The first place the rumor started was in the slums.
The stories that the nomads, who had nowhere to lay down properly, often talked about began to spread like the wind along with the recent string of suspicious deaths.
Death does not discriminate between status, gender, or location.
The sight of the corpses thrown out as if on display on a street where anyone could walk was gruesome.
Even the nobles, who had initially shown little interest, began to pay attention to the events that followed.
The rumor grew like a snowball as it was passed around by countless people.
Some said it was a serial killing out of resentment, others speculated that it was a killing for pleasure, and still others said it was a killing for personal gain.
The aristocratic society that had been watching with interest was stirred up immediately after the third incident occurred.
That would be the case, because the third victim, unlike the previous ones, was a wealthy merchant who often interacted with nobles.
What had been nothing more than a curiosity until then had transformed into an imminent threat.
At the same time, people's perceptions began to change.
Everyone began to refrain from going out at night and increased the number of escorts accompanying them or mobilized skilled mercenaries to follow them.
The reason they, which had been quiet for a while, were stirred again was because a new victim had appeared.
Marilyn Lehr.
The news that she, who had been on the lips of the nobles for other reasons, had encountered a murderer and fortunately survived, although she was slightly injured in the process, spread throughout the capital in an instant.
***
“Thea, are you really not going to go?”
“If you wanted a letter of consolation and a heartfelt gift, I would have sent it a long time ago.”
“The truest expression of sincerity is to go and see their face and comfort them.”
Dorothea, who was staring blankly at Dane who was recruiting from the side, chuckled.
“You’re not going to meet anyone. It’ll just be a burden anyway, so why go?”
“Young Lady is waiting for you! She wants to be comforted by you, her best friend!”
Marilyn would have chosen Dorothea as the person she least wanted to visit in the hospital.
Besides, if Dorothea moves, the useless rumors will start to grow out of control again, and she wonders if Marilyn, who is already weak, will be able to endure that.
“Are you really not going?”
“It’s better not to go, even for her safety.”
There has been no word yet from Count Germain.
It is unclear whether this is because they failed to uncover the truth behind the incident, or because they began to harbor other ulterior motives in the process of finding out the full story of the incident.
At least it means that the threat from some of the forces that 'burned the carriage' still exists.
Dorothea, at least, had a wonderful cousin, an uncle who seemed invincible, and an ironclad bodyguard, but Marilyn was different.
It would be better for her not to get involved in anything unnecessary.
“I’ll tell you in advance, if you’re worried, don’t even think about coming to see me in a carriage with the family crest on it.”
Because it's a nuisance to Marilyn.
Dane shook his head in disapproval at Marilyn's rebuke to stop doing things that would cause people to hear unnecessary complaints, as she tried to distance herself from Dorothea.
"She's not really like that. Young Lady is a true friend who won’t hesitate to say harsh words for you.”
"Yes?"
“Young Lady was also against running the theater. She said that it would be bad for the theater and your position, so it would have been better to have sponsored it anonymously through several people.”
“Ah, I see.”
“I understand that you don’t want to hear any more harsh words, but...”
Knock knock.
As Dorothea was absorbed in the book, half-listening to the ramblings, someone came into the study and knocked on the bookshelf as if to make his presence known.
When she raised her head, there was Philip, who rarely entered the mansion during the bright day.
“What? What brought you here?”
“I want to talk to Thea.”
At the calm and soft voice, Dane said, “Well, then, that’s how it is,” and left the study with a resigned look on his face.
Thea, who had been looking at the back of his head as if she had nothing else to say but had no choice, tilted her head slightly to the side.
“Since you’re already here, you might as well take some time to unwind.”
“My dear cousin and I have surprisingly little in common to talk about.”
Dorothea, who had been staring at Philip, who shrugged his shoulders, soon looked away.
If she thinks about it, not all cousins have to be friendly with each other.
