[I’m getting by reasonably well these days. I don’t know if there’s a connection, but strange things have been happening.

…

I still haven’t found any clues about “it.”

xx56. 12. xx. S.]

[E. I haven’t been able to send a reply for a while because I’ve been observing the recent strange occurrences.

…

I think I understand what you were concerned about before. I was slow to notice because I thought they were minor incidents, but there seem to be moments when I lose myself. I couldn’t be certain if this was really happening. I simply hope that no more strange events will occur.

xx57. 01. xx. S.]

[Dear E. It’s been a very long time since I last wrote. During this period, I couldn’t write letters because I was afraid of the many things happening.

…

Lately, I occasionally feel “it” inside me. And I suspect that while I sleep, “it” might be roaming freely around the castle.

xx57. 04. xx. S.]

[Dear E. Something terrifying seems to have happened.

xx57. 06. xx. S.]

[I’m sorry. My last letter was written in such shock that I couldn’t write properly. E. Under God’s teachings, I’ve tried not to commit any sins. But what happened last time was beyond my control.

…

I… don’t remember anything at all. Please pray with me. May those poor souls rest peacefully in God’s embrace.

xx57. 07. xx. S.]

[E. Last night, two hunting dogs were found dead. You’ll remember them. The very clever one with black fur and his closest brother.

It seems to be “it’s” doing. Dear E. The targets of “it’s” harm are increasing.

xx57. 09. xx. S.]

[E. Something seems wrong.

Last night, I almost harmed my little one. I don’t know how it happened. I was definitely there, and I didn’t sense “it’s” presence. I don’t know what’s happening to me. I’m… afraid.

xx58. 01. xx. S.]

[Dear E. I feel like I’m gradually going insane. How… can I protect my people?

xx58. 02. xx. S.]

[I’ve been indisposed. During the past season, I nearly died from a severe fever. Please don’t worry. The fever has subsided, and honestly, I regret that. At least my mind was at peace since the strange events clearly caused by “it” hardly occurred.

xx58. 09. xx. S.]

[Dear E.

xx58. 11. xx. H.]

[Dear E. Are you mistaken about something? I haven’t sent any letters for the past two months.

xx58. 12. xx. S.]

[I’m sorry. I was mistaken about the last letter. I won’t be sending letters for a while.

xx59. 01. xx. S.]

[E. Please. Leave me alone.

xx59. 07. xx. S.]

[E. What do you think about me entering the theological school? Or perhaps sending my little one?

xx59. 09. xx. S.]

[I’m sorry, E. Once again, I didn’t heed your advice. But please don’t blame me.

“It” spoke to me.

xx60. 03. xx. S.]

[“It” proposed a deal to me. Don’t worry. It’s not that difficult. I merely agreed to go where it wants at the time it determines. Nothing serious will happen.

xx60. 04. xx. S.]

[I’ve been indisposed. I still haven’t found any clues about “it.”

…

From the last deal, I believe I’ve gained a brief peace. “It” hasn’t caused any significant events for a while. At least it will remain quiet until I fulfill what it wants.

xx60. 07. xx. S.]

[E. Could you protect my little one?

xx61. 02. xx. S.]

[I’m sorry for causing worry. It’s difficult to explain… but I would like you to do this for me. I’ll try to send him as soon as possible.

xx61. 03. xx. S.]

[Dear E. I’m too busy to inquire about your well-being at length. Father has collapsed.

xx61. 07. xx. S.]

[Dear Eli. I’ve been indisposed. I’m sorry for not sending news over the past few years. Everything here is the same as always. This year too, on this windy hill, the golden crocuses were the first to bloom…

When those flowers that herald the spring of Cavendish bloom, Father is reminded of Mother. Every year around this time, he would place the most beautifully bloomed flower on Mother’s gravestone. But now that task has become mine.

Eli, I’ve inherited many things from my father. Whether I wanted to or not. At the same time, I realize how much has changed. I’ve finally become the Count, and my little one has grown too much to be called little anymore. But sometimes… I still feel like I remain in the reception room where you bid me your final farewell.

