When Franz regained consciousness, he saw Albert downing a glass of water, his face pale and drawn. The Count stood nearby, already back in his elaborate carnival costume. Franz glanced mechanically toward the town square. Everything had changed. The scaffold, the executioners, the condemned prisoners, all had vanished. Only the crowd remained, buzzing with excitement and energy.
A church bell rang out joyfully, the kind that only rang for the most important occasions. The carnival had officially begun.
"What... what just happened?" Franz asked the Count, still disoriented.
"Nothing at all," the Count replied calmly. "As you can see, the carnival has started. Hurry up and get dressed."
Franz shook his head. "That horrible scene just disappeared like a dream."
"It was just a nightmare that disturbed you," the Count said smoothly.
"But what about the prisoner? The one who was supposed to be executed?"
