Nineteen days remained until Nyx's departure. Thomas had not spoken to her for a week, and his face displayed nothing but disdain whenever he crossed paths with her. Nyx found it exceedingly unpleasant to be regarded in such a manner.

During one evening's dinner, there was only one chicken leg left on the table. Thomas was reaching for it, but Nyx snatched it away from him. She did it on purpose, for she was sick of his contemptuous looks.

"You foolish girl! Give me that back," Thomas demanded, growing increasingly agitated.

"I had it before you did," Nyx replied coolly, "you were simply too sluggish and pitiful."

Thomas leaped from his seat, but the servants held him back. "Do not speak to me like that, you little pig!"

"THOMAS!" Penelope's voice rang out, exasperated.

"I will speak to you however I please," Nyx shot back, her heart pounding with fury, "you wretched rat, you dirty cockroach..."

"NYX! Enough!" Ann's voice cut in, furious.

Nyx suddenly looked at Ann, "Ann, I..."

Ann forced herself to remain calm. "Nyx, please, refrain from speaking to Thomas, alright?"

"What is the matter with you both?" Penelope exclaimed, her anger evident in her tone. "I had expected both of you to keep to yourselves and not interfere with each other!"

Thomas left the room in a fury, while Nyx relished in the humiliation on his face.

After the dinner was finished, Ann turned to Nyx and implored her, "I beg of you, Nyx, please stop intervening with Thomas, alright?" Ann then gave a small smile, and Nyx returned it, not wanting to upset Ann and risk a restless night of sleep.

"Of course, Ann," Nyx replied.

Nyx retired to bed, but her mind was plagued by the events of the evening, and she eventually fell asleep.

However, she was startled awake by the reappearance of the ghostly figure. Nyx leaped out of bed and ran out of the room screaming.

After a few moments, Nyx managed to calm herself down, but she was still trembling with fear. The ghost was nowhere to be seen. Nyx couldn't understand why the ghost was tormenting her in this way.

"Nyx!" called Penelope as she entered the room. "What's the matter?!" Other servants, including Ann, quickly followed.

Nyx felt like she had to tell them what had happened. "I... saw... a ghost.... again!" she exclaimed.

"What?!" cried Penelope. "Nyx, you must have had a terrible nightmare!"

"No!" Nyx insisted, not wanting to reveal that Ann had shared the secret of Seraphina with her aunt. Instead, she said, "There's a painting in the attic... that looks exactly like the ghost!"

"What?!" Penelope exclaimed, clearly taken aback. "What on earth are you talking about?!"

Nyx was too frightened to say anything more and simply trembled in fear.

Penelope said, "Nyx, calm down." She took Nyx's hand and led her back to the bedroom, where she sat by her side, trying to soothe her.

But why was the ghost of Seraphina haunting Nyx again? Did Nyx really upset Ann?

The next day

"You were still upset with me?" Nyx asked, feeling hopeless.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"My dear Nyx, I must apologize. I did try to maintain a positive mindset towards you, but I guess I was unable to do so," Ann responded a sense of guilt in her tone. "However, I do implore you to refrain from making a rash decision in the future."

"Okay," Nyx replied, feeling like she had to be on her best behavior at all times.

In an attempt to calm herself down, Nyx engaged in conversation with her aunt and even offered to assist the servants with the housework. Thomas remained grumpy towards Nyx, but she ignored him and focused on her tasks.

One evening, Nyx ventured to Ann's quarters and found her poring over a few papers.

"Good evening, Ann," Nyx greeted her.

Ann looked up from her task, "Good evening, Nyx. Is there something you need?"

"Ann," Nyx began, "are you certain that Seraphina haunts me specifically when you are upset with me?"

Ann paused, contemplating Nyx's question. "A restless spirit haunts those who cause grief to their loved ones, and the spirit will not rest until their loved one is safe," Ann recited, her voice tinged with reminiscence. "This saying has stayed with me since Seraphina and I were attending a religious school in our youth. Thus, I inferred that I was the loved one, and you were the one who caused grief."

