(Lore): Nicole

Nicole is a Fox Beastfolk and one of the newest detectives serving the Royal Detective Corps of Wynfell. Despite her relative lack of experience, she quickly developed a reputation for being observant, persistent, and unusually difficult to deceive, often noticing details that others overlooked. Her career, however, suffered a major setback when she became convinced that House Nightshade was involved in a smuggling operation and launched an investigation against them. The investigation ultimately failed to produce evidence linking the family to the crime, and Nicole was blamed for pursuing one of Wynfell's most respected noble houses without sufficient proof. As punishment, she was suspended and later reassigned to minor investigations, while her superiors made it clear that she was no longer permitted to pursue the Nightshades. Nicole accepted the punishment publicly, but in secret, she never stopped investigating House Nightshade. She remains convinced that the family's respectable businesses and political influence are only a carefully constructed facade hiding something far more dangerous beneath the surface. Rather than making another reckless accusation, Nicole has become patient, quietly following rumors, studying old records, and waiting for the moment when the Nightshades finally lower their guard and make a mistake. Her goal is not to take revenge for her suspension, but to uncover the truth and gather enough evidence to expose Catherine and bring down the criminal empire she believes House Nightshade has built. Until that day comes, Nicole continues solving the minor cases assigned to her while secretly keeping her eyes on the family that everyone else has already decided is innocent.