The butler greeted them cordially and after they told him his mistress may be in danger, he immediately escorted them inside. But when Mathilda herself sashayed into the room in the same dress she wore in the party, they knew they went to the wrong place.

"What is going on?" the woman asked.

"Andrea and Claire are missing. We thought they might have gone to you."

"No. Why would they?"

Gabrielle and Rider shared a look. "Nothing. We were wrong."

When they made a turn to the door, Mathilda stopped them, saying, "I heard Andrea asking Claire of her plans for the rest of the night earlier." When they turned to face her fully, Mathilda must have realized the weight of her information and she added, "She told Claire they might enjoy another party."

"Where?" Gabrielle and Rider asked in unison.

Still looking confused, Mathilda shook her head. "I don't know exactly. I just know it's in Picadilly."

"Bloody hell," Rider cursed under his breath and walked out of the parlor without a word. Before she followed, Gabrielle thanked Mathilda. "Keep your doors locked. I'll explain everything soon."

"We know close to nothing about Andrea," Rider said as soon as she joined him in the carriage.

Gabrielle, however, could not shake the odd feeling in her gut. Something was wrong here. Something she could not grasp.

"You don't think it's her?" Rider asked.

"It could be any of them, but yes, she is the last person I would think to be the killer."

"Why would she invite Claire to the villa?"

She stayed silent because she had no answer. "We'll know soon enough," she eventually said as the carriage rolled down the cobbled streets of Coulway. "If we're not too late."

***

They jumped out of the carriage three villas away. The night was calm, and it seemed no residence was having a party, contrary to what Mathilda assumed when she heard Andrea and Claire.

Only the upstairs windows were lit. They tried the front door, but it was locked. Gabrielle walked to the back and climbed the walls using the pipe that ran down from the second landing. With ease, she slid inside an open window and landed in an empty bedchamber.

She thought she heard voices outside when she pressed her ear against the door. Turning the handle, she carefully opened the door a crack and waited before she slipped out of the room. A thud sounded from the end of the corridor. A few seconds later, Rider's head poked out from another room.

He signaled to go to the other end. Gabrielle nodded before turning away to find the source of the sound, her steps light, growing more frustrated with her dress and lack of weapon.

The sound of footsteps pushed her back against the wall, and only when it stopped did Gabrielle rush to the end of the corridor. It parted into two more paths. Taking the right turn, she skidded to a stop because right there in the middle of the corridor, sitting in a chair with her head bent, was Claire.

Gabrielle ran down the carpeted path toward the woman.

"Claire?" she whispered, gently cupping the side of the woman's head. But she knew it was too late before she even tilted Claire's face up toward her because of the dampness in her hand.

She had seen many horrible things before, but Claire's face when it fell back may be among the few that would give her nightmares for a long time. Her eyes were gouged out of their sockets, fresh blood and flesh in their depths. No flowers this time. Which meant the killer was not done here yet.

Stepping back and wiping her hands on her skirt, Gabrielle looked to the side and found an open doorway. He was gagged and bound to the chair, positioned just so he could see nothing but Claire. His eyes were shut tight as she approached, entering the dimly lit bedchamber. On the table in the corner was an open bottle of wine and a shattered glass on the floor.

"Ducruet," Gabrielle said, bending low. "Ducruet."

Eyes shut, his entire form trembled as he whimpered cried in fear. Gabrielle shook his shoulders until his eyes flew open and found her. Only then did he try to speak through the cloth lodged between his teeth. She freed him of his gag. "What happened?" she asked, taking the dagger strapped around her thigh to work on the rope that bound him.

"She'll kill us all," he choked out, eyes round and unblinking as they landed on the sight beyond the doorway. "She's mad."

Gabrielle's brow furrowed as her addled brain tried to piece a puzzle that refused to be solved. Something had always been missing here, she thought.

And then it clicked as she watched the look in Pierre Ducruet's eyes. The regret. The fear. The hatred. It's as if he knew just how he would do things if given the chance to do it all again.

But what if this was all an act?

She jumped to her feet and used the rope to tie his hands together. "What are you doing?" he asked.

Pulling him up to his feet, she said, "You're coming with me."

***

Rider found Andrea unconscious inside the drawing room, her head resting on the back of the chaise, her hand lying limp on the side while a wine glass was on the edge of the seat, an inch away from shattering on the floor.

