—Hahh, hah… haahh!—In a fevered frenzy, Mell fled from the mansion. Even in early summer, the night was cold.
And to make it matter worse, raindrops pelted him from head to toe.
But that caused him little discomfort, for a greater maelstrom of pain rampaged within his breast.
At night, the town took on a different appearance. Not simply for lack of
illumination, but the people active within it as well.
It was not a suitable place for a young aristocratic man to go wondering
unattended.
The darkness in not only the abode of devils, but of beggars, thieves, criminals, and all manner of things undesirable.
But despite that, he continued to run, knowing not where he was to head.
He simply went where his feet took him. And where he arrived was the church.
—F-Father! Father!—"God… God should be able to offer me counsel. To answer all my questions. About that painting, about her, and about Nellie's feelings. Not her lies, but the truth!"—Please, open the door! Open the door!
But as you might expect, the door was locked, and the priest showed no sign of responding to his calls. The sound of the pouring rain drowned out everything else.
—Nnh…
His head rooped feebly. He looked like a helpless little calf who had wandered, alone, onto a dark, precarious mountain path with no end in sight.
—Why… Why won't anyone tell me the truth? All I want… All I want is for someone to tell me it's not true! Have I sinned?! No, I didn't know anything! I didn't know–No… No… None of it's true… So I… I haven't done anything wrong. I am not at fault! Am I?!
Nevertheless, his sister's claims, and her laughs, continued to echo within his head.
If he truly believed it to be false, he would have gone to look at the painting. That he could not was an indication that uncertainty had a stronger grip on him.
Fragmented images of a white-haired painter fluttered through the back of his mind, but he desperately shoved them aside.
—"What good is the Church? What good is theology? What good is God?!"—I… Wha–
Something moved near the boy. It stood immediately behind him and grasped his light dressing gown.
He had been so consumed in his own world that he had not noticed the persona's presence until they were close enough to touch him.
—What– Who… are you…?
Standing there was a beggar dressed in tattered rags.
"He's still begging at the church?"
The hooded beggar tentatively extended his hand toward Mell, pleasing for relief with sad, slender fingers.
Were he a generous young man, Mell would have given the beggar something.
—...L-Lord…
—...Get your filthy hands off me! I don't have a damned thing to give you right now! Don't you dare touch me!
Suddenly–
"Suddenly–"
–the beggar's head turned upward.
"–my eyes catch the beggar's."
Her hood fell back, revealing a hairless head–
—Wh…y…
–and a pair of red eyes gazing bitterly–though with a familiar distinctive glimmer–at Mell.
"Red eyes…"
She immediately covered her face and turned to run.
—I-It can't be… The beggar that's always been here was a…
But you said yourself that they would not survive much longer. How could you be certain she was that same beggar?
—A-Ahh! W-Wait! Wait for me!
Perhaps, as someone of such high social standing, all beggars appeared the same to you?
Or perhaps you wanted to believe your meager generosity made a difference–that you did something of value.
I will not say it is wrong to think so…
—What for me!—"I chase after the fleeing girl. Though I shout for her to stop, she continues to run. The rain is so heavy I'm afraid I might lose her. I'm terrified. But… But I didn't do anything wrong! Did I?!"—I'm begging you, please stop! I just want to talk!—"She comes to a stop at a corner."
—Please do not go around this corner.
—...I-It's you… isn't it?
—I am sorry.
—Why are you apologizing?! What I said back there was terrible, and for that I am truly sorry! I didn't realize it was you! Please, come back to me… If you're concerned about social status, I'll figure something out! And Nellie's getting married off soon enough… Oh… yes, Nellie. Nellie did some horrible things to you.. Sh-She's lost her mind! She was talking nonsense… But don't worry, she'll be out of the picture soon enough. I'll make sure you're safe. S-Say something… please… Are you… angry? You're angry, aren't you?
—I am not… angry at you. I am not…
—Did you… know everything? Did you come to our house… aware of everything?
—Wha–
—Did you?! Tell me, please! The priest isn't around and everything Nellie says is a lie! You're the only one who will tell me it's not true!
—What are you–
—Our relationship!
—...I don't understand what you're saying…
—Hah… haha. Ah… I see. You don't know. You don't know… It's for the best… Ahaha… hah, hahaha…—The White-Haired Girl responded only with silence.—Nellie's only the only one who knows… and she'll be gone before long… Everything will be all right…
—L-Lord Mell…
—It'll all… be all right. Let's go back… I'll make sure you're never put in danger again. I'm begging you, stay with me…
—My appearance… is no longer suitable… to stand at your side… You saw how unsightly I am back by the church, did you not?
—H-Hair can grow back. Th-That's not a problem.
—Now I truly look the part… of the hideous witch. But I am to blame. It was a sin for me to find happiness in your kindness.
—What are you talking about? You're–
—My sin was falling in love with you… Not what happened to my father, nor how we had to spend our days,
—There's no sin in that! W-We have our whole lives ahead of us! Don't we?! With enough time, this whole tragic mess will be behind us! Things will only get better from here! I… I'll be your prince… like the one who took the girl to see the outside world! So please… give me– give me your hand… Come to me! Don't leave me all alone! I need you by my side! Please!—"I extended my hand around the corner. I sense her hesitation beyond the bend."—I'm begging you…—"I can't see what's on the other side, but a vision of her reaching out to put her hand in mine wells up in my mind. But–"
—That story… never had an ending…
—Wha–"–she doesn't take my hand."
