Half-step Purgatory

Durin stroked the black cat on the armrest of his chair, sitting on the black leather sofa. Through the glasses perched on his nose, his gaze passed over the long table in front of him and settled on the man kneeling on the carpet:
"I understand, you've made money in Naples, your business has been very successful, and you've led a happy life. You've had those secret police, friends in both the law and the underground, and even the Royal Family speaking on your behalf."
"You don't need a friend like me, I know that. You're afraid of owing me a favor, and you don't want to get involved in troubles."
"But now you come to me and say, 'I beg you, Mr. Durin of the Corleon family, please help me seek justice, so that my life and my family will not suffer and sink into despair.'
Yet, in your eyes, I was nothing more than a second-rate artist involved in movies and music. Even at the brink of death, you still show me such disrespect, not even willing to call me by my title... Keeper of Secrets."

Durin's Diary

Mr. Dutel Marcus entered through the grand doorway, embracing the solemn-faced Oso The Big, the master of this mansion.


"Old friend, it's good to see you're still strong," the gaunt Duke Robbie introduced, "My cousin, Rolyn, you should know her."


"Of course, Lady Rolyn, you seem to have aged a bit," Mr. Dutel said, while extending his hand to hold the elderly woman's shriveled hand, giving it a light kiss.


"The Lord of the Dawn once said, 'All beings born in the long night will eventually greet the dawn. I am prepared.' On the other hand, Mr. Dutel, you, Oso The Big fellow, are still hearty." The joke from the woman before him caught Mr. Dutel by the throat, leaving him somewhat choked up. The large group of young people who once took photographs together had now dwindled to a mere handful.


After helping Rolyn to the sofa, Mr. Dutel listened as she mentioned her granddaughter Irene.


Chapter 49: The Eve