The parlor was elegant.
Tall windows. Cream-colored walls. Gold lining across the edges of furniture. A fireplace crackled gently despite the mild weather.
Shoda sat stiffly on a velvet couch.
He was sweating.
Not lightly.
Profusely.
Elmira noticed immediately.
"You're nervous," she said with a soft smile. "Don't be. I'm here. Everything will be fine."
Her voice alone calmed him.
He stood abruptly, overcompensating.
"Oh, my Elmira— I mean— Lady Elmira— your gentle words soothe my troubled soul! I love—"
She blinked.
"…What?"
He froze.
"Nothing."
His face turned red instantly.
The door opened.
A tall man with long white hair entered. His presence filled the room without force. Authority radiated from him effortlessly.
Behind him walked a composed young woman carrying a silver tray.
The man sat.
The girl placed the tray down gracefully and stepped behind him with a polite expression.
His eyes fixed on Shoda.
"Who are you?"
The air felt heavier.
"What are you doing in my estate?"
A pause.
"And what are your intentions with my daughter?"
Shoda shot to his feet.
"MY NAME IS IWAMOTO SHODA!" he declared loudly. "SEVENTEEN! HOMELESS! SLIGHTLY CONFUSED ABOUT REALITY BUT HONESTLY TRYING MY BEST!"
Elmira quickly looked down, embarrassed.
"I have nowhere to go," Shoda continued. "Your daughter showed me kindness. I seek work. Any work."
The man studied him silently.
"I am Eldritch Cain," he said calmly. "Ruler of Nordovia."
Shoda swallowed.
So this was the king.
"If my daughter vouches for you," Eldritch continued, "you may remain."
Elmira nodded gently.
"He is trustworthy, Father."
Shoda glanced at her.
Boy? We're the same age…
Eldritch exhaled lightly.
"Very well. Welcome to the Cain Estate."
He turned slightly.
"Mira."
The girl stepped forward and bowed.
"My name is Mira Fenwick. Head maid of the Cain Estate."
She examined Shoda carefully.
"You will work under me."
Shoda smiled.
"Nice to meet you, Sensei."
She narrowed her eyes.
"We'll see how long you last."
---
Later.
The kitchen.
Mira's polite expression vanished instantly.
"Listen carefully," she said flatly. "You work under me. You follow my orders. No slacking. No stupidity. Understood?"
Shoda nodded quickly.
Shun burst in.
"You called me?"
He spotted Shoda.
"Oh! New guy! How's your stay? Mira's gonna work you to the bone!"
Mira bonked him lightly on the head.
"Be quiet."
Threads of light formed in her fingers.
With quick, precise movements, she wove a new manservant uniform from thin air.
Shoda stared.
"…That's insane."
"Bath first," she ordered.
---
Shoda and Shun walked down the corridor.
As they passed a tall window—
Shoda stopped.
Outside, in the dim forest beyond the estate walls—
A figure in a dark cloak stood still.
Watching.
Their gaze locked for a split second.
Then—
Gone.
Shun noticed his pause.
"What's wrong?"
"I thought I saw someone."
Shun shrugged.
"Only us live here. The King, Princess, Mira, Tomas, me. Roderic's in the capital."
"Isn't he the royal guard?"
"He's the world's knight," Shun corrected. "His family serves the throne, but he's not stationed here permanently."
Shoda nodded slowly.
Something about the figure unsettled him.
But he let it go.
---
Two hours later.
Steam filled the corridor.
Shoda and Shun exited the bath, dizzy from heat and relaxation.
Mira stood waiting with Tomas quietly behind her.
Without a word, she pulled a thread from midair and flicked it— instantly drying both of them.
"Two hours?" she said flatly.
"Self-care," Shoda replied seriously.
They wandered briefly through the halls afterward.
Then—
They turned a corner.
Elmira stood there in a simple nightgown.
Soft fabric. Loose silver hair cascading over her shoulders.
Shoda froze.
Towel wrapped around his waist.
Brain disconnected.
Shun whistled.
Mira sighed.
Tomas stared quietly.
Shoda recovered first.
"You look— I mean— respectfully— elegant."
Elmira smiled gently.
"Thank you."
Then she pointed down the hall.
"Bed. All of you."
Shoda saluted dramatically.
"Yes, ma'am."
---
Later.
His room was simple but comfortable.
Clean sheets. Wooden desk. A small lantern glowing warmly.
Shoda lay on his back, staring at the ceiling.
He couldn't sleep.
New world.
New job.
New crush.
He smiled faintly.
Then—
His expression shifted.
That thought.
