Photos of the Dead (First Subscription Bonus Chapter)

After ringing the doorbell, Midia stepped aside and stood shoulder to shoulder with Sifa. About a minute later, the villa door opened, and a woman came out. She looked to be around thirty, with rather ordinary features. Her dark brown hair was fastened with a pearl hairpin, and she wore the common island dress as she walked out barefoot.

"Good afternoon."

The woman wore a reserved yet friendly smile. "May I ask who you are?"

"I'm Midia from the White Windmill Hotel, and this is Mr. Rayleigh, a wine merchant who arrived on Windmill Island yesterday. I happened to mention Mrs. Hilda, and out of respect, Mr. Rayleigh asked me to bring him here to pay her a visit."

Midia introduced them and explained their purpose. Of course, Sifa had taught her that story.

So this woman wasn't Mrs. Hilda.

Sifa had thought this woman was the island's chief priestess. Now, it seemed she was more likely Mrs. Hilda's maid or something similar.

"Oh, what unfortunate timing." The dark-haired woman looked apologetic. "The festival will be here in a few days, and Mrs. Hilda has been very busy lately. She still has to go to the Holy Mountain shortly, and she won't return until the festival is over."

"So I'm afraid she won't have time to receive an honored guest."

She cast Sifa an apologetic glance.

But at that moment, a remarkably loud voice rang out from inside the villa. "Liana, who is it?"

The woman called Liana turned around and raised her voice. "Two visitors, ma'am. One is the daughter of the owner of the White Windmill Hotel, and the other is a wine merchant."

"Is that so? Let them in. No matter how busy we are, we cannot neglect our guests."

Mrs. Hilda sounded quite hospitable. Sifa hurriedly