Reinhard opened his eyes.
The room was silent, disturbed only by the soft singing of birds outside the window. For a few moments, he simply lay there, staring at the ceiling, allowing his consciousness to fully awaken. His body felt surprisingly light, despite the events of the past night.
He stretched slowly, feeling the stiffness in his muscles—an echo of yesterday's battle. Then he sat up on the bed, brushed aside his tangled dark strands, and took a deep breath.
Sunlight seeped through the gaps in the heavy curtains, spilling a golden glow across the floor. It was as if the morning itself was trying to erase the traces of darkness and death that had enveloped the night.
But not in this room.
Reinhard rose from the bed and, lazily, as if unaware of the chaos around him, walked toward the window.
With a single motion, he threw open the shutters, letting fresh air flood the room. Outside, the estate grounds were serene—servants hurried about their duties, gardens lay shrouded in morning mist, and the dazzling sun was rising over the horizon.
Reinhard smiled, inhaling the crisp morning air.
— What a beautiful sunrise…
He froze for a moment, as if lost in thought, then turned his head—his gaze meeting the lifeless glassy eyes of a dead maid.
Louise's severed head still rested on the windowsill, her empty gaze staring at the sky.
Reinhard tilted his head, as if studying the expression on her face.
— Perhaps you could have seen it… if you had been more obedient, — he murmured, leaning in closer. — Though… no, I would have taken your life regardless. I like you better this way.
His voice was calm—as if he were merely conversing with an old friend.
Reinhard straightened and reached out, brushing his fingers over the dried blood on her cheeks. It had already begun to darken.
He was about to say something else when he suddenly smiled—and rang the bell, summoning the servants.
The silence of the room was broken by the muffled sound of footsteps beyond the door.
A moment later, a hesitant, trembling voice spoke:
— M-my lord… did you call for me?
Reinhard lazily lifted his gaze from the head and, without turning, said:
— Yes. Come in.
The door creaked open, and a young maid stepped inside.
She took two steps… and froze.
— Ah…!
Her scream was short, like a sudden gasp.
She instinctively covered her mouth with her hands, realizing she could not afford such weakness.
Her eyes widened in horror.
Before her, a scene of blood unfolded:
Louise's headless body still lay on the floor, sprawled in pools of blood.
The walls and furniture were stained with scarlet splatters.
Even her master's midnight robe was tainted with blood, though he seemed utterly indifferent to it.
Reinhard slowly turned, meeting her terrified gaze.
— Is something wrong?
The maid forced herself to lower her eyes. Her chest rose and fell heavily, but she was already fighting back her emotions.
She had to suppress her fear.
She was a servant.
And if her lord had killed someone, then that was how it was meant to be.
She took a slow breath, willing her hands not to tremble, and finally, in a steady voice, said:
— Forgive me, my lord… What would you have me do?
Reinhard studied her for a moment, as if assessing how well she controlled her panic.
Then, he spoke slowly:
— First, remove the body. Clean the room. Prepare a bath.
He turned toward the window, gazing thoughtfully at the garden.
— Ah, yes… and dispose of Bertold's corpse as well.
The maid barely swallowed, but did not flinch.
She curtsied deeply:
— Of course, my lord. Is there anything else you require?
— No. Go.
She turned and quickly left the room, hiding the tremor in her hands.
Reinhard watched her go, then sat on the bed, tilting his head back.
"What should I take care of first?"
He closed his eyes, sorting through his priorities in his mind.
— Hmm… In a week, the second prince's palace will host a grand ball. The entire young aristocracy will be there… and the ones I need to meet are…
My dear fiancée, my sister, the second prince himself… and, of course, my beloved brother—if he survives until then.
A smirk crossed Reinhard's lips.
— And then… there's the Rioto auction. Something there will be useful for my plans.
Reinhard opened his eyes and chuckled.
He felt anticipation.
That ball will be interesting.
But for now… it was time to wash off the blood.