"The Duchess of Eklane? Inside this villa?" I questioned.
"Yes. Princess Willette Duskwick I. She lives inside this very house. You haven't met her? The young man Maximus Simmons?" Nodrig uttered.
"What about young Simmons?" I inquired.
"You've never met Willette Duskwick before? How did that slip my mind?" he proceeded, tapping his forehead.
"Of course, I have never. How would I?"
"Never mind my disturbed thoughts right now, Miss Lyle. I'm kind of unstable, I guess."
"What really brought you here, Mr. Berylbane?"
"Oh, yes. It's about Frosthaven, Miss. We can't seem to find all the gold we had from months ago. The Frosthaven warehouse is empty," he explained.
"Who do you think took it all?" I asked timidly.
"It can't be the Dimwharf army. They haven't crossed a foot around the caves. We all believe that someone who knows what goes on around the Lyle family did. Do you trust Mr. Edward?" he asked as I deemed in denial.
"Yes, of course! It can't be him. My father trusted him the most," I stated, but he abruptly chuckled, falling down.
"That man trusted no one, Miss Lyle. Your father only trusted himself, and if there is anyone, that would have to be you."
"Yeah, you assume. He barely told me anything. Not even about the villa itself," I revealed.
"Alright, Miss Lyle. I want to ask you and inform you. There is something weird going on in this house. Please be careful. And also, we need to find whoever is behind the gold theft."
"It could be anyone, though, Mr. Nodrig. The Dimwharf army isn't that sympathetic. Or are they?"
"They aren't. And that's why I say that. If it was them, every worker at that place would be dead. I assure you, Miss."
"Okay then, we shall have to talk to Mr. Edward," I said, and he departed.
"Can we just keep this between us until we find out who really that person is? You shouldn't trust anyone, Miss."
"Yeah. I shouldn't. I shouldn't trust you either too."
"Yes. Not me either. That's how your father was, and that's why he managed to grow this business so fast."
"Alright, Mr. Berylbane. I shall be at Frosthaven Monday before sunset. Thank you for your report."
"Yes, mistress," he responded, leading away and suddenly stopping to call upon me. "Miss Lyle?"
"Yes, Mr. Nodrig?"
"My condolences. To the loss of your father."
"Thank you, Mr. Nodrig," I replied, heading back inside.
At the doorknob is where I found Mr. Edward standing, giving me the feeling that he was either eavesdropping or really worried for my safety.
"Did that man leave?" he asked in concern.
"Yes, he did. He is a man of so many words, Mr. Edward. You've never met him before?" I asked.
"No! I believe he's from the Frosthaven mine to the looks of it. It's the only town I've never been to in over twenty years now."
"Why is that? Is there something you don't want to see in that town? I don't want to be so questionable, Mr. Edward, but Frosthaven is just a town away from Duskwick town itself, and Smallhaven is just after Frosthaven. Where exactly do you go through heading to Smallhaven?"
"I'm afraid I won't be able to answer that, child. Let's all head back to rest. The letter to the king is ready, and tomorrow, we shall be heading to Smallhaven as soon as sunrise. Goodnight."
It was in thought that I believed he also had so many secrets upon his shoulders and of which I hoped to unveil if only he wished for my help that, at the moment, I started to believe I could give.
I walked up the stairs back to my bedroom when my eyes caught a sight of Simmons' door open. I walked towards it to check for his safety or close it upon his approval when my eyes yet again picked onto a naked girl looking the other side of the bed.
It was in a scare that I thought Simmons decided to invite a lady lover inside my house without my consent.
I slammed the door open in a thirst for a word when she suddenly turned, looking at me then rushed into the sheets.
There had to be so many questions from me, and she expected it. Her resemblance to Simmons was unexplainable that I at once uttered.
"You're Princess Willette Duskwick?"
"No," she muttered in fear. "Please don't take me back to my father."
"So, you are the princess of Duskwick?" I once again inquired for clarity.
"Yes. Yes. Please let me explain."