—I doubt the girl ever wrote that letter.
—Ah…—"She's not there when I turn the corner."—Why?!—How did things end up like… like this? Where did I go wrong, O God?!
—Your error was likely your kindness.—It was The Maid's voice from in front of Mell.—Thoughtlessly, haphazardly spreading your generosity.—No answer from Mell.—But that generosity came from your own designer to avoid pain. For your own happiness.
—I… I… What should I have done…? I can't take this… Everyone… Everyone was happy… Nellie used to laugh and smile. She once meant the world to me… How did things end up like this?! … It's not my fault. I didn't do anything wrong!
—If you pretend like nothing happened, then perhaps they can go on smiling in your head. But regardless, you must follow the path you tread. It is your path alone. The path you chose when, in that moment, you decided to run. Make the wrong choice in those moments, and you shall find yourself on the road to ruin.
—I would have been better off not knowing. Better off in the dark… I just wanted… those tranquil days… to last… They were supposed to last forever!
—At some point, your childhood must come to an end. And that ending may not be the one you anticipated.
—I can't stand… this world…
—You yearned for a world that would treat you with kindness.
—What should I do…? What should I have done?! Someone… please… help me!
—...You should return now. If you spend too long out here, you are liable to catch a cold.
Now, let us return to our own time–
The crestfallen young man faded into the distance, and the decrepit double doors clacked shut.
Through the shattered glass, He could see only the ruins of a garden, not a single rose glowing within. You had evidently returned from the past.
In the garden, weeds grew taller than people. You found it difficult to look at. A wolf howled in the distance.
The children, the sea of roses, and the White-Haired Girl were nowhere to be found.
Him and the Maid who called Him "Master" were the only people present in the mansion.
—What happened to them next?—Her eyes closed, a tiny smile on her face.—Oh, Master… you would know better than I. Hehehe… My, you cannot remember? It seems this is quite serious, then. Worry not; my loyalty lies with you, Master. The mansion has witnessed more yet. Let us make our way to the second door.
His hand in hers, the Maid guided Him back through the kitchen and into the tea room. Her palms were still cold; He felt as though He was clenching ice.
—Master, do you wish to know the truth no matter what may be hidden within? Or, if it is something you would be happier not knowing, would you rather remain in the dark? Oh, is that so? Hehehe.—She smiled again.—I wonder about their father. Yes, the flaxen-haired siblings' father. Do you think he knew about the White-Haired Girl?—She opened her eyes.—If he did… then perhaps he allowed her to stay because of how deeply he loved his wife. Or maybe because he did not want people to find out about her. I expect he too experienced many different emotions. But those pages of his story remain untold. Their parents likely had a turbulent tale as well, but theirs is not of consequence. To whom? I could not tell you.—She closed her eyes back.
He and the Maid crossed through the entrance hall, continuing His trek.
At some point, the fire in the fireplace had faded to embers, emphasizing the lack of light within the mansion.
The Maid took a candlestick and lit it in the cinders. The small flame illuminated her pale face.
On a whim, He asked the Maid about herself.
—About me? I am a maid devoted to your service, Master, as I have said. Oh, what was that? You are interested in my name? Hehehe, you flatter me.—She closed her eyes once more.—I truly do appreciate the question… but you are more than welcome to simply call me "the Maid." Also, it would make me much happier to hear you say my name after you have recalled who you are, Master.
A subtle smile rose to the Maid's face, after which she began to lead Him down a first-floor corridor.
Still holding the Maid's hand, He passed in front of a full-length mirror.
In it reflected the warm light of the candle, which disappeared out of range shortly thereafter.
—Oh my… Is something the matter? Did you come across something peculiar? Hehe…
The Maid had not appeared in the mirror.
Though she was not the only one without a reflection…
He reached the end of the corridor.
There appeared to be a doorway, but the door itself was long since gone, leaving only a hole in the wall to frame the stairs behind it.
Without hesitation, the Maid descended into the darkness.
—You have more interest in this mansion, Master, than in a mere maid, do you not?—Her gaze darted away.—Though it pains me to say as much in your presence, Master, this house is cursed. Yes… It is a curse that runs deep. As you just bore witness to, the majority of those who dwell within these walls fall into misfortune. I have served here for many years, and periods of happiness are as fleeting as a sugar cube in a cup of hot tea.—Her face turned light despite what words just left her mouth.—Why did such tragedies befall them? If it were to guess, Master… it was because you had not returned. But when you remember your true self, the mansion's curse should be broken. The next door is before us.
It appeared to be the entrance to a cellar. The disconsolate wooden door was visibly rotten in several places, and it seemed it might crumble at a single touch.
He could hear the sound of something devouring meat beyond the door.
Maybe there was a best living within.
Before He had a chance to say He thought it was dangerous, the Maid opened the door with a chilling smile on her face.