CHAPTER 136: CLOTHES IN THE BASKET

The morning air was crisp, still carrying the hush of dawn over the castle grounds. It had rained heavily through most of the night. The castle remained quiet, save for a few maids beginning their daily chores. One of them hurried toward the laundry house, her sleeves rolled up, a yawn threatening to escape her lips.

She was halfway across the backyard when something caught her eye.

A basket sat at the foot of the laundry house steps, slightly askew as though hastily placed. That in itself wasn’t unusual, but the sight of clothes spilling over the top made her pause. The garments were fine, clearly not the kind worn by servants.

She frowned and walked over to the basket.

Crouching down, she lifted a blue dress from the pile, inspecting its embroidery. Her brows furrowed. This was no servant’s garment. It was noble clothing. A faint floral scent still clung to the fabric, lavender and something else, perhaps jasmine. She couldn’t quite tell.

Standing upright, she turned toward the castle and called out, "Madam Thalia!"

Thalia emerged from the eastern corridor moments later, her expression composed and tight. "What is it, child?" she asked, wiping her hands on a clean white napkin.

The maid gestured toward the basket. "These were left out here. By the laundry. I don’t know who dropped them off, I only just found them this morning. They’re noble clothing."

Thalia stepped closer, her eyes scanning the contents.

She reached down and pulled out a midnight-blue nightdress, then a pale cream shift with delicate embroidered edges. Her brows lifted slightly. "These belong to Lilith," she said, more to herself than to the maid. "I remember picking out this dress for her not long ago."

The maid shifted uncomfortably. "But why are her clothes out here so early? They look like they’ve been here since yesterday."

Thalia’s frown deepened, the corners of her lips pulling taut. "That is unusual. She never leaves her clothes outside overnight."

She carefully placed the garments back into the basket and handed it to the maid. "Take these up to Lady Lilith’s chambers. Perhaps she meant to send someone to collect them and forgot."

The maid nodded and turned toward the castle. The basket was heavier than she’d expected, filled nearly to the brim with folded clothes. As she rounded the corner into the corridor, she nearly collided with another figure.

"Watch...oh!" The maid stumbled back slightly, catching her breath. "Forgive me, Lady Charlotte. I didn’t see you coming." She bowed quickly.

Charlotte stood before her, smoothing down her dress with both hands. Her gaze dropped to the basket, narrowing slightly. "Those are Lilith’s," she said without hesitation.

The maid blinked. "Yes, my lady. Madam Thalia asked me to return them to her chambers. They were left outside by mistake."

Charlotte didn’t respond immediately. She took a step closer, her eyes sweeping over the clothes. She reached down and lightly touched one of the dresses. For a reason she couldn’t quite name, a strange feeling settled in her stomach.

The maid hesitated. "Do you know where her chambers are, my lady? I’ve never been to her floor."

Charlotte’s lips pursed. "Take the stairs to the third level, right wing. Her room is the second door, the one beside mine."

"Thank you, my lady," the maid said, bowing again before carefully continuing her climb toward the grand staircase.

Charlotte lingered a moment, staring after her, an uneasy knot twisting in her stomach. Then she turned sharply on her heel and headed toward the third floor herself, a strange silence pressing in around her.

~~~

The maid returned about ten minutes later, the basket still in her arms, and found Charlotte waiting in the hallway near the base of the stairs.

Charlotte frowned. "Why are you back with the basket?"

"She’s not in her room," the maid said quickly, breathless from her climb. "I knocked, and when no one answered, I knocked again, several times. Still no reply."

Charlotte’s eyes narrowed. "Are you sure? Lilith should be awake by now."

"Yes, my lady. I’m completely certain."

Charlotte didn’t wait for further explanation. She strode up the stairs, the maid trailing behind her. When they reached the third floor, Charlotte twisted the knob and pushed the chamber door open with one hand, stepping inside.

The bed was made. The curtains were slightly parted, allowing soft morning light to spill into the room. The fireplace was cold. And there was no sign of Lilith.

"She didn’t sleep here," Charlotte murmured. "That doesn’t make any sense. Where else would she..."

She stopped herself mid-thought.

The maid, uncertain, gently placed the basket on the chaise near the window. "Should I inform Madam Thalia?"

"No," Charlotte said sharply, turning toward her. "Not a word of this to anyone. You may leave.

The maid hesitated, then nodded and quickly slipped out of the room, closing the door behind her.

~~~

The door to Viktor’s chamber was slightly ajar when Charlotte approached. She raised a fist to knock, but her patience was thin. Without warning, she pushed the door open and strode inside.

Viktor sat on the edge of his bed, shirtless, his fingers absently tracing the faint, claw-shaped scar that stretched across his chest. His head snapped up, startled by her sudden entrance.

"For gods’ sake, do try knocking before barging into someone’s room or anywhere, for that matter," he said dryly, though there was no real anger in his tone.

Charlotte rolled her eyes. "The door was already open. Perhaps you should close it properly if you plan on lounging around half-naked."

Viktor sighed. "Please tell me your presence here is actually important."

"It certainly is. I can’t find her. Her bed was untouched, which means she didn’t sleep there last night," Charlotte said, her voice edged with urgency.

He raised a brow. "Who are you talking about?"

"Lilith."

Viktor gave her a bored look. "And? Why is that cause for panic?"

Charlotte stepped closer. "A maid found a basket of her clothes by the laundry house this morning. Thalia had it brought up, but when the girl got to Lilith’s chambers, the room was empty and untouched."

"She’s probably with the prince. Maybe she spent the night in his chambers," Viktor said with a shrug.

"Can you please check? Just to be sure," Charlotte asked, her voice softening into a plea.

Viktor sighed and lazily dragged himself to the dresser to pull on a shirt. "This is the second time you’re doing this."

"Thank you. I’ll wait here while you check," Charlotte said, turning her back to give him privacy.

"No fucking way. You can wait outside," Viktor replied flatly.

Charlotte arched a brow. "Why? Are you hiding something? Do you have a woman tucked away in here?"

Viktor chuckled, then stepped forward and gently nudged her out of the room before shutting the door behind them. "I’ll be back. Stay put."