Farewell

As expected, there were quite some people who had guessed right. After all, there would be no fun in a competition if no one would win. About two hands full of people had won a year of Vigneron wine. To them, this would be a nice price, for such a small feat. The Vigneron wine had always been expensive and a year was a long time. Yet, for the Vigneron business, it was laughable. They sold so much, over the entire country and beyond the seas, that it made no big difference. Quite the opposite: he expected to sell more as soon as their year of supplies were over. Who could stop drinking such a delicious wine, after all?

Just after announcing the winners, one of his guards came up to him, kneeling down to whisper something in their Lord’s ear. While Loran managed to keep his expression calm, his heart started racing at the words. “And you’re sure she’s…” he started, but the guard nodded. Yes, he was sure. Loran bit his lip for a moment, before he nodded. “Tell everyone to go home. We will need to handle this accordingly.”

As his guard made sure to end the event properly, the small man made his way outside. After standing for the entire night, his muscles ached more than usual. But the adrenaline of the news kept him going as he rushed through the doors, into the gardens. He took a right turn and walked past a girl, only to follow the path and be met by a small group of people surrounding the body of a young woman.

Kneeling down next to the woman, he didn’t even need to check her pulse. Her skin was already cold and the blood surrounding her was of no small amount. A soft sigh left his lips as he looked up at the people around him. “This was no part of our event,” he told them. “And this is no game.” How could it happen? A real murder during his murder mystery? What kind of sick soul would do such a thing? “Please, head home. If you do not dare to, speak to my guards. They will provide you a room for the night.” He nodded at them, before resting his gaze upon the woman next to him.

Rest in peace, Lilium Couture.