The rest of the day went as follows: Amanises personally went through 10 or so houses, giving her condolences, money and the best of wishes.
That evening was full of sorrows and cries, even she herself almost gave in to the sadness.
But, despite all that, her back was straight, gazing into the future. This wasn't something to indulge in, and it shouldn't be allowed to bring her down.
Most of the families resided in East Borough, their living circumstances barely met the quota to be called 'conditions' rather than just 'deplorable'.
The dead servants were already working to death trying to provide. Their death only brought further despair.
It took her the whole day, by the time she reached the last house, night had already fallen.
Standing in front of grand, double gates, she faced the house she wished to avoid the most.
This was the residence of her deceased butler,Harold Salmon—the Salmon household.
Unlike the other servants, Harold had a suitable living space. He lived in a big house, alongside his wife.
Often, his children and grandchildren would come to visit him. That's when he would ask for one or two days off, which were always approved.
Hung on the gate, was a big bell chime. She rang it once, twice. Then stood still.
On the other side, slow, heavy footsteps were heard, she knew exactly who that was.
Opening the black metal gate, was a woman, just a tad older than Evelyn herself.
She was Harold's oldest, and most beloved, daughter—Valetta.
She looked up with a surprised look on her face: "Lady Evelyn?! What brings you here?"
The woman questioned in confusion. Her long brunette hair was up in a half bun, she wore a long dress that reached her ankles.
And her most notable feature, her unusual amethyst shaded irises, which at some point Evelyn was even jealous of.
That's right, this was Valetta, one of her oldest childhood friend. One who knew her the best.
Amanises gave a small curtly bow in greeting, but Violetta nearly put her hands up in deflection: "There's no need for that!"
She calmed down and spoke with a soft smile: "A simple hello would do well, my lady."
Evelyn gave a long look to her old friend, she tilted her head in confusion"
"Why does everyone keep calling me that? I lost the title long ago."
Valetta was suddenly filled with nostalgia. She lowered her head and her smile faltered a bit. "That's just how everyone knows you, my lady."
Evelyn gave the woman a self-deprecating smile, then rummaged through her bag.
She took out the very last envelope, this one was sadly thinner than the rest. She knew that this family didn't have any need for money. They were simply serving the Dusk manor out of respect.
She extended the envelope. "My condolences."
Valetta's expression crumbled completely, she broke down with a loud wail. "I—I wasn't even home! He left us—just like that!" Sob, sob! "Not even his corpse could be spared!!!"
She nearly fell, her legs losing strength, but Amanises managed to catch her in time, taking her in a large hug.
"I'm sorry. I really am. I shouldn't have let that happen!" She nearly started to cry alongside Valetta.
The crying woman looked at Evelyn in dismay, then her tears reflected her guilt-ridden friend. "What are you saying? W-what about you? We at least have someone else, but you?" She pushed out through her sobs. "You're alone now..."
Realization hit her like a tidal wave.
Under the bright crimson moonlight, Evelyn Dusk faced the truth, her family was gone, again. She was alone.
***
A few minutes later, they both calmed down and composed themselves. The air was already getting far too cold for both women to keep wailing.
Amanises's intention was to leave the Harold family be, and leave before it would be too late, but Valetta dragged her inside with the excuse of: "A lady as beautiful as you shouldn't walk alone at night. Who knows what horrors dwell under the guise of men!"
So, she now finds herself in the living room, seated on a brown couch, facing the now widow, woman of the house.
Her grayish hair was kept in a low ponytail, clipped with an expensive gold, gem embedded, claw.
It brought back an old memory. Back then, Harold requested her help in choosing a suitable gift for their anniversary, his smile radiating as he spoke about his beloved one.
The widow held a warm gaze through her squinted eyes, with age—vision already deteriorated.
Throughout the room, the sweet aroma of cream buns and steaming hot tea lingers in the air. A servant even brought a tray of delicacies.
"Please enjoy." The servant placed the tray on the small table before her, it contained different kinds of sliced fruit, biscuits and some peanuts to the side.
Amanises found comfort in the cozy environment, she has spent a lot of her childhood here, considering it as some sort of vacation, away from the noble duties.
The couple was always warming, acting as aunt and uncle to the young Evelyn. The soft giggles of two young children, playing with dolls and running around still echo through the corridors.
It was a really nice feeling.
The silence continued to settle, before the widow chose to inquire: "Lady Evelyn, I'm truly sorry for what happened. How have you been these past few days?" Her voice was rugged, washed by the currents of time, but she was still checking up on her, reminiscing a concerned grandmother.