I walked back, locking the door behind as I showed myself a seat on the bed, inviting her to start explaining herself.
"Tell me," I stated.
"I am Princess Willette Duskwick. Yes. The daughter of King Joseph Duskwick III, but that man in my father's seat isn't who he says he is. He might have the face of my father, but he is an imposter. He has my father somewhere, and I don't know what he wants. Who am I kidding? I know what he wants. I'm the only heiress to the Duskwick throne, and I know he wants me dead. He wants to find me so bad, and the only help he has is with the Lyle. Rumors are. You are different. You're late father in particular. He left a legacy. And right now, his hope is in you. But you're just so young to take everything about this villa up your shoulders." She explained.
I ran speechless at what she had told me. "Could he be your father's brother? How are you sure it's not your father?" I asked.
"He isn't my father, Miss Lyle. I once had that man send thugs to find me dead or alive. I had paid a visit to the palace, and I unintentionally heard everything. I ran away quietly, but they found my escape and before they tried to use me, your father rescued me. With some other gentleman called Nodrig."
Fifteen years back in Oxfall, and I hadn't faced the kind of dilemma I was confronting that day. My dream was clear - I had hoped to join the Duskwick army all my life, and that's all I ever wanted. However, on my hands, I held the responsibilities of my father and mother. As I sat on the bed, pondering Willette's revelation, I responded as my father would have wanted. "Okay. I will keep you safe, Princess Willette. I will protect you, and I hope you play along too with my game," I answered. "Thank you, Miss Lyle. I promise," she replied with enthusiasm. "You are to stay as Maximus Simmons. Does Mr. Edward know about your disguise?" I asked. "No. He doesn't. I don't believe your father wanted to make him aware." It became clear to me that Edward wasn't the loyal friend and servant to my father because even those living outside the villa seemed to know more than he did. Despite his belief that he knew it all, or maybe he wanted me to believe he did, there were evidently many thing
"And Mister Walton?" I inquired with concern. "He will be setting off on his journey after breakfast, child. I already provided him the letter to the king," explained Edward. "You didn't present it to me before you submitted it. Don't you think whatever you wrote needed my consent?" I asked in disappointment. "Mr. Walton is my guest, Edward. I can't just leave him without a proper farewell." As I voiced my concerns, I heard Mr. Walton's chuckle from behind me. "Good morning, Miss Lyle," he greeted, standing with an ugly mustache I had not noticed earlier. "Good morning, Mr. Walton. I hope you had a wonderful night." "Yes, I did! I hope to be setting off back to the Duskwick palace as soon as possible if you don't mind, Miss Lyle," he said. "Tell the king I send my regards," I replied, watching him gaze at Simmons, who discreetly hid behind me. "And the young man, I haven't met him," mentioned Walton. "Yes, what manners I have. Let me introduce you, please. Mr. Walton, meet Sim
We needn’t explain anything to Ms. Maggot because she somehow knew everything. “Can I get you something to eat? Breakfast, perhaps. The bugs in your eyes talk about your missed breakfast,” she said in a jolly manner. “You seem to know a lot, Ms. Maggot. It feels like a threat to an ordinary person. We shall take the coffee, please,” I answered. “Nice choice. You can’t visit a beekeeper and not ask for honey,” she stated, making us all laugh, expecting it to be a joke. “I’m really sorry for the loss of your father, Miss Lyle. He was a different man. Different from any other man I’ve ever met.” “Thank you, Ms. Maggot,” I responded. “And you? Miss Duskwick?” She called Willette Maggot, and Willette gazed back at her with a smile. “She was always in your father’s thoughts. The Duskwick princess. He always thought of her as someone who would be of value in the future. If only he were here so I could answer that question he always asked me so badly.” “What’s that?” I asked. “Every ti
