Chapter 39
Calyx had been in a bad mood lately. The reason was Elena’s continued meetings with Inspector Jerry.
He didn’t think Elena would tell Jerry about his secret. If he hadn’t trusted her at least a little, and hadn’t been certain about her, he wouldn’t have brought her along to convalesce in the first place.
But what truly bothered him lay elsewhere.
‘It doesn’t seem like they’re meeting just as witness and inspector.’
Jerry’s eyes lit up gently when he looked at Elena—so different from when he looked at Calyx. His tone softened noticeably when he spoke to her, as if he was kind only to her. No matter how he looked at it, it was obvious Jerry had feelings for Elena.
“You said nothing came of your last meeting, so why are you seeing him again? Huh? Luca?”
“Woof?”
Calyx asked the question while sitting on a bench with Luca. Even though the answer was always the same, he couldn’t help but ask. Elena had become too big a presence in his life to just keep his worries to himself.
“I tried flirting a bit… I thought my looks would work.”
She definitely seemed to like his appearance.
But whenever they started to grow closer, Elena would draw a line. As if she didn’t know what he was feeling.
Of course, Calyx didn’t plan to confess just yet. The serial killer hadn’t been caught, and he couldn’t be sure that Elena’s fate had actually changed.
But once Elena’s destined death had truly been avoided, and he himself was free from his past life, he intended to tell her how he felt. Because, truthfully, Elena had long since become someone precious to him.
He didn’t even know when it had started. At first, he had simply found her interesting. But at some point, she began to take up more and more space in his heart—until she filled it entirely.
“Sometimes she seems super perceptive. Like she’s paying attention… but at the same time, completely oblivious.”
It seemed Elena didn’t realize just how beautiful and attractive she was.
“She goes around charming everyone, doesn’t she?”
Calyx muttered sulkily—though in truth, his heart didn’t mean it at all.
“Ugh!”
Suddenly, a sharp pain pierced through his head, as though something had stabbed his brain.
“It’s been quiet for a while, and now…”
The time was approaching again. He would have to go into convalescence soon. And then… he would have to change Elena’s fate.
Inside his room, Dr. Scott was reading a book when he noticed a strange shadow. He looked up to find a bird sitting on his windowsill. He rushed over to open the window.
The bird flew inside, circled the ceiling once, then landed on the desk and gave a shake—transforming into a letter.
With trembling hands, Dr. Scott picked it up and read.
“…So it’s come.”
He set the letter down with a sigh and slumped into his chair.
The contents were cruel. If he wanted to save his younger sister, he would have to offer a sacrifice.
Not everyone offered one. It had to be either voluntary or chosen. This time, the chosen one was Dr. Scott. Deep down, he had hoped that his turn would never come—that maybe he could slip by unnoticed. But it had been a foolish hope.
“…But if it’s for Miliane…”
Miliane—his only family. He would do anything for his sister. Even kill.
Dr. Scott had tried everything he could, using all his medical knowledge to cure Miliane. But no matter how hard he worked, her condition only worsened, and his life spiraled into chaos.
Then, one day, a man appeared and subdued her illness instantly.
According to that man, her sickness was mental. He said he would found a new religion and change the world—and for the sake of his sister, Dr. Scott decided to follow him. In the world the cult leader envisioned, Miliane might finally find happiness.
Nothing mattered more than his sister. Whether others died or not—that had nothing to do with him. Even if the victim was someone he knew.
Dr. Scott picked up a pen and wrote a reply. Once he signed the letter, it burst into flames and vanished without a trace.
There was no going back now.
When Elena returned from meeting Inspector Jerry, the garden was empty.
She was just wondering if he hadn’t waited for her when she saw Becca running toward her.
“Elena! The Duke wants to see you in his room!”
“Right now? At this hour? Was he… waiting?”
“Yes! Both the Duke and I were waiting for you!”
Becca smiled brightly as always.
“You’ll go right away, won’t you? I’ll guide you!”
“I’ll go on my own. You can go back to work.”
“Oh, but the Duke told me to escort you!”
“It’s fine, really. I’ll explain it to him.”
“Thank you!”
Becca trotted off cheerfully.
‘What should I do? I didn’t learn anything useful again today. He probably wants a report…’
Nervously, Elena headed to his room.
“I’m here. I’m coming in.”
She no longer acted as formally with him as before. They’d become a little more comfortable—like friendly coworkers.
“Did it go well?”
Calyx smiled and rose from the bed as she entered.
“Yes. But… why did you call for me?”
“Sit down first. I have something to tell you.”
That phrase always made her nervous. She tried not to show it and sat on the sofa he gestured toward.
He sat across from her and spoke with a serious expression.
“I’ll need to leave for convalescence soon.”
“Already?”
“Yes.”
“But how do you know when it’s time?”
She’d always wondered. How could he tell when he was about to transform into a sparrow? It wasn’t on a fixed schedule.
“I get headaches. A specific kind.”
“Oh, so that’s how you go before you transform. Does medicine help with that?”
“They don’t last long, so it’s fine.”
“I see… Then, should I go with you this time?”
“That’s the issue. It’s dangerous whether you come with me or stay here.”
He was right. In the original story, after the Duke returned from this convalescence, Elena died. If her fate didn’t change this time, she really would die.
But bringing her along meant they couldn’t take many guards—his transformation couldn’t be revealed to anyone. On the other hand, staying alone in the mansion meant she could die at any moment.
After thinking for a moment, Calyx made a suggestion.
“How about this? You move into the main building, and I’ll go convalesce and return alone in sparrow form. In the meantime, you take care of the dogs.”
“Is it really necessary to move rooms?”
“Yes. It’s absolutely necessary.”
Absolutely? Why?
“I’m already comfortable where I am. I can just come over to see the dogs.”
“No, you must move before I leave.”
“…?”
What was she missing? She felt like something important was slipping through the cracks, so she tried to recall the original story. Meanwhile, Calyx’s expression darkened.
“It’s late. Let’s talk more tomorrow. You must be tired—go rest.”
“…Goodnight.”
What was that?
The usually gentle and kind Duke had suddenly turned cold and sharp. It left her feeling confused.
Had she done something wrong?
Tilting her head in puzzlement, Elena got ready for bed. After spending all day with Jerry, she was exhausted. She couldn’t remember a single more detail of the original story. Her brain was refusing to think.
“I’ll sleep and try again in the morning.”
She lay down after turning off the lights. Just as she was about to fall asleep, a strange sound reached her ears.
Clack, clack, clack.
The doorknob was rattling—like someone was trying to open it. Thank goodness she always locked it.
“Who’s there?”
She called out cautiously, but no reply came. Her mouth went dry from tension.
“…Ah.”
Then it hit her. The part of the original she’d been missing.
Elena’s corpse was found in this very room.
The problem was… no one knew exactly when she had died. From Jerry’s perspective in the original, she was already dead when the investigation began.
So that’s why Calyx had told her to move.
He had remembered.
But then… why hadn’t he explained it to her?
If he had, she would have agreed right away.
She felt a little hurt. Wouldn’t it have been easier for both of them if he had just told her the truth, instead of insisting without explanation?
“Well, he said we’d talk again tomorrow anyway…”
Before going back to bed, she lit a small candle. She didn’t want to leave the whole room bright, but lying in complete darkness again felt too scary.
Just as she was drifting off—
Clatter. Squeak.
The window beside the bed rattled, then creaked open on its own.
“Wh-Who’s—! Cough!”
A black shadow slipped through the window and began to strangle her.
Already? I’m dying now? No way!
She kicked and struggled with all her strength, but it was no use.
The shadow only tightened its grip.
