Beyond the confines of Selina's room, inside of one of the unoccupied door, Three ethereal figures faded into view.
Their pale skin, blank eyes, and translucent body leaped from reflective surface into another, arriving in Selina's dresser mirror.
They saw her, staring blankly at one of open veils of the window.
After awhile of surveying, they disappeared from the mirror's reflection. Avoiding the lady's suspicion.
...
In a daze, her left hand, clenching the handle of the closed diary. Linda's mind stirred with thoughts.
For now, our goal is to escape to Tingen. As it was the nearest city in Winter County without mountains being an obstacle, she murmured, turning her gaze from the window and onto the dresser—where her eyes met the striking, graceful presence of Selina.
The very woman described in the diary
Unknowingly to her, her right hand rose onto the mirror's surface, contacting the reflection of Selina.
After a moment, Linda opened her mouth, as if conversing to an old friend she muttered, "Selina... Let me be.."
She paused, she couldn't continue, her mind conflicting with the identities of the deceased Selina and herself.
After a second, she finally settled herself.
In a low and amiable voice, Linda anchored. "From now on... I'm Selina, daughter of the Ivorys."
...
Within a library room inside of a mildly prominent mansion situated in East Borough, Tingen City. Three individuals encircles a black hardcovered book, resting on top of a waist-level table.
The young man on the right has a rather deep-outline, with dark brown eyes and short black hair, accompanied with a distinct scholarly air emanating from him. He wore a simple white linen shirt and a long brown tattered trousers.
Next to him is a young woman, with soft brown hair and prominent grey eyes. She wore a soft plain white dress.
Beside her, holding a the hardcovered book by the table, was a young man of chubby body, with pale skin and black hair, wearing a linen shirt over his black trousers.
The three of them are reciting an incantation, together, facing the mysterious book.
...
Dawn rosed from the pasture of Milo.
The rising sun cloak the world in luscious scenery. Birds flock from the cast of shadowy forests and onto the wheats, trees and buildings from the distant.
After taking a midnight shower, Selina, her obvious eyebags became prominent from her mesmerizing face.
Gazing at the ceiling, finally figuring out her abilities, she murmured, So I'm able to make potions with potent effects as well as resistance against certain degree of toxins..
Listing the mystical knowledge she obtained, regained back from the previous Selina's memories. She silently mused, feeling a slight frustration over her abilities, So a human gifted with talents?
Recounting the hooded man's information, she remembered that beyonders advance through potion sequences becoming stronger, and currently, she's at the starting sequence, almost identical to humans in comparison. Her next goal would be the Sequence 8 formula of the Apothecary Potion.
But time for her is essential. She's in urgent need to escape the grasp of Deimsfel and the possible cult backing as soon as possible. Failure can result in unintended consequences.
Lying on the undraped mattress of the bed, her disheveled silver hair littered all over the bed's surface, thoughts drifting for solutions.
My destination is the steam-train station, about one and a half kilometers southwest of Milo, she reminded herself, anchoring her thoughts to the only clear path.
She remained silent for a moment, before adding, The only route would be to head straight after crossing the borders of Milo from the entrance, changing course would require me to enter the forest, leading to the intercepting river of Tussock and the mountainous valleys of Mirminsk.
If push comes to shove..
Thud! Thud! Thud!
A three consecutive knocks resounded beyond the mahogany door. Interrupting Selina's thoughts.
The sound was accompanied by a composed and deep voice of a man, presumably in his fifties. "Miss Selina, The head master requests your presence at the dining hall"
Head master.. She muttered silently. She knew she had to meet the featured man in Selina's diary. The suspected perpetrator.
Taking into account of the previous Selina's behavior as well as her mannerism. Selina pulled herself from the mattress of the bed, tidied herself and made her way towards the door.
After turning the handles, the door gently swinged open, before her is a man with deep outline, wrinkled and stubbled face, brown eyes, lean body, and a combed black hair with prominent white line, wearing a tuxedo, black trouser and a pair of white gloves.
Marquis De Leon, the old butler she met inside the basement. The elder who was reformed by transparent insects into a younger man.
He's one of the replicas.. she noted. Placing both of her palms onto her lower abdomen, mirroring the previous Selina's etiquette, she revealed an impeccable, and courteous smile. "Good morning, Mr. De Leon.. Shall we head now?"
Marquis nodded, turning his back towards her, leading their way across the corridor.
Morning light filters through the veiled windows of the hall, revealing a series of her and her parent's portraits hung over the painted walls. Some depicts her as a child, others accompanied by her parents, and occasionally she's alone. Below the center of each frame, is a name engraved on its metallic surface, titled: Ivory Family.
