Chapter #33:
People feel fear for many reasons, but perhaps the strongest arises when they sense a disconnect with something they firmly believed.
Until entering here, Isabelle hadn’t noticed anything particularly strange. But the moment she realized the ghost was aware of her presence, the thought that she was being watched took over her mind.
Holding her breath, Isabelle scanned the bedroom from corner to corner. Yet, just as before, there were only traces of the ghost—no piercing gaze, no hostile energy.
Only then did she relax slightly, exhaling softly as she swept her sweat-dampened, wine-colored hair behind her.
The summer air was stifling, heavy with humidity, making it hard to breathe properly. She removed her white gloves and robe, draping them over her arm, and fanned herself as she left the bedroom.
There was nothing more to discover here.
Isabelle walked slowly outside, mentally organizing what she had learned so far.
First: If Denver had known about the ghost and had been so terrified, he was likely involved in something himself. Since he knew about Hibert’s death connected to Dr. Morus, it was probable that Dr. Morus was behind this incident as well.
Second: The ghost that killed Denver was far more vicious than expected.
She had felt it yesterday too—it was no ordinary being. Not only could it directly harm humans, it was free even within memories.
This was clearly a malevolent spirit with a deep grudge.
“Can I even win against it?”
Honestly, the moment she met the ghost’s empty black eyes, an uncontrollable fear surged through her. The anxiety that she might truly be killed gripped her from head to toe.
Yet she was already too deep in this to back out. If she gave up now, she would have no face to meet Amanda and Jane.
“Though, I might lose my head to Adolf before that.”
Isabelle absentmindedly touched her neck as she left the bedroom. She intended to locate the place she had seen in her hallucination before it was too late.
Outside, Isabelle noticed a commotion. Across the fence, about five villagers were glaring at her with arms crossed. Unsure what was happening, she stepped closer and asked:
“Um, is something wrong?”
A curly-haired woman immediately pointed at her and shouted:
“That’s what we want to ask! We noticed something strange as soon as we saw a face that hadn’t been in the village for days, and now people are suddenly dying!”
“What… do you mean Denver died because of me?”
“Am I wrong? If not, why were you leaving that person’s house at dawn?”
“Well…”
Before Isabelle could respond, another woman standing beside the curly-haired one intervened.
“Stop it. You didn’t come here to fight, did you?”
“Do I look calm to you? Ugh, it’s frustrating!”
“Miss, I’m sorry. The village atmosphere has been strange lately. A while ago, two handsome men came asking questions about the village.”
“…Two handsome men. Sounds like they might be my companions. Haha.”
Isabelle sensed that acknowledging them now could lead to trouble, so she feigned ignorance with a light laugh.
“What’s funny? People have died! What kind of wind blew to turn our peaceful village upside down? What grudge do you hold against our village?”
‘Quite the storyteller,’ she thought.
The woman’s voice was so loud it hurt Isabelle’s ears. Frowning, Isabelle interrupted her.
“Excuse me, but Denver didn’t die because of me. If you’d heard the sheriff, you’d know.”
“Ha! Who trusts the sheriff here? Everyone is blinded by money; they pretend not to see even when they do.”
“…What? Even in a small village, would the royal-appointed sheriff really do something like that?”
“Yes! Money makes people kill… ugh!”
Suddenly, the curly-haired woman covered her mouth and looked at her companion, who now wore a dark expression.
“Anyway, I hope you stop stirring trouble in our village.”
“Yes! You should leave immediately.”
“Yes. We don’t want to see any more strange events in our village. I didn’t want to bring it up that day either, but Tully kept insisting…”
“Oh, Matilda! Are you blaming me now?”
The two women started arguing. It seemed something had happened when they met Kezeph and Adolf.
‘Could they be talking about the curse?’
“Both of you, stop! Is now the time to fight among ourselves?”
“Yes! You should disappear from our village immediately!”
The previously quiet villagers now stepped in to drive Isabelle out. But she had no intention of retreating.
Forming a circle with her fingers and smiling innocently, she said:
“Sorry, but that’s impossible right now. I also earn money by working hard. But once I’m done, I’ll leave immediately.”
The villagers’ faces darkened at her words. Sensing something wrong, Isabelle prepared to flee, stretching her legs sideways.
Tully, who had been watching her, narrowed her eyes.
“Don’t you feel like we’ve seen this face somewhere before?”
“Glad I’m not the only one. It looks oddly familiar.”
Surrounded and unable to escape, Isabelle panicked and covered her face with her robe as she stepped back.
Then Matilda, seemingly remembering something, pulled a piece of paper from her pocket.
“This woman! The thief from Jaden’s place.”
‘Th-thief?’
Isabelle grabbed the paper, confused. As the woman had said, it was a crumpled yellow sheet with her portrait.
Beneath it was a sizable sum of money, and at the bottom…
‘The family is searching for the thief who stole the heirlooms? And that’s me?’
She let out a bitter laugh.
‘Someone as honest as me, accused of theft! What nonsense…’
Even more absurd than being accused of theft, she seemed to know who this Jaden was.
‘Probably Amanda’s husband, no doubt.’
She had assumed they’d given up after failing to catch her, but they had even made a wanted poster. Her head throbbed.
“A thief wearing a robe thought she wouldn’t be noticed? I should tell Jaden about this immediately.”
The men immediately asked the villagers where Jaden was, as if ready to rush off.
This was bad. If Jaden found out, Isabelle would be trapped again.
Having lost him once, he wouldn’t let it happen twice.
So the remaining option was clear.
‘Time to run.’
Seizing the villagers’ distraction, Isabelle bolted. At that moment, a man noticed and grabbed her arm tightly.
