Van Deloney: To My Dearest Emma [[BOOK ONE]]

𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑿𝑽𝑰𝑰

A CONTROVERSIES BETWEEN THE RIVALRIES

November 25, 1882

       VLADIMIR snatched the photo in a firm grip and scrutinized it with a piercing gaze that was fixed onto the numbers on the back part of the picture. "What do you mean by this is an additional segment of the puzzle that completes the whole sequence of the events?” Veronica inquired with a raised eyebrow due to a distinct lack of comprehension of this person’s words. He maintained his firm look and regarded her with an icy gaze as he gripped the photograph tightly.

"You shall not be able to comprehend the complexity of this predicament since it possesses many intricate subtleties. It will be difficult for you to grasp." Vladimir spoke flatly while maintaining a daunting demeanor towards Veronica. Before she could inquire about his intentions, he interrupted her by posing a question himself. "Since you were in collaboration with the deceased man, do you possess any knowledge concerning a safety deposit box where he might have stashed away additional evidence that is far more significant than what you have previously brought forth?”

Veronica responded with an impassive expression as she crossed her arms over her chest. She retorted, "And you anticipate me to assist you?" Vladimir continued with an uncharitable attitude while he adjusted his spectacles back to its position through the nose pad. "Indeed, we are quite familiar with one another, so it is natural for me to presume that you will support my endeavors. Additionally, you insinuated that you have possibly retained vital information in connection with the deceased former duke. Hence, I request that you share such data with me."

Veronica raised a curious eyebrow before she offered the terms for their bargain. "If I were to aid you, what will be your counterproposal?" Veronica inquired, remaining firmly grounded in her stance. She then stepped closer to him and crossed her arms across her chest while sidling up to his side. Vladimir inquired to her, looking into her eyes for an answer to his previous query. "Well, what would you wish to be granted in exchange for the information?"

Veronica offered her preference for a bottle of red wine as her chosen reward for the information she possesses. She exclaimed with a hint of amusement as her lips curved into a small smile. "I fancy bold-flavored wines that possess a robust taste, such as Bourdeauxs." Vladimir glanced at her with a slight frown, perplexed at how she had recently developed a penchant for alcohol despite their lengthy absence. "When did you start partaking in drinking? I don't recall you having such habits in the past."

Veronica revealed the exact time she started consuming alcohol as she removed her arm from Vladimir's shoulder and proceeded to march to the doorway. She uttered in her captivating voice that exuded a chilliness, "I began doing so approximately at the age of 20. "As she turned around, she addressed Vladimir, "What are you standing there for? We need to swiftly move to the 'safe' you previously mentioned as the destination of our next action."

“Ah… it’s nothing.” Vladimir responded after he was frozen for a second while looking at Veronica. He then took the oil lamp from the table, kept the photo in his coat and went to Veronica. The two get out from the dark room and proceed to look for the ‘safe’ that Vladimir must be possibly looking for clues. They walk through the corridors and reach for the upstairs.

They proceed to venture deeper inside the manor as they advance towards another room, which used to be the former Duke's study. Vladimir endeavors to open the door, yet to no avail. He utters, “It’s locked, perhaps the key was on the man's outfit." He makes the statement as if he was interested in searching for the corpse he had just tossed away previously from somewhere. She replies, "No need for the keys; I can handle this. Now stay back." As she says these words, she extends her arms and fingers in preparation to handle the locked door. Vladimir, meanwhile, takes a step backward and allows Veronica to manage the circumstance.

As of this instant, Veronica prepares to make a strong kick with her leg to bust the locked door into pieces of wood, thus shattering it into splinters. The strike causes Vladimir to be bewildered since he was unable to verbally respond with a word due to his surprise at her sudden action. All he can do was to stare silently with wide eyes as he failed to express himself. Veronica then states, "That should do it," and shakes her hands as she walks in to examine the room.

Veronica leads him to a particular region in the room, facing a canvas which contains a portrayal of a woman dancing in the middle of a crimson lake, adorned with roses and thorns. There was also rain showering down the ballerina. Vladimir was quite familiar with the painting, stating, “This painting, I have seen it before at the El-Daumier Gaston Galleria. It costs a fortune, around a hundred million auric. Did the former Duke pay so much for this?” He questioned her as she kept looking at the painting straight to her eyes.

She answers, "No, it was actually a forgery created by him and his accomplices. The former Duke Grimshaw was not able to afford the original price of the painting of a hundred million auric after his scandal with the mass media in 1843." She then lifts the canvas from the wall while he states, "I see, no wonder its quality is not good despite using the same details on the forged version." She moves the painting away and discovers a mysterious lock hidden behind the canvas.