Chapter 176 Clues
Jiangyou handed over two glasses of wine and drinks, then went into the brewing room to tinker with the black bean and fermented black beans that she had been longing for.
Each brother held a letter in his hand: one rose-red, the other blue-purple; one ornate and expensive, the other plain and ordinary; one's patterns and shadows contained numerous mysteries, the other seemed to be written casually; one's words were ornate, full of the awkward and roundabout style of the aristocracy with a high level of education, the other was straightforward and clear...
"The fact that the handwriting, the writing style, and the style of the two letters are all different doesn't mean anything," said Winston, who himself was an expert at this. "With special training, one can change one's writing habits and master a variety of different handwriting styles. Even for beginners, simply switching between left and right hands can be effective."
He dropped the letter on the bar counter. "Handwriting identification can only protect the unsuspecting, not those who deliberately conceal their identities. From what I've heard, most nobles possess at least two handwritings: one for daily use, and another for plotting, forming alliances, or informing on others. As for the style of wording, it's even easier to change... not to mention the vastly different status of the recipients of the two letters."
"Both letters were deliberately stripped of their magical influences, making them impossible to compare... This was also within our expectations. Most nobles and magicians are accustomed to erasing any magical influences they leave behind."
Andrei frowned slightly. "In other words, aside from the similarity that both letters were delivered by butterfly familiars, we have no evidence to prove they were written by the same person. Furthermore, we haven't seen the two familiars in person, so we have no way of determining if they're the same one."
Normally, the type of familiar created by a magical spell is directly related to the caster's personality, intentions, and preferences. While most spellcasters don't frequently change the form of their familiars once they've created them, it's not impossible to achieve this if the need arises—it simply requires a bit more mana and mental energy.
Flying birds are the most common form of familiars, and ravens are particularly popular because they are common and can blend in unnoticeably among the ordinary ravens delivering messages. Although familiars in the form of insects, beasts, and amphibians are uncommon, they do exist... Andrei has seen some necromancers driving "familiar ghosts" in the form of ghosts.
Familiar demons created by friends and family often share similarities, but two strangers, thousands of miles apart and never having met, might also choose the same familiar form. All current "coincidences" can only constitute suspicion, not useful "evidence."
"What does your invitation say?" Andre asked.
Winston pushed the letter towards him, took up the glass and took a long draught.
Andre picked up the rose-red envelope and carefully examined the intricate gold lace in the candlelight. The fine gold threads were entwined to form butterflies and flowers, but under the projection of the candlelight, it looked like an ancient castle in the mountains.
He reached for the candlestick, rotated the envelope to try more angles, and made out the dancing figures, daggers, skulls and other shadows.
There were several things in the envelope: two invitations, a small note, and a necklace.
Andre was the first to draw the invitation.
The invitation was similar to Vivian's, with a main letter and an accompanying letter. Both invitations were elegant black cards with gold cursive lettering.
Dear Lord Winston de Mordor:
When the night wind carries the subtle fragrance of roses, twin butterfly shadows flit across the moonlit garden, and the stars rotate back to their positions, the lost bloodline will finally return, an ancient curse will finally be fulfilled, and a mystery that has been sealed for many years will be reopened...
Fragments of ancient cases remain unsolved, and the mystery of your bloodline has puzzled you for years... Perhaps this special game can be a special key, leading you to the answers you crave. Perhaps the unfinished story of the past will be continued here.
We sincerely invite you to visit [Rose Villa] and attend a special gathering.
Please arrive at the Ellery Inn in Melori at 12:00 noon on 24th of Midsummer, 988 Tal. A driver will be waiting for you. You may bring one companion.
If you agree, please send a messenger to reply before noon on the 23rd of Midsummer, 988 Tal calendar, and inform us of the name of your companion.
If you are unable to attend this event in person, your companions will also be disqualified from participating.
Best wishes
Shi Qi!
Madame Butterfly
"This is so weird..." Andre muttered. "The castle, the ball, the dagger, the skeleton... these elements coincide with the mystery adventure described in Little Bone's letter... Maybe it really is the same party."
He flipped open the small slip of paper again. Unlike the gold-lettered invitation, this one was handwritten in purple ink on pink floral paper.
The handwriting is elegant and graceful, as if it has received higher education. The ink is mixed with crystal powder, the paper is expensive and tough, and even fumigated with incense. Each of them is full of background and is extraordinary.
Winston just used this note as a blueprint for handwriting comparison.
As for the content of the note, it was consistent with what Vivian said.
Mr. Winston:
I've been completely baffled by my repeated invitations, all of which have fallen on deaf ears. Recently, someone pointed it out to me that you're already in love, and perhaps you're avoiding suspicion by repeatedly ignoring my invitations. However, I do have an important matter to discuss with you, so I've come all the way to invite you and Miss Vivian to this gathering.
I have no interest in romantic matters, but I simply wish to ask for your assistance. I may be a mere woman, but I possess the resources to relieve the Earl of years of worry.
I believe that with my connections, this gathering will be of great help to Miss Vivian.
I have enclosed a token with this letter. I will answer all your questions after the party begins.
Strangely, there was no signature on the note, but instead a red lip kiss mark.
"Sealed with a kiss." Andrei raised an eyebrow. "This Madame Butterfly claims to have no interest in romance, but her words and the scented lip prints hint at that kind of thing, making one's imaginations run wild... Is she trying to sow discord between you and Vivian?"
"That's about right," Winston sighed. "The clarification is fake, but the goading is real. If I were the only one to receive this invitation, I would probably still ignore it. But if Vivian also received a similar note, then it would explain why she decided to attend so decisively."
"Vivian would never flee without a fight." Andrei shuddered almost imperceptibly. "Madame Butterfly is half provoking, half promising connections and benefits, not to mention a ticket to officially enter the social circle... These are what Vivian needs most right now."
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