"Would you perhaps want to come with me?" I asked Willette, for it was the day I had to go see the king of Duskwick, or the one she called the imposter. "That's not a good idea, Tara," she answered, folding a few of my clean clothes. "Won't it be a bad idea for you not to accompany me to the palace? Remember I told Sir Walton that you were my all-time companion. If I leave you behind today, it wouldn't be so technical of it." "Alright! Alright! But I have a bad feeling about this, Tara." "If anything happens during our visit to the palace, I promise to get you back here safe," I reassured her. "Okay then. I will go get ready." I wasn't a girl looking my age. I was tall, perhaps looking like a twenty-year-old with very thick eyeballs. Black long hair that, among all girls, mine was kept in a ponytail. I always went around in mostly black clothes because they gave me comfort and bravery; after all, black was my favorite color. That day, on our way to the Duskwick palace, I wore a
When Tara Lyle returns home to assume her family responsibilities, she is struck by the whirlwind of activity within the villa and the family businesses. Confidently hoping to take charge of everything, she soon discovers that each passing day brings forth new challenges and unexpected complications. Amidst the chaos, there is Maximus Simmons, a young man she feels compelled to keep close as she navigates the management of the Lyle villa and pursues a dream she holds dearer than anything else. In the intricate tapestry of the Tara Lyle book series, every moment unfolds with a promise of adventure. Grateful for the time you, dear readers, invest in my books, I have decided to present complete works for each book series I own. I sincerely hope you embrace the journey of this captivating tale. While fiction, the essence of Tara Lyle, the main character in this book, mirrors strength as resonant as the very essence of the narrative. I invite you to accompany her until the publication of
Back in the seventeenth century during the Maga War between Duskwick and Dimwharf, witches were perceived as dangerous creatures and living dead. Anyone displaying even the slightest sign of magical possession faced death by fire. Any being, human or otherwise, was considered a hominid or a living soul. Fearing the extinction of their kind would bring benefit to both cities, there was no mercy for witches. On a rainy night in September tenth, sixteen hundred and four, I was born into the wealthy and renowned Lyle family, whose name had thrived for over seven centuries. Following my birth, I was swiftly taken to a nearby city by my father, where I spent my life until sixteen hundred and nineteen. Though I was aware of my origins and spent considerable time with my parents, Margot Annette Lyle and Loren Flynn Lyle, I had only heard warlock stories since childhood and never encountered one. Growing up in Oxfall town, I received an exceptional education alongside boys, enjoying special a
"I believe you would love to confirm if your father did lend it a signature," he mumbled."No, it's alright, Mr. Lodoff. You can proceed."Laying his eyes out of the pair of glasses gazing at me, he opened the second envelope. It was rather small but bumpy, leaving us all wondering what was really on the inside. As he tore it open, out fell a small piece of paper that he hurriedly picked up and loudly read:"This be opened and read by my daughter, Tara Marinda Lyle. Privately it initiated."As it ended, we all gazed at him, eager to peek at what was inside the envelope."Hand it over, sir," demanded Edward, the guild maid.He then smoothly handed me the envelope. To my startle, on the inside was a black candle, a key, and a few more papers, prompting me to request to be left alone for the moment.Inside my very own envelope was a long note that read:"You might be a young child, but you're valuable. You are what our world needs. By now, as you read this letter, I may be dead or missing
From that evening, it became apparent that a significant shift was underway, although whether it would be for the better or worse remained uncertain. Locked inside what was once my parents' bedroom, now mine, I contemplated the notion of a person not yet of age managing a business with a history spanning centuries. The following morning, a bell clamored at an early hour, and I was roused by a knock on my door. "Good morning, mistress," greeted Diana, the lady standing outside my chambers. "Good morning. How are you?" I responded, curious about her unexpected visit. "Mr. Edward demands your attention, Miss Lyle. Meet him in the study, if you don't mind," she explained. "And you are?" I inquired. "I'm Diana, Miss. Mr. Edward's caretaker." "Okay. Lead me to the study, Diana," I said, slipping into my nightgown as we headed downstairs. The study was located on the left of the kitchen. Once inside, I thanked Diana and, upon Edward's beckoning, took a seat. "I've always been your fat
