"Yes, my husband went out yesterday to visit a friend, but unfortunately, that friend wasn't home. I suppose that was you?"
"Yes, madam, you can call me Orpheus."
"Please come in."
Linda opened the gate and invited Orpheus in.
Orpheus handed her the box of fancy macarons.
He had specifically chosen the most expensive one from the shop, costing 500 loubi per box.
The shop assistant had also included some small cakes, which Orpheus gave to the driver, regardless of whether it was really his birthday or not—he simply didn't like overly sweet things.
Spending 500 loubi on pastries was a bit extravagant, but given that the family he was visiting was well off, a cheap gift wouldn't do;
He couldn't just show up with a bag of egg cakes worth 50 loubi.
Besides, they had given him a 20,000-loubi consultation fee before.
"You're too kind. There was no need for gifts."
"It's only proper."
"Mr. Orpheus, did you and my husband meet while fishing? Are you fishing buddies?"
I met your husband while we were burning you.
"Yes, your husband taught me a lot about fishing."
"I see."
Linda led Orpheus into the living room;
"Would you like coffee or tea?"
"Coffee." After a pause, Orpheus added, "With lots of sugar."
"Alright, please wait a moment."
Shortly after, Linda returned with coffee and a plate of pastries.
Orpheus took a sip of the coffee,
His brows furrowing at the bitterness,
He really wanted to ask if there was any sugar in it.
Due to his dietary habits, Orpheus never had a particular fondness for coffee. In his previous life, he had used it to stay alert during his early career days. Later, when his circumstances improved, he tried many high-quality coffees but never grew accustomed to them.
The same went for tea; he was used to brewing it in large mugs and had no patience for pursuing more refined tastes.
"Would your pets like something to eat?" Linda asked.
"You're too kind, but there's no need."
"My husband is taking a nap. I'll go wake him up so you can talk. I apologize, but it may take a while."
"Alright, madam."
Linda went upstairs.
Orpheus stood up and strolled around the living room, noticing a large painting hanging above the fireplace depicting Linda and Piaget.
He also noticed several framed photos on a small table, showing the couple on their travels. Judging by the backgrounds, they had visited many countries.
"They really look alike and seem well-matched."
Moreover, the Adams family was truly wealthy. Despite being in a single-family home, their house was worth twice the value of the Immerlyth estate. After all, this area was the true affluent district of Roja City.
"Linda, Linda?"
A voice called from outside, one that sounded familiar.
Orpheus left the living room and saw Mrs. Seymour standing outside the gate.
"Oh, my goodness."
When Mrs. Seymour saw Orpheus, her face turned red, and she covered her mouth.
She had completely lost control of her emotions yesterday, doing many impulsive things. The expensive funeral package and the shopping spree in a hearse didn't bother her much. Although she lived simply, she was actually quite wealthy. After her husband's death, she became the sole heir to his estate, so money wasn't an issue.
What embarrassed her greatly last night, lying in bed, was
She had actually asked that young man to sleep with her.
Oh, my God,
Am I insane!
She spent the entire second half of the night in shameful self-blame, only falling asleep at dawn.
And then, in her dream, she really did sleep with that handsome young man.
When she woke up,
She slapped herself twice,
Then laughed.
But who would have thought she would see that young man again at her neighbor's house?
"Mrs
. Seymour, hello," Orpheus greeted.
"Mr. Orpheus, I didn't expect to see you here. Oh, I forgot, you mentioned last night that you were friends with Mr. Adams."
"Yes, I'm visiting him today."
"I came over to discuss with Linda about donating my husband's clothes and shoes to charity."
"You're very kind."
"Since there are guests, I'll head back."
When there are guests, the hostess must entertain them.
"Oh, right, Mr. Orpheus, could you visit my home later?"
Orpheus showed no sign of resistance,
Because refusing would be cruel and impolite to a lady.
He also knew that Mrs. Seymour, now clear-headed, wouldn't do anything outrageous. Besides, she was still a major client of the family.
"Of course, I'd be happy to visit."
Mrs. Seymour smiled and said, "My husband had a watch that I think would suit you. I'd like to give it to you. I noticed you're not wearing one."
Actually, Mrs. Hughes had given him one before.
But due to his habits from his past life, Orpheus didn't like wearing watches, and he didn't go out much anyway.
"I'll come by later to admire it."
"Great."
Mrs. Seymour left with a smile.
Orpheus returned to the living room just as a drowsy and disheveled Piaget came down the stairs.
"Oh, Orpheus, your visit is an honor."
Piaget came down the stairs and spread his arms wide, giving Orpheus a big hug.
Then,
He looked at the coffee on the table,
And said apologetically:
"I'm sorry you had to make your own coffee."
"Your wife made it for me," Orpheus said.
"My wife? Who?" Piaget looked puzzled, "My goodness, Linda is gone. You forgot, Orpheus, you handed me her urn."
That should be my line!
