as if the layers of wrinkles on his forehead weighed them down. The peasants witnessed the comte extend his shaking hand towards the distance, his mouth twitching, and shed murky tears in the sunlight. Experienced ones said that when an old man presented this state, it was a sign that he would definitely not live much longer!
"This experience was indeed reliable—the Comte de La Garnache soon fell gravely ill and was on the brink of death. It was the same reclusive old butler who informed a peasant of this. The comte, on his deathbed, still refused to summon a priest. This further confirmed people''s speculations.
"''They say even the most wicked scoundrels become devout in the Lord on their deathbeds,'' they gossiped, ''even if not truly converted to Christ, at least they dare not to neglect calling someone to the bedside to receive a Mass.'' So the villagers became even more convinced that this geezer wasn''t finally saved by Jesus but rather was going to join his master Satan.
"This inference made sense. Now I also believe that the comte was indeed a demon who fed on human blood." Anne interjected.
"People then heard that the Comte was barely clinging to life but refused to let go, his eyes fixed on the doorway as if he had an important wish yet to fulfill. ''That old villain can''t bear to let go of his splendour and wealth! Perhaps he is still hoping for the return of that little devil he set free, using wizardry to rejuvenate him.'' People speculated."
"Could that ghost youth truly come back?" Fiona asked in a low voice.
"You guessed it, Fiona, he did come back!" Daisy exclaimed excitedly. "On a rainy night in early 1787, someone saw a handsome young man dismount from a white horse and hurriedly walk into the accursed castle. The peasants were worried that the demon comte would come back to life again, but he died that very night."
"They had sustained their appearance, youth, wealth, and life through blood, and the departure of that ghost young man drained the vitality from the old comte. Anyway, when this lord finally died, all the peasants of La Garnache covered their chests and sighed, ''Thank heavens!''"
"But where did that beautiful youth go afterward? Was he really the ghost child from