Chapter 31 - THE UNOPENED GOLDEN BOX
The soft summer breeze carried the sweet scent of blooming lavender across the quiet courtyards of Chateau de la Roche.
Inside their private master suite, Maya sat at her vanity table, removing her pearl earrings after the long day of celebrations.
Julian walked up behind her, gently massaging her shoulders as she smiled at his reflection in the grand golden mirror.
Suddenly, a soft knock echoed at the chamber door, and a young French butler stepped inside carrying a small wooden tray.
"Forgive the late intrusion, Countess," the butler bowed respectfully, holding out the tray toward Maya.
"A package arrived via diplomatic courier from London just moments ago," he explained, setting down an antique mahogany box.
The mahogany box was bound in tarnished brass straps and locked with a complex three-dial combination mechanism.
Tucked under the brass straps was a yellowed piece of paper written in elegant, fading handwriting:
FOR MY DAUGHTER MAYA - DO NOT OPEN UNTIL YOU HAVE CLAIMED PROVENCE.
Maya's breath hitched in her throat as she recognized her mother's unmistakable handwriting across the ancient parchment.
Beside the note lay a small slip of paper containing three numbers written in blue ink: 7 - 1 - 4.
Julian stepped closer, his dark eyes fixed on the antique box as Maya's hands hovered nervously over the brass dials.
May you like
"Your mother died when you were ten years old, Maya..." Julian whispered softly, his voice filled with intense wonder.
"Who sent an antique box from London signed by Sarah Vance twenty years after her death?"
