The Vanishing of Lady Seraphina (Wednesday, October 30, 1724) - Cyrus Ambrose

Setting: England, 1700s. In the misty countryside, secluded within the dense forest of Briarwood, stands the stately Ravenwood Manor, an imposing stone palace surrounded by sprawling gardens, hidden pathways, and ancient ruins. The estate’s worn yet regal halls have witnessed centuries of secrets, but none as unsettling as the recent disappearance of Lady Seraphina Ashcroft.

Detective Cyrus Ambrose

Known as the Shadow in the Fog, Cyrus Ambrose is as enigmatic as he is brilliant. With a sharp mind and even sharper gaze, Ambrose is a man both revered and feared. Tall, with piercing eyes, an eccentric style, and an unusual fondness for rare perfumes and arcane knowledge, he’s as much an alchemist as a detective. His methods are unorthodox—fascinated by the tiniest details others overlook, he carries a collection of glass vials, powders, and peculiar tools for analyzing scents and hidden messages. Ambrose often mutters to himself, forming theories out loud as he roams the halls of Ravenwood, unearthing secrets. Hired by Sir Cedric Hawthorne, Lady Seraphina’s distraught fiancé, Ambrose arrives with his signature traveling coat, whispering to himself about the “alchemy of motive” as he surveys the scene.

Now it is your task, as Ambrose, to navigate Ravenwood Manor, unraveling the web of secrets, hidden grudges, and rivalries that may reveal what happened to Lady Seraphina.

The Mystery

Lady Seraphina Ashcroft, a refined and elusive heiress, vanished from her bedchamber just days before her engagement to Sir Cedric Hawthorne. The engagement was meant to cement family ties and protect Ravenwood’s wealth, but Lady Seraphina’s sudden disappearance has stirred whispers of betrayal, envy, and dangerous liaisons.

Primary Characters

Lady Seraphina Ashcroft - The graceful heiress whose allure captivated many, but whose fate remains a mystery. Seraphina kept a private diary and often wandered alone through Ravenwood’s gardens, chapel ruins, and maze.

Sir Cedric Hawthorne - The distinguished and reserved fiancé of Lady Seraphina. Although he shows deep concern, rumors suggest he may be hiding something from his past.

Lady Isadora Tremayne - An old friend of Seraphina and an admirer of Sir Cedric. Lady Isadora is known for her charm but harbors a deep envy, secretly resenting the engagement that stole her heart’s desire.

Lord Reginald Ashcroft - Seraphina’s calculating elder brother, with financial struggles and a vested interest in his sister’s engagement. He is a traditionalist who prioritizes family honor above all.

Colonel Jonathan Fairfax - A retired officer with an upright reputation. He once shared a close connection with Seraphina, and his motives are ambiguous—perhaps love, perhaps regret.

Miss Alice Wren - Seraphina’s quiet but observant lady’s maid. She holds a fierce loyalty to Seraphina, though her behavior has seemed increasingly secretive since her mistress’s disappearance.

Locations at Ravenwood Manor

Lady Seraphina’s Bedchamber - The bed is rumpled, a note lies half-smudged on her bedside table, and a faint, strange scent lingers in the air. A shattered perfume bottle is hidden beneath the bed, as if hurriedly broken.

The Library - A dimly lit room filled with rare volumes and family artifacts. A torn, half-burnt letter in the fireplace bears the initials “J.F.” and hints at old passions and regrets. A desk drawer is open, as if recently rifled through.

The Conservatory - An enclosed space with exotic plants and orchids, cultivated by Sir Cedric for Lady Seraphina’s enjoyment. Near one of the orchids, a petal lies stained with an unusual crimson mark.

The Garden Maze - A sprawling labyrinth with hidden corners and benches where Lady Seraphina often took long walks. An ornate hairpin belonging to Lady Isadora is found on a bench deep in the maze, polished and oddly out of place.

The Chapel Ruins - An overgrown, ancient chapel hidden on the estate’s edge. Fresh footprints lead inside, and scattered orchid petals suggest someone was there recently—perhaps in the dead of night.

Key Clues

A Shattered Perfume Bottle - Beneath Lady Seraphina’s bed, a broken perfume bottle releases a faint, unusual scent, distinct from her usual fragrance, suggesting an unexpected visitor.

A Torn Love Letter - Found in the library, half-burnt, bearing the initials “J.F.” and expressing regrets and doubts. Its age and relevance are unknown, but its presence hints at a past entanglement.

A Broken Pocket Watch - A family heirloom found in Sir Cedric’s possession, stopped at midnight. Sir Cedric claims it was lost long ago, but it’s unclear how it reappeared in Seraphina’s room.

An Ornate Hairpin - Known to belong to Lady Isadora, the hairpin was found in the garden maze. Recently polished, it appears freshly placed, perhaps to mark a hidden meeting.

The Missing Diary - Lady Seraphina’s diary, filled with her thoughts and fears, has gone missing. The last person seen with it was Alice, her maid, who now seems nervous whenever questioned about it.

Your Investigation

As Detective Ambrose, you must examine the clues found in each room and make connections between them to uncover the motives, secrets, and hidden emotions that led to Lady Seraphina’s disappearance.

Clues by Location

In the Bedchamber: The faint scent, broken perfume bottle, and rumpled sheets suggest someone may have visited Lady Seraphina secretly, possibly under distress.

In the Library: The torn letter with Colonel Fairfax’s initials implies a connection between Seraphina and the Colonel. The open drawer hints at missing items or recently reviewed documents.

In the Conservatory: The crimson-stained orchid petal appears out of place and could be a sign of foul play. The exotic orchid may hold symbolic meaning for Seraphina and Sir Cedric, but the stain raises questions.

In the Garden Maze: Lady Isadora’s misplaced hairpin seems out of character and may indicate an attempt to meet or confront Seraphina, either by plan or chance.

In the Chapel Ruins: The fresh footprints leading inside and scattered orchid petals suggest someone had been there recently, potentially linked to Seraphina’s vanishing.

Examine the evidence meticulously, connect the clues to the personalities and motives of each character, and follow the shadowy path that may reveal Lady Seraphina’s fate. In the shadows of Ravenwood Manor, Detective Cyrus Ambrose’s keen eyes and curious mind must penetrate layers of deceit to solve the case.