This must be an elaborate fake newspaper created by Eon with magic. He gave me this nightmare to drive me into even greater despair.
I was just sitting still, but I was out of breath as if I had been running. I pounded my chest. For some reason, it felt like I couldn't breathe properly.
“Miss Selinia.”
"Go away! Don't touch me!"
I slapped Eon's hand away. It was because of Eon. Karina ended up in that state because Eon summoned a shadow.
'Yeah, it's because of that murderer. Everything.'
Even as I compulsively repeated it to myself, I actually knew. If I hadn't met Karina, if I had waited for the original story to unfold as it was, this wouldn't have happened. It was as if my recklessness and greed had driven her to her death.
'So what should I do now?'
Now all hope has vanished. I will never be able to escape this murderer. The moment that thought crossed my mind, I even felt disillusioned with myself. Karina lost her life trying to help me, yet facing the news of her passing, I was only worried about my own future.
'How can a person like me be so selfish?'
There was me, who failed to prevent Tara's death. There was me, who drove Karen to her death in my place. And this time, I even caused Karina's death. It was to the point where it was laughable that someone like me feared Eon as a murderer.
"What on earth are you doing?"
Eon held my hands.
"Strangling yourself? Are you trying to kill yourself?"
A crooked smile played on Eon's lips. The strength drained from my hand. In the end, I couldn't do anything and let go of my arm.
"Have you forgotten what I told you? I said you must stay by my side."
He bent down and picked up the torn piece of newspaper. Then he placed it neatly on the table.
[Military Police Captain Karina de Lemont, dead]
That phrase caught my eye again. Only then did I realize why Eon had brought this article. It was a warning never to even think about running away again. A warning that anyone who helped me would end up like Karina.
I thought of another person who helped me escape.
'What happened to Rudis?'
Since he was a famous novelist, if he had died, it would have been reported in the newspapers several times more prominently. Of course, there was also a chance that Eon would not have noticed Rudis, whose performance that day had been minimal.
"Is that all the news you want to tell me?"
I asked, suppressing my pounding heart. It was because I realized that now was not the time to mourn Karina's death.
"There is one more thing, but it would be best for Miss Selinia to check that for herself later."
To think this isn't the end. I had a bad feeling.
"You can look forward to it."
Eon left with a meaningful smile.
Only cold soup and a newspaper with Karina's obituary remained in the room.
"Karina is dead."
I traced her name across the paper as if the ink were Karina herself. I recalled the gentle look in her eyes when she promised to help me the first time we met. The sensation of holding her waist tightly and burying my face in her back was still vivid.
As I remained like that for quite some time, the resentment, self-reproach, and fear of the future vanished. Only the sorrow of Karina no longer existing in this world settled in my heart.
The word 'death' scattered and spread around. This time, Karina's name faded away as if shattering. Only now could I shed tears.
***
"Miss? Are you awake?"
Am I dreaming? I never thought life at the Count's mansion was happy, but being in the Magic Tower, it seemed I had come to miss those days.
'Come to think of it, back then, all I had to do was bear the burden myself. At least no one died.'
“I’m Mary.”
Seeing the kind Mary appear, I realized it was just a dream.
"Miss, do you recognize me?"
Mary changed the handkerchief placed on her forehead.
'It's cold.'
My shoulders flinched at the unexpected sensation.
"Oh my, are you cold? I'm sorry. I was trying to cool down."
'Isn't it a dream?'
My voice wouldn't come out properly. As soon as I moved my lips, Mary quickly brought some water.
I moistened my lips first and held the water in my mouth for a moment. As I swallowed the liquid, which was nothing special, my throat hurt as if it were being torn apart.
"It really isn't a dream."
"Did you think it was a dream?"
Mary laughed softly.
"Since you are in the Magic Tower, wouldn't it be understandable that you think that way?"
There are times when the head is a step behind the mouth. This was exactly that moment. Only after spitting out those words did it dawn on Mary that she shouldn't be in the Magic Tower.
“Why are you here?”
"Oh my. Didn't the Marquis tell you I was coming?"
I remembered what Eon had said to look forward to, as there was more news.
"How did you end up here? What about the Count's family?"
"The Lord of the Magic Tower sent someone to offer me a job there. To be honest, the Count's mansion had been giving me the cold shoulder ever since the incident at the dressmaking shop. I thought this was a good opportunity."
Mary's face looked genuinely happy as she said that.
"And I can serve you like this again, Miss."
I was also glad to see Mary again. However, seeing her voluntarily enter a death trap, I could not simply be happy.
"Mary."
"Yes?"
“Run away”
"What does that mean...?"
"You have to survive. If you stay here, you'll die."
Just as I spoke, a knock was heard.
“Miss Selinia.”
"Oh my. It must be the Marquis. Please come here. I will get you ready right away."
Mary dragged me to the dressing table. Unable to withstand Mary's insistence, I shouted out the door.
"Please wait a moment. I'm not ready yet."
It was clear that Mary still misunderstood the relationship between me and Eon. I cautiously asked Mary, who was stroking my hair with a pleased expression.
"Have you met the other maids?"
"Of course. I came over yesterday evening to say hello."
"Someone claimed to be senior maids, yet no one stepped forward?"
"No? Is there a senior maid? Come to think of it, there isn't a head maid here."
Mary, who had been tormented by the head maid at the Count's mansion, was very satisfied, considering that fact alone made it a good place to work.
"No, it's not the Head Maid who's the problem; first, you need to be careful of the people called senior maids."
"I suppose they're showing some territoriality. Then again, since I’ve come to serve you like this, they might think I’m the newcomer displacing the established one..."
"No, no, it's not that kind."
"May I come in now?"
Eon's voice, filled with urgency, was heard. Mary hurriedly applied lipstick to my lips, giving me a look that said, "Hurry up and answer." I had no idea where on earth that had come from.
"Yes, yes. Please come in."
"Greetings, Marquis Grannois. I am still not used to the Magic Tower, so the young lady's preparations were delayed a little."
Mary spoke at length as if she were apologetic for not having dressed me up perfectly. However, I looked the best I had since arriving at the Magic Tower. After all, until now I had been going around with my hair loosely tied back and a face completely devoid of makeup.
"No, that is not the case. Miss Selinia is very beautiful today."
Eon added, his eyes sparkling as if finding this side of me unfamiliar.
"Of course, you are always beautiful, though."
"Oh my, oh my."
Mary looked at me, blushing as if she had been praised. She wore that pleased expression once again. Her silently gaping lips were saying how romantic it was.
'Romantic? What romance?'
"Now that Mary has arrived, I hope Miss Selinia can find some comfort here, even if just a little."
Eon smiled affectionately, as if trying to act like a caring lover.
"Don't even think about running away in the middle of the night."
"R-run away? Why would my young lady run away?"
Mary replied in surprise, as if finding it absurd.
"Suddenly wanting to return to the Count's mansion..."
"That can't be true. The Count is already seething with anger over the insult."
"You might end up disliking me or something."
"There are often young ladies who act on impulse, but our young lady is not that fickle."
"I worried for nothing. But just in case Miss Selinia tries to run away, you must stop her. Even if she suggests running away together."
Eon tossed out the words lightly, as if cracking a silly joke. Thanks to that, Mary laughed and answered nonchalantly that she understood. I was the only one who was nervous in this peaceful atmosphere.
Now I think I understand why Eon called Mary. He hadn't brought her for his dirty hobby of collecting brown-haired, green-eyed women.
'Trying to threaten me.'
Mary was a hostage.
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