The Burgomaster's Wife — Volume 02

Rain has turned the streets of Leyden into a slick, gray tapestry, and the city’s uneasy murmurs echo through taverns as talk of rebellion and loyalty swirls like the storm clouds above. In this tense backdrop, Maria, the Burgomaster’s wife, clings to hope, dressing in her beloved blue‑lace gown and waiting for her husband’s return. The relentless drizzle and the hushed, empty avenues amplify her isolation, making each creak of the house a reminder of his prolonged absence.

Inside the study, Maria confronts more than just the chill seeping through the windows. While dusting the portrait of her husband’s first wife, she feels an uncanny pull, as the painted eyes seem to watch her with a life of their own. The encounter stirs lingering insecurities and a growing sense that the house itself may be harboring secrets. As the rain continues unabated, Maria’s quiet desperation hints at deeper mysteries waiting to unfold.