Chapter 1 - The Woman in Red

It's already the third day, two days before Marquess Graham's wedding anniversary party. I was at Marquess Graham Manor, and I looked out the window even though it was just 1 p.m. The gloomy weather makes it feel like it’s late in the afternoon. Nevertheless, it's still my favorite time. It was a foggy afternoon when it rained heavily, and the sound of thunder that pleased my ears seemed to wash away all the wounds in my heart.

I was lying in a wide bed, completely lost in the waves of terror and loneliness that enveloped me in a strange manor surrounded by strangers. I'm lying there, tense and tight, my toes curling nervously, my spine hunching from it, my leg muscles tense. Furthermore I was so nervous and scared, but I had to swallow it all and prepare well for the show.

Tonight, I invited Marchioness Graham to drink wine in the Annex where I stayed as guests; it was a banquet for Marquis Graham's seventh wedding anniversary, and if I recall correctly, it was at noon when I was in the dining room at Manor for lunch with a few guesses when I finally asked her while we were having lunch together. I asked her to meet me at the piano room, and luckily she immediately agreed. I saw her face was now blushing; she looked so pretty with her plump cheeks that looked fresh and radiant. "Ah, madam, you are so beautiful," even though she is in her mid-twenties.

And now I was wearing a white suit with a pair of white gloves, and Madame loved it when she saw me in an ivory white suit and white cloak. I wore rubies as jewelry on the caravat I was wearing. I headed for the piano room; this room is on the third floor. I prepared a small bottle of holy water and slipped it into my jacket pocket; no one would suspect a paladin with a holy water bottle.

Likewise, I was already in the piano room and had prepared a gramophone as well as one of the madam's favorite vinyls. I also prepared a bottle of red rose wine and two glasses. Since it was already eight o'clock, I had to hurry.

But like a thief in the night, the sun goes down. I noticed Madam enter the piano room. I bowed to the pleasing madam and kissed her hand politely out of courtesy. Madame appears pleased, not knowing what will happen to her, until I take out a plastic bag containing powder that appears familiar, at which point she appears terrified. I grinned as she regained her composure, and now she cried painfully. I don’t have much time to please her more. So I do as I planned.

Now I looked at her sharply. My heart wanted to jump out of my chest; I was so excited, I felt like I was bursting with joy. "My—my sumptuous madam," I whispered. The woman was Madam Marjorie Graham, an incredibly beautiful woman with a sad look. She looks sad, with tears welling up in her beautiful eyes and on her beautiful red lips. A beautiful woman who was once excited has started sobbing. She used a white dress that covered her curvaceous body and matched her beauty perfectly.

"Don't come closer," she shouted. "Please don't," her voice trembled in fear, and his face filled me with indescribable joy. The terrifying expression on her face made it seem like she would be swallowed alive by the darkness itself.

"Are you bored with me now?" My voice was made to sound hurt: "You don't want to play with me anymore, madam?" I laughed as I raised my right eyebrow.

"Ah, you are afraid of thunder and rain, are you?" So I remember that you always play vinyl when it rains. Madam, how about I play it for you right now? It seems like a great idea. "I went to get the vinyl I had prepared; it was playing his favorite song."

Now I see she is shaking, her heart seems to be pounding, and I guess her head is spinning. His eyes see nothing but darkness, and I smile. I smile and look at the woman, who is terrified because of me.

I looked at her and bowed my body. "Would you like to give me an honor to dance with me tonight, madam?"

She for some reason gave me a scared look, but my heart skipped a beat as he walked over and lowered her head to accept my request.

I laugh, and the music plays. I take her arm and wrap my left arm around her waist. "O my beautiful madam, don't show your face as you are down in the dumps; people will think your death is near when they see your sad expression; please reduce your tears."

She rested her head on my chest and sobbed as I tightened my embrace.

"You like to be hugged tightly, right madam?" i got a belly laugh as I felt your warm body trembling in my arms.

"As far as I remember, you can dance beautifully, so madam, please show me the dance." I moved my legs, following her body movements; even though she was shaking, she really showed her beautiful body movements.

The song ends as we bow to each other. I walk her to a nearby sofa and pour her a glass of rosé wine.

"Madam, do you have any last words?" I downed my glass of wine; he was literally shaking with fear when I finally put mine down and slowly approached her. She didn't say anything, but her body shook violently; she bit her lips as if she wanted to scream and cry but was too afraid to do both.

"Be a good woman, madam; obedient is the best, as you always remind me." My eyes flashed with vengeance.

"I sinned, forgive me," tears welled up in her lovely eyes; she appeared to be deeply hurt.

"Ah, sinful, you know that word," I said in his ear as I approached.

I gripped her jaw, staring at her with indescribable rage.

"Madam, you have to be aware of the consequences of what you do." I licked her lips and bit them, red color spread from my bite mark.

"Love, right. You're the one who frequently whispers about love to me, aren't you, Madam Marjorie Graham?" I asked softly. "I respect your passionate love; I promise it won't hurt, but it will be quick," I say sweetly.

I looked at her and smiled, now she looked as pale as a corpse.

As the night is getting late, I have to finish this big show in the shortest possible time.

So I started deglutinating the holy water and put it in his mouth. "Swallow it quickly," I whispered with a smile on my face.

She swallowed it quickly, but tears trickled down his cheeks. Holy water is medicine, but holy water mixed with Winter's Love is more of the same as a death oath. Because the combination of holy water and oleander can affect the nervous, digestive, and cardiovascular systems at the same time.

I opened my pocket watch at exactly nine o'clock. She vomited a lot of blood and tears. Suddenly the beautiful white dress was as red as blood. So beautiful now, the mistress was perfect. My laughter was starting to burst, but I tried to hold it. The Vinyls' song has ended. This grand show has ended perfectly.

"Aaahhhh, the show is over. Now the curtain must be closed."  I bowed to pay my last respects to the mistress and wiped the corners of her lips with the gloves I used.

But suddenly I heard footsteps. I hastily took off my bloodstained gloves and hid them in my pocket, but the cuffs of my shirt were stained with blood.

From the corner of my eye, I looked at a girl who was nearly my age or maybe younger. She has pretty golden eyes and smooth, wavy brown hair. I tried to remember if I ever saw this pretty girl, but as soon as I remembered this was my first meeting with her, she stood in the doorway, her face looking confused. It was as if she had been awakened by magic as she followed the rhythm of the song that had ended. I gave her a smile, which I made as friendly as possible. My eyes narrowed when the girl asked, "The red dress that madam is wearing is as pretty as a picture." The girl tilted her head as she was studying Madam Marjorie Graham's red gown, and I nodded in agreement. This girl wasn't wrong; the crimson color of the mistress's dress was magnificent.

I saw her moving closer, and I feel wary. She hugged the stuffed rabbit. "My lady, I know you are very curious about her dress and its magnificent color, but the madam is resting, and we will really disturb her," I said as softly as possible, hiding my hands behind my back.

She nodded, and without further questioning, she withdrew. Now she greets me by holding the hem of her nightgown. "I shall excuse myself. I bid you farewell, Have a beautiful evening, sir," she said, and she left. leaving a unique feeling inside me, I chuckled. "What an interesting girl," I thought as I stood up, "Aaaaah, my clothes need to be changed, and I still have work to do," I grumbled and rushed, "Right before dawn is crack, everything must be done."

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