Chapter Thirty Two

A shaft of sunlight speared through the heavy drapes, landing directly on Suzy's face. She groaned, burying her head deeper into the plush pillows. Her head throbbed with a dull ache, a reminder of the previous night's indulgence. The events of her drunken rant were hazy, a disjointed collection of images and emotions.

As she finally forced her eyes open, a steaming cup of herbal tea caught her attention. It sat on the nightstand beside her.

"Doris?" Suzy croaked, her voice hoarse and scratchy.

The sound of the bathroom door opening was followed by Doris's concerned face. "Milady," she greeted, her voice laced with relief. "You're awake."

"Good morning, Doris," Suzy mumbled, her voice hoarse. "What time is it?"

"Almost midday, Milady," Doris replied, her voice gentle. "You must have a terrible headache after… last night."

Suzy winced at the reminder. A flicker of shame washed over her, mixed with a lingering resentment towards Ryan and the situation that had driven her to such extremes.

Doris, sensing Suzy's discomfort, gestured towards the tea. "Here," she said, her voice soothing. "Drink this. It's a special herbal blend, perfect for… headaches."

Suzy took a tentative sip, the warm liquid soothing her parched throat. A hint of mint and chamomile danced on her tongue, offering a subtle promise of relief.

"This is why we aren't allowed to drink," Doris muttered under her breath, more to herself than to Suzy. "One night of indulgence, and…"

Suzy caught the last word and raised an eyebrow. "And…?" she prompted, her voice dry.

Doris flushed, realizing her mistake. "N-nothing, Milady," she stammered. "Just… perhaps it's best to stick to water in the future."

Suzy chuckled weakly, the sound devoid of humor. "Perhaps you're right, Doris," she conceded. "Now, if you'll excuse me," she added, pushing herself up against the headboard, "I believe a long soak in is in order."

Doris flushed a faint pink. "Well, yes, Milady," she stammered. "The bath is ready, and I've drawn it extra hot for your aches."

Suzy nodded gratefully. A hot bath, she conceded, was exactly what she needed right now. "And Doris," she added, a bright glint in her eye despite the pounding in her head, "prepare one of my outfits. I believe a visit to the library is in order."

Doris blinked in surprise. A visit to the library after such a… tumultuous night? "The library, Milady?" she echoed, unsure of what to make of this sudden request.

"Indeed," Suzy confirmed, a determined glint in her eyes. "I have some research to do."

Doris nodded in approval, a flicker of a smile playing on her lips.

"Oh and Doris," she said, her voice gaining a hint of its usual strength. "A nice, comfortable outfit for reading would be perfect."

As Suzy finished the rest of her herbal tea and shuffled towards the bathroom, Doris set about laying out a selection of outfits.

With nimble hands, Doris fastened the final clasp on Suzy's chosen gown. It was a beautiful creation, a soft, flowing gown in a rich beige color that shimmered ever so slightly in the light. The delicate tie at the neckline and the loose belt around her waist hinted at comfort without sacrificing style. The loose fit draped comfortably over Suzy's frame.

"There you go, Milady," Doris said with a satisfied smile. "You look radiant."

Suzy turned to admire herself in the full-length mirror. Her auburn curls were styled in a loose bun, leaving a few playful strands to frame her face in a way that softened her features. The only jewelry adorning her was a simple gold necklace with a pearl pendant and matching earrings, adding a touch of elegance without being overbearing.

"This is perfect, Doris," Suzy said, a hint of her usual confidence returning to her voice. She reached up and touched the necklace, a delicate warmth spreading through her. "It's beautiful," she whispered.

"Just like you," Doris replied, her voice a mere murmur.

Suzy laughed, hitting Doris shoulders playfully " You tease."

Suzy pulled on a pair of soft velvet slippers, their rich burgundy color a pleasant contrast to the beige gown.

With a gentle push, Suzy eased open the heavy oak doors of the library, the familiar scent of aged paper and leather washing over her. The sunlight filtering through the high windows cast long shadows across the rows and rows of books, creating an atmosphere of hushed reverence.

"Elias?" she called out tentatively, her voice echoing in the vast silence.

