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As Serafina walked into the house, the heavy wooden door groaned shut behind her.
Upstairs, Vivienne heard it and lit up. Like a child eager for a story, she rushed down the stairs. "Oh, sister, you're back!" she beamed, running straight to her.
But when her eyes caught the empty hands and unburdened arms, her brows lifted with mischief. Planting her hands on her hips, she said, "Hmm. Are you certain you made it to the market?"
Serafina gave a breathless, tired laugh. "Oh, please stop with the tease—"
She paused. Her breath caught in her throat.
That was when it hit her—how thoroughly she'd been caught up in the madness of the day. Mr. Devil Angel Saber had completely overshadowed the horror she had witnessed only hours earlier.
Her voice dropped. "Sister… you will not believe what I have to tell you."
Vivienne blinked. "Tell me. What happened? Is everything all right, sister? You don't look quite good… I suppose it's not good news then?"
Serafina's face was pale. "Come upstairs with me."
They climbed the stairs together, the warm tones of their home suddenly feeling colder, thinner.
Inside Serafina's room, the air was quieter. She sat at the edge of her bed and spoke slowly, each word shaped by dread and disbelief.
"I saw… her. I saw the maid. The one who died at the wedding," she said, eyes fixed on the floor. "I swear it, Vivienne—her face, her hair, the same deep scar above her temple. I saw her walking, pale as snow, in torn clothes. Alive."
Vivienne's mouth dropped open.
"Her eyes were bloodshot, red. Her skin had no life in it. And—her teeth—" Serafina swallowed. "They weren't human anymore."
The words sank like stones.
"I saw the blood, Vivi. I saw the fangs. It was all so unreal. But I know what I saw."
Vivienne began to hiccup. She always did when she was truly frightened.
Serafina turned and smirked.
Vivienne widened her eyes. "Sister! How can you smirk in such a situation?"
Serafina gave a tired laugh. "Because… that's not all that happened today."
Vivienne blinked, trying to stay composed through her hiccups.
"I encountered a man. A beautiful man, but strange. Mysterious. I can't even explain him. It's as though he wasn't quite real. He… helped me."
Vivienne perked up, still trembling slightly but curious. "Oh? Tell me all about it—I love boy talk."
Serafina laughed and lightly smacked her sister's shoulder. "I don't even know his name. I didn't ask. I didn't want to seem like I needed him. But he was quite… something."
"Sounds like someone made an impression," Vivienne teased.
"I still think I prefer Mr. Frederick," Serafina said with a shrug. "But you never know."
"Whoever impresses you more," Vivienne grinned. "Let's just hope we see this Mr. Saving Angel again."
They both laughed, the tension in the room beginning to melt.
BANG.
A loud thud echoed from downstairs. A door slammed.
The girls stiffened, turning toward the sound. They looked at each other with wide eyes.
They rushed down the stairs.
Their father had entered. Baron Edevan didn't look at them. His boots stormed over the wooden floor as he made his way straight to his private quarters—what he always called the chamber.
With a heavy hand, he slammed the door behind him.
The two girls jumped at the sound.
From the hallway, their mother appeared. Alura's face was drawn, and her voice was tight. "Go upstairs to your room, girls," she said. "I will speak to your father."
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