Whispers of the Dead

Half an hour before dinner...

Gustav was on his way to Duke Alaris's chamber, carrying a tray with the Duke's medication. When he reached the door, he gently pushed it open and stepped inside.

Alaris lay in bed, weak and barely able to move. Gustav set the tray down on a low cabinet near the door and walked over to his bedside.

"My lord, it's time to take your medicine."

Alaris was barely more than a shadow of his former self. The curse had eaten away at him relentlessly. His voice came as little more than a whisper.

"Gustav…"

Despite the faintness, Gustav caught it. He leaned in closer.

"What is it, my lord?" he asked, bringing his ear near the Duke's lips.

"I think today may be my last."

"Don't say that. You'll live long yet," Gustav replied, trying to sound hopeful.

Alaris gave a faint smile. His hair had grown long from the weeks in bed. His beard, however, was trimmed—thanks to Gustav, who kept it neat as per the Duke's wish. Only a bit of stubble clung to his chin and upper lip. Dark circles had formed beneath his eyes, and his skin had turned pale from spending so long in the shadows of his room.

"Call the doctor," Alaris murmured. "Something feels… different."

"Of course, my lord. But please, take these first," Gustav said, picking up the tray again. "Once you've taken your medicine, I'll go fetch him immediately."

These weren't healing potions—just dull suppressants to ease the pain caused by the curse.

After Alaris swallowed the medicine, Gustav picked up the tray and quietly left the room. He headed toward the kitchen, where he spotted Scott.

"Scott. I need your help."

"Good evening, Sir Gustav. What do you need?"

"Go fetch the doctor. Right now. Bring him here as fast as you can."

"Yes, sir," Scott replied, tipping his cap before rushing out the door.

—

Some time later, Scott returned with the doctor in tow. Gustav met them just outside the estate gates.

"Doctor. Welcome."

"Take me to him. Quickly."

The doctor was around fifty years old, bundled in a thick coat with a fur hat pulled low over his brow.

"This way," Gustav gestured, leading him inside.

When they entered the Duke's room, the doctor took one look and knew—things were bad. Very bad. Without a word, he began the examination.

He was not just any doctor. He had served this household—and Duke Alaris—personally for years.

"Let's have a look," he said, placing his hand on the Duke's forehead and closing his eyes.

The doctor infused his mana gently into Alaris's body. In that moment, it was as if he could see inside him. His consciousness traveled through the Duke's body—and what he saw chilled him.

A black fog had almost completely devoured Alaris from within. There was barely any part left untouched. And it was still spreading.

Worse yet… the fog had noticed him.

It began pulling at his mana.

The doctor's eyes snapped open. He jerked his hand back at once, breathing heavily.

"You felt it too… didn't you, Fermak?" Alaris asked quietly.

"Yes," the doctor said with a heavy sigh.

"Everyone dies eventually. Looks like my time has come."

"What can I do for you, my lord?"

"Just… sit with me a while. I've spoken with nearly everyone. Only you remain."

"Then let's talk," Fermak said, adjusting the chair beside the bed and sitting down.

"Gustav," Alaris called.

"Yes, my lord?" the head servant stepped closer.

"I want to tell you something…"

Both men leaned in.

"Thank you, both of you…" Alaris whispered—just as his voice faded forever.

Fermak and Gustav stared at him in silence. The doctor reached out, checked his pulse…

"He's gone," Fermak said, gently closing the Duke's eyes with his fingers.

"I'll go downstairs and inform the others."

"Then I'll remain here, until his family arrives. If you don't mind."

"Not at all," Gustav replied, and left.

—

The room fell into silence.

Fermak remained seated, unmoving. He said nothing.

Eventually, a thought crept into his mind: I should cover the body. That white sheet will do.

He stood, took the sheet, and gently pulled it over Alaris's body.

That's when he saw her—Anna, standing silently at the door.

Fermak said nothing. He simply collected his things and exited the room.

Downstairs, Gustav was waiting.

"You're leaving already?" Gustav asked.

"Yes. I've prepared a carriage for you. It'll take you home safely."

"Thank you," Fermak replied as they approached the waiting wagon.

"My condolences," Gustav said quietly.

"I only hope…" Fermak began, then let the words trail off.

"I understand. I'll carry this secret to my grave."

"That puts my heart at ease," Gustav said, then turned to Scott. "Take the doctor home. Then come back—quickly."

"Yes, Sir," Scott nodded, and snapped the reins.

—

Once Gustav returned to the house, he went straight to Alaris's room.

"Master Valorant! What happened?"

"He escaped," Valorant said darkly.

"What do we do?"

"We have to find him. If we don't… he'll become a much greater threat."

"Duke Alaris can't have gotten far. Not much time has passed."

"I don't understand how he slipped away. Anna and Suna were right outside. They must've seen something."

"Then who's lying in the hallway?!"

"That's a body… but not the body. A decoy. Not the real one. If we can find the true body, we can end this."

—

Anna, now regaining her composure, overheard their conversation. The way they spoke about her grandfather—like he was just some object—filled her with fury.

"What are you saying?! What happened to my grandfather? Tell me everything!" she shouted, demanding answers from Valorant.

"We don't have time for this. We need to either find Alaris's true body and destroy it, or get out of here immediately."

"I'm not going anywhere until you tell me what's going on. Why did he try to kill me?!"

"Master Valorant," Gustav interjected. "Perhaps we should tell her."

"That'll just waste time."

"He couldn't have gone far. Let me search for him. You explain everything to her."

"Check every corner of the house. Leave nothing untouched. I'll explain what I can."

"Understood," Gustav said and ran off.

"Anna," Valorant said, turning to her. "Listen closely. Before Gustav returns, I'll tell you everything I know about your grandfather… and the curse."