“When I mentioned that she could read the books in the library, she did indeed select one each night to read, but other than that, she stayed mostly in her room or occasionally strolled in the garden. I also checked her belongings, but there was nothing out of the ordinary…”

Barbara’s report trailed off just as they were a few steps away from the landing. 

“She’s back!” 

The excited voices of the agents at the mansion’s entrance interrupted her. The sound of a carriage approaching echoed through the hallway. 

Oscar, who had instinctively turned his head to glance over his shoulder, stopped mid-motion. It had been a tiring night. He wanted nothing more than to wash away the lingering stench of blood. The reports would reach him in due time, and the key was secure, so there was no reason to look back. He refocused on the staircase and placed his foot on the next step. But as he did, time seemed to fold in on itself. 

The half-drawn curtains, the transparent window… The memory of the woman who had quickly turned away when their eyes met came rushing back, provoking a cynical thought. 

How ridiculous. She had been the one sneaking a glance. 

But now, he found himself wondering how that face might have changed by now. 

Oscar stood still, deep in thought, with one hand in his pocket and the other foot poised on the next step. Barbara looked at him curiously, sensing his heightened awareness behind her. 

The carriage stopped, the door opened, and the sound of light, tentative footsteps reached his ears. They were so faint it was almost as if no one was there. 

Oscar glanced down, then raised his head, a lazy smile playing on his lips. He lit a cigarette as he turned to face the entrance. The smoke billowed out, momentarily obscuring his vision. A slender silhouette flickered into view before disappearing again. 

The smoke quickly dissipated. 

Oscar held the smoke in his lungs, not yet exhaling. 

Small feet, an ankle, the hem of a skirt, a trench coat that looked a bit too chilly for the late summer weather in Luxen… His gaze continued upward until it reached the woman’s face, and his eyes narrowed. 

The woman, pale to the point of looking blue, had a face that seemed on the verge of tears. Her skirt, shoes, and even the bit of her ankle that peeked out were in disarray. 

“I’ll handle this, my lord,” Barbara said quickly, descending the stairs. 

Oscar instinctively searched for Abel, spotting him as he stepped out of the carriage. Oscar’s confusion deepened as he observed Abel’s appearance. 

He looked just as dishevelled as the woman, if not worse. His shoes and the hems of his trousers were filthy, and his hair was a tangled mess. 

Oscar began descending the stairs towards them, one step at a time. The situation was incomprehensible. 

And then, something even more baffling happened. 

“Could you bring some salt, please?” 

The woman, who looked as though she might cry at any moment, urgently called out to Barbara, her gaze flicking nervously to the clearly furious Abel. 

“Barbara, please bring some salt and a lot of it.” 

“Salt…?” Barbara echoed, surprised. 

“Yes, salt, please. A lot of it.” 

Her voice was barely more than a whisper, but her expression and movements conveyed a sense of urgency. Without a word, Barbara signalled to one of the servants, who immediately ran off to fetch the salt. Meanwhile, Abel, looking as though he was about to snap, turned to leave, but the woman quickly grabbed his arm. 

“Wait… please, just a moment!” 

By this time, Oscar had leisurely made his way to the entrance, his steps cool but tinged with curiosity. He leaned against the doorframe, observing the bizarre scene before him. Not only Oscar but also dozens of agents were watching the standoff between the two with intense interest. 

Just as Abel, who was visibly seething, opened his mouth to speak, the servant returned. 

“Here’s the salt!” 

The woman, her face ashen, turned to accept the salt. Abel hesitated, noticing Oscar’s presence for the first time, then moved as if to approach him. But Oscar, with a cigarette in his mouth, motioned for him to continue what he was doing. Abel stopped in his tracks, looking mortified. 

Now, the only person unaware of the mansion’s master’s arrival was the woman. She stared at the rock salt grinder the servant handed her, looking somewhat bewildered. 

Oscar narrowed his eyes as he watched her. 

What is she planning to do with that?