Chapter 8

"The Duchess of Eklane? Inside this villa?" I questioned.

"Yes. Princess Willette Duskwick I. She lives inside this very house. You haven't met her? The young man Maximus Simmons?" Nodrig uttered.

"What about young Simmons?" I inquired.

"You've never met Willette Duskwick before? How did that slip my mind?" he proceeded, tapping his forehead.

"Of course, I have never. How would I?"

"Never mind my disturbed thoughts right now, Miss Lyle. I'm kind of unstable, I guess."

"What really brought you here, Mr. Berylbane?"

"Oh, yes. It's about Frosthaven, Miss. We can't seem to find all the gold we had from months ago. The Frosthaven warehouse is empty," he explained.

"Who do you think took it all?" I asked timidly.

"It can't be the Dimwharf army. They haven't crossed a foot around the caves. We all believe that someone who knows what goes on around the Lyle family did. Do you trust Mr. Edward?" he asked as I deemed in denial.

"Yes, of course! It can't be him. My father trusted him the most," I stated, but he abruptly chuckled, falling down.

"That man trusted no one, Miss Lyle. Your father only trusted himself, and if there is anyone, that would have to be you."

"Yeah, you assume. He barely told me anything. Not even about the villa itself," I revealed.

"Alright, Miss Lyle. I want to ask you and inform you. There is something weird going on in this house. Please be careful. And also, we need to find whoever is behind the gold theft."

"It could be anyone, though, Mr. Nodrig. The Dimwharf army isn't that sympathetic. Or are they?"

"They aren't. And that's why I say that. If it was them, every worker at that place would be dead. I assure you, Miss."

"Okay then, we shall have to talk to Mr. Edward," I said, and he departed.

"Can we just keep this between us until we find out who really that person is? You shouldn't trust anyone, Miss."

"Yeah. I shouldn't. I shouldn't trust you either too."

"Yes. Not me either. That's how your father was, and that's why he managed to grow this business so fast."

"Alright, Mr. Berylbane. I shall be at Frosthaven Monday before sunset. Thank you for your report."

"Yes, mistress," he responded, leading away and suddenly stopping to call upon me. "Miss Lyle?"

"Yes, Mr. Nodrig?"

"My condolences. To the loss of your father."

"Thank you, Mr. Nodrig," I replied, heading back inside.

At the doorknob is where I found Mr. Edward standing, giving me the feeling that he was either eavesdropping or really worried for my safety.

"Did that man leave?" he asked in concern.

"Yes, he did. He is a man of so many words, Mr. Edward. You've never met him before?" I asked.

"No! I believe he's from the Frosthaven mine to the looks of it. It's the only town I've never been to in over twenty years now."

"Why is that? Is there something you don't want to see in that town? I don't want to be so questionable, Mr. Edward, but Frosthaven is just a town away from Duskwick town itself, and Smallhaven is just after Frosthaven. Where exactly do you go through heading to Smallhaven?"

"I'm afraid I won't be able to answer that, child. Let's all head back to rest. The letter to the king is ready, and tomorrow, we shall be heading to Smallhaven as soon as sunrise. Goodnight."

It was in thought that I believed he also had so many secrets upon his shoulders and of which I hoped to unveil if only he wished for my help that, at the moment, I started to believe I could give.

I walked up the stairs back to my bedroom when my eyes caught a sight of Simmons' door open. I walked towards it to check for his safety or close it upon his approval when my eyes yet again picked onto a naked girl looking the other side of the bed.

It was in a scare that I thought Simmons decided to invite a lady lover inside my house without my consent.

I slammed the door open in a thirst for a word when she suddenly turned, looking at me then rushed into the sheets.

There had to be so many questions from me, and she expected it. Her resemblance to Simmons was unexplainable that I at once uttered.

"You're Princess Willette Duskwick?"

"No," she muttered in fear. "Please don't take me back to my father."

"So, you are the princess of Duskwick?" I once again inquired for clarity.

"Yes. Yes. Please let me explain."

I walked back, locking the door behind as I showed myself a seat on the bed, inviting her to start explaining herself.

"Tell me," I stated.

"I am Princess Willette Duskwick. Yes. The daughter of King Joseph Duskwick III, but that man in my father's seat isn't who he says he is. He might have the face of my father, but he is an imposter. He has my father somewhere, and I don't know what he wants. Who am I kidding? I know what he wants. I'm the only heiress to the Duskwick throne, and I know he wants me dead. He wants to find me so bad, and the only help he has is with the Lyle. Rumors are. You are different. You're late father in particular. He left a legacy. And right now, his hope is in you. But you're just so young to take everything about this villa up your shoulders." She explained.

I ran speechless at what she had told me. "Could he be your father's brother? How are you sure it's not your father?" I asked.

"He isn't my father, Miss Lyle. I once had that man send thugs to find me dead or alive. I had paid a visit to the palace, and I unintentionally heard everything. I ran away quietly, but they found my escape and before they tried to use me, your father rescued me. With some other gentleman called Nodrig."