SWNOVELXO Chapter 6: Secrets and Shadows
Chapter 6: Secrets and Shadows
The sun had barely risen when Celia awoke, a restless energy buzzing beneath her skin. She had not been able to shake the events of the previous evening—the conversation with Lord Vincent, the glimpse of the mysterious man, and the chilling certainty that they were on the cusp of something far darker than a mere poisoning scandal.
As she dressed and prepared for the day, the soft chime of the system rang in her mind.
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New Task: Investigate the mysterious man seen with Lady Cassandra Wexley at the banquet.
Reward: +300 points.
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Celia's fingers lingered over the notification. The man was more than just an "acquaintance." She was certain of it now. His presence at the Wexley estate, his connection to Cassandra, and the way he had vanished so quickly last night—all of it pointed to something far more sinister.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door.
"Come in."
Lila entered, her expression wary. "My lady, Lord Blackwell has requested your presence in the study. He believes it's urgent."
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When Celia arrived, Adrian was already seated at the large desk, his sharp gaze flicking over a collection of letters and documents. He didn't look up as she entered, but the tension in his posture was palpable.
"You're early," he commented, though there was a hint of approval in his voice. "I trust you're as eager to unravel this as I am."
Celia crossed the room, sitting opposite him. "I'm eager to get answers, Lord Blackwell. No more games."
"Fair enough." Adrian finally looked up, his gray eyes locking onto hers. "I've gathered some information. The man you saw with Cassandra last night—his name is Vance Darnell. He's a mercenary, a hired blade who's been linked to several high-profile incidents in the past."
Celia's brow furrowed. "A mercenary? Why would Cassandra be associating with someone like him?"
Adrian's lips curled into a thin smile. "That's the question, isn't it? I've been digging into his past, and it seems he's worked with several noble families before—though never directly for them. He's been a middleman of sorts, arranging… discreet services."
Celia's stomach tightened. Discreet services? The more she learned, the more dangerous this situation became.
"So, Cassandra's involved with a mercenary. That doesn't look good," Celia said.
"No, it doesn't," Adrian agreed. "But what's more interesting is that Vance seems to have a history with someone else—a nobleman named Lord Callum Hawke, who is known for his connections to the underground factions of this city. I suspect they're the ones pulling the strings in this little game."
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They were interrupted by a sudden knock on the door. Lila entered quickly, her face pale.
"My lady," she said breathlessly. "There's been a commotion at the Wexley estate. Lady Cassandra has… gone missing."
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The news hit Celia like a blow to the chest. Missing? No, this wasn't right. This wasn't just another one of Cassandra's melodramatic schemes to divert suspicion. Something more was at play here, and Celia could feel it in her bones.
"Get the carriage," Celia ordered, standing swiftly.
Adrian was already on his feet. "I'm coming with you."
Celia didn't bother to argue. In this tangled web of deception, she would need all the help she could get.
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The Wexley estate was in disarray when they arrived. Servants were gathered in clusters, speaking in hushed tones, and the air was thick with unease.
Celia made her way inside, her eyes scanning the grand hall for any sign of Lady Cassandra. But it was immediately clear that something was wrong. The house was too quiet, too still, as if all the life had been sucked out of it.
A servant approached them cautiously, bowing low. "My lady, Lord Blackwell, you've arrived. I—I don't know where Lady Cassandra has gone. She disappeared from her chambers earlier this morning. There are signs of a struggle, but nothing else."
"Has anyone gone after her?" Celia asked, her voice sharp.
"We've sent a few of the guards, but…" The servant hesitated, his gaze darting nervously. "They haven't returned."
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Celia and Adrian made their way upstairs, and the door to Cassandra's chambers was already ajar. Inside, the room was as pristine as always—except for the scattered books on the floor and the overturned chair, evidence of the earlier struggle.
Celia's eyes narrowed as she stepped closer to the desk. On it lay a letter, hastily scrawled in ink. She picked it up, her gaze sweeping over the words.
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Lady Cassandra,
I know what you've done. If you want to see your family again, you'll follow my instructions carefully.
Come alone. No guards. No interference.
The clock is ticking.
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The message was clear, but the question remained—who had written it? And why was Cassandra so desperate that she'd run off without a trace, leaving everything behind?
"Lord Blackwell," Celia said, her voice cold with realization. "This isn't just a game anymore. It's a threat. Cassandra's in more danger than we thought."
Adrian nodded, his expression grim. "We need to find her before it's too late."
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The two of them scoured the estate for any further clues, but there was nothing. No sign of Cassandra, no trace of her captor. It was as if she had vanished into thin air.
"What now?" Celia asked, frustration seeping into her voice.
"We follow the trail," Adrian said, his tone firm. "If Cassandra's truly involved with Hawke and his people, then they'll leave a trace. We just need to find it."
Celia glanced back at the letter in her hand, her mind racing. The clock was ticking, and with each passing second, Cassandra's life grew more uncertain.
"I'll take the lead," she said suddenly. "You stay behind me, and don't interfere unless I say so. Understand?"
Adrian's lips curled into a smile, one that was more approving than mocking. "You've got it, Lady Everhart. Lead the way."
---
As they left the Wexley estate, Celia's thoughts were clouded with doubts and suspicions. She didn't trust Cassandra—not entirely. But something told her that the woman's disappearance was only the beginning of a far more complicated and dangerous plot.
And Celia wasn't about to let it slip through her fingers.