Chapter 48
But the season's early audience ceremony was already over, and the crown prince's thirtieth birthday was exactly a week later—perfect timing.
Gabriel would handle the invitation. He'd prepare the dress too, and even arrange a chaperone. As expected of a romanta-sy male lead, he took care of everything from one to ten with meticulous skill….
Now he had to teach me to dance too. I felt a twinge of guilt for dumping it on him, but then realized this was a disaster he'd invited himself—so I shook off the remorse.
Yes. Gabriel asked to be my partner first. That's love for you. The one who loves more loses.
Come to think of it, how did Dolliné know Gabriel was my partner?
I'd never mentioned it. Had news of Gabriel requesting me as partner already spread? Social circles really move fast on gossip.
***
"Take care on your way, Dolliné."
"Yes. Thank you."
Finally, finally, that hellish time was over. Dolliné bid polite farewell with a gentle smile and hurried from the room. She carefully closed the door and took a deep breath. Out of Evangeline's sight at last, she could finally breathe.
'Damn it, cursed thing.'
Not even withdrawal symptoms, yet her hands still trembled. Even for the bishop's request, she should've refused.
A while back, word spread that Count Rohanson sought home tutors. The sickly lady on death's door had miraculously recovered and was preparing in earnest to enter society.
Having passed the proper debut age, Evangeline Rohanson had become frequent fodder for gossips' chatter.
Her illness was a lie; pale-faced, she'd hidden away. Actually, Evangeline died, and the count found a double who looked just like her. Eyewitnesses from the temple said she had an angelic aura, like a god descending.
With no interactions under pretense of illness, no friends meant rumors ran rampant unchecked.
Dolliné ignored such talk until Javania Bishop made his offer. As always, on her way to secretly buy Holy Water.
"Very simple task. Succeed, and I'll reward you."
Infiltrate as Evangeline's home tutor, observe her and her ties to Knight Commander Gabriel, report back. In exchange, Holy Water every three months.
Dolliné was a severe drug addict. Discovered, she'd even divorced over it.
When addiction worsened, she'd drink Holy Water every six months to treat it repeatedly. Both drugs and gold were pricey hobbies; lately cash-strapped, she jumped at the tutor job offering both Holy Water and pay.
She hadn't questioned the odd request. In hindsight, she should've asked.
Thanks to Javania Bishop's forged application, Dolliné was easily hired. The start was simple. How hard could observing one frail girl be?
Miscalculation. Actual Evangeline Rohanson was utterly bizarre. Angel? Frail? Pale? Who among those mocking her had faced her directly?
'No ordinary girl.'
Even Javania Bishop's assessment was off. That old fool must have cataracts from age. No idea what he saw to judge so.
Translucent skin with barely visible veins, red eyes like the finest rubies filling empty pupils. Evangeline seemed less human than a temple angel statue.
Her vision spun. Her head was ransacked wildly.
No drugs, yet words incessantly injected into her mind. Like whispers in her ear. Itchy, like bugs burrowing in.
"Kneel at her feet now. Bow, worship, praise, exalt, adore, revere."
Always such voices circling her head around Lady Evangeline.
Dolliné resisted submission due to familiarity with similar withdrawal hallucinations.
She already heard 'Jump from the window,' 'Throw yourself under a carriage.' One more harmony didn't change much. Words tangled into nonsense like 'Slit your wrists to prove worship,' but ignorable still.
Familiar, but no job to endure long-term. She understood why other tutors fled.
Without Dolliné's clear purpose, impossible to last. What mental state did mansion staff have? All high on drugs?
Especially the three maids around Evangeline Rohanson seemed craziest. Brains severed or courage broken for sure.
Red-haired Kanna already seemed voice-controlled; Daisy eyed her warily. Most normal and approachable: Hena.
"Leaving now?"
She ran into Hena. Gloomy face asked softly.
No. Hena left the room first, should've gone down, yet on the same floor—waiting for Dolliné.
"Need to see the butler, right? Shall we go together?"
Dolliné started to shake her head, then recalled Holy Water and said 'Yes.' Good chance to dig info.
As tutor, Dolliné detailed everything seen at Rohanson Mansion for Javania: impressions of Lady Rohanson, close maids, eerily quiet staff. To write exhaustive letters post-departure.
But no replies. Keep watching Lady Evangeline at Rohanson Mansion?
Info seemed too meager for responses. Needed juicier details. At least say to continue.
Staying longer, she'd lick Evangeline Rohanson's soles for real.
"Praise her."
"Pardon?"
"You're the last one left, Dolliné. Others quit so soon; Lady was disappointed."
"Is that so? Lady's so kind."
"Yes."
Dolliné flattered Evangeline to butter up Hena, but no delight shown. Praising Lady worked great on Kanna—why so different between sisters?
Butler gave fat bonus. Enough for a happy week. Dolliné thanked sincerely, pocketing it.
"And Dolliné, keeping the confidentiality clause?"
"Of course. No one to tell anyway."
"Please continue upholding it."
Dolliné promised falsely at butler's urging. She'd write Javania Bishop immediately upon leaving. Learned plenty today.
"I'll be off then."
Bid butler farewell, heading out. As she crossed the threshold, clothes yanked from behind, choking her to the floor in coughs.
"Gah, keh. *Cough*. Wha—what the... hell!"
Hena gripped Dolliné's throat. Fallen view showed Hena's shoes. Why suddenly? Caught as spy? Butlers words a warning?
"Prove reverence in death."
Death? Got it. Trying to kill her. Murder to silence, not quit. Other tutors killed too. Damn Javania threw her to wolves!
'She's... going to kill me...!'
Dolliné gasped, crawling to door. Futile; Hena caught up in two steps.
Shadow loomed. Done for. No escape. To despairing Dolliné, Hena said pityingly.
"Dolliné, that's a window."
Dolliné looked up.
"Huh?"
Door was there—now only open window. Second floor. Wouldn't die falling, but why mistake height for door?
Severe withdrawal. Needed drugs. Or Holy Water to treat. Now! Hands shaking, pulled emergency stash. Hoarded for lack of buy money. Snorted it.
*Sniff—exhale—.*
Mind hazed. World swirled like mixed paints. Hena's face distorted. Split in two, decomposed to ten, reformed thirty.
Spinning palette birthed new mass. Black paint dripped. Ink spread rapidly.
"Oops, mistake. Told to let live two weeks."
Black, twisted thing spoke. Thirteen eyes eyed Dolliné; four mouths writhed.
"But this state, no need to touch?"
Twisted hummed away. World still warped. Someone lifted Dolliné. She kicked in fear; opponent named 'Hena.' Familiar name.
Three-circled Hena gripped shoulders painfully.
"Dolliné, I'll say again. Heed me. To live, never defy Lady. Just obey her. Lady's kind; won't question your sins."