"Would you perhaps want to come with me?" I asked Willette, for it was the day I had to go see the king of Duskwick, or the one she called the imposter. "That's not a good idea, Tara," she answered, folding a few of my clean clothes. "Won't it be a bad idea for you not to accompany me to the palace? Remember I told Sir Walton that you were my all-time companion. If I leave you behind today, it wouldn't be so technical of it." "Alright! Alright! But I have a bad feeling about this, Tara." "If anything happens during our visit to the palace, I promise to get you back here safe," I reassured her. "Okay then. I will go get ready." I wasn't a girl looking my age. I was tall, perhaps looking like a twenty-year-old with very thick eyeballs. Black long hair that, among all girls, mine was kept in a ponytail. I always went around in mostly black clothes because they gave me comfort and bravery; after all, black was my favorite color. That day, on our way to the Duskwick palace, I wore a
We needn’t explain anything to Ms. Maggot because she somehow knew everything. “Can I get you something to eat? Breakfast, perhaps. The bugs in your eyes talk about your missed breakfast,” she said in a jolly manner. “You seem to know a lot, Ms. Maggot. It feels like a threat to an ordinary person. We shall take the coffee, please,” I answered. “Nice choice. You can’t visit a beekeeper and not ask for honey,” she stated, making us all laugh, expecting it to be a joke. “I’m really sorry for the loss of your father, Miss Lyle. He was a different man. Different from any other man I’ve ever met.” “Thank you, Ms. Maggot,” I responded. “And you? Miss Duskwick?” She called Willette Maggot, and Willette gazed back at her with a smile. “She was always in your father’s thoughts. The Duskwick princess. He always thought of her as someone who would be of value in the future. If only he were here so I could answer that question he always asked me so badly.” “What’s that?” I asked. “Every ti
"And Mister Walton?" I inquired with concern. "He will be setting off on his journey after breakfast, child. I already provided him the letter to the king," explained Edward. "You didn't present it to me before you submitted it. Don't you think whatever you wrote needed my consent?" I asked in disappointment. "Mr. Walton is my guest, Edward. I can't just leave him without a proper farewell." As I voiced my concerns, I heard Mr. Walton's chuckle from behind me. "Good morning, Miss Lyle," he greeted, standing with an ugly mustache I had not noticed earlier. "Good morning, Mr. Walton. I hope you had a wonderful night." "Yes, I did! I hope to be setting off back to the Duskwick palace as soon as possible if you don't mind, Miss Lyle," he said. "Tell the king I send my regards," I replied, watching him gaze at Simmons, who discreetly hid behind me. "And the young man, I haven't met him," mentioned Walton. "Yes, what manners I have. Let me introduce you, please. Mr. Walton, meet Sim
Fifteen years back in Oxfall, and I hadn't faced the kind of dilemma I was confronting that day. My dream was clear - I had hoped to join the Duskwick army all my life, and that's all I ever wanted. However, on my hands, I held the responsibilities of my father and mother. As I sat on the bed, pondering Willette's revelation, I responded as my father would have wanted. "Okay. I will keep you safe, Princess Willette. I will protect you, and I hope you play along too with my game," I answered. "Thank you, Miss Lyle. I promise," she replied with enthusiasm. "You are to stay as Maximus Simmons. Does Mr. Edward know about your disguise?" I asked. "No. He doesn't. I don't believe your father wanted to make him aware." It became clear to me that Edward wasn't the loyal friend and servant to my father because even those living outside the villa seemed to know more than he did. Despite his belief that he knew it all, or maybe he wanted me to believe he did, there were evidently many thing
