm hand. "Your body is your asset. Use it and let men follow you. Helena knows that as well but her time is over. It is my turn and she has to go."

Amanda licked her neck with one swipe then left her. Her eyes followed the woman walk away, looking too victorious.

Then she noticed, she hasn’t seen Lance yet after their encounter in the maze.

#DTSOAM