I fidgeted nervously, glancing around the lavish room with its towering bookshelves, polished oak desk, and ornate decorations. Sunlight streamed through the large windows, casting warm rays of light that illuminated the room. The smell of leather-bound books mixed with the faint fragrance of flowers from the vase on the desk, creating a pleasant scent that lingered in the air.
The room has clearly changed since the last time I've been here.
My eyes eventually landed on the viscount, my...father, who was seated at his desk, his face stern but readable. It was clear that he was still wary about my sudden request to replace Addie, our head maid. I could see the panic in his expression. Thus, I knew that I had to tread carefully. Addie, on the other, remained stoic, her face void of any emotion.
Finally, my father broke the silence.
"What do you mean you want a different maid?" he asked, his voice tinged with panic.
As the silence lingered once more, the atmosphere grew thick and heavy. The tension in the room was palpable, and it felt like the air had been sucked out of it. The only sounds were the soft ticking of the clock on the mantle and the occasional rustle of papers on my father's desk.
"You see father..." I pouted, forcibly trying to act cute.
"It's not that I don't appreciate Addie's service, but it's just not proper for her to be taking care of me. I'm sure she'll be much happier serving Calder or Catalina."
My father's gaze were now on Addie, his eyes uncertain. She didn't say anything, but I knew that even he could tell she was uneasy. He had always trusted her implicitly, and it was clear that my request had caught him off guard. I could see the worry etched on his face, as if he was unsure of what to do next.
He looked at me skeptically, clearly not convinced. "Are you sure about that? You are still young and have many responsibilities to attend to, you need someone to take care of you."
"I'm sure, father." I replied, putting on a confident smile. "I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself. I wouldn't want to burden anyone with my needs."
The man in front of me sighed, still uncertain. "I don't know if that's a good idea, my dear. It's not safe for a young lady like you to be wandering around without any assistance."
And with such a painfully obvious fake smile he continued to say, "So until then, why don't you let Addie assis—"
"I disagree." I cut him off before he could even finish.
The look on his face was nothing short of satisfying as his expression shifted from shock to confusion, and then to annoyance as he realized that I wasn't going to back down.It was a small victory, but it felt good to have stood up for myself for once.
The tension in the room was palpable, and I could feel Addie's eyes on me, silently willing me to back down. But I held my ground, determined to prove to my father that I was capable of taking care of myself.
"I understand your concern," I said, trying to sound reasonable. "But I promise to be careful. Plus, I'm confident you'll find a suitable replacement for Addie in no time, so you needn't worry father."
And with a grin on my face, I continued to say,
"It's ok father, everything will be back to normal soon."
My so called father locked eyes with me in a flinch, searching for any signs of doubt or hesitation. But I held his gaze, determined not to back down.
The longer the silence stretched on, the more uneasy the atmosphere became. It was as if every second that passed was another chance for my plan to unravel, for the viscount, my...father, to change his mind and refuse my request. I could feel my heart racing in my chest, and I struggled to keep my breathing steady.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, my father spoke. His voice was resigned, as if he had already accepted his defeat.
"I suppose you have a point," he said, his gaze flickering towards the floor for a moment before returning to me.
"I'll speak to Calder and Catalina about taking on Addie as their personal maid."
The relief that washed over me was almost overwhelming. I felt like I could finally breathe again, like the weight that had been pressing down on my shoulders had lifted.But even then, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. The thick atmosphere in the room lingered, as if it was a portent of things to come.
I took a deep breath and tried to push these thoughts aside,
"Thank you, father." I said, bowing gracefully.
I could tell that my show of respect took him by surprise.
"You're welcome," he replied, still looking slightly annoyed. "But remember Coralia, I won't have you avoiding having a maid, it's a must as a noble."
As soon as the name escaped his lips, I couldn't help but flinch. It was the name he had given me, a name that wasn't even mine to begin with. A sudden surge of anger boiled up within me, causing my fists to clench tightly at my sides.
Luckily I was able to keep my composure and force a smile,
"Of course, Father." I replied.
I couldn't resist taking one last look at Addie as I walked out of the office, my heart pounding with a mix of fear and triumph. She was the one person who had always been there for me, through thick and thin, and I knew I couldn't have made it this far without her unwavering support.
But this is something I have to do.
As I turned to leave, I could feel my father's cold gaze boring into my back, a clear sign that he was not pleased with my actions. But I couldn't help but feel a small sense of victory at my small rebellion against his suffocating control.
