<div style="text-align: justify;">Mary Anne was very confused, and incredibly scared. What was that place? What was that ghost sickness? Was it really gone? And if it wasn't, could it harm her further than the feeling of fear and dread? Mary Anne had too many questions, and not enough answers. She felt Katherine wouldn't be either able or willing to give her all of the answers she craved. Valentine - her husband in nothing but name - would definitely not be patient enough to give her some of the explanations. And she didn't want to bother Samuel, as he was counting the seconds to see himself away from that house. "Very well", the young woman replied absent-mindedly to Katherine's words, barely catching what she had said. It was something about doing as she was told, at least she had caught this much.<br/><br/>As Mary Anne was starting to calm down and become herself again, she heard the loud sound made by the door's opening and jumped on her seat. Seeing that it was Valentine made her feel nervous. Would he yell at her? Would he punish her in any way for... something? His question made her shrink in her seat, like a scared bird. When he noticed the cut on her arm and seemed angry, she tried to make herself even smaller, afraid of her new husband's wrath.<br/><br/>As the lights dimmed and Valentine started shouting, Mary Anne gripped the arms of her seat tightly. It felt like that would keep her safe, even though the young woman suspected it was just her mind's way of trying to calm down. Being unable to understand the language they spoke added to the young bride's anxiety, but she kept quiet. Seeing Katherine flee the room made Mary Anne feel less safe, as though being alone with Valentine was extremely dangerous.<br/><br/>Seeing Valentine more composed made Mary Anne relax a little. He still looked annoyed, but it wasn't too bad, she thought. He had stopped shouting, that was some progress already. Feeling his gentle touch on her cut made Mary Anne's pulse quicken. She didn't know how she should regard this, and so the girl chose not to think og it. Feeling better once her cut was closed, Mary Anne looked up at Valentine as he started speaking. She kept silent as he spoke. It displeased her to know that Katherine would be punished, as she seemed to want to help. She felt worried, though, scared of saying anything. "Yes, I do believe in spirits now", she replied quietly. She did believe before, but something within Mary Anne didn't want to share it with Valentine. She felt like guarding herself in that house, and not talking too much about herself was a way of doing that. Watching him turn around to leave made her feel a bit relieved. He was going to leave her alone for a while, now.<br/><br/>At least that was what she had thought, up until he turned back around. As he had kept silent for a while, she did the same, until he started speaking again. He had come out of boredom. Once again, Mary Anne felt that she was completely alone. Shaking her head very softly, she looked up at Valentine. "I never doubted the existence of magic", she admitted very quietly. She didn't admit that she had studied on it, though. What good would it do? He would not believe her, after all. "I also have no doubts that spirits are real", she carried on, very quietly. After these words, Mary Anne thought for a moment or two, before finally asking her questions, her voice soft. "Why are these spirits trapped and under your command?", she asked, not really caring about whether or not he would find her stupid. "What do you need or want them for? Or are they spirits that have wronged you in any way?". Since she had permission to ask questions, Mary Anne decided to take advantage of it. "Could you instruct me in magic?", she also completed. "I would like to learn, though I confess I have never dabbled in black magi... I mean, I have never read about it".<br/><br/>Once she corrected herself, Mary Anne lowered her gaze to the book she had received from Katherine and opened it, pretending to be very interested in the pages.</div>