A maid diligently wiped the bloodstains from the floor. The shadows cast by the curtains seemed to elongate and contort, as if they held their own secrets.

Amid the solemn task, the maid's senses pricked with awareness as she detected approaching footsteps. An uneasy shiver traveled down her spine, and she turned her gaze toward the doorway.

There, she saw a woman—a presence unexpected at that hour. The maid's voice quavered as she stammered, "Ma'am... you! At this ...