I knew that my father was hesitant to let go of Addie as my maid, and there was a reason for that.
I walked through the long, opulent halls of the mansion, my thoughts consumed with everything that had transpired in the past few days. The weight of my so called father's secrets and the realization of the true nature of those around me was still heavy on my mind.
But as I rounded the corner, I saw a ray of light streaming in from a nearby window, and something compelled me to stop and take a moment to breathe.
I walked towards the window and gazed out at the vast expanse of the estate, taking in the picturesque view of the sprawling gardens and the distant mountains. As I stared out into the vast expanse of the clear blue sky, I couldn't help but feel a sense of calm wash over me. The beauty of the world outside the confines of the mansion reminded me that there was so much more to life than the secrets and lies that had been surrounding me for so long.
Do I really believe that though? Of course not.
So I stood there,
Lost in my own thoughts as usual,
And as I remembered the conversation I had with Erasmus just two nights ago,
My lips couldn't help but form a bitter smile.
*-*-*-*-*-*
The moonlight streamed through the bedroom window, casting a soft glow upon us as I turned to Erasmus, a single tear streaming down my face.
My confusion must have been evident on my face when I asked, "Why Addie?"
Addie had been with me since the day I was brought to the Brotillon Mansion as a young child. She had always been my constant companion, my confidant, and my defender. But lately, something had changed. Addie was acting strange, distant, and somehow, it seemed as though she was siding with the Viscount, her sworn enemy, or so she called him.
I couldn't help but feel like she was planning something behind my back, something that I was not even aware of.
If it were before, Addie would've protested anything that had to do with me right away. She would have been by my side, defending me against any perceived threat. But now, her loyalty seemed to be wavering, and I couldn't help but wonder as I looked at Erasmus with a hurting heart;
"What does she have to do with all this?" I continued asking.
Erasmus shifted his gaze away from me, his eyes downcast and his features twisting into a pained expression. I could tell from his sudden change in demeanor that he didn't want to be the one to reveal the truth to me. The weight of his reluctance hung heavy in the air, making the silence between us feel suffocating.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Erasmus took a deep breath and spoke. His words hit me like a bolt of lightning, leaving me reeling with shock and disbelief.
"She's not a person, that Addie, she's not even a mage." he said, his voice low and strained. The weight of his confession hung heavy in the air, the silence between us seeming to amplify the gravity of the situation.
My mind struggled to comprehend the implications of Erasmus' words. Addie, the woman who had been by my side since the day I arrived at the Brotillon Mansion, was not who she seemed. The thought was both alarming and confusing, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of betrayal wash over me.
As I thought about Erasmus' revelation, my mind began to race with questions;
Was she working with the viscount to achieve some kind of goal?
How had she managed to keep such a secret for so long?
What's the motive?
What's her reason for doing all that?
Despite the shock and confusion I was feeling, a part of me couldn't help but acknowledge that the pieces of the puzzle were starting to fall into place. The memory of Addie saving the Viscount from possible death suddenly made sense - she must have been using her powers to protect him.
As I stood there lost in thought, trying to process the truth about Addie, Erasmus watched me with a mixture of concern and apprehension. I could tell that he was worried about how I would react if he answered the last and most important question that lingered in my thoughts in that moment.
"If Addie isn't a mage, then..." I uttered, trying my best to keep my voice steady. "What is she?"
With that question asked out loud, Erasmus broke, his voice barely above a whisper as he uttered a word I didn't quite hear. It was clear he knew just how big the impact his words would be on my perception of reality. He looked at me with weary eyes, bitting his bottom lip as if forcing himself to think carefully about what his next words should be.
Each passing moment seemed to stretch, the suspense growing with every heartbeat. Until finally, Erasmus spoke, his voice filled with emotion. But instead of the answer I yearned for, his words struck me like a dagger.
"That is not what's important right now," he said, his voice heavy with exhaustion and a hint of sadness.
It was as if he had chosen to withhold the truth, aware of the immense consequences it would bring. With those few words, he turned away from me, unable to witness the effect it had on me.
"I'm sorry," he murmured, his voice quivering with the weight of his own turmoil.
"I don't...I have no idea why I said such a thing."
His apology hung in the air, attempting to ease the tension but only deepening my longing for answers.
