In the enchanting world of Alice Chantelle, tragedy and destiny intertwine. She bears the weight of witnessing her parents' mysterious demise in a devastating fire, a memory etched deep within her heart. Branded as a marionette, she is sent away to the desolate northern region, all because she dared to reject a simple hug.
Years later, Alice returns to the prestigious Royal High School, determined to carve her own path and become the next successor of the esteemed Chantelle duchy. Known for their ethereal beauty, mesmerizing speech, and the haunting silence that surrounds them, the Chantelle family reigns as mediators, adept at navigating the intricate webs of politics and power.
With only two months until her much-anticipated coming-of-age ceremony, Alice wonders if her striking appearance will be enough to secure her place among the mediators. Will her beauty be the key to unlocking her true potential? Or will the shadows of her past and the secrets buried within her family's history threaten to unravel her ambitions?
When Jane Madarang's neighbor Natalie kills herself and leaves behind cryptic instructions, it's up to Jane and her classmates to unearth deadly secrets.
*****
Natalie Driscoll is dead.
She threw herself out a window and left her neighbor Jane to unravel their town's darkest secrets. Following Natalie's instructions leads Jane to three other high school students who all have something to hide. The four of them must carry out Natalie's final errand while solving the mysteries written in her diary. But the secrets they unearth may be far more dangerous than what they ever imagined.
Content and/or trigger warning: This story contains scenes of suicide, violence and murder that may be triggering for some readers.
[[word count: 100,000-150,000 words]]