Under the gray sky, heavy with the promise of rain, I stood before the massive gates of Valtier Mansion—a place I’d only ever heard of in whispers and stories passed around the village. The gates loomed tall, like steel giants guarding the castle-like mansion behind them. Its walls, adorned with intricate Gothic carvings, sent a chill down my spine. It felt as though I was standing on the threshold of another world.
Clutching my small bag tightly, I whispered to myself, “You can do this, Lana.”
The night before, I had packed my belongings, ready to leave the little village I’d called home my entire life.
Willowmere Village, the Night Before
“Cassius Valtier? He’s not just a Duke,” my father’s voice echoed in my mind. His anxious expression that night replayed vividly, as though he’d been staring at me not as his daughter but as someone marching to war. “He’s infamous for… strange things, Lana. That mansion is no place for anyone to stay.”
I had only stared at the fire, which was dying in the hearth. “Father,” I said softly, my voice trembling, “we don’t have a choice. Aunt Rosa managed to live there for years until her final days. I can do the same.”
“But Rosa never came back, not once, even though she kept sending money,” he argued, shaking his head firmly. “You know this, Lana. Even the rumors about Duke Valtier are enough to keep people away. They say he hardly ever steps out. Some even claim he’s a mons—”
“Even if he’s a monster, I’ll go,” I interrupted sharply, meeting his gaze with unwavering resolve. “I’m doing this for Lila and Asdalan. I want them to have a better future. That won’t happen if I just stay here.”
He said no more. In the silence that followed, he lowered his head, resigning himself to my decision.
If I couldn’t return, at least I could send money for my father and siblings, just as Aunt Rosa had done.
***
Arriving at Valtier Mansion
When the mansion’s massive doors opened, a gust of cold air greeted me, making me shiver. The long, dark corridor ahead was lit by tall candles, their flickering flames casting shadows that danced on the stone walls.
An older man with a stern face greeted me without so much as a smile. “You’re Lana?” he asked, his raspy voice sounding like stones grinding together.
“Yes,” I replied, my voice trembling with nerves. “I’m Rosa’s niece. I’ve come to take her place.”
Without another word, the man, who introduced himself as Mr. Albern, led me through the silent corridors. I couldn’t help but glance around as we walked. The mansion’s interior was as grand as it was eerie—vaulted ceilings with intricate carvings, enormous mirrors framed in gold, and countless portraits of the Valtier family lining the walls. Their eyes seemed to follow me.
“This mansion is magnificent,” I murmured, more to myself than to him.
“Magnificence often hides darkness,” Albern replied without turning back.
I swallowed hard, trying to calm the sudden wave of fear washing over me.
After what felt like an eternity, Albern stopped in front of a room he called the Music Room. As I stepped inside, my eyes were immediately drawn to the figure standing near a grand window. The light from outside barely illuminated him, leaving only his silhouette visible. He was dressed impeccably in a black suit that fit him perfectly. His dark hair was neatly combed, and when he turned to face me, I was caught off guard by his eyes—silver, like molten metal, glowing faintly in the dim light.
“Your Grace, Miss Lana has arrived,” Albern said with a bow.
I couldn’t move.
Cassius Valtier—the Duke of Valtier. The man whose name I had heard countless times in fearful whispers. Seeing him in person was nothing like I had imagined. He didn’t look like a monster, but he didn’t seem entirely human either. It was as though he could see straight into my soul with a single glance.
“You’re replacing Rosa?” His voice was deep, reverberating through the vast room.
I nodded quickly, hoping my nervousness didn’t show. “Yes, Your Grace. I’m Rosa’s niece. I promise to do my best.”
He smiled faintly. It wasn’t the kind of smile I had hoped for—neither warm nor reassuring. It was more like the smile of someone who had just found a new toy. “We’ll see.”
The room fell silent again, and I stood there, frozen in place.
In that moment, a foreboding feeling settled deep in my chest. It was as if I had walked into a trap—one I might never escape.
***
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