They've been living with each other for over ten years, so there's no reason for them to suddenly become close.
“I talk to Edwin often. It’s just that Dane... doesn’t suit me very well.”
“Okay then.”
Philip smiled faintly at Dorothea, who neatly organized her thoughts after adding a few words.
"What's the matter?"
If Philip came to the mansion at this hour, he must have found out something.
That's something important enough that she absolutely must know.
“The testimony of the maid who was attacked with Marilyn Lahr is a bit strange.”
"Maid?"
On the piece of paper laid out in front of her was a drawing of someone's face that appeared to have been done by a montage expert.
“This is part of a statement received from the police, and the description of the attacker is very strange.”
The sunken eyes, the body joints that looked strangely out of place, and even the sparse hair.
“She said his gait was unnatural, with twists and turns, like that of a jointed doll, not exactly human.”
A sparkle appeared in Dorothea's previously indifferent eyes.
“When they locked eyes, it was so pitch black that the whites of the eyes were barely visible. She said it gave her goosebumps all over and she couldn’t move.”
“Did he say something?”
“He was barely able to utter proper words, just mumbling strangely and making the occasional “euh, euh” sound.”
“How is the maid doing?”
“That’s a bit strange. The attacker who was quickly approaching the carriage suddenly let out a loud scream and quickly moved away. Young Lady Marilyn’s injuries were not caused by the attacker, but by the horse being startled and jumping around, causing the carriage to shake.”
"Ah..."
Dorothea put down the book she was holding.
She remembered the Ministry that had sent someone to her.
It was nothing compared to what she had given to her family, but it was enough to warn of minor disasters or accidents.
'It looks like you've been carrying it around quite diligently.'
Unlike a talisman, it was made in the form of a decorative ornament like a norigae (Korean traditional ornaments worn by women), making it easy to carry, so it may have been carried around as a pretty thing because it was unique.
'Either way, the Peace Corps saved his life.'
The smile disappeared from Dorothea's face.
“Do you know about the attackers?”
"No."
Dorothea, who had been staring blankly at the paper, answered briefly and then added.
“But if the ‘statement’ is true, I think I know what the attacker was.”
A black pupil occupies the white of the eye.
The strange gait is a sign of not being able to fully control one's body.
Either the soul originally connected to the body had a problem and was temporarily consumed by something, or someone intentionally put something on it.
“Either way.”
In a strange place, she found traces of those she was looking for.
Philip, who had been observing Dorothea's muttering, asked.
“Are you going to Lady Marilyn?”
“I guess so. At least she’s the only one who’s met the ‘assaulter’. There’s more I want to hear.”
“Shall I prepare the carriage now?”
"No."
Dorothea smiled as she saw the puzzlement in Philip's eyes.
“We must protect Young Lady's honor. And we must also consider her feelings of not wanting to be involved with us if possible.”
Marilyn had been living in seclusion, refusing visits from others, and if Dorothea came and met her, it would only fuel unnecessary rumors.
Because she can't afford to cause such trouble to someone who has such valuable information.
"So?"
“It would be best to sneak in without being noticed. Let’s climb out the window in the middle of the night.”
“...”
Marilyn's reputation would be tarnished even more if she were caught sneaking out and having secret meetings in the middle of the night.
“It’ll be fine as long as you don’t get caught.”
“That’s true.”
Philip smiled with a complicated expression as he watched his cousin grow smarter in a strange way with each passing day.
Dorothea had no interest in Philip's intentions.
She just wanted dinner to come quickly so she could have a more detailed conversation with Marilyn.
***
In the depths of the night, a cold wind that could penetrate deep into the lungs struck Marilyn's cheek as she was sleeping.
She woke up shivering in the cold and called out the name of the maid who was supposed to be waiting.
"Bell!"
The maid who was supposed to come running right away didn't respond at all.
Marilyn had no choice but to raise her body, and the wide-open window came into view.
“Why is that open?”
