“Episode 2”
“The story can be shared after dawn, shall we call it a night? Let’s save the teasing for tomorrow.”
The gentle voice echoing in my ears melted away the stiffness in my heart. As I lowered my heavy eyelids, I murmured:
“…I’m Isabella.”
I felt him pulling the blanket over me, and as I drifted into a hypnotic sleep, he spoke:
“I already know your name, Isabella.”
With a soft whisper of “Goodnight,” I fell into a deep slumber, feeling like tonight I could sleep peacefully without any unpleasant nightmares.
* * *
I lifted my eyelids to the incessant chirping of birds. The warm sunlight seeped through the tightly closed curtains of the bedroom.
“…Edan?”
Calling out his name, I received no response. Turning my head, I found the bed where he had been lying neatly made, without a single wrinkle.
Rubbing my swollen eyelids, I noticed a note placed on top of the dresser:
<Come downstairs to the dining room when you wake up. I’ll have breakfast prepared.>
He had mentioned it yesterday. There wasn’t a proper servant in the dreary mansion. Was he diligently preparing breakfast himself then? I grew curious.
Following the instructions on the note, I made my way out of the bedroom and headed towards the stairs. Even though it was already bright outside, the curtains of the ghostly mansion remained tightly shut, creating a somber atmosphere.
Navigating through the labyrinthine corridors, I easily found the dining room, thanks to the incessantly chirping parrots.
“Isabella, good morning.”
Edan, dressed in a light shirt, set dishes on the table as he spoke. Yes, I had told him my name in my sleep.
“Did you sleep well?”
“…Thanks to you.”
Sitting at the table, I watched Edan’s back. His platinum blond hair was neatly arranged without a single strand out of place.
In contrast, there I was, sitting vulnerably with only a thin slip on. Belatedly realizing, I adjusted my posture, and Edan casually pulled up a chair.
“It might be cold. I’ll bring you something to cover up.”
He handed me a thick blanket. Without a word, I accepted it and wrapped myself tightly to conceal any vulnerability.
“Edan, there’s only one set of tableware.”
“Kind Isabella, I’m fine. You go ahead and eat first.”
Standing at a distance, he smiled faintly. His ecstatic smile brought a blush to my cheeks.
“Come on in. I’m not sure if it’ll suit your taste, but…”
“It’s too much for one person. You’ve made the effort, so let’s eat together.”
As I got up from my seat, he stiffened his expression and took a step back.
Did I make another mistake?
Anxiously meeting Edan’s gaze, he spoke from a distance.
“…When the sun is up, it would be nice to keep a certain distance. Getting too close is a bit uncomfortable for me.”
To be warned not to breach his boundaries on a topic we had whispered about breathlessly last night. He was truly a difficult person.
“Isabella, I trust you won’t disobey and disturb my peace of mind.”
His tone was laden with caution. Not wanting to create conflict, I quietly sat back down at the table.
“…Yes, I understand.”
Looking up at his narrowed brow nervously, I whispered in fear, “What have I done to you?”
Edan’s lips curled into a sly smirk. With an arrogant air, he stiffened his jaw and whispered, “I’ve had a change of heart. I intended to ruthlessly drive you out as punishment for breaking the rules…”
His tone, his every action, left me bewildered.
“You’re lucky. Your pitiful past stirred my sympathy.”
He reached out to me as if nothing had happened. I stared blankly as his fingers slowly approached.
“Isabella, are you curious about what I’ve done to you?”
Tension heightened with his secretive whisper.
Gulping, I tasted his words like a starving beast devouring succulent fruit.
“…Tell me. What have you done to me?”
The vivid sensation at my fingertips, the vibrant colors like a vivid painting. I was ensnared by a mysterious hallucination I had never experienced before. I wanted to know. What have you done to me? And who are you?
“Poor Isabella, I’ve read your memories.”
He gently cupped my cheek with his soft touch. I gazed up at the enraptured face of Edan as if I were a pet looking up at its master.
“Isabella, what did you see in my gaze?”
His voice was as sweet as hypnotism, causing my tightly sealed lips to part involuntarily.
“…I saw a bird falling from the sky.”
“People who can read memories have all reported seeing hallucinations. I think it represents their inner self.”
Did the parrot, chirping incessantly while suffering, want to say something about my inner self?
It was a fanciful story, but I couldn’t muster any objections to his words.
“Isabella, I’m cursed terribly. Whenever I make eye contact with someone, I read all of their memories.”
Being able to read someone else’s memories was a fairy-tale-like story, absurd and beautiful.
“You don’t believe it. It’s like a beautiful fairy tale.”
“…Beautiful?”
He sighed deeply as if disappointed. Then, with half-closed eyes, he gently lifted me from the carpeted floor.
“This is a curse from the gods, Isabella.”
He leaned in as if about to kiss me.
“Reading memories means reading every dark secret the person hides. Inescapable memories deeply embedded in the mind sometimes torment me.”
His long fingers sifted through my hair. My head tilted involuntarily towards the gentle touch, like a pet being caressed.
“That’s why I tried to keep my distance from you. I didn’t want to intrude on your memories without permission.”
Edan’s eyelids drooped languidly. A single red feather settled lightly on his rigid neck like a sculpture.
“That’s when it happened. Dozens of parrots flew in through the half-open bedroom window. Edan’s platinum blond hair fluttered wildly as they swarmed around him.”
“…Tell her about my reputation.”
With closed eyes, he murmured softly. The flock of parrots, tightly locked in the air, chattered incessantly.
Twisting their beaks and letting out cries, the voices of delicate women flowed through the parrots’ vocal cords.
“Did you hear? The heir to the Holden Marquisate burned his family to death to monopolize the inheritance. Even his sick mother.”