Amanises gave the question a long thought before responding in a calm voice:
"I have been well, the processes weren't as bothersome as I thought them to be. I've also been taking more walks around the new neighborhood."
Through the squinted glassy eyes, the widow observed Evelyn, she had grown up so much, it was hard to believe she once was the size of her leg. She also looked at her daughter Valetta, whose cheeks were still stained with dried tears.
Ms. Salmon gave a long, tired sigh, which seemed to reflect the life she spent alongside her husband. Harold's face was still carved in her mind. Even if she were to lose her sight forever, his handsome features will be all that remain, and she's more than happy for that.
She was lost in her thoughts for a while, brought back only after sensing that the cup of tea in her hands had already gone cold. With a closed‐mouth smile, her voice rang thin through the spacious room:
"It's getting late. Evelyn, you can sleep in your old room, I already told the servants to have it cleaned up."
Downing the rest of her tea, Amanises settles with the widow's proposition: "Alright, ma'am!"
The older woman gave a hearty laugh, this was the way Evelyn would respond to her demands—like a soldier, mimicking her older brother who was still in training at the time.
***
"Are you sure you're okay? You can always stay with us if you're feeling alone." Valetta extended a proposal to her friend, who was already leaving.
The dark haired lady, instead, waved her hand in refusal: "There's no need. I'm fine, really."
Valetta brushed off invisible dust off her cashmere double-faced wrap coat: "Alright then, take care. And don't forget to visit us often!"
Walking out of the main gateway, she turned her head back and flashed a large smile. "If you say so! Well then, I'm off!" She waved them a final goodbye.
It was a nice, chilly morning. The sun shone brightly in the sky accompanied by a light breeze.
Breathing in the fresh air, Amanises was already rummaging through her mind agenda.
All of the compensating letters were delivered, I got to talk with Valetta and the rest and I even attended the Tarot gathering yesterday.
Today was different, however. Unlike the planning she did for the previous days, today could go completely unexpected.
A short, determined sigh escaped her.
Let's hope it all goes well.
She was quite nervous.
***
After trying to avoid it the entire morning, Amanises finally made up her mind.
At the threshold of a haunted-looking two story house, stood the beautiful but pale Evelyn Dusk.
Before she could raise her fist to knock on the door, it already opened.
"Took you a while. I'd have started to think I was being observed by the authorities!" Exclaimed the enthusiastic Madam Daly while nearly smashing the hard wooden door in Amanises's face. Fortunately, she stopped before it was too late.
"I made up my mind, right." Clarified, a woman who nearly had her face planted on wood.
Daly Simone had her characteristic smirk adorning her features. She wore her usual dark blue eyeshadow, however, this time it seemed lighter, not making her look akin to a decaying corpse.
Instead of letting Amanises enter, she passed by and signaled to follow.
"The place you're looking for is not here! Come on!"
H-huh? Where are you taking me? I thought you would evaluate my capabilities first. Maybe even an improvised interview! I questioned myself about all kinds of things this morning to be prepared!!
Amanises sighed in futility.
I should definitely be questioned there at least. I still need to be weary!
The cautious woman followed Daly around like a lost puppy, walking for what seemed like an endless endeavor.
Enjoying the scenery of Backlund, even stopping for lunch in a busy restaurant on the way, it seemed more like an outing between friends.
She has quite the taste when it comes to delicacies, but the amount of alcohol involved is enough to send people into a coma.
Amanises started to understand her apparent guide for Backlund cuisine and sightseeing.
I've never thought there would be so many places of interest here. It's not like I've been isolated, just simply uninterested.
The day passed like that, both grew somewhat closer to each other, until the veil of the evening sky hid behind the thick clouds.
"Did you have fun?" Daly asked in a playful charm. It sounded natural, not at all forced.
"I'd think this was some sort of 'last meal before death' type of outing." Joked Amanises half-heartedly. With a wry smile she quickly added: "I-it's not that, is it?"
"Who knows?" Responded Daly, throwing her hands up as if speaking 'I don't know either, but why don't you find out?'
I can almost hear her mocking me...
Dejected, Amanises still walked behind the Spirit Medium, wondering when this would come to an end.
Until they arrived.
What?
A single word appeared in her mind, her face literally spelled irony.
They walked for what seemed like the whole day, only to stop in front of a wall in a rundown apartment hidden behind trash in East Borough.
Daly smirked with a hand on her hip.
"What are you waiting for? Walk in!"