Thalia and Elias sat near the window, which overlooked a large private garden. Thalia's gaze, fixed intently upon the casement as she recounted her tale, had fallen upon a human face appearing at one of the panes.
Her startled cry broke the moment's stillness. Elias leapt to his feet and rushed to the window. Yet, he saw nothing—only the dark sway of the garden's evergreens and the distant glow from a mansion some two hundred yards away.
He reached to open the casement and step outside, but Thalia seized his arm, exclaiming in panic, "Leave me not, I could not bear to be alone!"
"I won't leave you, Thalia," Elias assured her gently, guiding her back to the sofa and resuming his seat beside her. "But tell me—what startled you so? Whose face did you see? Speak, dearest."
"I will explain all," she said, regaining some composure. "I was about to recount our journey to Lumea with Lord Aurel of Blackmere, and Dorian as our companion. But those details are of little importance. Let me begin from our arrival in the city."
"But the face at the window?" Elias pressed, eager for understanding.
"You'll soon know everything," Thalia replied. "We arrived in the evening. Dorian had ridden ahead to inform his mother—a widow who lived modestly on a quiet street near the cathedral—that she would soon receive a young lady as a guest. That young lady was me. When we arrived at Dame Drusilla's house, she welcomed me warmly. Lord Aurel spoke to her in private for several minutes, and I noticed him hand her a heavy purse—no doubt a payment to ensure her silence regarding our relationship. After seeing me comfortably settled in her best room, he took his leave, promising to return the next day."
Thalia paused, sighing softly before continuing:
"Fortunately, Dame Drusilla was Eryndoran, having married an Gloomfam. Had she been otherwise, I might have been treated poorly. But she was kind—almost maternal—toward me. I went to bed early, but sleep did not come easily. My body was in Lumea, but my mind was still in Eryndor—still among the dark trees of the Black Forest. When I finally drifted off, my rest was uneasy. I awoke to sunlight pouring through the lattice. To my joy, the garb of a page had been removed as I slept, and in its place were fine garments more fitting a young woman. Later that morning, new furniture arrived, and my rooms were transformed into something like a little paradise. Lord Aurel returned soon after, and—pardon the confession—I was happy.
"He asked me not to go out alone, and never to acknowledge him in public should we meet. I promised to follow his wishes. In return, he vowed his love would never falter."
"Spare me the smaller details," Elias said gently. "Though I care deeply, it is the source of your fear that now troubles me most."
"I'll speak only of the essential events," Thalia agreed. "Months passed. I must admit with sorrow that the innocence of my youth began to fade. Though much older, I loved Lord Aurel deeply. He was wise, refined, and when with me, his usual gloom lifted. He once told me, 'Thalia, when I am gone, riches will be your protection.' He lavished me with gifts, though I wanted for nothing else. He visited daily, sometimes twice. And so time passed… until the day I saw her."
She cast a nervous glance toward the window before continuing.
"It was six months ago. I had gone to Mass, as usual, accompanied by Dame Drusilla. While kneeling, I noticed a veiled woman watching me intently. Her posture was regal, her form magnificently proportioned, and though I could not see her face, I felt her eyes piercing through the veil.
"The scrutiny soon grew oppressive. I drew my own veil to shield myself, but I still felt her gaze—unrelenting, almost supernatural. Then, as the priests passed by in procession, I instinctively lifted my veil in reverence. At that exact moment, the stranger also unveiled herself.
"Oh, Elias! Never have I seen such terrifying beauty! Her face—so dazzling, so sovereign—held me in awe. But her eyes—those eyes—they blazed with fury! With hatred so intense it seemed to scorch my soul. It was as if lightning struck from her very gaze. I was frozen, unable to scream, stunned by the sheer force of that expression. And then… she vanished."
Thalia paused to collect herself before continuing.
"I told Dame Drusilla everything. She appeared disturbed—if only for a moment—then assured me it was all imagination. She insisted I say nothing to Lord Aurel. I agreed. Days passed, and I tried to forget.
"But then came Lord Aurel's illness. His visits grew scarce, until finally Dorian informed me he was bedridden. I was desperate to see him, but Drusilla warned that any scandal might cause him pain—especially as he had children. So I remained. And I grieved.
"One night, overcome with sorrow, I sat in my chamber. Outside, a storm raged—wild and unnatural. The house moaned with the wind. I tried to rest. I slept. And then—I woke."
Thalia's voice dropped to a near whisper.
"She was there. She, Elias—the same woman. Standing over me, just as before. Her face twisted with a rage that seemed infernal. Her eyes flamed. Her lips curled in scorn. And yet… she was still so beautiful. Terribly beautiful.
"I froze. I closed my eyes, praying it was a dream. When I opened them again—she was gone. But something else was gone too. My box—where I kept Lord Aurel's gifts—had been opened. Many jewels were missing. Only the newly bought ones remained. The older pieces—those Lord Aurel had said belonged to his late wife—were stolen.
"I called Drusilla. She was horrified. She had forgotten to bolt the door that night. I blamed her—but she begged my forgiveness and again urged me to keep the incident secret.
"And I did. For I never saw Andrea (Lord Aurel of Blackmere) again."
Her voice trembled with grief.
"I tried to make sense of it. Why would a thief leave anything behind? Why had she twice looked upon me with such terrifying malice? Could Lord Aurel's daughter have discovered our secret? Had she come to reclaim her mother's jewels?
"When I suggested this to Drusilla , she quickly shook her head.
"'Lady Antheia is deaf and dumb,' she said. 'She cannot spy or overhear. And she never leaves her father's side.'
"I asked her to describe Antheia. From her words, I learned that Lord Aurel's daughter was fair—light hair, blue eyes, delicate in form. Nothing like the woman I had seen.
"And so, Elias, I was left with no answers. The jewels were gone. The memory of that haunting woman faded only when sorrow for Andrea's illness consumed me."
"Then who?" Wagner asked, his voice growing tense.
"I don't know, but I believe she is connected to the family somehow. The same lady appeared at the window just now, the same one who haunted me for months. But how could she have entered your gardens?"
"You see those lights, Thalia?" Elias pointed toward a distant mansion, about two hundred yards away. "Those are from the house of Dr. Orion, an eminent physician. The gardens of his mansion are separated from mine by only a thin hedge. Anyone with curiosity could easily pass through."
"Dr. Orion?" Thalia exclaimed. "The doctor who attended my Andrea?"
"Yes," Elias replied. "It seems the mysterious lady may be from his house. Time will reveal the truth, Thalia, but for now, rest assured, no harm will come to you here."
Elias called for Dame Velora, his housekeeper, and entrusted Thalia to her care. The morning was fast approaching, and both of them were in desperate need of rest. As Thalia followed Dame Velora to her new quarters, Elias stood by, pondering the unsettling mysteries that still loomed over them all.