My skeletal remains had been anchored by a soul-suppressing pearl for thirteen years, and my spirit had grown so utterly bored it was on the verge of scattering entirely. Then I encountered the true heiress who had been cast out from the Marquis's estate. She lay upon my bones, tears streaming down her face in silent rivulets, and whispered: 'I wish to die, and you wish to live. Let us trade places.'
