In Chapter 2, Celia’s investigation widens beyond the courtroom and into the hidden corners of the three kingdoms. Over coffee with her friend Alex, a single strange tattoo becomes the thread that ties together old murders, burned mansions, and forbidden records. As she questions kings and commoners alike, Celia discovers that the past is far more tangled and far more dangerous than she ever imagined.

 

Celia and her friend Alex were having coffee in a café. At one point, Celia asked, Alex, if you were a killer. Hey! Hey! Why would I be a killer? I am your friend, Alex protested. Do not panic. Just imagine it, okay? If you were a killer, why might you kill a family? Celia asked. 

Alex thought for a moment. Hmm… for money, for revenge, or maybe just because I didn‟t like the family. That's all. Oh, I think you are a professional killer, Celia teased. 

Hey, Celia, you only asked for reasons, now you are blaming me! Why would I want to kill anyone? I already have a lot of money, Alex said defensively. 

True, you do have a lot of money, Celia admitted, frowning as she thought. Hey, Celia, what is wrong? What are you thinking? Alex asked. 

The family didn't have anyone who wanted revenge, their money wasn't stolen, and they were too kind to have enemies. That left me with only one clue. Celia pulled out a photograph of a tattoo. This tattoo. Only you might recognise it. 

Alex smirked. Don't worry, Celia. You will never solve the case. Oh, I will find the killer, Celia shot back. Let's see. You won't, Alex teased. Joker man, Celia laughed. What? Am I the Joker? Then you must be the poker! Alex grinned. The two of them kept teasing each other, laughing and enjoying the banter. After a few minutes, Celia grew quiet and stared at the tattoo.  

She felt she had seen it somewhere before, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't remember. Speaking softly to herself, she whispered, Why would the killer want to destroy this family? Who could it be? I should check if any case like this has happened before… but for that, I'll need permission from the king.

The next day, Celia prepared to report the case to the king. 

Celia, Alden said, do you know that today you must present your report to the king, dear? Yes, Dad, I know, Celia replied confidently. My report is ready. 

Mr Alden and Celia arrived at the court and took their seats. Soon, King Alaric entered the hall; everyone stood and bowed. One of the lawyers stepped forward and announced, Your Majesty, last night something unusual occurred across the three countries. Two unknown figures were seen moving around, both dressed in black robes and wearing black masks. King Alaric turned to Celia. Tell me your report. Let me hear what you discovered in a single day. Celia rose and bowed. Your Majesty, I have found this much: there was no theft, no hatred, and no revenge against the family. In one day, this is all I could confirm.  

For further information, I request permission to continue my investigation and gather more evidence.

After the hearing, Celia went to the Records Management Room and began searching through the files. Hours passed and night fell, yet she still could not find anything. She combed every corner of the room, but no clue appeared. By midnight, the kingdom‟s protector Elara set out on patrol with her companion Cullen. Elara and Cullen had been keeping watch across the borders that night. 

The next day, Celia travelled to Lumora and went straight to its Records Management Office. After a few minutes, she discovered that something years ago, a terrible incident had taken place. As she left Lumora, her eyes fell upon a large mansion, half-burned and abandoned. Shocked, she stopped a passerby. 

What is this place? Whose mansion is it? she asked. The man lowered his voice. That was once our king‟s mansion… but his family perished because of the Alaric family. Celia frowned. Then why haven't you cleared this place?

This mansion belonged to our beloved king, the man replied firmly. We will not destroy it. With that, he walked away. 

Puzzled, Celia continued and soon reached Velmoria's Records Management Office. There she discovered records of another murder, another tragedy from the past. Celia realised she had found records of two murders; both victims had been important figures in their countries.  

This troubled her deeply. If both families had been so vital, why had they been destroyed? Lumora and Velmoria had always been allied; then how could Velmoria have attacked Lumora?  

The question echoed in her mind until she decided to ask King Alaric directly. Your Majesty, Celia asked, Why did Velmoria attack Lumora?" Please, tell me the truth. 

Alaric‟s eyes narrowed. Why are you asking me this? For the sake of the case, Your Majesty. I must know. He studied her carefully. You‟re not just investigating anymore.  
 

You‟re digging too deeply, Celia. I think you‟re involving yourself in matters you shouldn‟t. No, Your Majesty, Celia replied firmly. I am not involving myself. But the truth is necessary. It will help me solve this case, and I believe all three kingdoms are connected to it.