“He never participates in economic activities, yet invites young women to the haunted mansion every night for debauchery.”
“After spending the night, he invariably condemns his nightly companions to death.”
“Holden Marquis is a monster. If you set foot in the haunted mansion, you’ll undoubtedly meet your demise.”
Between the colorful feathers fluttering in the air, his eyelids lifted slightly.
“Now it’s up to you, Isabella.”
He was a man with a dazzling appearance, almost like a monster. When I met his gaze, I was enveloped in a hazy sensation, like someone who had drunk too much strong liquor.
“…But I’ve never been given a choice in my life.”
I was nothing but livestock bred to be handed over to the Baron Briton. Livestock like me would never be given a choice.
“Isabella, the choice is entirely yours, but I can offer some advice.”
He swept his hand gently over my cheek with a playful touch.
“Your back is so flawless and beautiful.”
“…Really? I’ve never seen my own back.”
“It’s such a pity that you’ve never had the chance to see it with your own eyes. Well, I’ll make sure to look at it enough for both of us.”
His overly candid expression made my face flush.
“Silly Isabella, he was just talking about my feathers as if complimenting them. Don’t forget your position.”
“Alright, that’s enough. Shall we look in the mirror?”
He led me to a large full-length mirror. Now that I thought about it, I had never worn a pure white dress before. It could easily leave irremovable stains if I made a mistake.
“You’re truly beautiful, Isabella. Just as I imagined.”
Edan smiled brightly, seemingly satisfied, and buried his face in my neck. His soft platinum hair tickled my delicate skin.
I thought about the reflection in the mirror, a thought that shouldn’t have crossed my mind. A pure white dress, almost like a wedding dress. I had never worn one, and I never thought I would after being rejected by Simon. I blushed at the embarrassing fantasy.
Suddenly, I felt a piercing gaze and lifted my head. Edan, who had been leaning against my neck, was now staring intensely at my reflection in the mirror, without blinking.
“…Truly, truly beautiful.”
Yes, it was the same gaze I had seen in the pet store. My eyelashes trembled at Edan’s low murmur.
***
“Bella, have you been waiting long?”
I raised my head at the familiar voice in my ear. My beloved Simon, with his pumpkin-colored eyes. As soon as I caught sight of his adorable face, a foolish grin spread across my face.
“…I must have fallen asleep while waiting.”
With closed eyes, I saw a blurry figure like a ghost. For a moment, I was lost in daydreams, but then my attention was caught by the scent of unfamiliar perfume.
Simon, how many women did you meet today? How persistent were you to be surrounded by the lingering scent of perfume?
“Bella, are you feeling unwell? Shall we go back a little earlier today?”
He twisted his melodramatic tone, pretending to be worried.
“No, it’s fine. We’ve just met.”
As I shook my head, Simon’s lips twisted with exaggerated concern.
Yes, you probably want to go back to being the heir soon. You must miss the soft bedding after spending nights indulging in the bodies of other women. While I wait for you until sunset at the agreed place, I am of no concern to you, am I?
“Simon, you seem really tired lately.”
With a coy smile, I remarked, but Simon exaggeratedly complained of muscle pain.
With every sway of his clothes, I caught the scent of another woman, and traces of affection peeked out beyond the collar of his shirt. Tears welled up at the undeniable reality.
“I wish I were even more foolish. Then maybe I would have believed your lies and been convinced by your lips, which wandered through the bodies of other women all night.”
“Simon, but that means I love you even more.”
That’s how much I don’t want to be abandoned.
My savior who will release me from the shackles around my ankles. Even if you deceive me with cheap lies and indulge in the bodies of other women every night, you are still my only god.
“Anyway, it was too early to talk about marriage. We still have plenty of time after you inherit the title of marquis.”
By the time he inherited the title of marquis, my shattered heart would surely be ashes.
“…Simon, you’re right. I’ll wait until you’re ready.”
Once again, I said something I didn’t truly mean. In truth, I don’t have the confidence to wait until then. Like a withered flower, I wilt day by day, and why don’t you notice? Sorrow swirled within me as I firmly shut my lips.
“Bella, are you upset? Maybe I took out my frustration on you because of the lessons on inheriting the title. I’m sorry if I rushed you.”
“…There’s no way. I was just silent because I felt bad for rushing you.”
“If that’s the case, then I’m relieved. Oh, how about going to the opera this weekend? I’ve been so busy lately that I haven’t seen you at all. Let’s go watch and have a change of mood.”
Even a mediocre play would be enjoyable with Simon, let alone an opera performance.
“I’m so glad, Simon.”
I raised the corners of my lips brightly at his unexpected suggestion. How long had it been since we spent a special weekend together? It was countless.
And the long-awaited weekend had finally arrived. Last night, I couldn’t sleep with excitement as if my heart would burst.
“Miss, are you really going out? The weather isn’t very good.”
Marie asked worriedly. I smiled brightly at her with raised cheeks.
“Marie, can you believe it’s been so long since he suggested spending the weekend together? Today seems like it will be a very special day.”
Despite Marie’s objections, we braved the heavy rain and headed to the opera house.
“Simon?”
I thought he would be waiting for me, but Simon was nowhere to be found. I decided to lean against the theater signboard and wait for him.
“Maybe he’s running late because of the rain.”
Although there wasn’t much time left until the performance, he didn’t even show a single strand of hair. In my anxious wait, a ominous feeling crept over me.
Surely not, it can’t be. Let’s wait a little longer. Just a little.
“He couldn’t have forgotten me…”
I tried to deny reality with a pathetic wail.
“No, it’s not possible.”
At that moment, a soft male voice echoed through the gloomy rain.
“Isabella, wake up.”
It felt like I was trapped in thick fog. I flailed my body aimlessly in search of the source of the voice.
“Isabella!”
