Chapter One.
A young man, barely nineteen, sat by a pond with a solemn expression, watching the fish that occasionally leapt from the water before slipping back beneath the surface. He had curly brown hair and a striking pair of ocean-blue eyes that seemed to glow with wonder, perhaps from his quiet admiration for nature, whenever a tiny fish broke through the water.
This was not the first time he had witnessed such a sight, yet each occurrence stirred the same sense of amazement within him. That small, fleeting moment always did. After all, he had been born into wealth as the only child of the Duke of Lamborg, with no companions to call his own. He was confined to the estate most days, venturing out only on rare occasions when he accompanied his father to grand balls and formal gatherings. Even now, he remained at the rear of his father's mansion, where the pond lay in quiet seclusion.
"Isn't it such a beautiful sight? It is peculiar that the sun seems to be assisting me," the young man murmured to himself, lifting his gaze toward the sky.
The sun hovered above in gentle brilliance. Its warm rays poured over the pond, transforming the plain water into a trembling mirror of gold. Each ripple stretched the light into wavering strands of amber, and whenever a small fish leapt, its silver body flashed vividly before disappearing beneath the surface once more.
It truly felt as though the sun were aiding him, deliberately enhancing the tranquil beauty of the pond behind his father's grand mansion.
"…Again, astonishing."
Out of the blue, as he lingered in his quiet solitude, a middle-aged man approached from behind and offered a brief bow. He had been waiting patiently for the young master to conclude his contemplation, yet an important message had arrived and could not be delayed.
With composed grace, he spoke:
"Young Master Rain, she will be arriving shortly, and dinner will soon be prepared. You should make yourself ready as well."
Rain's eyes brightened at the old man Klein's words. He sprang to his feet in undisguised delight and rushed past him, only to halt midway and turn back to the loyal servant who had long attended him.
"You mean Mary will be here soon, correct? It has been far too long since we last met. Please, I truly require your help in choosing my attire, because… I do not wish to make it obvious to her how poorly I dress on my own," he said in a hurried breath, striving to maintain the composure expected of a nobleman.
No, he could not keep the façade intact.
Old man Klein smiled and inclined his head in assent without further comment. Rain hurried into the mansion, and the servant followed at a measured pace.
After years of loneliness, Rain had discovered his personal sun once more when he met Mary at a winter ball, shortly after his mother's passing. Though she was three years his junior, she had brought warmth back into his life at a moment when he had felt irreparably hollow. From time to time, they met and conversed at length, their discussions growing more intimate and meaningful with each encounter. His affection deepened beyond his expectations. Gradually, he became devoted to the young woman who had arrived from another city and altered the course of his days.
Their families approved of the attachment. She was the daughter of a well-known merchant, and the union promised a favourable alliance between households. Even so, the affection they shared was genuine.
However, months had passed since their last meeting, and Rain had begun to fear that she had forgotten him and moved on. Then, a week ago, a letter arrived in her hand. She wrote that she would soon visit him, her beloved. Since that day, his spirits had risen steadily. That anticipation had drawn him back to the pond once more, to await the hour of her arrival.
In less than an hour, she would be there.
He could scarcely contain his happiness.
Klein and the other servants of the Duke were pleased to see the young master in such high spirits. With careful diligence, they ensured that every detail was prepared for him and his cherished guest. Rain ascended the staircase with Klein to make himself ready and to retrieve the letter he intended to present to her personally upon her arrival.
"Oh, please, Klein, hurry upstairs. I cannot wait," Rain called in delight, glancing back at the old man who struggled to climb the broad staircase at the same pace.
Klein paused midway, breathing heavily.
"Young master, kindly slow your steps."
"You must exercise more, Klein. I will wait for you then. Hehe," Rain replied, and quickened his pace regardless.
The old man shook his head in weary resignation yet continued onward. There was little time before her arrival, and he wished for Rain to stand before her with confidence. Every servant in the household desired the same.
A private table had been arranged for two in the vast dining parlour. An array of freshly prepared dishes adorned its polished surface, and a bouquet of roses rested within a crystal vase at the centre of the long table, where two chairs faced one another. The chandelier cast a warm radiance across the room, heightening its grandeur. Three tall windows lined the far wall, one left slightly ajar. As the minutes passed, the sun descended beyond the horizon, yielding gradually to the rise of a full moon.
Soon after, Klein had dressed Rain with meticulous care in his finest attire, suitable for receiving someone dear to him. He wore a tailored suit of deep navy, fitted cleanly to his frame, with subtle silver embroidery tracing the cuffs and collar. A crisp white shirt lay beneath, fastened neatly to the top, and a dark cravat was secured at his neck. His curly brown hair had been brushed back, though a few strands lingered upon his forehead. His ocean-blue eyes held a quiet resolve.
When all was in order, Rain stepped outside to await her arrival at the front of the mansion. Klein and three other servants followed several paces behind, maintaining proper decorum. The sun had fully set, and the full moon cast a pale glow across the courtyard. The gravel path and manicured hedges were bathed in soft silver light.
Before long, the distant sound of carriage wheels reached his ears. The horses advanced steadily, and the carriage soon appeared, its dark exterior reflecting the moonlight in a subdued sheen. Rain felt his chest tighten with anticipation as it drew nearer.