Her heart sank with a feeling of wonder.
She got out of bed in a hurry to close the window and found an unfamiliar envelope on the table that she hadn't seen when she fell asleep.
The red seal on the envelope looked somehow familiar.
As she hastily removed the seal that had been sealed due to ominousness, concise content caught her eye.
Dear Baroness Marilyn Lehr,
I will visit your home early this morning.
Marilyn's face turned pale as she thought about the date and time of the visit written underneath the letter.
“Ah, you finally read it.”
“Wow... !”
Dorothea laughed, covering her mouth with her hand.
“Of course, I can do it so that others don’t hear, but for the time being, I plan to conserve my ‘power’ as much as possible. I would like you to be quiet.”
Marilyn rolled her eyes and nodded, her sweat dripping from her lips at the soft words.
“Actually, I was planning on visiting during the day, but it seemed like the Young Lady didn’t want to get involved with us, so I had no choice but to visit sneakily.”
“...”
“Isn’t this side much better?”
How could it get better?
Marilyn was very self-conscious about her disheveled hair, her pajamas, her haggard face from being sick in bed, and her almost screaming appearance.
After growing up, she comprehensively showed her worst side, something she had never shown even to her own family.
“In the future, if Young Lady wants, I will visit you carefully like this.”
Does that mean there will be another visit?
Marilyn shook her head earnestly, her face pale.
“Please visit me formally by letter during the day.”
“You didn’t want to get involved with me, did you?”
“Who said that? Me? No, I think I would be very happy and grateful if Young- Lady would come and visit us properly during the day when everyone is watching.”
Dorothea nodded as she watched Marilyn sobbing strangely.
If she wants to sneak in at night, the number of things she has to worry about doubles.
The mansion's guards also had to be put to sleep, and to do that, she had to waste her energy, but if she wanted to visit during the day with such a desperate look on her face, it would have been more convenient for her.
“I will do that.”
“And please! Please send me a letter the day before your visit...”
Marilyn sobbed.
“I will definitely do that.”
She guessed she should have listened to Dane this time.
Dorothea remembered the Dane's words about sending a letter decorated with ornate gold leaf, accompanied by luxurious flowers and a wonderful gift.
'Was that simple letter so sad?'
Well, most girls like things that are flashy, beautiful, and stand out.
Convinced, Dorothea decided to send Marilyn a gift and a bouquet of flowers in front of everyone, something so wonderful that no one could ever match it.
“So, why did you come here?”
“Oh, I heard you had a big problem, so I’m here to offer my condolences.”
“...”
Dorothea turned to Marilyn, who seemed to have a lot to say and spoke again to her with bleary eyes.
“I heard you saw the attacker clearly. Can you tell me about him?”
Marilyn's face was so pale that it would be difficult to make it any paler.
She bit her fingernails as if she was anxious, but soon opened her mouth.
“I know who that person is. That person’s face... It’s changed a lot, but I’ve definitely seen it before.”
"Is it so?"
“This is the young Master of Count Germain, who has been staying at home these days. I’ve seen his face a few times at banquets.”
“...”
Stay home and don't go out.
Instead of eventually acknowledging his death, Count Germain left him as 'missing'.
She has never heard of the Count or his son, the Young Count, ever staying away from society, so the secluded Count Germain's spirit that Marilyn talks about...
“Raymond Germain.”
“Yes, that was the name.”
The corpse, whose face had been damaged, was restored to a level where it could be recognized.
His soul has already crossed the Styx and is preparing for a new life. Who on earth are these foolish people who play with the body of the dead?
'I feel like our Count is hiding something deeply from me.'
In that case, is there no need for me to go out politely from this side?
As the corners of Dorothea's mouth rose, Marilyn cowered in fear and looked at the open window with longing eyes.
'I'm freezing, can you close the door?'
Freed, who had been standing there with indifferent eyes, quietly walked over to the window and closed it.
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