Within three hours, they found themselves in a carriage for Luxxon. The seamstress was contacted to make the dress, but to hold onto it for when they got back just in case they made it in time for the ball. Dupin had also contacted the man in charge of the event to inform him of the emergency he had. His invitation would be held for him and his chosen guest in case they got back. With those two options secured, he was eager to find out more about this new puzzling case.

Marjery had brought out an old black and white family portrait for him to study. Her sister looked nothing like her at all. She looked almost exactly like a beautiful brunette princess from a fairytale. While her sister's eyes held her father's light blue, and her mother's blond-brown hair was done up neatly in a bun, Marjery got her eyes from her mother and her hair from her father. He was studying the two letters, too. He noticed that both papers appeared to have the same aging on the edges. The ink appeared to be the same color. When he told her of this, she was just in complete shock. He also noticed that neither letter was dated properly.

"What do you think this means?" she asked.

"I think she had everything pre-written out and planned. She sent you the first one as bait. Then, when you didn't fall for it to come back, she sent out the men to harass you and make you feel uncomfortable. To make you want to come home. I also believe that this newer letter was returned back to her with the reply that you didn't live at that residence any further. Yes. If I hold it up to the sunlight, I can see where the letter was folded a second time. See? Another crease. I don't think that she intended for you to move and drop all contact with her. I'm fairly sure that she tried to track you down when she could afford it. If it took her a few years, then I'm sure of one or two things," he said calmly.

"What would that be?"

"The first option is that your parents truly did pass on and left her a sum of money. The second is that she married a wealthy man and convinced him to let her find you. Of course, there is a third that she got a job and saved up."

"No. She wouldn't get a job. I'm fairly sure of the marriage bit, though. I wouldn't be surprised about that. And...if my parents did pass on...I'm doubting that, too, now that I think about it. I am a bit surprised at myself, though."

"For what?"

"For not realizing what she was trying to do."

"Marjery," he said gently. "it dealt over matters of the heart. Instead of saying that she missed you, she tried to get you to go back in all the wrong ways. Or, maybe she just got tired of not having another there to take the blames for what wrongs she's done. It could be any number of things. We'll find out when we get to the source of the issue. Don't worry."

She could only nod, and she paused at the feel of his hand gently squeezing her shoulder. She blinked back a tear, and winced. "Sorry."

"No need to be," he said softly. "If you need to shed any tears, do it now. You'll be stronger when we get there. And don't worry. I may be the mentor, but, in this case, you can be the one to show me around the town. You'll know it better than I."

"It may have changed..."

"Then we'll see the changes for ourselves. I am an excellent judge of character. We will find out what your sister had planned for you. I doubt she'll be expecting you to bring company."

"Least of all a detective?" she asked in a weak voice.

"Exactly," he smiled. She trembled again, as the tears finally broke free. He took out his large, white handkerchief for her to use, and she thanked him when she was done. "Feel better?"

"I do," she nodded.

"Good. Now, tell me what you can of the village you used to reside in. Also, before we meet your sister, I want to look at the cemetery first. If your parents aren't truly there, we will know her for the liar she was and is," he said sternly. "We can get our evidence against her that way."

"Of course," she nodded.

"And what are the names of your parents?"

"Francine and Marco Delury," she said.

"Thank you, Marjery. And, from what I can make out on the signature, your sister's name is Katrina?" he asked. At her nod, he continued. "Please tell me what you can about the village."

She took a deep breath and began to tell him what she knew. He listened intently to her words for the rest of the carriage ride there. When they got there, he had the driver stop just outside of town.

"Dupin?" she frowned.

"I don't want to draw attention to ourselves right away," he explained and leaned out the window to get the coachman's attention. "Hello! Can you take us to the cemetery, please? She would like to pay her respects before going into town."

"Of course, Sir," the man nodded. A quick detour was done to take them to the gravesite. They were carefully let out, and Dupin gave the man a coin to remain where he was.

"The letters don't state where they were buried," Dupin frowned. "We'll have to look."

"I can already tell you that they aren't here," she whispered.

"How so?"

"My...family line...always had a plot here. My parents aren't in it. I can see it from here."

"Show me, please," he nodded. She led him to the back of the small cemetery. He noticed the small area that new members were to be buried. Seeing that the ground was untouched, he sighed.

"All these years...she lied to me..." she shivered with anger. "For four years, I grieved for nothing! How could she?!"