When it came to a halt before him, his excitement was apparent despite his effort to remain composed.
One of her attendants descended first and opened the carriage door.
A moment later, Mary stepped out with graceful poise. Her long hair fell smoothly down her back, dark and lustrous beneath the moonlight. Her eyes were a clear shade of green, composed yet observant. She wore a flowing gown of soft lavender, fitted at the waist and falling elegantly to the ground, with delicate lace trimming the sleeves and hem.
She approached him unhurriedly.
When their gazes met, neither looked away. His blue eyes softened, while hers carried a warmth that stirred his heart.
Rain smiled.
"Mary… you came."
"How could I not?" she replied. "It has been far too long, Rain."
A faint smile touched his lips as he reached for her hand, holding it with care.
"…I have been waiting for you, my lady."
"And I for you," she answered gently.
Beneath the quiet glow of the moon, with servants stationed behind them and the mansion rising in the background, they stood close with their hands joined. Rain found himself lost in her eyes, momentarily forgetting how to speak or move until Klein gave a subtle reminder from behind.
Awareness returned at once, and Rain fumbled in mild embarrassment.
"Oh. Yes. We should go inside, Mary. I have prepared dinner for us. Well, my butler assisted. I mean, I…"
Mary gave a soft laugh.
"I understand, Rain. Let us go inside."
His smile widened, though somewhere within him he sensed a faint alteration in her demeanour, a certain unreadable quality in her gaze. He dismissed the thought and chose not to dwell on it.
***
The two young lovers sat opposite one another in the dining parlour. The servants had excused themselves, leaving them alone to savour the evening in privacy. Mary had brought a bottle of grape wine, which she had made herself, and Rain insisted that the household's selection be replaced with hers so he might appreciate it properly.
More accurately, the moment he learned she had crafted it with her own hands, he could not wait to taste it.
The wine carried a rich purple hue and was poured into clear glass cups for them both as they began their meal.
Rain smiled at her while slicing a portion of meat, raising it toward his lips. He had expected to see her equally radiant. Instead, he caught a faint shadow in her expression. This time, he could not overlook it.
"You seem troubled… What is wrong, Mary? Is the food not to your liking?" he asked, his voice lowering with concern.
Mary quickly lifted her hand in protest, her eyes widening.
"No, no. It is nothing of the sort. I simply lost myself in thought for a moment. There is nothing wrong. The food is truly excellent."
She offered him a bright smile.
Rain set down his cutlery and regarded her carefully.
"I agree, my lady. It is excellent. Yet you appear… distant. Have you not missed me?"
Her composure faltered, if only briefly.
"It is not that, Rain. It truly is not. I am sorry."
The apology struck him without warning.
"For what, my lady?" he asked quietly. "I do not understand."
Suddenly, tears began streaming down her face, and she gritted her teeth, seemingly drowning in pain.
'I shouldn't have done this… I should have killed myself instead, not Rain, not him. No, please, I can't let him die like this,' she thought to herself, petrified and visibly terrified as she lifted her head to look at Rain, who was still staring at her with a shocked gaze.
He dropped his utensils and attempted to rise to meet her, but he sank back into the chair as his strength drained rapidly.
'What…? What's happening to me?'
His vision blurred, everything around him fading into indistinct shapes. Blood surged into his mouth, and he coughed violently, expelling a significant amount of crimson. He reached out, trying to grasp something to stand, but failed. His body was failing him.
Meanwhile, Mary was crying uncontrollably.
She could not meet his gaze as guilt consumed her — guilt and fear mingled with the unbearable pain of causing the death of someone so dear.
Was this better…? Was it truly better for him to die by her hands than by someone else's?
She questioned herself.
Rain looked at her in shock, realizing that he had been poisoned… by her. His mind swirled with confusion as memories of their happiest moments rushed through him. He could not comprehend why she had done this, though it appeared not to have been her intent. Still, deep within him, anger burned toward whoever had caused this.
Summoning the little strength he had left, he forced himself from the chair, staggering toward her despite the excruciating pain. She watched him approach with a fragile calmness, though her heart ached with every step he took.
Now standing before her, he gently patted her head and, with his bloodied hand, wiped away her tears. She watched him, her own pain deepening.
Slowly, he whispered in a hoarse voice:
"…It's not your fault, my lady. I don't know why you did this, but don't blame yourself. I think I'm alright here. This… this strangely feels good, you know."
At the last of his words, Rain's eyes closed, and his body slumped to the ground. She quickly pushed the chair aside and caught him in her arms. Her tears flowed even more freely as she cradled the lifeless body of her beloved.
"No. This was a mistake. No! Somebody help! Help! Please!" Mary screamed in agony.
***
A tiny wisp drifted through the eternal darkness, gradually coalescing into the shape of a human. When fully formed, it revealed a young boy, naked, curled in on himself, head pressed against his knees.
From the void, a strange voice emerged, devoid of gender or recognizable tone:
"Mortal, such a cruel fate. You should know you have
been cursed, and amusingly, that is not the end. Your death shall serve as blissful entertainment… Come now, mortal soul, come suffer at the hands of love."