"I understand..." Nyx acknowledged, grappling with the realization that she had indeed caused grief.

"But," Ann added, asking herself, "why would Seraphina's spirit be restless?"

As Ann continued to peruse the papers, Nyx's curiosity got the better of her. She asked, "May I know what those papers are?"

Ann hesitated for a moment, before answering, "These are the letters that Seraphina and I used to exchange with each other."

"How amazing that you still hold onto such old papers," Nyx commented with awe.

Ann chuckled, "Of course, they are what is left of Seraphina for me. "

"May I take a look? " Nyx inquired.

Ann looked at Nyx for a moment then she selected some papers and handed them to Nyx.

Nyx's eyes lit up, "Oh, may I really?"

"Yes, only these," Ann replied, continuing to read one of the letters, "Seraphina and I were often far apart, so we could only communicate twice every year or two."

Nyx perused the various papers, each one filled with the handwritten words of Seraphina [https://img.wattpad.com/b08035d90f335a243915d90aa518f151dd7ad6ef/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f78457651757343375272526579513d3d2d313336303736303930382e313737316261346131346238343063623735323537333336383939332e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

Nyx perused the various papers, each one filled with the handwritten words of Seraphina. One spoke of how delightful the grand mansion was, while another recounted the news of her forthcoming marriage to Mr. Charles. One letter detailing Seraphina's pregnancy. "My dearest friend Ann," the letter read, "I send this message on your birthday. Happy 21st! I have a surprise for you - I am pregnant. My child will be ready in 2 or 4 months, and I couldn't be happier."

Nyx stopped reading the letters and began to deduce the possible date of Seraphina's child's birth.

She then turned to Ann and inquired, "Did Seraphina's child pass away with her?"

Ann nodded solemnly. "Yes, they are interred together in the tomb."

Nyx's next question was one of curiosity. "Can you know the date of the child's birth?"

"Unfortunately, I never had the chance to lay eyes on the baby," Ann lamented.

"My estimation would suggest that the child was born during January, February, or March of 1873," Nyx postulated.

"Truly? How can you be so sure?" Ann inquired, surprised.

"This message was delivered before Seraphina's child was born around 2 to 4 months, and it was your 21st birthday. You were born on November 7th, 1851, right?" Nyx revealed.

Ann was a bit surprised, "How did you come to know that?"

"I recollect hearing you and the maids talk about your birthdays on one occasion," Nyx explained.

"I may have mentioned it," Ann acknowledged, "But how do you remember such details?"

"I have always had a predilection for dates," Nyx chuckled, "Therefore, I tend to remember them."

"Ah, I see. I usually forget dates." Ann nodded, "So, the child was likely born in January, February, or... when, precisely?"

"Jan Feb or March 1873," said Nyx. "And I do find it fascinating because Thomas was also born during that time."

"Thomas?" Ann asked curiously.

"Yes, he was born on 17th Feb 1873. I saw it with his portrait in his bedroom."

"I see, I'm not the one who usually cleans his room," said Ann calmly, looking down thoughtfully. Suddenly, her expression changed, and she exclaimed, "Thomas?!"

Nyx was taken aback by Ann's sudden outburst.

Ann quickly snatched the papers from Nyx's hands and began reading them intently.

"Impossible," she muttered under her breath, her eyes darting back and forth as she pondered.

"What is the matter?" Nyx inquired, her face displaying concern.

Ann then looked at Nyx, then turned her gaze towards the ceiling, lost in thought.

"It's nothing, Nyx. It's nothing. Just go to sleep," Ann said, attempting to reassure her.

Nyx walked slowly to the bedroom trying to make sense of Ann's reaction. She lay on the bed, her mind filled with questions. What could have triggered Ann's sudden outburst?

Nyx kept thinking, thinking, until an idea struck her... She opened her eyes and sat up in bed. From the notion that Thomas was born around the same time as Seraphina's child, did it suggest that Seraphina's child is actually...Thomas?