…

Eli, have you thought about returning to Cavendish? I’ve kept your old room just as it was. I still need your help.

xx66. 03. xx. Saul.]

[Choose wisely.

xx66. 03. xx. H.]

[Thank you for the advice. I met the person who brought your letter. If this is your answer, I’ll respect it.

xx66. 07. xx. Saul.]

[You’re doing something foolish.

xx66. 07. xx. H.]

[Eli. I leave this with you because I cannot tell Samuel. Next month, I’m going to the capital to fulfill the deal with “it” that I mentioned before.

…Eli. I’ve kept my deals with “it” every year since becoming Count, but I have a feeling this trip to the capital might be different from usual. Whether this is good or not, I don’t know at present.

…

If something happens to me, please take care of the future.

xx72. 08. xx. Saul.]

[Dear Eli. I’ve just returned to the townhouse and am writing to send you my regards.

Eli, today I proposed to a woman I met for the first time. I know you won’t understand. But the moment I saw her, I was closer to “it” than ever before.

…

It’s difficult to explain, but surprisingly, I felt love from “it.” The feeling of loving someone. Eli, I think I know what I need to do.

xx72. 09. xx. Saul.]

[Dear Eli. I know you still remember me as a young, kind child. Perhaps the young me that even I didn’t know still remains. I feel guilty when I discover traces of my childhood self in Catherine and use them.

…

But Eli, it’s already too late. I cannot stop now.

xx72. 09. xx. Saul.]

[Dear Eli. Looking back, I realize that my letters to you have never contained particularly joyful stories. Perhaps they will continue to be so until my problems are resolved. You probably anticipate that this letter won’t bring good news either.

Eli, I know that you care for me as much as I care for you. Even after leaving my side, you willingly shared and endured pain you didn’t have to experience. Thanks to that, I survived. Without your advice and help, I couldn’t have endured until this moment.

Unfortunately, it seems that too must come to an end. The finite opportunities given to me won’t last long enough to wait for your reply. By the time you receive this letter, irreversible events will likely have already occurred…

…]

After writing that far, Saul paused briefly. Dropping the pen that had been scratching across the paper, he took some time to slowly read the letter he had written.

And in the flickering dim light, he took a deep breath while carefully choosing the words he should write next.

Then he exhaled just as deeply. With each breath escaping past the tip of his nose, he felt his tightly filled lungs deflating. His lungs, emptied completely without leaving even a small fragment, didn’t inflate again for several seconds.

Slowly, his breath stopped. Due to the sense of life’s crisis, he felt his heightened senses constricting him. Paradoxically, this made Saul feel that he was still alive. But this wouldn’t last long either. With this self-deprecating thought, he raised his head.

Taking a short breath in and out, he gauged someone’s presence lingering outside the door. In fact, he did so despite knowing there was no need. Saul knew who was standing out there.

Through the gap that wasn’t completely closed, a faint shadow was visible. Saul briefly looked at it as it wavered hesitantly, but soon closed his eyes. Please, just turn back without doing anything. He thought this unconsciously.

Simultaneously, Saul felt conflicting thoughts colliding within him. He found himself hoping they would flee in fear, yet also wishing they would knock and enter; wanting them to condemn his foolishness and unrest, yet immediately imagining them understanding the confession he had made just hours ago and pitying him.

It was contradictory even to himself. In truth, Saul wasn’t sure which he wanted. He only acknowledged that deep in his heart, some desire had faintly blossomed, and that it had blossomed for just a fleeting moment.

What extinguished this indeterminate spark was the sound of knocking without the slightest hesitation. And then the slight breeze that rushed in through the opening door. Saul opened his eyes.

A familiar figure stood motionless in the doorway. The dim lamplight fell over the woman’s dark red dress and black hair. With an expressionless face, completely dried up, she stared directly at Saul. Below his hand, the sound of a rolling pen could be heard. Saul rose from his seat.