The light from the portrait engulfed Viole, Bubble, and Yoru, and the world around them shifted once again. When the light faded, they found themselves in a different part of the mansion—a large, dimly lit study lined with bookshelves and adorned with heavy drapes. The air was thick with the smell of old books and polished wood.
"Looks like we’re in another part of the mansion," Viole said, his eyes scanning the room.
Yoru examined the surroundings, his gaze landing on a large, ornate desk positioned at the center of the room. Papers were strewn across it, and a single, flickering candle provided the only light.
Bubble moved toward the desk, her curiosity piqued. "What’s all this?"
Viole joined her, studying the papers closely. They were covered in neat, handwritten notes and correspondence. Some were clearly documents related to the estate, while others were personal letters.
Yoru approached a nearby bookshelf, his fingers brushing over the spines of the books. "We need to find something that connects to the next part of the mystery."
As Bubble began to sift through the papers on the desk, she picked up a letter sealed with a wax crest. "Hey, check this out. This letter’s sealed. It might be important."
Viole nodded and moved closer to her. "Let’s see what it says."
Bubble carefully broke the wax seal and unfolded the letter. The handwriting was elegant but hurried, and the message was clear:
---
*To My Dearest Friend,*
*I must confess a terrible secret. The Duke’s daughter is in grave danger. I fear that her life is in jeopardy, and I have reason to believe that someone close to her is plotting against her. I cannot reveal the details in writing, but I urge you to be vigilant. Her safety is paramount.*
*Yours faithfully,*
*A Friend*
---
"This letter is from someone who knew about the danger," Bubble said, her voice trembling slightly. "But it doesn’t say who the threat is."
"Let’s keep looking," Yoru suggested, his tone focused. "There might be more clues in this room."
As they continued their search, the room seemed to grow colder, the shadows lengthening. The study’s door creaked open, and a figure stepped inside—a man dressed in formal attire, his face hidden in the shadows.
The man approached the desk, his demeanor calm and composed. He picked up the scattered papers, carefully sorting them as if they were of great importance.
"Who are you?" Viole demanded, his voice firm.
The man looked up, revealing a stern face. "I am the Duke’s advisor. I was tasked with managing the estate’s affairs and ensuring the safety of the Duke’s family."
Yoru stepped forward, his gaze steady. "We’re here to uncover the truth about the Duke’s daughter’s death. Can you help us?"
The advisor’s expression was inscrutable. "I am bound by my duty to the Duke. I can provide information, but you must prove your worth."
Bubble frowned. "Prove our worth? What does that mean?"
The advisor gestured to the desk. "Examine these documents carefully. They may hold the key to understanding the danger that threatened the Duke’s daughter."
Viole nodded, returning to the papers. He noticed a pattern in the letters—a series of names and dates that seemed to repeat.
"These documents list various people who were involved in the estate’s affairs," Viole said, his brow furrowing. "But there’s one name that appears frequently. It’s the Duke’s closest advisor."
Yoru’s eyes narrowed. "Is it possible that the advisor was involved in the plot?"
Before they could discuss further, the room shifted once again. The walls seemed to dissolve, and they found themselves in a new scene—a lavish dining room set for a grand feast. The table was adorned with fine china and silverware, and the room was filled with the sounds of laughter and conversation.
At the head of the table sat the Duke, his expression one of concern as he spoke with his advisors. The Duke’s daughter was seated beside him, looking radiant but clearly troubled.
"This must be the night of the dinner party," Viole said, his voice low. "We need to find out what happened."
As they watched, the scene unfolded. The Duke’s advisors were engaged in lively conversation, but there was an undercurrent of tension. The advisor from the study was present, his demeanor stiff and formal.
Bubble’s eyes darted around the room. "Look at the advisor. He’s acting strange."
The Duke’s daughter suddenly stood up, excusing herself from the table. She walked toward a side door, her face pale and her steps unsteady.
"I have to go," she said softly. "I don’t feel well."
The Duke stood to follow her, but the advisor stepped in his path, speaking in hushed tones. The Duke hesitated, his expression troubled.
"Something’s happening," Yoru said, his voice tense. "The advisor is blocking the Duke."
The Duke’s daughter made her way to a small, private study adjacent to the dining room. As she entered, she was followed by the advisor, who closed the door behind him.
Viole moved closer to the door, straining to hear the conversation inside. The voices were muffled, but he could make out fragments of the exchange.
"You must understand," the advisor said, his tone urgent. "This is for the good of the estate."
"How can you say that?" the Duke’s daughter replied, her voice shaking. "You’re threatening my life!"
The conversation grew heated, and suddenly there was a sound of a struggle. The door creaked open slightly, revealing a brief glimpse of the advisor’s face, twisted in a grimace.
The scene shifted abruptly, leaving them once again in the study. The advisor from before was still present, his expression unreadable.
"You have witnessed the second scenario," the voice from before intoned. "Now, you must determine the role of the Duke’s advisor. Was he an ally or an enemy?"
Viole’s mind raced as he considered what they had seen. "The advisor was clearly involved in the events leading up to the Duke’s daughter’s death. He was blocking the Duke from following her, and he was present in the study with the letter."
Yoru nodded in agreement. "It seems he had a direct role in her demise. But was he acting alone?"
Bubble’s face was tense with concentration. "We saw him in the dining room, but the advisor from the study was the one who seemed to have the most access to the Duke’s daughter. He was the one who managed the documents, who had the power to control things."
The voice echoed through the study, its tone insistent. "What is your conclusion? What role did the advisor play in the Duke’s daughter’s death?"
Viole took a deep breath, his decision clear. "The advisor was involved in the plot against the Duke’s daughter. He had access, motive, and opportunity. He played a key role in orchestrating her death."
Yoru gave a solemn nod. "The advisor’s actions were suspicious and led directly to the Duke’s daughter’s demise."
Bubble glanced around, her expression thoughtful. "But was he working alone, or was there someone else behind the scenes?"
The voice spoke again, this time with a note of finality. "Your conclusion has been noted. The final scenario will reveal the full truth."
The study dissolved into darkness once more, and the light from the portrait reappeared, guiding them to the next part of the trial. As they prepared to face the final scenario, Viole, Bubble, and Yoru steeled themselves for whatever revelations awaited them. The truth behind the Duke’s daughter’s death was still incomplete, and the Tower would not rest until they had uncovered every piece of the puzzle.