"So, you think I opened the gate and walked into your house by myself?"
"Mm, what else? I don't usually lock my doors because the security around here is excellent. The police chief lives right across the street.
You're my friend. Although we've only met once, I already consider you my friend, so it's only natural for a friend to walk into my home and make themselves a cup of coffee, isn't it?
It shows that you, Orpheus, also see me as a true friend, without being overly formal, right?"
"Piaget."
"Mm?"
"I have to remind you, it was Linda who opened the gate and made the coffee for me. Then she went upstairs to wake you from your nap."
"Are you crazy?"
Piaget looked into Orpheus's eyes carefully and asked with concern, "Have you encountered something recently that has affected your mental state?"
"Yes, it's about you."
"Let's sit and talk." Piaget sat down and reached for a pastry, taking a bite.
Orpheus sat down as well and glanced at Puer, who was lying on the sofa. Meanwhile, the golden retriever was playing happily outside in the yard, chasing butterflies.
Orpheus swore he would never bring that stupid dog out again.
Orpheus said, "Your wife is already gone."
"I know that."
"But Mrs. Seymour next door said she received an apple pie from your wife yesterday morning."
"That's impossible!"
"It's true, and I just saw Linda."
"You're all crazy. Linda is gone. I held her urn and buried her myself."
Piaget took out a box of cigarettes and offered one to Orpheus, who accepted.
Then,
Piaget lit a cigarette for both of them.
Amidst the swirling smoke,
Piaget suddenly ruffled his hair vigorously,
And laughed:
"To be honest, I feel like I'm going crazy too;
Because lately, I've felt as if Linda hasn't left but has been with me, taking care of me. But I think it's just because I've grown accustomed to her presence, and I also enjoy this feeling."
"Do you mind if I take a look upstairs?" Orpheus asked.
"Of course not, come, I'll show you around."
Piaget led Orpheus up the stairs.
Real wealth is not only reflected in property prices but often in the décor.
Orpheus noticed the intricate wood carvings on the banisters, the walls, and the ceiling fixtures, and thought the renovation costs might be higher than the house itself.
"The second floor is my bedroom and study, and my wife's studio. My wife was an artist and held a solo exhibition here in Roja City.
This is my study."
Orpheus walked in and looked around.
Although understated and modest, it was obvious to anyone with common sense that this study was far more expensive than Dis's.
After a quick tour, Orpheus stepped out.
"This is my wife's studio."
The studio had many paintings covered with drapes.
"May I admire your wife's work?"
"Of course, feel free."
Orpheus lifted the drape off one painting,
In the painting,
There were two sections;
Below, there were dry bones and decay, with a naked man lying on the ground, facing upward.
Above, lush grass flourished, and a group of people danced around a bonfire, their faces beaming with joy.
Seeing this, Orpheus instinctively took a deep breath:
"Berry Church?"
"Yes, Orpheus, you know about religion too?" Piaget asked with a smile, "My wife loved and excelled at painting religious subjects. This painting is called *God's Mercy* in the Berry Church.
The god they worship is eternally banished to darkness and solitude, so that his followers may enjoy freedom and joy in heaven."
Orpheus nodded,
And unveiled the second painting;
This painting also had two compositions, but horizontally.
On the left, a man sang in paradise, while on the right, a man with the same appearance screamed in the skeleton mountains of hell.
In between, a black river ran horizontally, touching the feet of both identical men.
"The Church of the Abyssal God," Orpheus said.
"Yes, the Abyssal God split his body in two, one half in heaven and one in hell, ultimately creating the abyss between them. Very few people know about this sect in Roulan."
Two of them, two already.
Orpheus reached out to the third painting in order,
But his hand stopped just short of the drape.
Is this a coincidence?
It was beyond coincidence.
And he had a premonition that this third painting might correspond to the next victim, that is… the next artwork.
While Orpheus hesitated, Piaget enthusiastically lifted the drape for him.
Inside,
Was a woman,
Her body seemed to be falling into a giant maw, and as she fell, her body began to disassemble.
Looking closely, one could see the joints separating and fine lines running through her form.
"What is this?" Orpheus asked. "Which church?"
"The Church of Order," Piaget said, "It's rare to find something you don't know, haha."
"The Church of Order?"
"Yes, the Church of Order is a widespread church. They believe in the God of Order and advocate that everything in the world should operate according to order. They are the guardians of order.
This is the daughter of the God of Order, named Ankara.
It is said that after the God of Order established the rules, the first to violate them was his daughter Ankara.
To uphold the rule of law,
The God of Order did not show favoritism and punished his daughter, throwing her into the maw of a beast, where her body and soul were completely destroyed.
Her death,
Lit the light of order.
This means that order and law stand above human nature and sentiment."
"I see." Orpheus suddenly felt a tightness in his chest.
Because he had already imagined the killer facing his next victim, raising a knife, starting to carve ribs, while in his ears, the sound of chopping ribs echoed.
"Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!"
