Chapter Twenty-Three - Confronting Shadows

Dante leaned against the doorframe, clearly enjoying the tension in the room. "Oh, I'm sure she was. But tell me, dear brother, does Father know you're giving the help private tours of his office?" Before Alessandro could respond, Amelia stepped forward. "I should go. I have... kitchen duties to attend to." She hurried past Dante, feeling his eyes on her as she left. The sound of the brothers' voices, raised in argument, followed her down the hallway. Back in the safety of her small room in the servants' quarters, Amelia sank onto her bed, her mind whirling. The documents she'd found, the tension between the brothers, Alessandro's reaction to finding her in the office – it was all too much. A soft knock on her door made her jump. "Amelia? It's me, Sophia. Can I come in?" Amelia took a deep breath, composing herself before answering. "Of course, come in." Sophia, one of the younger maids, entered the room, her face etched with concern. "Are you alright? I saw you running from the