NOVGO.NET Chapter 47: Lady Aurelia
Chapter 47: Lady Aurelia
Atlas took a step back, his eyes wide with sheer disbelief as the weight of the accusation settled in the room.
"What?! Sir, that’s completely untrue!" Atlas protested, his voice echoing off the high stone walls.
"I didn’t damage anything! Someone broke into our room while we were out, dumped foul, rotting garbage juice all over our beds, and left the entire place ruined. I reported it to reception yesterday, filed an official complaint in the red book, and initiated Pending dorm Law with a staff witness present."
Mr. Crosswell’s sharp gaze softened slightly, though his dark eyebrows remained tightly furrowed. "A Pending dorm Law hold? Are you certain?"
"Yes, sir. Inspector Ted tried to cite us for dormitory violations this morning, but I showed him the stamped receipt," Atlas explained, stepping forward to narrow the distance between them.
He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out the physical evidence, extending his open palm.
"I even found this lying right beside my roommates desk during the cleanup. It belongs to whoever trashed our quarters."
Mr. Crosswell leaned over the wooden podium, his slender fingers taking the shimmering, violet-steel butterfly bangle from Atlas’s hand.
He turned the piece over under the light, examining the intricate wing engravings and smooth metalwork. His expression grew increasingly grave.
"Refined violet steel... custom craftsmanship from the inner district," Mr. Crosswell murmured, his eyes narrowing as he traced the edges.
"Atlas, the administrative summary sent to my desk explicitly claimed you threw a violent tantrum, destroyed room property, and forged a false complaint to cover your tracks."
"Someone altered the official report?!" Atlas gasped, the cold realization striking him like a physical blow.
"Precisely," Mr. Crosswell said, setting the bangle back down onto the podium with a light click.
"Someone high up in the administrative council tampered with the file before it reached my hands. You are being deliberately framed, Atlas."
Atlas felt a sudden chill run down his spine. "Why would anyone go through all this trouble to frame me?"
"The academy’s internal politics run deep, especially among the senior staff and student assistants," Mr. Crosswell warned, his voice dropping into a low, serious register.
"You have talent, and talent inevitably attracts unwanted attention from those who wish to see you stumble. Be careful who you trust within these walls. I am giving you official permission to clear your name with the Head Maid’s office today, but keep your guard up."
Mr. Crosswell adjusted his lecture scrolls, resting both hands flat against the wooden desk as he looked directly into Atlas’s eyes.
"Also, starting tomorrow evening, I expect you in my private training hall after hours," Mr. Crosswell added, his tone leaving no room for debate.
"We are beginning special instruction sessions. The inter-academy tournament is approaching faster than expected, and I need you and the others fully prepared to represent our class."
"Understood, sir. Thank you," Atlas nodded, taking back the purple bangle and slipping it securely into his shadow space.
An hour later, Atlas met up with his three roommates near the grand stone arches leading into the staff administrative quadrant.
Eric stood near a carved pillar with his arms crossed over his chest, his face tight with worry and impatience.
Derrick bounced on his heels nearby, buzzing with excitement over the unfolding mystery, while Claus leaned limply against the cold masonry, looking like he was about to pass out on the cobblestones at any moment.
"So, what’s the plan?" Derrick asked eagerly, stepping toward Atlas the moment he arrived.
"We go to the Head Maid’s administrative wing under the guise of turning in our complaint to exchange our soaked mattresses," Atlas said, checking their surroundings for any lurking wardens.
"Once we’re inside the linen vault, we pull Lady Aurelia aside and demand a straight answer."
"Great... even more walking..." Claus groaned, dragging his heavy boots as the group set off down the wide corridor.
They navigated through the echoing stone halls of the central administrative building, passing busy junior staff and bustling scribes before arriving at the heavy oak doors of the central linen vault.
Inside, massive wooden shelves filled with neatly folded bedding and fresh linens stretched all the way toward the high vaulted ceilings. The air inside smelled strongly of clean cotton, sweet soap, and pressed fabric.
Standing near a large wooden table at the back of the vault, reviewing a long stack of inventory books, was a girl with sharp features, carefully styled hair, and the pristine silver trim of a senior assistant sewn into her uniform sleeves.
"That....is Lady Aurelia." Derrick said in a slow voice.
Eric cleared his throat loudly as the four of them approached her workspace. "Excuse us. Lady Aurelia?"
Aurelia raised her head from the parchment, her cool amber eyes sweeping over the four boys with quiet, practiced authority. "Yes? Room 150, correct? Here about your mattress replacement request?"
Atlas stepped forward, bypassing the small talk completely. "Actually, we’re here about this."
He reached into his shadow space, pulled out the dark purple butterfly bangle, and placed it firmly onto the wooden ledger table right in front of her.
Aurelia’s calm, professional demeanor instantly shattered. Her eyes widened, and a sharp breath hitched in her throat as she stared down at the shimmering violet steel resting on her paperwork.
She reached out slowly, her fingertips trembling slightly as they brushed against the intricate wing engravings.
"Where... where did you find this?" she asked, her voice turning tight and strained.
"It was dropped in our dorm room yesterday afternoon," Atlas said, leaning over the table to lock his eyes directly onto hers.
"Right after someone trashed the place and soaked all our beds in garbage juice. Derrick recognized it as yours. So, Lady Aurelia... do you want to tell us why you raided our room and tried to frame me?"
Aurelia snapped her head up, her expression shifting instantly from shock to fierce indignation.
"Framing you?! Are you out of your mind?!" she spat, snatching the bangle off the table and clutching it tight in her fist. "I haven’t set foot in the male residential block all week!"
"Then how did your custom jewelry end up under his desk?" Atlas pressed, narrowing his eyes as his roommates closed in behind him.
Aurelia swallowed hard, her eyes darting nervously around the quiet, empty linen vault before she lowered her voice into a frantic whisper.
"Because it was stolen!" she revealed, her face turning pale under the glowing wall torches. "I lost this bangle two days ago right outside the central council hall... someone stole it from my private quarters!"