Her Graceful War Song novel Chapter 1604

In the end, I had no choice but to keep watch in secret and follow Rhea closely.

The person who murdered her entire family must have had a reason. Such cruelty—could it have been for love, hatred, or money? In any case, it must have been for something.

Rhea was still alive. Would the killer truly walk away so easily? Was it possible that once things quieted down, he might return to finish the deed? It was a fair guess, though truth be told, I had no other lead to pursue.

Mr. Salter had first arranged for an older woman to care for Rhea, but she feared all strangers. In the end, he had no choice but to ask the neighbors to occasionally look in on her and bring her food. Stephen's mother would come every other day to help bathe her and keep her clean.

I noticed the Lane family still treated Rhea well, though Stephen himself had not visited. For one, he had returned to his studies at the academy. For another, he may still hold some resentment. After all, it was Rhea's accusation that landed him in jail, even if only for a short while.

Young scholars often carried some pride. I was sure he couldn't swallow such an insult.

And besides, if he were to return, Rhea might accuse him as the murderer again. That would only stir up more gossip among the neighbors, which would be bad.

Claire and I took turns keeping watch—she during the day, and I at night.

The Brook family's residence had several side rooms. Since Rhea refused to let anyone else stay there, it was quite convenient for us to guard the place. We had space to sleep both day and night.

I chose the room next to Rhea's, which had once been her younger sister's chambers. The night the murders occurred, that poor girl had been killed in her sleep. Having seen the court files, I knew how her bed had been soaked in blood. Now, laying in that room, I fancied I could still smell the scent of it.

Of course, I didn't sleep in the bed. I had brought a thin quilt from the estate and made myself a place on the cushioned chair. From there, I could hear the faintest sound coming from Rhea's room.

Though I couldn't light a lamp, there was a small hole in the wall. If I pressed my eye to it, I could just manage to see into Rhea's room. So, whenever there was any disturbance, I would quietly go and have a look.

Every night, she let out muffled sobs. Listening to her cry like that made my own heart ache.

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