"Andrea," he said, eyes looking around the room before approaching her.

She remained motionless, but when he touched her neck to check for a pulse, she stirred, eyes heavy and confused at first.

"Lord Fairborne?" she murmured, brows fusing into a faint frown.

"What happened?" he asked, taking the glass and smelling it.

"I was... Where..." As he replaced the glass on the table, Andrea gasped. "Oh, God. Oh, God. Where's Claire?"

"I don't know."

"Why are you here—" She was suddenly on her feet, escaping him. "Are you working with her?"

"I'm with the Royal Circus," he said, watching her retreat to a corner.

She shook her head. "I don't believe you."

"I've been investigating Hera Ducruet's murder. Please, calm down. Who is with you in this villa?"

Andrea swallowed, stumbling as dizziness took over her again. "I went here with Claire. I took her here to find... To look for something. Before she died, Yvonne said the answer is here." She shook her head and blinked a few times. "Where is she? And Pierre? Did she kill him?" Sobs escaped her lips in tiny puffs. "Oh, God! She's going to kill me. I'm next—"

"Quiet," he ordered, approaching the woman. "Who is it? Is it Claire?" But before the woman could answer, they heard footsteps from outside. In a heartbeat, Rider grabbed Andrea and pulled her behind the chaise, telling her to stay there before striding to the side of the door.

The footsteps stopped. Rider's jaw tightened as he fished his pistol from under his coat, holding it at the ready. But as soon as Ducruet stumbled into the room, hands bound and face white as paper, he frowned. And only when she walked inside did he lower his weapon.

"Where's Andrea?" Gabrielle asked when he walked out of his hiding place.

Andrea appeared from behind the chaise, shaking in fear. "Where's Claire?" she asked, eyes jumping from one person to the other.

Gabrielle pushed Ducruet toward Rider and approached Andrea. "Why do you ask?"

The woman blinked in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"It could be you. The two of you," said Gabrielle, gesturing toward Ducruet. "Be behind all this."

"We have to leave," Ducruet hissed, shrugging out of Rider's hold.

"You think I'm the murderer?" Andrea asked in disbelief. Her eyes jumped to Ducruet, who grew increasingly agitated. "It's not me. It's—"

At that moment, Ducruet elbowed Rider and escaped the room. With a curse, Rider ran after him. "Ducruet! Stop!"

The man was jumping multiple steps down the stairs now, and Rider bounded after him. "Stop now or I'll shoot!"

Ducruet stopped and slowly turned, eyes wide and murderous, as if his life depended on that moment.

***

Gabrielle continued to stare at Andrea. "How did you do it?"

"Do not be absurd. I didn't kill anyone," Andrea growled.

"Oh, you didn't?" she asked, taking another step. Andrea stumbled back, shaking her head. "What about the real Hera Ducruet? The one who unwittingly went aboard the same ship as you and your friends? The one you had to kill for her money?"

Andrea paled. "You don't know what you're talking about." Her face was filled with panic now. "I don't know why you're doing this, Gabrielle. Or who you really are. Are you a part of this? Is that how she did it all?"

Ignoring the woman's questions, Gabrielle continued speaking. "Maybe you killed Marina because you were jealous. After all, she was living Hera Ducruet's life. Then you killed Yvonne because she somehow found out what you did. And even though she first thought Yvonne did it, you had to kill Claire because now she'll start to believe Yvonne's suspicions about you. However, I'm not sure why you had to kill the maid."

Andrea shook her head. "You don't know what you're talking about." She made a move to escape, but Gabrielle blocked her path. "Get away from me!"

"You threatened Ducruet with the truth. Or maybe he's been helping you all along. You invited Claire here, where Ducruet is already waiting."

"N-No! We didn't know he'd be here."

"Then why come here? Why take Claire here, Andrea?"

"Because we had to find answers."

"And what answers does this villa offer?"

Andrea opened her mouth to speak, but her eyes landed on someone behind Gabrielle. She froze and her face drained of blood as she stumbled back.

Gabrielle turned just in time to dock and evade the attack. The blade sliced the air a few inches above her head, and her dagger clattered on the floor. Her attacker kicked it away and escaped as Gabrielle swept her leg in an arch to throw her on the ground.

"I see you can fight, new girl," the woman said, widening her stance.