Alaric was silent for a long moment before he finally spoke. “Very well. Years ago, our kingdoms were close friends. But one day, while my mother was in the palace, a burning arrow struck her. She died that day… and many others perished in the fire. I loved my mother more than anything, but Lumora was responsible for her death.”  

His voice hardened. My father, King Dale, the one you call „Mr Dale ordered our soldiers to strike back. He commanded them to kill the Lumora family and burn their mansion to the ground. That is why their family was destroyed. My father killed them for revenge. 

Celia bowed slightly. Thank you, Your Majesty, for your information. Alaric‟s expression shifted; for a brief moment he looked burdened by the past. You are welcome, he said quietly. As Celia stepped out of the hall, her mind raced. Why would the Lumora king kill innocent people? And if Andrea  Alaric's mother had been the one who died, could there have been more to the story? Celia clenched her fist. She needed to check with the people of Lumora; perhaps they knew something that had been kept hidden all these years. 

 

At Lumora, Celia asked a shopkeeper who lived near the burned mansion, “Was there  another wife for the king?” The shopkeeper shook his head. “No, ma‟am. He was a good and honest man.” 

“Oh… I see,” Celia said. “Then are there any other relatives of the king's family?” The shopkeeper thought a moment. “Hm… yes. There was one uncle. He was related to the king‟s two children  Valeria, who was Ella‟s mother, and Valeria‟s brother.” Celia asked, “Do you know where the uncle is?” “I heard that he is in a secret place,” the shopkeeper replied.  

“See that shop over there? Go inside and ask the person there for an appointment  he will give it.” Celia entered the shop and witnessed a gruesome scene. Diablo, a complex figure with a dual persona as a kind man and a ruthless mafia king, held someone hostage with a knife at their neck.  

The captive begged for mercy and for an appointment; Diablo demanded, “Tell me where Uncle Bruce is.” Terrified, the captive revealed that Uncle Bruce was hiding in a secret location within the trading area.  

Once Diablo obtained the information, he killed the captive. Celia watched in horror as Diablo ordered his guards to dispose of the body and eliminate her. One guard nodded, “Okay, boss,” and moved toward Celia with a knife. She fought back, using her combat knowledge to take him down and emerge victorious. 

That night, Elara had been patrolling the area when Cullen had been waiting for her nearby. Cullen had said, “Elara, you go this way and I'll go that way,” and  Elara had replied, Okay, Cullen. After completing their rounds, Elara told Cullen, I need to go. May I leave? It's important. Cullen had answered, Yes, Elara, you can.

 

Elara then went to the secret place in the trading area and found Uncle Bruce there. Diablo was present as well. Elara approached Bruce and called softly, Mr Bruce Uncle, Uncle.

Bruce responded, Hey, are you okay? How are you? Long time no see, dear. Elara replied, Okay, come with me. We can talk somewhere else, because if anyone found you here, it could create a big problem for both of us.

Both Bruce and Elara entered the room. Bruce asked, How are you? Is Anthony, Celia's brother, still alive? Elara answered, No, Uncle. I'm the only one alive. Bruce said, I'm sorry. I know you loved Anthony.

 

Elara replied, It's okay, Uncle. Suddenly, Diablo entered and pressed a knife to Bruce's neck. Elara exclaimed, What are you doing, Diablo? Diablo snarled, You killed my family. How dare you? and then he killed him. Elara stood in shock as blood splattered onto her face. She silently exited the room. Diablo turned to her and asked coldly,

“You called him uncle, yet you didn‟t react. Were you afraid? Didn‟t you want revenge?” Elara answered, This isn't important to me now. I did want to kill him, but I had questions for him. You've made him useless by killing him.

Sometimes we hide behind names and faces, but truth always finds a way to speak not to hurt, but to heal what lies buried in silence. 

 

As Celia followed the bloodstained trail of truth, she realized that every answer only opened another locked door. Diablo’s rage, Uncle Bruce’s death, and Elara’s eerie calm painted a picture that refused to make sense. If Lumora’s king had been honest and Alaric’s family had truly been wronged, then why did the records tell a different story?

Chapter 3 will be live soon, where buried loyalties, secret identities, and Celia’s own past begin to collide.

Somewhere in the dark trading alleys and royal halls, someone knows exactly who Celia is and they are waiting for her to remember.