“You said that the work was so tiring that you are gonna take time off, thanks to it, other maids think that you left. You ate everything I gave… and dozed off right away.”

“.…..”

So you are the one to blame.

She touched her face. It was warm.

“You know, Nancy, I had a dream, for 100 years.”

“.…..”

It was difficult to decipher the expression from Nancy whose mouth was blocked. She thought it was difficult to decipher Nancy’s thoughts through her eyes. Her eyes just reflected the light and the expression on her face was from her facial muscles.

But Nancy’s mouth was blocked , so it was difficult to guess what she wanted to say from the wrinkles around her eyes. Though Karen was curious about what Nancy wanted to express, she held it in. It would be troublesome if Nancy was to scream.

“Um… I kept dying again and again for 100 years. Everyone tried to kill me, and some succeeded. So now I also want to try it. This is my first kill, so it won’t be that smooth, but I will try my best. Since I had an abundance to experience being killed, I think I can do it.”

She knocked over Nancy. The thick carpet laid on the floor absorbed the noise and Nancy tried to wiggle free. Karen chose a scarf. This opportunity was too good to lose. In the afternoon, Nancy asked for a time off from Karen as she complained about Isela’s rudeness.

Nancy also said that she would leave away to buy liquor from downtown. A faint alcohol smell drifted in the air. Nancy forgot something to take so she came back and along the way also informed that she will be off for a week, and asked if Karen needed anything from her. Karen only wanted just one thing.

 Very…very much wanted to kill. 

“Some 10 years ago you had once killed me. Why? Ah, I do not want to find fault now.”

As she said some cheerful words, Karen gave her some food mixed with some of Dulan’s drugs. Due to Isela’s actions during the day Karen didn’t have much of an appetite, so the food was left behind by other maids for her. Nancy was used to eating the leftover food, and ate it without a second glance.

“Just because I am curious. It must hurt a lot… since that time I had been very curious.”

But she won’t be able hear it now…..

“Will you tell me next time?”

She climbed on top of Nancy and felt the scarcely beating heart. A buoyant body. As she felt the wiggling body underneath her, Karen felt excited. She felt like she was soaring high up in the sky.

“Next time in return, you can die yourself.” Karen stabbed her body.

As Karen recalled that moment, her body trembled with excitement. That moment, she could only describe it as love. Tremor that passed beyond the restraints of clothes, the sense of dominating others. Maybe fate must have killed her over 100 times for this extremely exciting feeling.

Also another woman was getting ready to give her that excitement once again. She looked forward to it so much that she wanted to rush forward and shower Isela with kisses. These characters were too lovely. What will she do, mm? Will she scream? Will she look for that distinguished father of hers? Or cry longing for Raymond who is not here?

“Don’t be scared.”

“.…yes.”

Isela walked as she relied on Karen’s hands. Hehe! There is nothing to be scared of! Because I am not gonna kill you now! Why, because later I will go to your mansion to kill more, and more! In this house, there aren’t many people , so can’t… So could barely suppress her chuckles.

“I….. it’s true. Something strange I …”

“Yes yes.” Karen replied sweetly. With a smile.

In Isela’s eyes, it felt like a smile from a kind sister that was taking care of a scared young child. Isela felt her counterpart would be childish and was not willing to be friends, but at this moment she was fascinated by Karen’s smile. That smile that Karen gave Isela was an illusion  – it was akin to a fairy promising her that there was nothing to worry about.

“There is nothing to be scared of.”

She felt her fears being forgotten and opened her bedroom door

“Was it for real, maybe it was just your imagination?”

Isela’s dress and bed dirtied by menstrual blood created that illusion. Her sensitive body due to menstruation, the pillow, the necklace and a hat mistakenly left behind by some maid, all together tricked Isela. She was neither called by her father and scolded or screamed all scared disturbing everyone and only to be embarrassed.

As she heaved a sigh of relief, Isela sat on the bed.

It seems like she got flustered when she saw the blood. Also a necklace and hat was laid there. They picked up the necklace she searched like hell. I just misjudged by the exhaustion from the whole day and saw blood on top of that. That must be. As Isela tightly held on to the necklace, she turned towards Karen. She just misjudged everything. Isela was relieved.

“I apologize. Miss Haier.”

“.…..”

“I would like to sleep in another room, can I use the room next door?”

“.…..”

But Karen didn’t say a word. Karen had a weak and scared face. Isela called out to Karen.

“Haier?”

“That’s such a …relief. Oh yes, of course you can. The next room is empty, so you can use it. Tomorrow I will arrange some maids to take care of this room.”

Tock. 

Karen opened the adjacent room and led Isela in.

“You can use this room without any worries.”

“Thank you.”

The dread was gone and she was relieved and Isela felt a kinship towards Karen. She wanted to converse more, but Karen closed the door as she told her to get a good night’s rest. Isela held on to the necklace like it was a treasure and closed her eyes. She would never lose it ever again. Raymond-nim. When will I be able to meet again? I am very anxious and it feels too difficult to meet you. I miss you. 

“.……”

Yes, her head was not cut off. Was she bothered about scratches left by her nails? She must give that maid something in apology. With these thoughts, Isela drifted off into dreamland. The day was too exhausting and tormenting for her.

As she closed the door, Karen sat on the bed just like Isela a moment ago.

The corpse was missing.