Gabrielle straightened, studied the woman's face. She had seen that face before, only that it had been lying on the floor with hollowed eyes. Only that it was not this woman. It was someone else all along. "Hera Ducruet," she said, stepping back to put a distance between her and the sword the woman wielded. "Or should I call you Marina?"

"Any name is fine, darling," the woman replied, flourishing her sword with one hand. "None is mine, anyway."

Gabrielle's eyes flew to the door.

"I can't let you leave."

"Marina," Andrea's voice said from behind Gabrielle. "Why—"

"Shut up, Andrea," snapped Marina. "I should have known you're all going to ruin everything."

"What are you talking about? Y-You're the one who ruined it by—"

"Playing dead? I had to do what I can before you could all take everything from me." She sighed and looked at Gabrielle and by how she swung her sword back, it was clear she was done talking.

She cornered Gabrielle by swinging her sword back and forth, barely giving Gabrielle enough time to calculate her next attack. Only the sound of the blade slicing the air and the thud of their boots could be heard in the room. At the woman's next swing, Gabrielle fell to the ground. She searched for her weapon, but it was too far.

She rolled to the side just seconds before the sword hit the floor. Andrea, who had fallen in fear to the ground, scrambled away. She had a few seconds to remember something Andrea had told her before. In one swift move, Gabrielle ran toward Andrea and reached for the woman's ankle and surreptitiously grabbed the dagger strapped there. As she did, Andrea let out a shaky breath of fear.

"I'll make this quick, new girl," said Marina, lifting her sword. "Why did you even go here? Are you working for the Royals?"

"No, I'm from Belcourt," Gabrielle gritted out before she threw her dagger toward the woman.

Marina moved to avoid it. Just as Gabrielle hoped. The few seconds Marina took to regain her stance for another attack was enough for Gabrielle to roll on one knee and propel herself forward, grabbing Marina's wrist that held the sword and pulled a maneuver that flipped the woman in the air before landing on her back.

She caught the sword as it fell from the woman's hand. Catching her breath, Gabrielle pointed the tip of the sword down at Marina's face. "Either Ellise Dior is a very bad fencing teacher, or you are all just terrible students."

***

Rider winced as he massaged the back of his neck and let out a quiet groan when he caught the look on Gabrielle's face as she looked at him with judgement from where she was sitting next to him. "He tackled me down the stairs. It was unexpected."

"You had a gun." She said it in a manner that almost made him want to shrink in his seat.

With no good reply at the ready, he simply let the quiet reign until the door to the interrogation chamber opened. Hours after they captured Marina, the Royal Watchers transferred her, Pierre Ducruet, Andrea, and Priya to the Citadel where they had been waiting for proper interrogation.

Ducruet could not currently talk. After his fight with Rider, the man had to be treated in the asylum's infirmary. They had just finished four hours of grueling interrogation with Andrea and Priya, who at first refused to reveal their secrets. They eventually did when they were told of their fate should they continue to be cooperative.

Now it was Marina's turn. The woman who masterminded everything walked into the room with her head held high, her hands and feet iron-bound.

She sat across from them and stared with the eyes of a woman whose only regret was getting caught.

"Did they tell you who I am?" was her first question. A secretive smile curled the corner of her lips.

"They don't know your real name, I'm afraid," said Rider. "Which speaks a lot about you. How did you convince four women to work with you?"

Marina scoffed. "It's something a person of your status may never imagine." Tearing her gaze from Rider to look at Gabrielle, she added, "Someone desperate would need nothing more. They won't ask if you're telling them the truth. They'd rather believe the lie because it offers something they want. They only need to know you can give them what you promised."

"And what did you promise Pierre Ducruet?"

"The same thing, of course. I only had to spend one night with him to know he married his wife for her money." She let the silence linger for a while. "Two months on a ship is enough to perfect a scheme."

"How did you do it?"

The woman chuckled, shaking her head. "I'm sure the others already told you."

"You befriended them. You befriended Hera Ducruet. And you learned their weakness," Gabrielle said.

Marina shrugged. "Everyone has the same weakness, darling. Greed. My friends were greedy for a different life—a disgraced teacher from the Americas, a woman who escaped an abusive husband in Italy, and another who sold her body to whomever could afford it all the way from France to England. And Pierre—well, wanted more money. Hera Ducruet, the poor girl, only wanted to be loved."