"It's time to find out why," he nodded. She did find a small patch of flowers to place over the graves of her ancestors. They deserved that much respect. He even gave a bow of respect to the graves, too. He had seen quite a few things in his recent missions. Respecting the dead did have beneficial rewards later on. He even sensed appreciation given back to him in response. The dead were on our side in this matter. There was something else that he sensed that suggested they wanted something more. The feeling was fleeting, though. Shrugging it off, he escorted her out of the cemetery.

They got back to the carriage and were taken into the town. When they reached the main square, Marjery was amazed at some of the newer buildings here. Many of the old ones were still in place, but the town had been doing some growing while she was gone. It seemed to have a homey, rustic feel about it. Something felt off to Dupin, though. As though certain parts of the town were too old to fit with the current standards that he knew of. The newer buildings showed that the village was trying to adapt with the times, but even that attempt was out-dated. Why was that?

When Marjery hopped out of the carriage to help with the luggage, she was instantly recognized.

"Marjery? Marjery Delury? Is that really you?" a young man said, as he walked over with a slight limp in his gait. She looked over at her name being called out.

"Yes. I am she," she nodded.

"I'm glad I ran into you! A bit surprised, but, well...yeah. I was only here to get some supplies for the farm. Um, do you remember me?" the man asked. "Anything at all? Hopefully?"

"I am afraid my memories are a bit muddled right now," she admitted.

"Oh. I was the one that your parents wanted you to marry," he said softly. She blinked at him and studied him. He did look a touch familiar. He was handsome enough now with a strong jaw, cleft chin, and dark hair, but there was a lankiness in his build that seemed off to her. His eyes were a strong brown, too, which was fine, but she simply wasn't ready for marriage at all. When she showed that she did remember him, if slightly, he smiled and said "It's me, Stanley."

"Oh!" she blinked. "It's nice to see you again, Stanley. Unfortunately, I'm not staying for long. I'm just here to check on some family. Then I'm leaving again. I live in the main town now. It's a half day's travel from here."

"I see..." he frowned.

"Marjery! Did you get our things yet?" Dupin asked when he rounded around the carriage. Now Stanley saw Dupin and narrowed his eyes. The detective paused when he sensed intense jealousy. It made him feel awkward for an odd reason. He resorted to the innocent bluff. "What? Do I have dirt on me? I don't think I do. I did lean out the window a few times, but the sill was clean."

"Stanley, this is Detective Dupin. My mentor. I am his assistant with his cases. I asked him to join me, as a personal favor. I always joined him on his cases, and he agreed to assist with mine," she said calmly. Once she said the famous detective's name, and the valid reason, Stanley's eyes widened.

"What's this about?" Dupin frowned.

"Stanley was the one I told you about on the ride here," she smiled softly. "He was the one I was to be betrothed to. I believe he thought that you and I were a couple."

"What?!" Dupin gaped with disbelief. "Well, I can gather why you thought that. No. That's not the case. We are here on important family business for her. Then we are departing for other engagements. I'm a very busy man. If it wasn't for her assistance in my cases, I'd be in a lot of trouble."

"Like trying to get into your own house?" she muttered to him under her breath.

"Quiet," he smirked back at her. Then he regarded Stanley. "But, that's why we are here."

"But...nothing's wrong here," Stanley said a bit cautiously.

"I got a letter from my sister that my parents were killed in an accident," Marjery frowned.

"No. They're just fine," he said. Now Dupin pursed his lips at what he assumed. "In fact, I just saw them heading back to your old estate."

"Then it appears that I'll need words with my sister," Marjery sighed.

"Um, she got married this past year. To the Mayor's son," Stanley said. Now Marjery looked at him with surprise. "We asked why you weren't invited. She told us that you were dead. It's...really why I was surprised to see you here. The whole town was told you got killed."

"So, she's been spreading lies wherever she went," Dupin said thoughtfully. "It's time to prove these lies to be lies. Where is the Mayor's house, please?"

"Just to the left of here. Off the main road," Stanley said.

"Thank you, Stanley. You've been most helpful. My dear, I will secure a couple rooms for us at the local inn," he said and gestured for her to step close to hear his whisper. "I would strongly suggest that you remain at my side. If you are already recognized, word is going to spread of your arrival. And, if the villagers thought you were dead, they may want to see your resurrection for themselves."

"Of course," she nodded. He didn't like how Stanley was watching her. Something irritated him about it now. And for him to think that she was my companion? For traveling and detective cases, yes. That she was. But, anything more was preposterous! And yet, as he looked at her from the corner of his eye, he began to think. Could something more could be achieved? Even then, as he watched her, he knew that she clearly didn't need the idea of any form of commitment right now. Sighing to himself, he let the thoughts push away from his mind to refocus. I am on a case. He had to see it through to the end.