Kill the Light

12 - Answers

As I entered my dorm room, a wave of relief washed over me upon discovering Lady Elara's absence. I wasn't ready to confront the awkwardness that would surely linger between us after overhearing their heated exchange. Instead, I found Lady Emelia seated by the window, engrossed in a book.

"Lady Emelia," I greeted, mustering a smile, my voice tinged with hesitation. "It's good to see you."

Lady Emelia looked up from her book, returning my smile with warmth in her eyes. "Clytie, dear, how are you feeling? I haven't seen you since yesterday." she inquired, concern evident in her tone.

I sighed, sinking into a nearby chair, running a hand through my hair. "Better, thank you," I replied honestly. "But recent events have left me feeling rather... unsettled."

Understanding flickered in Lady Emelia's eyes as she set her book aside, focusing her attention on me. "I can only imagine," she murmured sympathetically. "If you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here for you."

Her genuine offer of support eased some of the tension coiled within my chest. Though Lady Emelia and I hadn't always seen eye to eye, there was a mutual respect between us that I had come to appreciate.

"Thank you," I said gratefully, offering her a small smile. "Actually, there is something I've been meaning to ask you about."

Lady Emelia raised an eyebrow inquisitively, a curious expression crossing her features. "Oh?" she prompted, gesturing for me to continue.

I took a deep breath, preparing myself for the questions weighing heavily on my mind. "It's about Lady Sasha," I began, my voice hesitant. "I know she was your friend, and... well, I was hoping you could tell me more about her."

A shadow passed over Lady Emelia's features at the mention of Lady Sasha's name, her gaze momentarily distant as she reminisced. "Lady Sasha was a remarkable woman," she said softly, her tone tinged with both fondness and sorrow. "Kind, generous, with a spirit that shone brighter than the sun."

I listened intently, hanging on Lady Emelia's every word as she spoke of her late friend. Though Lady Sasha's death had cast a shadow over the university, I knew little about the woman herself—only that she had been a victim ensnared in the intrigue surrounding Prince Dylan's schemes.

"Did Lady Sasha ever mention anything... unusual?" I asked cautiously, choosing my words carefully. "Any secrets she may have kept, or troubles she faced?"

Lady Emelia's expression grew solemn at the question, her gaze unfocused as she searched her memories for answers. "Lady Sasha was a private person," she admitted slowly, her voice tinged with regret. "There were times when she seemed troubled, but she never confided in me about the specifics."

I nodded in understanding, though a part of me couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Lady Sasha's story. If Lady Emelia knew something, she wasn't sharing it—at least, not yet.

"Did Lady Elara and Lady Sasha have any sort of relationship? Did they interact with each other often?" I continued my inquiry, pushing for more information that could possibly be useful.

Lady Emelia's brow furrowed in thought as she considered my inquiry. "Honestly, I never saw them interact much," she admitted with a slight shrug. "Lady Sasha tended to keep to herself, and Lady Elara... well, she's always been rather distant, hasn't she?"

I nodded in understanding, though a nagging doubt lingered in the back of my mind. "And what about Lady Sasha's relationship with Prince Dylan?" I pressed, my curiosity piqued. "Were there any rumors or... suspicions?"

A flicker of discomfort crossed Lady Emelia's features, her gaze momentarily faltering before she composed herself. "There were whispers," she confessed reluctantly, her voice tinged with unease. "Rumors that Lady Sasha and Prince Dylan were... involved."