The rain stopped.
Golden rays seemed to pierce the heavy layer of smoky clouds.
At 7 in the morning sharp, Laura, personal maid of lady Evelyn Dusk walked with hurried steps towards the room of her mistress.
Laundry was already cleaned and folded neatly, breakfast arranged and the tea was of a brick-red nuance, not too hot but still warm enough not to harm the tongue.
With all of her morning tasks accomplished, the dutiful Laura knocked on the door to the young lady's room.
Instead of a warm expression and a light smile, what greeted Laura nearly shook her core!
Evelyn was completely disheveled!
Her hair was a fuzzy mess. Combing it for hours wouldn't be able to manage it.
Dark eyebags were so apparent on her face that it looked as if her eyesockets rotted.
And worst of all, was her poor expression!
She looked as if she battled against the worst monsters imaginable and won by a hair's breath!
"M-my lady! Stay still! I'll bring the other maids to fix you up!"
The poor maid nearly jumped, running throughout the entire house to call upon the other maids.
Ugh...
***
Amanises sat at her breakfast table, looking sorrowfully at the food.
It looked appetizing, unfortunately she had no desire to eat whatsoever.
Surrounded by a handful of maids, pulling and twisting at her hair. One of them started applying different ointments and all kinds of products to her face.
It's so overwhelming... I want to die.
She picked up the already cold cup of tea, frowning.
What was that dream last night? After The Fool stuff in that palace I went straight to sleep only to have the worst nightmare.
After I woke up I couldn't sleep a wink for 2 hours staring at the ceiling like an idiot.
Her nightmare was strange too.
It must be trauma from the suicide.
It featured a colorless river, which seemed to flow endlessly. On it there were such horrifying figures that could only be described in horror stories.
Corpses filled with rotting pus, dismembered figures, pale white ghosts...
Even such fantastical beings like vampires!
All walking on the water, sometimes being submerged, and other times rising from its depths.
The screams of terror and pain still linger in her mind.
It's harder to get rid of this than I thought. I need to visit a psychiatrist if this nightmare appears again.
"My dear! What happened to you!"
The sound of heels clanking across the floor told her that her mother had finished her morning routine.
"Just a nightmare, mom. It's nothing. I promise."
Those words didn't sound too convincing to Victoria however.
She let out a long breath and sat across from her, gesturing for the maids to retreat.
"This situation still doesn't sit well with me. I just can't simply comply with the officer's explanation!"
She said in a worried tone.
"It clearly must involve some supernatural stuff!"
Quickly added with indignation.
Amanises looked deeply at her mother, guilt filling her heart. But she couldn't bring herself to explain the truth.
"Maybe we should visit a spirit medium for good measure."
At that notion, Evelyn suddenly slammed her hands on the table.
"Mother! These are scammers! They invent all kinds of expensive rituals, all to extort you of your money!"
Their situation was already going downhill, soon enough they won't even have enough money to keep their servants. In a few years, even the family mansion might be sold just for them to be warm at night.
"Don't raise your voice at your mother!"
Victoria snapped so Evelyn shut her mouth.
"There's a trusty one nearby, many of the women here recommend her to me. They say she can perform real mysticism and the costs are not too expensive."
She softened her gaze and pleaded with her daughter.
"Please, Evelyn. Give it a try. Your mother is trying her best, but her heart cannot help but jump out of her chest."
Victoria took Evelyn's hands and cupped them in her own.
"Please, Evelyn."
Amanises watched her deeply, but she couldn't help but give a defeated sigh.
"Alright. If that will put your heart at ease, I will try."
The old lady turned so happy she nearly jumped at her words. Circling the round tea table, she pulled her daughter in a big warm hug, thanking her repeatedly.
"I will make an appointment this afternoon, make sure to be on time!"
"Okay."
***
The carriage stopped in front of a dark, almost haunted looking, two story house.
It was of dark color and its windows were covered with cloth from the inside, allowing no light or peeking glances from the outside.
Amanises stepped out of the carriage holding the hem of her long dark green dress.
She was lacking the usual personnel after persuading her mother.
Amanises was still a grown woman, one who didn't need to be surrounded by caretakers. Although Evelyn was almost a shut-in, she still liked taking walks alone by the riverbank, so her mother didn't press any further.
Faced with the front door, the middle-aged woman knocked thrice. Then stepped back curtly.
...No one answered.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
...Still nothing.
Is the spirit medium not home?
Her attention was caught by some shuffling noises and mumbling behind the closed door.
Click
Opening the door was a strange looking woman.
She definitely looks like a spirit medium.
The lady wore a hooded robe paired with a dark blue dress with silver accents.
Her dark brown hair was tied in an accessorised bun. She wore deep make up, blue eyeshadow and blush.
"What are you standing there for? Come on in!"
She said in a candid manner, turning around and walking in what looked like a living room.
Hopefully she isn't just looks.
Amanises closed the door behind her, following the medium-like lady from behind.
The madam seated herself on an armchair and grabbed a cup of steaming hot tea.
She pointed at the sofa across from her while taking a sip, then gestured to the ceramic tea set and said.
"Pour yourself some tea and make yourself at home."
Eheh.
Amanises smiled politely, not refusing the drink. She moved to sit on the designated sofa and similarly take a sip, when she jerked back.
She burnt her tongue.
"Not used to hot tea? Blowing solves all of your problems, if you know what I mean." She winked while smirking knowingly.
W-what??
A slight blush crept on her face from embarrassment. This woman already made quite the impression.
"I-I don't. I apologize."
Sigh. She didn't look disappointed, but rather glad.
This small interaction helped Amanises settle down and relax.
"Good afternoon, Lady Evelyn. I'm Daly Simone, the spirit medium hired by your mother for today. She was quite worried about you."
Amanises wore a dejected look.
"I don't really believe in mysticism. I'm only here because mother insisted I'd come."
Madam Daly let out a chuckle.
"Yes there are few who believe in the supernatural nowadays, and even fewer who reach out to those like us, instead choosing to pray to God and hope for the best."
She took another sip of her tea.
"I can assure you, my services are one hundred and one percent real and trustfull."
"That's what they all say, madam."
Daly chuckled one more time and relaxed in her armchair, back hitting the soft cushion.
"Very well then, if I cannot solve the problem how about a refund?"
Now we're talking! She smiled, exclaiming in her heart.
"Sure. I have no problem with that."
I wonder how you will solve a problem that doesn't exist.
Madam Daly cleared her throat and spoke with a smile.
"Alright, alright, to get to the bottom of this I need the full picture. So, ma'am Evelyn, what happened?"
Amanises began recounting the events of what happened after she woke up in this world, without mentioning the previous one, of course.
If I tell them I'm from another would I'll seem more like a lunatic than I already am.
"A night ago, I woke up drowning in the middle of the Tussock River, I have no memories of what happened before."
Madam Daly thought for a second.
"And you claim something possessed you?"
The middle-aged woman scratched the back of her head and replied with a forced smile.
"Something like that."
The spirit medium closed her eyes for a second, then opened them and looked directly at the woman.
Her gaze bore into her soul.
"Very well then, I can check your memory for you."
Daly's seriousness shook Amanises.
"L-look into my memories?"
"Yes, that's correct. We need you to remember what happened before. Right?"
The way the spirit medium spoke left goosebumps on her skin. Panic settled in, not even considering that it might be fake.
What if she finds out...
Another thought struck her head.
Ah, I don't need to worry about that.
Daly smirked.
She found out.