In Mariam's chamber, she had since calmed down, but as night fell, she began to dream of the incident again, glimpsing the vision of the hanged maid, but this time, the maid's eyes opened.
"You're next," said the maid, and began to laugh while her face seemed to melt.
Awakening with a scream, Mariam was in despair, but immediately her mother, the marchioness, entered her room to comfort her. Meanwhile, concealed on the room's balcony, Charlotte hid with a smile, observing her hands as a sort of black mist emanated from them.
"Magic is incredible," she whispered.
*********
The following day, Charlotte went down to the kitchen to ask the cooks for something to eat, but they left her only a fried egg and stale bread. In frustration, Charlotte threw the plate at one of the cooks, drawing the attention of everyone there.
"Just wait until I tell my grandmother, she'll have the Marquis throw you out," she threatened.
The cooks exchanged glances and laughed among themselves.
"No one believes a liar, child. We all know the Marquis punished you for lying about the young master," they retorted.
"Lying? How vile of you to side with that sick man," she retorted.
Charlotte tried to help herself to something else, but she was stopped as a maid grabbed her hand forcefully to drag her from the kitchen.
"You ill-mannered brat, we'll see what the lady does with you now!"
"If you don't let go, you'll end up worse than Doroti..." she warned.
Hearing this, the maid halted, eyeing Charlotte with intrigue.
"What nonsense are you spouting? You are nothing but a liar; respect Doroti's memory," she chastised.
But as the maid tried to pull Charlotte away, she felt a shiver run down her spine and saw a black mist wrapping around her. Terrified, the maid ran off, leaving Charlotte behind, who let the mist envelop the entire kitchen. The cooks stood in fear and confusion while Charlotte seized enough food, needing to nourish her body as she had done in her past life.
Elsewhere, the doctor had arrived at the mansion to examine Mariam. The marchioness explained that her daughter had been having recurring nightmares since witnessing the maid’s suicide, but all the doctor could offer was medicine to help her sleep, with no guarantee that it would stop the nightmares.
"No mother, I don't want to sleep... If I do, it will come for me..." Mariam was huddled in her bed’s corner, clinging to her mother's legs.
"But if you don't sleep, you'll look dreadful, those dark circles make you seem like an old woman," her mother chided.
"Madame..."
The doctor requested a private word, proposing that during dinner, she could add two drops of the medicine to the child's food to ensure a good night's sleep. However, if the same dream kept recurring, it might be advisable to summon a magician, as it could be a result of a spell.
The marchioness found it hard to believe her daughter might be under a spell, but after the doctor left, she hastily sent a messenger to the palace asking for a court mage.
"If it is indeed a spell, we must find the perpetrator, or I could be the next victim," the marchioness stated.
"Or me! Mother, you have to request an amulet; there are those out there who envy us, surely one of them is behind this," Rogelia suggested.
The marchioness wondered if it could be one of the Marquis's two mistresses. After all, if she lost her children, she could also lose her standing. Fortunately, her son was safe at the academy, unreachable and the future heir. She needed Mariam to recover soon; there would be a ball at the palace, and she wanted her daughter to be the most beautiful to catch the prince's eye, who was the same age.
The maid and cooks from earlier sought out the marchioness to report that Charlotte had entered the kitchen and stolen food.
"As if I didn't have enough problems, the bastard causes me more," the lady sighed.
Accompanied by the servants, the woman went to Charlotte's room and found the girl sitting on her bed. Upon seeing the marchioness, Charlotte stood up and greeted her.
"I have been informed you stole food. You know you are not allowed to take anything," the marchioness said sternly.
"I know, my lady. I have not left my room the entire day," Charlotte lied smoothly.
"She lies, madam; she stole meat," insisted a maid.
The marchioness ordered a search of the room, but nothing was found, making the maids appear deceitful.
"I don't have time for this. Listen to me, bastard, stop causing me problems!" she declared, slapping the child and ordering that her room be locked. The maids mocked Charlotte and did not hesitate to follow the marchioness’s command.
"It seems everyone in this house is begging to be sent to hell..." Charlotte smirked malevolently.
She had to plan who would be next after she dealt with Mariam, whom she intended to visit that night.
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