Bone fragments and flesh flew everywhere.
A wave of nausea followed.
"Are you feeling unwell?" Piaget asked with concern, reaching out to support Orpheus's arm.
Orpheus pushed him away,
"Don't touch me."
Then, Orpheus began to breathe heavily;
After a long while,
He said apologetically:
"I'm sorry, my heart has some problems. It occasionally spasms."
"That's not something to take lightly. Linda had heart issues too. Her passing was related to her heart condition. Orpheus, please take my advice: you should get checked at a good hospital for proper treatment.
Or go to Wehn. The big hospitals there are the best."
"I know, thank you."
Orpheus left the studio, with Piaget following closely, worried.
Passing the bedroom, Piaget asked, "Would you like to lie down and rest for a while?"
"No, thank you."
Though he declined, Orpheus glanced into the bedroom.
And just from those few glances,
He noticed something.
"What is that?" Orpheus asked.
"What?"
"The pink thing under the bed."
Piaget walked over, bent down, reached under the bed, and pulled out a pink piece of clothing, along with shoes and socks.
"This… this is Linda's clothing. How did it end up under the bed?" Piaget muttered in disbelief, "How is this possible… how is this possible…"
"Piaget, was it actually you who made me coffee?"
"I… made you coffee?" Piaget pointed to himself.
"You dressed up as your wife," Orpheus said.
"I dressed up as my wife?" Piaget's chest began to heave, and just as Orpheus thought something physical might happen
, he slumped against the bed, sitting down, "Orpheus, I think I have some mental issues. I don't remember these things, but this clothing… it's still warm.
I think I might have developed split personality. In my consciousness, I've created a Linda, who wakes up when I sleep, and falls asleep when I wake."
"Your makeup skills are impressive," Orpheus marveled.
He genuinely hadn't noticed that Linda was Piaget in disguise.
Of course, this was partly because the couple resembled each other so much, making the impersonation quite convincing.
"I studied ballet," Piaget said with a wry smile, "We had to do our own makeup for performances in college."
"Oh." Orpheus nodded.
"Sorry to have scared you."
"No, not at all."
Piaget looked up at the chandelier on the bedroom ceiling,
Reaching out,
He touched his chest:
"Actually, I invited Linda into my heart willingly. And you, Orpheus, helped me make the decision to create a second personality. Thank you, Orpheus."
You don't blame me?
"No… no problem."
Good, as long as you don't blame me. I actually felt quite guilty.
Piaget ran his hand through his already tousled hair,
And said:
"I'm sorry, Orpheus. I'd like to be alone for a while. There's a wine cellar in the basement; feel free to help yourself to a drink."
"No, I'll visit you another day. I'm sorry to have disturbed you."
"No, you haven't. I'm really glad to see you."
"So am I."
Maybe because they were both involved in psychology, "talking it out" and "accepting" were easy, without the need for complicated processes.
"Meow…"
Puer had somehow come up to the second floor, watching the bedroom curiously from Orpheus's feet.
Orpheus took one last look at Piaget, picked up Puer, and walked downstairs.
As he reached the yard, the golden retriever eagerly followed.
He opened the gate, stepped out, and closed it again.
Looking up, he saw the window of the studio on the second floor.
"He says he consciously created a second personality."
Sighing,
Orpheus walked towards Mrs. Seymour's house next door. He hadn't even rung the bell when Mrs. Seymour, who had been waiting at the door, came out, asking warmly:
"How are Mr. Adams and Linda?"
"He's doing well."
...
On the second floor, in the bedroom,
Piaget lay with his eyes closed, tears streaming softly.
Linda,
My Linda,
I don't want to lose you. I won't lose you. No matter what, I will keep you with me.
For you,
I'm willing to deceive myself.
At that moment,
The drawer of the dresser opposite the bed slowly opened, and from within, a stack of flesh-colored fabric began to rise.
It crept out of the drawer, onto the floor, and reached Piaget's side.
Then,
It started to rise. It was thin, very thin, with clear creases, like…
A sheet of paper, a flesh-colored sheet of paper;
But now it was slowly taking on a human shape, though this shape was too thin, lacking any depth.
It reached out,
Gently covering Piaget's forehead,
And then,
It began to merge with Piaget,
Or rather,
It began to dissolve into him.
Like milk poured into coffee, blending into another color with an extreme gentleness.
Piaget's features,
Were turning into… Linda's.
After a long time,
Linda (Piaget) opened her eyes,
And hugged herself,
Murmuring:
"Darling, I will never leave you either."
---
I have something to do tonight, so no more chapters today. Don't wait up.
Actually, I only had 6 chapters stored before launching the book, and they're already used up.
Why didn't I stockpile before publishing? Because without you guys, I don't feel the vibe to write. I enjoy sharing the excitement of a freshly written chapter with you all.
Lastly,
During this new book period, I'm asking for your recommendation votes and monthly votes. Our position on the new book list is too low, only first place.