The street.
The dagger.
The sword.
The resets.
"How am I coming back?" he whispered to the darkness.
He didn't understand it.
Not yet.
"I'll figure it out tomorrow."
Outside his window—
In the forest—
Something moved again.
Watching.
Waiting
Good.
Ceramic shattered somewhere down the corridor.
He shot upright in bed.
"…What the hell?"
Another crash.
Louder.
Closer.
He threw off the blanket and stumbled toward the door.
"Who's breaking things at this hour?"
The hallway outside was dimly lit by wall lanterns. Shadows stretched long and uneasy across the floor.
Then—
Another shatter.
From the west wing.
Shoda ran.
As he neared the source, something reached him before the sight did.
The smell.
Metallic.
Heavy.
Blood.
His steps slowed.
"No…"
An open door stood at the end of the corridor.
He swallowed and moved forward carefully.
A hand suddenly grabbed his wrist.
He flinched violently.
"Shoda!"
Elmira stood behind him, dressed in an immaculate white night garment, her silver hair loose over her shoulders.
"I heard something break," she said softly. "What's happening?"
He forced a smile.
"Probably a cat," he said quickly. "Big mansion. Cats love drama."
She blinked. "Cats?"
"Don't worry, Millie."
She tilted her head. "Millie?"
"It's a pet name," he said smoothly. "Close people use them."
A faint blush dusted her cheeks.
"Oh… I see."
He turned back toward the open door.
"I smelled something strange," he added. "I'll check it out. You stay here."
She hesitated.
"…Be careful."
He nodded.
Then stepped inside.
And stopped.
His stomach twisted instantly.
Mira lay collapsed across Tomas's small body.
Shun was slumped against the wall nearby.
All three were motionless.
Blood darkened the floor beneath them.
"No…"
His voice cracked.
"No, no, no—"
His knees buckled.
"What is this?" he whispered. "What is happening?"
Behind him—
"Shoda…"
Elmira's voice.
Weak.
Too weak.
He turned slowly.
A blade protruded from her torso.
Her white garment was stained red.
Her eyes trembled as they searched for him.
"Shoda…"
She collapsed.
The world went silent.
Shoda's breathing shattered into broken gasps.
"No."
He crawled toward her.
"No. Get up. You can heal. You can— you can—"
Her hand fell limp.
Something inside him broke.
The hallway felt endless. Empty. Suffocating.
A soft sound echoed from the doorway behind him.
Applause.
Slow.
Measured.
A woman stepped into view.
Black cloak. Pale skin. A smile too warm for the scene.
"Oh my," she said gently. "You're still conscious."
Shoda looked up, tears blurring his vision.
"Who are you?"
She tilted her head.
"What a handsome young man," she mused. "I do adore beautiful things."
"Answer me!" he shouted. "Why did you do this?!" who the hell are you you bitch I'll kill you I'll kill you I'll find and murder you
She placed a finger thoughtfully against her cheek.
"Such harsh tone. Didn't anyone teach you manners?"
His breathing shook violently.
"You followed us," he whispered. "From the capital. I saw someone outside the window earlier I told shun but he didn't listen"
She laughed softly.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
She stepped closer.
"Now… since you're so handsome… I'll keep something precious."
His body refused to move.
Terror pinned him in place.
"I don't want to die," he thought desperately.
Not again.
Not like this.
He tried to crawl backward.
The woman's smile widened.
The blade flashed.
Pain exploded—
Then vanished.
Darkness swallowed everything.
Silence.
But not fully.
Shoda was aware.
Floating.
Detached.
He could see—
Her.
Kneeling.
Holding something.
Holding—
Him.
She cradled his severed head against her chest with unsettling affection.
"Oh… how wonderful," she whispered. "Such a beautiful face. I'll cherish it."
His mind screamed but no sound came out.
"Don't worry," she hummed. "You won't feel lonely."
Her eyes gleamed as she looked down at him.
"You wanted my name, didn't you?"
Her smile sharpened.
"Drayla Vasha."
Darkness swallowed
Shoda jolted upright in the parlor.
His lungs dragged in air like he'd been drowning. Sweat soaked his collar. His hands flew to his throat, fingers digging into skin as if expecting to feel steel or blood. His pulse pounded in his ears.
Elmira.
Mira.
Drayla.
The images crashed together in his mind.
He began to hyperventilate.
Elmira moved first. She stepped forward, gently taking his trembling hands before he could spiral further. Her voice, soft and steady, cut through the chaos inside him.
She began to sing.
