The Companion (18+)

40. Regret

Étienne was quiet as he quickly lead Aurélie through the halls of the chateau. Several staff members turned their heads towards the pair walking through the hallway. As they turned the corner they were met with Amelie, who was holding a tray full of new towels. With a loud crash, the tray fell to the ground as she watched Étienne and Aurélie rush past. Her hands were frantically trying to sign something, continuously pointing at the companion with a surprised expression.

"I will explain later," Aurélie called over her shoulder, still letting herself be pulled along by Étienne.

In no time, the pair had reached the Duke's office. Étienne knocked sharply twice, before allowing himself to enter. Duke Saint-Clair looked up from his desk, letting out a surprised greeting.

"Good evening you two. What is the sudden audience?" he asked, closing the ledger in front of him and placing down the quill he was writing with.

Pulling out the chair in front of the desk, Étienne beckoned Aurélie to sit, before helping her push it back in. He stood behind her, grasping at the back of the chair. Aurélie could feel his hands trembling near her back.

"We need to discuss maman's death."

The Duke looked from Étienne to Aurélie, a confused expression on his face.

"What exactly is there to talk about?"

"Show him the box," Étienne said softly to Aurélie, nodding his head towards the thin box that sat in her lap.

Aurélie placed the box onto the Duke's desk, opening the lid and revealing the dagger that was resting inside. The Duke spent several seconds staring at the weapon, before looking back up at Étienne.

"Where did you get this?"

"It was given to me by Eleanor right before I left to work at this chateau. Apparently it was next to me when I was found at Dubois," Aurélie spoke up, watching the Duke's gaze flicker towards her.

He leaned back in his chair and opened one of the drawers in his desk, producing a red cloth from it. Handing it over to Aurélie, he watched as the companion unfolded the cloth and revealed the royal family rose crest that was embroidered onto the silk scarf.

"Along with this, I assume," the Duke said, lacing his fingers together. "Eleanor gave it to me before I left. She was also the one that gave me the letters that Étienne showed you several days ago."

Aurélie and Étienne both glanced up at the Duke.

"The dagger, scarf and letters are to prove your heritage, should anyone have a doubt to where you come from. Only royal family members carry these things on them."

Aurélie bit her lip, turning to look up at Étienne. "I suppose that answers our next question," she said, turning back to the Duke. "We were wondering if there was any chance that you or any of the other Dukes have a dagger like this one?"

Duke Saint-Clair shook his head. "Renauld only allowed us to take his blood. We were not given any weapons alongside our titles."

Étienne bowed his head in defeat, his hands shaking once more. "How did a dagger that belongs to the royal family end up in maman's chest?" he asked, looking up at his father.

Noel stood up from his chair, turning to face the open window behind him. With his hands behind his back, he sighed heavily. Several minutes of silence weaved between them, before Noel finally finally spoke up. Watching the moonlit sky, he began telling Aurélie and Étienne what had transpired before his wife died.

***

"The Montagnes were killed. All ten members' throats ripped to shreds and their hearts torn out. This cannot continue, mon amour. I know it is Delacroix," a soft female voice said, piercing the silence of the office. Noel Saint-Clair looked up from his work, watching as the double doors of his office slowly closed behind his wife. She was wearing a cardigan over her nightgown, her dark hair in a plait. Her dark blue eyes were watery, a handkerchief being clutched tightly in her right hand.