What a beautiful family... She muttered, her eyes hovered across each portrait.
Facing the window, she gazed out onto the manor's front yard. Several maids and gardeners moved with practiced grace, tending to the flowerbeds and sculpting the bushes into large green cubes. The neatly trimmed hedges framed a clear path that stretched from the road to the central fountain, and onward to the manor's grand entrance.
Relying on the previous Selina's mapping of the manor, It consisted of a grand central hall and two extending wings that partially embraced a formal courtyard leading to the front yard, in an aerial view above it is shaped like a C.
The farther end of the second floor, northern wing is where Selina's room is located. While the dining hall is at the first floor of the southern wing.
Currently they're in the second floor of the central block.
As they walk, she noticed a caravan of cargo carriages parked at the paved road outside of the yard, featuring a velvet tent as its roof. The horses were being tended by multiple servants, either feeding them or unloading the carriages.
Selina is like a princess... she mused, gazing silently at each windows as they slid pass her periphery, one by one.
Suddenly, the quiet serenity was broken by a deep, composed voice.
"Miss Ivory, have you rested well yesterday?" Marquis asked, his gaze fixed straight ahead, respectful and unreadable.
Startled, Selina took on another impression. "Why'd you ask?"
Marquis remained silent, before responding, "You look pale.."
Why would he ask that? Is he really a replica?
Confused, Selina paused for a moment, before replying with her previous smile, "I'm pleased for your concern, but don't worry, I'm not careless enough to disregard my own health."
"Very well.." Marquis nodded, quietly proceeding with his task.
Soon, they reached the dining hall. Its interior features a large stained window ahead, with its curtains tied above, revealing the beautiful scenery outside. Before it was a long table, draped with a white cloth that cascades down to the floor, It is patterned with red and blue lines over its edges.
Seated at the head of the table, is a young man wearing a linen shirt, followed by a layer of a gray black vest, and a dark-brown trousers.
He has a set of deep brown eyes, short black hair, narrow at the forehead and jaw, with a straight nose, and pale skin.
"Mr. Morled, Lady Ivory is here"
Good, leave us." As his voice echoed through the hall, the remaining staff quietly withdrew, leaving only Selina and Deimsfel behind.
The man turned his head towards Selina, the corner of his mouth curled as he said in a measured voice, "How is my fiancée doing?"
Selina's strands rose on each ends, trying to compose herself, she mirrored the smiling Deimsfel as she replied, "I'm fine, any reason why you wanted me here?"
"Why would there be any reason?" Deimsfel mused, retracting his fingers from the fork and utensils.
With a clean towel, he wiped his mouth, turning his attention to Selina. He added, "I just want to see my beautiful future wife."
This is unsettling... Selina maintained her soft smile, gazing back at Deimsfel. She replied in a mellow voice, "Anything else?"
Deimsfel's plastered smile widens, squinting his eyes in the process. Before replying with a slight annoyance in his tone, "Haven't you learn?"
Suddenly, the lingering shadows casted by the sunlight became thicker and mysterious.
Selina felt an inexplicable fear. Prompting her to quickly respond, "I-I'm sorry."
At that moment, the looming shadows gradually receded.
In a calm and composed tone, the man informed her, "The continuation of our wedding will be held the day after tomorrow."
He paused for a moment, before adding, "I hope you won't ran away again."
What? So soon? A chilling sensation thread through her spine. From her memories, Selina have been his company for the past six months, and certainly, he have displayed supernatural abilities even in the most subtle way.
She have witnessed it beforehand, his ability to form chains made of darkness, wings composed of multiple black bats, and eyes revealing crimson color.
Is he... A vampire? For a fleeting second, her posture nearly betrayed her composure. After taking a deep breath, she replied, "Of course "
"I know you won't" Deimsfel replied, amused by Selina's reaction. He added, "Your parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ivory are in the living room. Don't keep them waiting"
"Of course" Selina could only agreed to his will, she felt like a mouse trapped inside of a cage, unable to escape.
Approaching the door, her whole being alarmed her. Turning her head back, she saw Deimsfel, staring blankly at her.
I-I forgot! Selina hurriedly turned her body, raised her skirt on each side of her hands, and curtsied towards the patriarch.
Deimsfel didn't respond, instead he revealed a sinister smile before retracting his attention from Selina.
Moments later, the shadow next to him began to contort, gathering into a limited space before growing into a man.
Upon seeing Deimsfel, the man spoke in a languid voice, "She's now closer to the child of god"
Deimsfel remained silent, his smile unwavered.