> Close your eyes, the day is done
Hide away the setting sun
Little moon begins to peep
Time to drift away to sleep
Just a little resting now
Rest your head, I'll show you how
Hush-a-bye, oh hush-a-bye
Softly now, beneath the sky
Close your eyes and chase a dream
Floating down a quiet stream
Just for you, a lullaby
Hush-a-bye, oh hush-a-bye
Stars are lighting up the dark
Safe inside, you are the spark
Let your breath be slow and deep
Safe within the arms of sleep
All is calm and all is still
Sleepy town upon the hill
Hush-a-bye, oh hush-a-bye…
Her voice didn't erase the fear — but it dulled it. His breathing slowed. His fingers loosened around his throat.
Eldritch cleared his throat from across the room.
"Elmira," he said evenly, studying Shoda with sharp eyes. "You said you wanted this young man to work here as a manservant. I'm not convinced. He looks unstable."
Shoda lowered his head, trying to steady himself.
Elmira stepped forward slightly. "Father, I've never asked anything of you before. Please. Let him stay. I'll help him recover. As he improves, he can assist Mira with the household."
A long pause.
"…Fine," Eldritch said at last. "But if he continues behaving like this, he leaves."
Elmira nodded gratefully.
Eldritch and Mira exited together. The room felt quieter instantly.
Elmira guided Shoda down the hallway to a small guest room. She sat him on the bed.
"What happened?" she asked gently.
He forced a weak smile. "Nothing. Just… remembered something from my childhood."
A lie.
She tilted her head. "Was it that bad?"
His composure cracked.
"Yes," he whispered. "My mom… she wasn't there."
He wasn't talking about the past.
He meant her.
Elmira didn't question it. She simply drew him forward and rested his head against her chest, stroking his hair.
"I'll be here," she said softly. "You don't have to be afraid."
For a moment, he allowed himself to believe it.
Eventually, she eased him back onto the pillow and left the room.
The door clicked shut.
Silence.
Almost.
From the hallway corner, Mira stood hidden. A thin silver thread extended from her fingers, slipping through a tiny gap in the doorframe. Thread magic. Listening.
After a few moments, she entered openly.
"You look terrible," she said bluntly. "What happened to you?"
"Nothing important," he replied. "Just a headache."
She sighed dramatically. "You really are a mess."
"There you go nagging again."
She frowned. "Nagging? I've never nagged you before."
Shoda froze.
"…What?"
"I came to help you study," she muttered. "But forget it. You're weird."
She left, annoyed.
Shoda sat up slowly.
She doesn't remember.
The merchant didn't remember either.
His mind raced.
I died.
The realization hit like cold water.
When I die… I come back.
His hands trembled.
"I can rewind," he whispered. "By death."
He swallowed hard. "Rewind… yeah. That's simpler."
A crash echoed from somewhere in the mansion.
Glass shattering.
Then metal.
His heart slammed violently against his ribs. The numbness returned. His skin felt cold.
He stepped into the hallway.
Slowly.
Carefully.
A hand touched his shoulder.
He screamed.
Mira recoiled. "Oh, be quiet! It's just me, you idiot."
"You nearly killed me!" he snapped, clutching his chest.
"Hmph."
Then they heard it.
Footsteps.
Measured.
Metal scraping softly.
A woman stepped into view from the far corridor. She smiled — too wide, too pleased. Her tongue slowly traced her upper lip.
"Oh my," she breathed. "What a lovely sight. Two beautiful children I'll take both your head's isn't that right ohh how excited I am"
Mira stepped in front of Shoda slightly. "Who are you?"
Shoda frowned. "Why are you obsessed with heads? That's disturbing."
The woman giggled.
"I love heads," she said dreamily. "They're the best part. So expressive. So comforting."
"That's not normal," Mira shot back.
The woman's smile sharpened.
"Oh? Rude girl."
Her eyes darkened.
"I'll kill you now."
A blur shot past them.
Shun.
He transformed mid-motion, his body expanding, muscles twisting into a beastly form. His fist crashed into the woman with explosive force, sending her through a wall.
He landed, gave Mira a wink and a thumbs-up.
"Relax. No way she survived that."
"Now's not the time to flirt, you idiot!" Mira snapped.
Dust settled.
Then something moved.
The woman stood.
Her neck twisted back into place with a slow crack. She brushed dust from her dress, smiling wider than before.
"Oh my… how wonderful," she whispered. "I'm in awe."
Her gaze shifted between the three of them.
"I think I'll take all your heads. And perhaps everyone else's in this mansion."
She bowed elegantly.
"My name is Drayla Vasha."
And she was still smiling