The siblings of the Marquis of Verbaine were a frequent topic of conversation in high society.

The Marquis, a strikingly handsome man with platinum blonde hair, and his red-haired stepsister were known for managing the family estate while refusing all offers of marriage.

Occasionally, men would court Leah Verbaine, and some were particularly persistent. However, these pursuits never lasted. Some suitors met with unfortunate accidents, while others disappeared without explanation. But these events did not arouse suspicion.

After all, accidents happen and people sometimes disappear.

A similar fate happened to Adele Grand of the Count of Grand family.

Adele disappeared after supposedly meeting a friend. Witnesses claimed she left with an unknown man, fueling rumours of a romantic runaway. In time, her disappearance faded from public memory.

The siblings of the Marquis of Verbaine chose not to marry, but instead adopted a child who was officially recognised as the son of the Marquis Zion Verbaine.

Despite being adopted, the child bore an uncanny resemblance to both siblings, with red hair like Leah Verbaine and blue eyes like Zion Verbaine.

As the child grew, people whispered about the striking resemblance. Some even commented on how unusual it was to adopt a child who looked so much like them.

Occasionally, strange rumours began to circulate. Among these were whispers that the Verbaine siblings had a physical relationship. Such rumours never lasted long, however, fading as quickly as they arose.

Those who dared to spread such rumours often disappeared without explanation.

“Leah, what are you looking at?”

Zion asked as he approached Leah, who was sitting in a rocking chair looking out at the garden. He gently put his arms around her from behind.

There was blood on Zion’s hands.

“The moonlight.”

“Your hands are covered with blood, brother.”

“Ah, I was in the basement.”

Zion replied nonchalantly, wiping the blood from his trousers.

“Today Wendy asked me what was in the basement.”

Wendy was their daughter.

“And what did you tell her?”

“I told her there’s a secret down there, that she’ll know when she grows up.”

“Is that so? I see.”

“Wendy will go down to the basement one day, won’t she?”

“Of course. She’s our daughter. I’m sure she’ll understand.”

“I think so too.”

“Let’s go inside. It’s time for bed.”

“Okay.”

Zion lifted Leah effortlessly out of the rocking chair.

Then, carrying her in his arms, he walked up the stairs.

There were countless secrets buried in the basement of this mansion.

And one day, when the basement could hold no more, Zion planned to set fire to the mansion.

A mansion can easily be rebuilt after being burned down.

When the mansion burns, the secrets burn with it.

And on its ashes a new mansion with new secrets will rise.

Sins will continue to pile up.

As Zion climbed the stairs, a long shadow stretched beneath his feet.

It swayed like the wings of a demon.

**- The End -**