A figure emerged from behind a towering bookshelf, a surprised smile lighting up his kind face. "My Lady Duchess!" he exclaimed, his voice warm and welcoming. "It's been quite a while since you graced the library with your presence."

Suzy offered a small smile in return. "Indeed, Elias," she admitted. "I've been rather… occupied lately."

Elias nodded in understanding. "Of course, Your Grace," he said. "Duchess's duties must be quite… demanding." His gaze flickered to the books under his arm. "Did you finish the book I requested Doris to deliver? Did it live up to your expectations?" he asked excitedly, his passion for literature infectious. "I had quite a hard time finding it, you know. Your genre preferences aren't exactly… common around these parts."

Suzy grimaced slightly. The book laid unfinished on her bedside table. Guilt pricked at her conscience.

"Yes, Elias, thank you," she replied. "It's… fascinating, truly. But with everything that's happened lately, I haven't had the chance to finish it."

Elias's brow furrowed slightly. He opened his mouth to speak, perhaps to express concern or offer a suggestion, but Suzy cut him off before he could utter a word.

"Actually, Elias," she interjected, her voice gaining a note of urgency, "that's not why I'm here today. I have some questions, and I thought you might be able to help me find the answers."

Elias's expression shifted, the surprise giving way to a flicker of curiosity. "Questions, Your Grace?" he echoed. "About what, might I ask?"

"How long have you been the librarian here, Elias?" Suzy inquired, her gaze scanning the towering bookshelves.

Elias straightened his spectacles, a thoughtful frown creasing his brow. "Let me see, Your Grace," he mused, tapping a finger against his chin. "It would be… a few months shy of a year, come next harvest festival. I arrived just a few months before your marriage to the Duke."

Suzy's brow furrowed. "Just before?" she echoed, a flicker of curiosity sparking in her eyes. "Did you know the previous librarian?"

Elias's smile faltered for a moment. "Not personally, My Lady," he replied cautiously. "There were… rumors, of course. They say he was… let go for some sort of transgression."

Suzy's interest piqued. "Transgression?" she pressed. "Like what?"

Elias cleared his throat, his gaze flitting nervously around the room. "Theft, I believe," he muttered, his voice barely a whisper. "But those are just whispers, Your Grace. Nothing ever proven."

Suzy felt a surge of curiosity. The dismissal of the previous librarian seemed shrouded in secrecy. But for now, she had another question burning a hole in her mind.

"And your salary, Elias," she began cautiously. "How much do you receive per month?"

Elias blinked, a hint of surprise flickering in his eyes. It wasn't a question he was often asked. "Fifty gold coins, Your Grace," he replied after a moment's hesitation. "The Duke has been most generous, offering the highest pay I've ever received."

A flicker of satisfaction crossed Suzy's face. Fifty gold coins was a substantial sum, far more than any ordinary librarian would command. This, coupled with the sudden dismissal of the previous librarian, fueled her suspicions.

"Thank you for your time, Elias," she said, offering a polite smile. "I appreciate your help."

With a curt nod of farewell, Suzy turned and left the library.

Reaching her room, she practically flung open the door and rushed to her desk. There, amidst the scattered papers, lay the account ledger. With trembling hands, she flipped through the pages until she found the entry for staff salaries. Her heart hammered in her chest as her eyes scanned the line for 'Elias – Librarian'.

There, in stark black ink, it was written: 120 gold coins.

Suzy stared at the figure, a cold dread creeping into her stomach. When she was calculating the accounts earlier she felt it was suspicious as how a Librarian would be paid 120 gold coins whereas the head maid wages is 70 gold coins and now Elias had clearly stated his salary was fifty gold coins. Where, then, was the remaining seventy going? Her mind raced, piecing together the fragments of information.

"Fifty for him…" she muttered to herself, her voice barely a whisper. "And seventy… for someone else?"

The memory of the previous librarian, dismissed for alleged theft, surfaced in her thoughts. Could there be a connection? Was the missing seventy coins somehow tied to the former librarian's disappearance?

A shiver ran down her spine. Everything she thought she knew was being called into question. The seemingly simple act of asking Elias about his salary had opened a Pandora's Box of intrigue.

"This can't be a coincidence," she whispered, her voice gaining a steely resolve. "There's something more going on here. Something they're trying to hide."