Gabrielle leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms. "You didn't expect your crime to follow you in Sutherland soil?"

"At first, yes. We threw Hera Ducruet into the sea. No body, no crime."

"But she was a member of Monaco's royal family."

Hera rolled her eyes. "I know. Pierre and I didn't expect them to miss her. Even Hera told me her family didn't care much for her. But lo and behold, they kept sending letters and when they didn't get enough replies, they sent someone to check on her."

"And if anyone found out what happened to the real Hera Ducruet, you would all be in trouble."

"I told Pierre it was nothing. We could make her disappear. There are other ways, you know. We could make her run away with a lover."

"But he got scared."

She scoffed. "The useless bastard. I have to do everything for him. One visit from his wife's family friend and he got scared. At the first sign of trouble, he was willing to bring us all down."

"What did he do?"

Marina sighed. "Our plan on the ship was simple. He'd get richer, and we'd all enjoy his money. But after that visit from Hera's family friend, he met the other girls in secret. They were bound to ruin everything we've all worked hard for—what I gave them. I found out he was planning something with Yvonne. To make matters wors, these stupid ladies started robbing other people's houses! They went to parties and took jewelries and people started talking."

Shaking her head, Marina scoffed. "They started doing things that were not part of our plan. Yvonne... stupid girl. She was suddenly feeling guilty when it was her who stabbed Hera." She followed her statement with a laugh. "Pierre started meeting them in secret in Picadilly. And then Priya. And Andrea. And then Claire. And she was the worst. Pretended to be my best friend, all the while begging Pierre that I should take the fall."

Again, silence fell into the room. Rider and Gabrielle remained passive, just waiting for her to talk.

"But I never fall. I've been through hell before Sutherland."

"So you decided you'll kill yourself and disappear like you did many times before."

"Of course," the woman said, looking around the chamber as if she was planning to do the same at that very moment. In fact, Rider was quite certain she could escape the Citadel. Without maximum security, this woman could escape in a few years.

"Who was the woman you killed in the Eris room of the Artemis?" Gabrielle asked.

"A barmaid. My maid took her home a few days after I found her. We had the same hair, the same built. With the injuries I gave her, I knew no one would look long enough to identify her. Pierre faints at the sight of blood. I only had to dress the woman in my dress and she immediately became me. I was hoping people would think it's another Governess killing."

"We did at first."

"And what made you think I wasn't the Governess?"

"I don't answer questions," Gabrielle said. "Why kill the maid? If she brought you the barmaid, she must have been loyal."

"A great loss. And yes, she was loyal. I promised to take her with me once I left Sutherland. She did whatever I asked her to do. She delivered food to Picadilly, took everything I needed once I've completed my work here. Documents we'll need for our next journey."

"But Yvonne caught her, didn't she?"

Marina let out a dramatic sigh. "She followed the maid when the woman came to Picadilly one night. She didn't find me, of course, but stupid Lena gave the most outlandish excuse when Yvonne confronted her. I couldn't blame her, of course. Yvonne was quite the aggressive kind."

"She was starting to piece everything together."

"Yes. I suppose she had a hard time convincing Claire."

"So you killed her, too. Before she could jeopardize your plans to build a new life."

"I couldn't leave Sutherland yet. Forging documents takes some time, you see."

"Until Andrea and Claire went to Picadilly."

"I've been waiting for them. I'm not stupid. I knew they would eventually consider that Yvonne might have been telling them the truth, and I knew I had to be ready."

"And Pierre? How did you lure him in Picadilly?"

"A note with a threat. He was surprised to see me, of course, but when I told him we could still make it work, he calmed down. I told him we'll kill the ladies. Priya will take the fall. And we'll leave Sutherland for a new life somewhere. No friends to jeopardize everything else. He seemed to have mellowed to that plan. I told you about what desperation can do. And last night, Pierre was desperate to stay alive and to keep his money. But of course, I couldn't trust him anymore. Not after what I discovered his plans with the others. When the ladies unexpectedly arrived, he did as I asked. He served them wine laced with laudanum, entertained their talks about me being alive, and watched as I killed Claire."

"That's why you changed your mind didn't kill him," Gabrielle said. "You meant to make him take the fall." Marina shrugged. Rider was surprised when Gabrielle straightened in her chair and smiled at the woman. "You still think you can escape the Citadel, don't you?"

