Chapter 14: Shadows in the Manor

The letter burned in Seraphina's palm long after Adrian had left.

Beware the one closest to you.

The words curled around her thoughts like a creeping vine, planting seeds of doubt where she had none before.

Who had sent it? And who was it warning her against?

She exhaled and tucked the letter into her gown's sleeve, unwilling to leave it unattended. If Adrian sought to uncover the sender, then so would she.

But first, she needed to know more about the Valemont family's past.

The manor's library was vast, stretching high into the shadows of the candlelit ceiling. Dusty tomes lined the shelves, their spines worn from time.

Seraphina ran her fingers across the books, searching for anything that might hold the secrets she needed.

Then, in the dim glow of the sconces, a name caught her eye—Evelyne Valemont.

Her pulse quickened as she pulled the heavy volume free and flipped through the delicate pages.

The words blurred together in the dim light until she found it—

"Evelyne Valemont, Duchess of Valemont, passed under tragic circumstances, her death recorded as an unfortunate accident. The details remain undisclosed, as per the family's wishes."

Seraphina's brow furrowed. An accident?

But why were the details hidden?

She turned the page, but before she could read further, a sudden sound made her still.

A creak.

Soft footsteps behind her.

She turned sharply, her heart pounding—

Only to find Lady Eleanor standing in the doorway, her expression unreadable.

"You should not be here, my lady," Eleanor said softly.

Seraphina met her gaze, refusing to yield. "Why?"

Eleanor hesitated, then stepped forward, lowering her voice.

"Because the last Duchess who went looking for answers never left this manor alive."