🎃 Ghostober (Cozytober)Day 28 🎃
~ Murder Mystery Game Night ~
I just love writing the chaos of a bunch of the Papa’s interacting 😂 Grumpy Secondo gives me life 🥹🥰
Coupling: Multi-Papa (but ends with Terzo) x Female reader
Word Count: 945
A murder mystery game night at the Abbey descends into glorious chaos — Copia can’t hold his accent, Secondo’s threatening actual homicide, and Primo’s just trying to keep the candles from setting the tablecloth alight. But when the game’s over, and Terzo realizes you were the secret culprit all along, he can’t resist a little playful private interrogation. 🔎🧐
The storm outside is raging like something straight out of a black and white horror film. Lightning is flashing across the stained glass panes of the windows, lighting up the Great Hall of the Ministry. Primo insists that it is the “perfect ambiance”, though Secondo grumbles about the thunder drowning out his every word.
The long dining table has been transformed into a grand manor setting- candles flickering, crystal glassware catching the glow, and each setting is marked with a parchment paper card in an elegant looping script that can only belong to Primo himself.
Copia adjusts his magnifying glass for at least the fifth time, his fake mustache peeling back from the corner.
“Aha!” He cries out, in the absolute WORST attempt at an exotic detective accent.
“I, inspector Copia, shall solve zis most heinous crime!”
Terzo claps from his seat at the head of the table, absolutely beaming in his tailored Count’s coat and dramatic cape.
“Bravo, Bravo! You sound exactly like someone who definitely did not read the rules.”
Secondo, arms crossed in his role as the “gruff Baron”, rolls his eyes.
“If I hear one more “Aha!”, I’m going to commit an actual murder.”
Primo grins serenely, swirling the wine around in his glass.
“It’s a game, fratelli. No need for bloodshed.”
You’re hiding a smirk behind your wine glass as you take a sip. If only they knew.
Because you, of course, are the murderer.
The night descends into a glorious chaos.
Copia trips over his trench coat twice, Primo keeps trying to light more candles despite the protests from everyone else, and Secondo somehow makes his Character backstory into a rant about poor estate management.
And then there is Terzo- sashaying through all of the clues like he is performing at a theatre, accusing everyone with dramatic flair. He even pulls out what you assume is a fake pipe, until he puffs on it thoughtfully and nearly chokes you out with real tobacco smoke.
Every time his darkened eyes meet yours across the candlelight, you feel the corner of your lips twitching upward. He is watching you too closely.
When he rises suddenly, cloak swirling behind him, the whole table falls silent.
“I know who did it!” He declares, voice smooth and triumphant.
A collective gasp- but mostly from Copia, who seems genuinely startled.
Terzo turns slowly, deliberately, to face you.
“It was YOU, cara mia. The mysterious guest, with far too much poise to be innocent.”
You lean back in your chair, feigning innocence.
“You have no PROOF, Count.”
He prowls closer to you, a wicked grin spreading across his face.
“Oh, but you have motive. Opportunity. And that deliciously guilty look on your face.”
The others break into laughter and applause, the “case” closing in a round of cheers, with no actual confession, as Terzo gives a flamboyant bow.
Later, when the storm outsides quiets and everyone has drifted off to their quarters- Copia humming his own theme music down the halls, Primo collecting wine glasses on the way out, and Secondo muttering about “never ever again.”- you linger to blow out the rest of the candles.
You don’t hear Terzo until his voice comes soft and low from behind you.
You turn, finding him leaning against the doorframe, the last of the candlelight dancing across the sharp angular lines of his handsome face. His cape is gone, but his shirt is still open at the throat, the familiar glint of mischief dancing in his eyes.
“Good?” You tease. “I technically won, didn’t I? There was no confession.”
He steps closer, slow and meaningful, until the scent of incense and his expensive cologne surround your senses.
“Mmmm…you did. But you know, Cara, you played your part a little too well.”
You tilt your head, a sly smile spreading across your lips.
“Jealous you didn’t catch me sooner?”
He chuckles softly. “Oh no. I wanted to see how far you would take it.”
His fingers brush along the edge of the table directly next to you, drawing lazy circles in the wax residue of a nearby candle.
“Tell me,” he continues, “do you always get such a thrill from keeping secrets?”
You lean in towards him, eyes narrowing in a playful challenge.
“Maybe only when you’re the one trying to uncover them.”
Electricity sparks in the air between the both of you, the scent of rain mingling around you from a nearby window that is slightly ajar. Terzo’s smile softens as his gaze falls to your lips.
“Then perhaps, I should extract a confession.” He murmurs.
You swallow down a laugh.
“And what are your methods, detective?”
He reaches over, running his thumb just beneath your chin.
“Interrogation…persuasion…,” his voice drops lower, dripping in smooth velvet. “And a little charm.”
You let the tension stretch as your gaze meets his.
His smile turns downright sinful. Spreading from ear to ear.
“Then I suppose I must punish you.”
Before you can retort back, he kisses you- slow, teasing and full of warmth. The candlelight flickers as if caught in a breeze, as your hands curl into his shirt pulling him closer.
When he finally pulls away, he is grinning that unmistakable smug Terzo grin.
“Case closed.” He murmurs against your lips gently.
You laugh softly, resting your forehead against his.
“You’re something else.” You tease affectionately.
“Sì amore,” he says in a pleased manner. “But you love me for it.”
Outside thunder cracks again, but in the golden glow of the few candles that are still burning, the only sound that matters is your shared laughter- warm, secret and utterly addicting.