"The Duchess of Eklane? Inside this villa?" I questioned. "Yes. Princess Willette Duskwick I. She lives inside this very house. You haven't met her? The young man Maximus Simmons?" Nodrig uttered. "What about young Simmons?" I inquired. "You've never met Willette Duskwick before? How did that slip my mind?" he proceeded, tapping his forehead. "Of course, I have never. How would I?" "Never mind my disturbed thoughts right now, Miss Lyle. I'm kind of unstable, I guess." "What really brought you here, Mr. Berylbane?" "Oh, yes. It's about Frosthaven, Miss. We can't seem to find all the gold we had from months ago. The Frosthaven warehouse is empty," he explained. "Who do you think took it all?" I asked timidly. "It can't be the Dimwharf army. They haven't crossed a foot around the caves. We all believe that someone who knows what goes on around the Lyle family did. Do you trust Mr. Edward?" he asked as I deemed in denial. "Yes, of course! It can't be him. My father trusted him th
After our conversation with Mr. Edward, I ascended the stairs to my bed and approached Simmons' room. A quick knock, and he hastily opened the door. "Do you like it in here, Simmons?" I asked, and he nodded with a smile. "I'll ask Diana to buy you some clothes. Rest for now, and later, join me in the study." "Okay, Miss. Thank you," he responded. I locked his door and headed to my own room, realizing everyone was minding their business. Retrieving the envelope containing the candle and key from my closet, I searched for a match and found one under the bed. As I picked it up, a small carpet accidentally came loose, revealing a different tile with intricate circular designs. There was a hole, reminiscent of a lock with a key. Closing the door, I retrieved the key from the envelope, fitting it into the lock. As I twisted it, everything shifted—the bed moved, and the drawers widened. Beneath the tile, I discovered a set of stairs leading down to a basement. Carefully, I descended into
"Not that much of the matter, Miss Lyle. I just feel a little ill," he responded. "Where do you stay? What do you do around this house, Simmons?" I inquired. "Mr. Lyle let me stay around here ten months ago. Sorry for your loss, miss. He got me from Frosthaven, where I used to work among the Dimwharf army. I don’t really do anything around this house, and ever since his passing, I’m rarely fed." I fell silent for a moment, listening to him speak. He was dressed in a beige shirt that clung to his body and a pair of gentle pants. His hair was a little longer than that of the other boys I had seen before. I noticed his stance in a few blinks, but what caught my eye was his voice. He spoke in a rather feminine tone that prompted me to inquire. "Why do you sound very feminine if you don’t mind my concern?" I asked, and he responded bluntly. "Is it bad if I may ask?" "No, not really. It’s not a bother. Where do you reside around this house? I remember asking." "Here and there. Sometim
‘You have to stand by the fact that your father was different. And you too. You’ve seen nothing yet. Duksta wasn’t always like that. He was a very fine gentleman. A father of three and a very beautiful wife by him since. He wasn’t rich to say, but he would get food at the table. He was happy twenty years ago until he lost everything.” “What do you mean he lost everything?” I asked in wonder as we headed out of the mine through the coffee farm. “He resided in Frosthaven town, the first city Dimwharf took over. They killed most of the men, and a couple of the bold ones were taken as servants for the Dimwharf army. Women were used and hanged to death, falsely blaming them to be witches. And the children were killed in cold blood. They showed our people no mercy at all. And he was among those whose family died at his sight. Your father had been out for a trip disguised as a doctor when Duksta caught his eye. So he treated their men miraculously, and in return, he asked to take Duksta bac
It was around eight-thirty when Mr. Edward himself came to rouse me from my slumber. "Come have breakfast with me, dear," he exclaimed with a knock at my door as I gazed through the window of my bedroom. My room, situated on the last floor of the mansion, offered a view through the window that faced the villa fields adorned with yellow flowers. Over twenty workers were diligently tending to the fields, and at the far end, my attention was drawn to a young man seated with his back to the front, appearing lost in thought and disturbed by his work. I walked out of my room, finding Mr. Edward waiting, turned with the support of his walking stick, gazing at me. "Breakfast. I shall pass," I said, locking my room door behind me. "You can go on. Have your breakfast, Mr. Edward. I will be by the fields if you need to find me." "Alright. Head on, then. I'll be with you in a few minutes." I walked past him, and outside, I slowed to the other side of the field, my attention fixed on meeting