"In order to escape accountability for his crimes, the perpetrator does everything in his power to promote forgetting. If secrecy fails, the perpetrator attacks the credibility of his victim. If he cannot silence her absolutely, he tries to make sure no one listens."
― Judith Lewis Herman, Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence - From Domestic Abuse to Political Terror
There was screaming and shouting. People running past Canary, Shayn, and Numa. "Quickly find something to cover the body"! Thomas yelled who had run over. Shayan still held his hand over Canary's eyes and started to step backwards with her. The blood from Grace's body began to flow around her body and the guards and people were stepping in it. Some coming over to look at her some running to leave.
Decimis soon ran over with Ilaka at his feet and when she saw Grace's body her eyes widened with terror. To others who didn't know the true reason behind Ilaka's terrified eyes they would have just thought she was terrified at what she just saw. But she wasn't. She was terrified that the girl she had been keeping prisoner was now dead. She looked up at the balcony trying to see what had happened but saw nothing. Agustin had also stepped forward, and his mind was a mess, but he showed no reaction at the body of Grace.
"She's supposed to be dead". He thought in his mind. "How did she fall". Decimis said looking up at the balcony. They all looked up at the balcony, but no one was there. Quintin had removed himself and went back into he tunnels. "Who was that". Numa said shocked to the point he reverted back to Lyikarian. "I don't know but we should leave quickly". Shayan replied just as shocked.
"Come quickly". Thaddeus said removing everyone in his household out of the ballroom. Shayan handed Canary over to Thaddeus and followed him out of the ballroom. Everyone was leaving and running too quickly falling over each other's foots. For it was one situation where Sealed lips after being dormant for so long revealed herself but it was another thing for a woman to fall from a balcony. Then the whispers began that it was Sealed Lips herself who had tossed the woman down from balcony and this rumor ran amuck as did the guest who ran from the ballroom.
It was almost silent as everyone ran to their carriages with a few shrieks here and there. No one talked a lot they just ran trying to escape what had just happened in the ballroom. Once Thaddeus and the others got to their carriage they hurried inside. They all were out of breath staring back at the palace as the carriage pulled off. "Ive never heard of Sealed Lips murdering anyone". Alexia said holding her chest. For her,Canary,Shayan, and Numa were in the same carriage together.
"I haven't either". Canary said. "Who's Sealed Lips"? Numa asked. "A known gossiper her identity is not known". Alexia said. "Murder in the royal palace Infront of the king". Alexia said catching her breath. "Amara". She paused. "Did anyone see Amara"!?! Alexia said panicking. "Yes, she's in the carriage with Uncle Thaddeus". Canary said calming her down. They arrived at Longwood manor where everyone was standing at the down waiting for everyone's arrival.
Amara was crying with Letitia trying to calm her down. "I saw her bleeding out"! She sobbed. Alexia practically jumped out of the carriage to get to Amara and held her. "Are you okay". Letitia said running to help Canary out of the carriage. Canary nodded and hugged Letitia who sighed with relief. "Who was that girl"? Amara sobbed. Everyone shook their head not knowing. "She had on a maid outfit". Ede said. "She must have been a servant". Lumis said.
"And Thomas"?! Alexia said. "I'm sure he has to stay behind to investigate what is going on". Lumis said pulling her away from the door and shutting it. "Thank you for getting Canary out of there". Lumis said to Shayan. Shayan nodded and they all went their way to calm down from the matter. "If you two wish to stay at Longwood manor I shall draw up the guest rooms". Lumis said. "We shall like that". Shayan said looking for Numa's opinion who nodded in agreement. "Too much has happened in the palace for us to go back right now". Shayan said.
"Write a letter to the king for we shall be leaving sooner than later". Shayan said to Numa who nodded. "A quill and paper"! Lumis yelled for a servant.
"Who is she". Decimis said looking at Graces body. "A servant it looks like". A guard said. "Bring the list of servants who were hired for this party and then a list of regular servants in the palace". Thomas said. "Is that nessecary"? Ilaka said. "Clearly this was the work of Sealed Lips". She said haf panicing. "Yes, it is very nesscary". Decimis said. "Sealed Lips dares to murder in my royal palace surely we must send condolsences to the womans family". Decimis said.
A guard came over and covered Grace's body with a sheet. Blood instantly soaked making Ilaka leave for it was too much to bear. But Agustin who had stuck behind followed closely after Ilaka and when she was alone, he grabbed he. "Do not call for anyone"! He yelled at her frighten servants. Ilaka was visibly shaking with fear, and she held her hands up trembling. "Duke Abarca what is the meaning of this". Her voice shook. "I should be asking you the same". His voice was calm which frigthen Ilaka even more for a single tear fell down her cheek.
"You dare to backdoor me". Agustin said. "You dare to do the same to me! killing the only way to bring down the Whitewoods"! Ilaka yelled. "Bring down the Whitewoods". Agustin smirked. "Did I ever agree to such a thing"? Agusin said letting her off the wall. "You'd better hope I can cover this up or else I shall leave you for dead". Agustin said leaving Ilaka frighten. She fell on her knees and began to cry silently while her servants tried to pick her up from the ground.
"Theres no one by this name among the servants". Thomas said looking over the list. "Then who is she"? Decmis said staring back at the body. "Some random person Sealed Lips decided to murder". Elric said. "But Sealed lips hasn't been known to murder anyone why murder someone all of the sudden something isn't right". Shimon said. As much as Decimis hated it he agreed with Shimon. "Shimon is right Sealed Lips has never murdered anyone before this is unlike them". Decimis said.
"Maybe then". Elric said. "But Sealed Lips has been quiet as of lately maybe they are trying to come back with a bang something will draw everyone's attention". Elric said. Decimis nodded. "Until we find other evidence suggesting that Sealed Lips didn't do this put out a bond for their arrest". Decimis said. "Bond for arrest we don't even know the gender of Sealed lips nevertheless what they look like"! Elric said. "Then you'd better get to investigating". Decimis glared.