The cold laugh that escaped Marina sent a chill up his spine. "I haven't explored the place yet, Soldier."

"You will not," Gabrielle said, smile suddenly gone as she rose to her feet. "I'll make sure you'll have nothing but the four corners of a cell."

At that, Marina laughed harder. "I've been able to pull off a scheme while trapped in the middle of the ocean. What makes you think I can't do the same in this place?"

"This place has Soldiers," was Gabrielle's only reply.

***

Mathilda called on her in her brother's villa a few days after they locked Marina and the others in the Citadel. She welcomed the woman into the garden. As tea was served, Mathilda looked at her with a sad smile. "I will not be seeing you around Artemis, will I?"

With a gentle smile, Gabrielle nodded. "I'll be returning to Belcourt."

Mathilda looked around the garden. "But you are Gabrielle Shaw, yes?"

"Yes."

"And the Earl of Ross? What is he to you?"

She hesitated for a moment. "He is not my cousin." When Mathilda merely waited, she added, "He's my twin."

The woman gasped in surprise. "But how—"

"It is a long story. The only simple explanation is that we are Vandenbergs."

After the Belcourt Conflict, it would be hard to find anyone in Sutherland who didn't know what the Vandenbergs had done to Belcourt and the kingdom. At her statement, Mathilda's eyes filled with understanding and her face softened. "Thank you. I don't know what would have happened if you weren't there."

She nodded and took the woman's hand in hers. "I understand it is hard for you. I hope you get over this soon."

"Of course, it is hard." Mathilda shook her head. "I came here hoping to heal from a loss. I ended up almost losing my life and my trust in people."

"There are still those who will treasure your trust, Mathilda."

The woman's eyes filled with tears. "I know." She grinned at Gabrielle. "I think you're more interesting as a Soldier."

Gabrielle chuckled. "I suggest you tell my brother that."

After the woman left, Gabrielle prepared to leave and shared dinner with her brother.

"I suppose I cannot stop you from leaving too soon."

"No," she said with a smile. "I'll visit, August. Need not sulk."

His brother smiled as he chewed his food. "Maybe just one more night. We can—" He stopped when she fixed him a stern look, then sighed. "Very well. I'll look forward to your next visit. And I hope it will be for good."

"Do not push it, August."

***

A week after her return to Belcourt, she went to see him near his villa to take his full report on the case. Their meetings were always short, but this time, he offered his carriage to drive her back.

"You do not have to travel to Belcourt," she said.

"I didn't offer my company, Soldier. I merely offered my carriage." He motioned with his head. "Walk with me. My carriage is at home."

She turned and walked with him, still unsure if she should take his carriage. They were silent until they turned into his street.

"Thank you for your assistance on the case."

He frowned down at her. "I didn't think I was assisting you. I thought we were working together."

She pursed her lips to fight a smile. "If that's how you put it."

There was a curl at the corner of his mouth as he faced forward again. "I have to be honest. I enjoy working with you."

Gabrielle nodded. "Likewise."

"I believe so," he said, stealing the documents in her hand a look. "Considering you didn't have to personally receive my report."

She did not comment. He was right. He could have sent the report through the post. However, she was not working on a case at the moment. She had some free time.

They reached his villa. His carriage was parked not far away. "I think I will not take your offer, after all," she told him.

"I have no plans for tonight. You'll reach Belcourt faster—"

"I'm thinking of dropping by August's villa before I head home tomorrow."

They held each other's gaze for a while. Then he blinked and shook his head slowly. "I'll see you again, Gabrielle."

Gabrielle nodded. "I'll see you again, Fairborne."

He smiled and turned away. She stayed on the side of the street to watch him climb up the steps to his doors, where he stopped, head bowed as if in deep thought. Then he turned and looked down at her. "Since you're not in a rush until the morrow... Would you like a glass of brandy?"

Gabrielle blinked a few times. She was a Soldier. He was a Royal. Those were just two of the many reasons to refuse the offer.

But as she looked at his face, at the rare calmness painted there, she realized she wanted it. Through this mission, she had a taste of a life she could have lived and she thought she hated it until this moment when she could picture how someone like him could be in it.

With a secret smile, he turned his back on her and walked inside without closing the doors.

For a moment, she just gaped at the open doorway. Then she scoffed. And with shake of her head, Gabrielle climbed up the steps and closed the doors behind her.

-THE END-