"Your carriage will be restored and your merchandise will be here by nightfall," said the captain, adjusting his gloves.
"That is very considerate of you, Captain."
"All for the kingdom."
He took Edyth's hand and kissed it. She said nothing, blushing. The captain mounted his horse and rode off, his blue cape waving in the wind.
She turned around.
Ahead stood the gate of Profot's mansion. The servants waited by the door, formed in two immaculate rows. Their gray uniforms contrasted with the white of the façade. Behind them, leaded glass windows reflected the afternoon sun.
She and the coachman entered. Their footsteps echoed in the foyer. The servants bowed their heads in unison.
"Welcome," Profot's voice came from the end of the hallway. The man advanced toward them, his arms open, his smile too wide. "I heard about the accident. Such misfortune."
"I thought your city was safe, Profot."
"Oh, I assure you it will not happen again," he said, taking her hands in his. "The Purgers... you know, excitable people. But the captain took care of it."
A servant approached. He reached out toward the jar Lilith was holding.
"You need not carry that jar. Allow me..."
"No," she snapped.
Silence fell like a mantle. The servants froze. The one with outstretched hands slowly withdrew them, his eyes fixed on the floor. Profot blinked once.
Then he laughed.
"The accident has her on edge," he said, looking at his servants.
They all nodded, relieved. Some heads moved with too much enthusiasm.
"Please, come with me," Profot gestured toward a door at the end of the hallway. "We can speak in private."
They entered a room with walls upholstered in green velvet. Profot closed the door and sat in an armchair by the unlit fireplace. He looked at the coachman, who remained standing by the entrance, motionless.
"Him?" he asked, uncomfortable.
"He stays."
Profot hesitated, then nodded.
"It did not go as well as I hoped," he said, crossing his legs.
"It is merely an inconvenience."
Lilith brought a hand to her face. Her fingers pressed into the skin, and it began to peel away like dry leaves in autumn. Edyth's features faded. Her purple hair lost its color, turning white. Beneath the mask, Lilith emerged.
"Well then," Profot leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "What did you bring?"
"I trapped a spirit in this jar," Lilith replied.
She set it on the low table between them.
"Look."
Profot watched in silence as she broke the wax seal. The lid turned. Air thick with the smell of confinement and dampness escaped, nauseating, dense. Purple smoke like incense rose, coiling upon itself, forming figures that dissolved before they could complete themselves. It floated between them, never dissipating, a still cloud that seemed to watch them.
"Incredible," Profot whispered. "How does it work?"
"You tell it what you desire, and it steals it."
Lilith leaned toward the jar.
"I desire a watch."
A dull thud came from within. Something struck the ceramic. Lilith reached inside the jar and pulled out a golden pocket watch.
Profot jumped to his feet. He patted his waistcoat.
"It is mine," he said. "My father gave it to me. It was in my bedroom."
"You see? It works."
Profot took the watch, turning it between his fingers.
"What is it that you want?" he asked, without looking away from the object.
"I want the consciousness of ten people."
"Tch. You always ask for the same thing," Profot set the watch on the table and walked to the window. "The city is not that large. People notice when someone disappears."
"That is your problem. The jar is mine, and it will remain mine until you fulfill your part of the deal."
Lilith closed the jar. The purple smoke hesitated, then retreated inside, sucked in as if the vessel were inhaling.
Profot sighed, resigned.
"Fine. What else must I know?"
"It only works on objects inside the house where it is kept. Furthermore, they must be things that fit inside the jar. If not, the spirit will not fit back in and it will escape."
"That is strange logic."
"But those are the rules."
Lilith rose and walked to the window.
"It is a radiant day," she said, without turning. "You do not mind if I walk the streets, do you?"
There was no response.
"Profot?"
The man startled, emerging from his thoughts.
"Hm? No, I have no problem. You wish to stroll? Of course, of course. The city is safe, as you saw. The guards..."
"Good."
Lilith placed her hand over her face. Light streamed from her fingers, illuminating her features. When she withdrew her hand, Lady Edyth had returned. Purple hair, clear eyes, the innocent expression. She adjusted her dress.
"Have a good afternoon, Profot."
Profot laughed, a nervous laugh that bounced off the tapestried walls.
"Good afternoon, good afternoon."
The coachman opened the door. They stepped into the hallway, leaving Profot alone with the jar and his thoughts.
In the foyer, the coachman approached her, his voice recovering its guttural tone.
"My lady, why do you wish to go out among the humans?"
"Those Purgers were not alert for no reason. They were not following us either," Lilith adjusted her posture, adopting Edyth's mannerisms. "There must be someone else they are looking for. And I must find them."
"I understand."
They advanced toward the main door. But upon reaching it, a wall of servants blocked their path.
"Miss Edyth," said the butler. "Where are you going? Lunch is about to begin."
"No thank you. I can eat outside," she smiled, rehearsing the young woman's kind expression.
"But you have only just arrived. Observe propriety."
"It is just that..."
"It will be delicious," interrupted a younger maidservant, positioning herself to her left. "Also, many of Lord Profot's guests have come to see you."
"What?"
Two more maidservants joined in, surrounding her with the gentleness of a current that sweeps one along before the swimmer even notices.
"Your future in-laws are waiting," said the butler.
Lilith turned her head, searching for the coachman among the bodies pushing her toward the interior. She caught sight of him just before the dining room doors swung open before her.
"Bring me something from the market!" she shouted.
The coachman, from the foyer, clasped his hands over his chest. His skin turned paler than it was supposed to be capable of. He nodded once, only to himself, as the dining room doors closed behind his lady.
Inside, a long table awaited her. And at it, eighteen pairs of eyes fixed on the purple-haired woman who had just entered.