In one of the guest rooms,
a single bed was tucked neatly,
and a single desk sat with a chair.
Lillian sat.
While Wesley stood nearby, uneasy.
"Well, my lady, as you know why I called you here.
I need to asked you a few questions," he said.
Lillian looked up at him, her face serious.
"Well... what do you know about the Beast so far?
Have you ever encountered it before?"
Lillian looked down at her hands.
Her lips parted.
"I... yes."
She told him about the shadow child she saw, the one holding her skirt.
And the child waving at her.
Then she mentioned Robert's story how it all sounded so similar.
While they were speaking,
just outside the door,
Nira was eavesdropping.
She listened to every word.
"Beast... huh?
So that thing I saw at the window...
It really was a Beast?"
Just as she leaned in closer,
one of the doors down the hallway opened.
It was Elrick.
Nira startled.
"Elrick! What made you go out so late?"
Elrick's face looked sleepy,
as if he'd just gotten out of bed.
"I just couldn't sleep," he said lazily.
Nira gazed at him, soft understanding in her voice.
"Thinking of your wife again?"
"Yeah. How could I not?
We were supposed to have a family..."
Nira stepped closer to him,
gently nudging him back toward his room.
She made sure no one was watching
before closing the door behind them.
Inside, she whispered,
"So... tell me. Who do you think you can trust?"
Elrick slumped onto the bed,
his hand on his forehead.
"I—I don't know!
I don't know who or what to believe.
I don't even remember my baby's face!
We hadn't even named her yet..."
His voice cracked with frustration.
He leaned forward, elbows on his knees,
both hands cupping his face.
Nira stood quietly by the door.
Then her voice came soft but sharp like a blade.
"Yes... I understand that feeling.
That's why, as Reana's best friend...
I will find who the killer is.
Even if it's you."
He lifted his head,
moving his fingers slightly to peek at her through them.
"You think I murdered my own child?"
Nira shook her head.
"For now, I don't suspect you.
We're on the same page."
Then her voice lowered.
"It's... Robert."
Elrick's eyes locked onto hers.
"Will you kill him... if he's the killer?"
The question struck her deep in the chest.
Her face paled.
Her lips parted,
as if she wanted to speak.
But no words came.
Elrick went on,
"Will you break me a second time...
and choose his side again?"
He stepped closer to her.
"Just remember...
he rejected you the first time.
And as long as Lillian's breathing,
he will never choose you."
His face neared hers not to kiss,
but twisted with hatred and disappointment.
"Maybe if you'd accepted me that night,
things wouldn't have led us here."
Nira turned her head slightly to the right,
her eyes gazing off,
refusing to meet his.
Her back pressed against the door,
her hands fumbling behind her,
searching for the knob.
Once she found it,
she twisted it open
and slipped out.
Elrick was left behind,
smiling bitterly.
Back in her room,
Nira paced from wall to wall,
trying to stay calm.
"Come on, Nira... you got this... stay calm..."
She took a deep breath,
sat on her bed,
and spoke softly to herself.
"Nira... you are a calm girl.
Imagine... soil... flowers..."
The scent of roses
pulled her back to memories
she wished she could forget.
A memory of her and Robert.
One day,
when Robert was arranging wildflowers on his porch.
A small table.
Neatly arranged, one by one,
he placed them into a clear vase.
Then her voice.
"Morning, Robert."
Nira called out, carrying a basket full of bread.
"Oh, morning sweetie.
How may I help you, my lady?"
Robert replied politely, teasing.
Nothing hidden behind his words.
But for Nira,
there was always something more.
She smiled, blush rising in her cheeks.
"Here, I brought some bread."
She stepped gently onto Robert's porch
and placed the basket on his small table.
She pulled out a few pieces.
Then, murmured,
"Robert...
Are you seeing anyone in this town?"
Robert froze.
His eyes shifted to hers.
"Do you think... there's a girl out there for me?"
He asked, then returned to arranging the flowers.
Unbothered.
As if she was only joking.
But Nira pressed forward.
"Then what are you looking for in a woman?"
Robert ruffled his hair,
replied lazily,
"Ugh. A woman who reads my books.
So we can talk about them all the time."
Nira looked at him.
"Hey," she called gently.
She reached for his hand,
holding it with both of hers.
Her eyes locked on his.
"Robert. If I read all your books...
will you accept me?"
Robert pulled his hand away quickly.
His brows knit together.
He frowned.
Nervously, he let out a soft laugh.
"Nira... it's not that simple."
"But I can give you everything.
I can give you what you want!"
She pressed, desperate.
Robert pulled all his hair back,
frustrated.
"Nira, listen. That's not all it takes.
First... you have to feel them.
And understand them."
He placed his hands on her shoulders.
Tapped once. "And for now...
I don't plan on falling in love with anyone. I'm sorry."
Nira's eyes glazed.
"Then... you're never going to accept me.
Even if I buy all your books?"
Her voice trembled.
A whisper. Laced with sorrow.
Robert's hand slid from her shoulder to her arm,
then to her right hand.
He looked straight into her eyes, making sure she understood.
"Then tell me...
If Elrick becomes a farmer, will you accept him?"
That line struck like an axe.
Her heart split in one clean crack.
She shook her head once.
Slowly,
tears streamed down her cheeks.
Then her final question.
Her voice was barely audible.
"Then...
do you love Lillian?"