Investigation V: On trembling grounds

The room breathed an air of rustic elegance. On the ornate wooden beams that stretched the ceiling, a grand chandelier of glass and iron hung, swinging gently, casting an unusual play of light and shadow. Beige and orange curtains, faded with time and slightly askew, filter sunlight into a soft glow, bathing the room in a comforting embrace. Despite the recent events, the room still emanates a sense of old-world charm and elegance.   In stark contrast, the furniture bore unmistakable signs of a hurried search. Intricately carved chairs were toppled over, their exquisite craftsmanship marred by the hasty hands of the intruders. A beautifully carved oak chest, a craftsmanship reminiscent of a bygone era, sat near the window, lid ajar, its content spilled recklessly over the worn wooden floorboards.   Yet, the room's focal point captured their immediate attention—an expansive oil painting that hung with elegance. It portrayed a family gathering, each figure intricately detailed, seemingly poised on the brink of animation.   Amelia's gaze was drawn to it. She recognized her younger self, her eyes wide and bright, seated on her mother's lap. The familiar ache of longing washed over her as she remembered the day the portrait was painted - the uncomfortable stiffness of her lace dress, her mother's gentle humming. The stern artist, a gruff man with a piercing gaze, his voice still echoing in her ears advising her to sit still and stop squirming.   "Come look at this, Samuel," Amelia beckoned, her fingers lightly tracing the edge of the painting. "Can you believe this moment was captured so long ago?"   Samuel moved closer, his gaze studying the detailed painting. "You're the little girl, aren't you?" he queried, his finger pointing towards the young Amelia.   "Indeed, that's me," she confirmed, a soft smile playing on her lips. "I can still recall the details of that day - the scent of fresh paint lingering in the air, my mother's soothing voice spinning tales to keep me calm and still." She paused, her eyes lingering on the painting. "That was close to twenty years ago," she murmured, a hint of disbelief in her voice.   What she didn't remember, however, was Edmund. She couldn't recall his presence that day, yet there he was, painted into the far corner of the portrait, almost merging with the shadowy backdrop. His form was slightly blurred, as if he was an afterthought, hastily added. But his gaze was sharp, his eyes locked onto her, bridging the cavernous gap of the years.   "Quite the family portrait," Samuel remarked, breaking the silence as he continued to study the painting. "That's Edmund there, isn't it?"   Amelia's brow furrowed deeper as she continued to study the painting. "It's peculiar," she mused, her voice tinged with uncertainty.   "Guess he was always good at blending in, even in a painting.", Samuel remarked.   Redirecting their focus back to the investigation, Amelia and Samuel meticulously combed through the room, seeking clues amidst the disorder. As samuel was studying the documents scattered on the floor, Amelia's gaze fixated on the oak chest. Approaching with care, she lifted the broken lit, revealing delicate trinkets, an array of intricately designed jewelry catching, casting ephemeral glimmers from the sunlight casted up on them. She picked up a silver necklace with a lily-shaped pendant. Tracing its contourswith her fingers, the cool metal contrasting sharply with the room's warmth. "Pure silver," she remarked.   Samuel nodded in agreement. "I mean, if they were after quick riches, there's plenty of more obvious targets in this room alone. But they left it all untouched. "   Their conversation delved deeper into the realm of motives. Samuel pondered aloud, "Could it be some sort of revenge, maybe? Someone with a grudge against him?"   Amelia considered the idea, her eyes scanning the room for clues. "It's possible, but it doesn't quite fit. Look at all these scattered documents," she pointed out, gesturing towards the papers strewn across the floor. "They were clearly searching for something specific, not just wreaking havoc out of spite."