Anger rose within me, threatening our fragile bond of trust. But as I saw the turmoil on Erasmus's face, I realized pressing him further would do more harm than good. Despite my curiosity, I decided to respect his decision for now.
My voice wavered as I spoke, an awkwardness seeping into my words. "P-Perhaps you're right," I stammered. "Let's focus on getting out of here first, and then we can talk about Addie."
Erasmus visibly relaxed, the tension fading from his expression. But before he could fully embrace the moment, I spoke again, my tone firm and resolute.
"But let me be clear," I stated firmly, my voice growing colder.
"I want answers. Once we're out, you must tell me the truth."
The weight of my words filled the room, breaking the tense silence. It was clear that I had reached a point where I wouldn't accept any more evasions or secrets. Erasmus understood the determination in my eyes, realizing that I held him responsible for providing the answers I needed.
"Yes," he nodded obediently, knowing the time for hiding the truth would soon end. "I'll tell you everything once we're out of here."
A sense of relief washed over me, bringing with it a newfound feeling of contentment after our conversation and agreement. However, there was still an urgent question burning within me, one that demanded an answer. I couldn't ignore it any longer, so I wasted no time and mustered my determination to speak up.
"However," I asked, my voice filled with curiosity. "Why did you choose to confront Addie before the Viscount?"
Erasmus's response caught me off guard. A mischievous smirk played on his lips, hinting at a secret he wasn't willing to reveal outright. However, his gaze held a depth that seemed to suggest the answer lay within me.
"The reason," he replied, his voice too is tinged with annoyance, "is because since the beginning, I've seen Addie's magic surrounding you like a moth drawn to a flame."
"Her power," he continued, his voice filled with seriousness, "could possibly be the very thing preventing you from using yours."
As yet another monumental revelation unfolded before me, I found myself grappling with conflicting emotions.
Frankly, I wasn't even sure how I was expected to react at this point.
Would it be too obvious if I acted surprise, given the amount of shocks I had already experienced?
On the other hand, acting oblivious would only make me seem naive.
It seemed that no matter how I responded, it wouldn't change the situation at hand. With a resigned acceptance, I let out a sigh, choosing to mask the pain that seeped beneath the surface. Although it's something I had become skilled at, a talent honed over a lifetime. Dealing with anything related to Addie always stung a little more than most, though.
"So, it was Addie all along?" I mused, struggling to comprehend his words.
As the weight settled, I found myself uncertain of how to process this new information. I let out a soft chuckle, a mix of disbelief and confusion coloring an eerie smile.
But Erasmus shook his head, a gesture that caught me off guard. His calm voice pierced through my thoughts, bringing a sense of clarity to the situation.
"We don't know that for certain," he responded, his tone steady. "Addie might still have a role to play, but it's too soon to jump to conclusions...."
My brows furrowed as I interrupted, unable to contain my confusion. "But you just said she—"
"Child," he interjected firmly, pleading for my attention. "I said her power could possibly suppress yours, but there's no guarantee."
His words struck me, forcing me to reconsider my assumptions. The truth remained uncertain, and indeed jumping to conclusions would only cloud my judgment. I took a deep breath, realizing the need for caution and an open mind.
But it begs the question, doesn't it?
What secret is Addie trying to hide?
"Fine, whatever," I replied, my voice tinged with defeat. Absentmindedly scratching my head, I felt utterly defeated.
"As you said, we can discuss this once I'm free from this family mess."
I averted my gaze from the young man and turned my attention back to the moonlight, the sole source of light in this pitch-dark bedroom we're currently in. Slowly but surely, I made my way towards the grand window at the room's center, a faint smile forming as I observed my gloomy reflection staring back at me.
However, as my eyes wandered further, they caught sight of the enchanting lights emanating from a distant village I had never set foot in. A surge of longing washed over me, imagining the laughter and camaraderie of the village folk. I had always yearned to be a part of something like that.
With that image in mind, I faced Erasmus again. The melancholic smile on my face was replaced by an expression of frigid superiority.
"So tell me," I uttered, mind drained and tired.
"What happens now?"
"I can't say for certain what the future holds," Erasmus replied, his tone more measured now.
"But what I can assure you is that you have the power to shape your own path. You deserve to live a life of your choosing, free from the constraints of this place."
His words held hope, but I couldn't help but roll my eyes. I doubted my capabilities, Sweet as his sentiments were, I knew deep down that I was not as capable as he believed me to be. Doubt and skepticism could not help but cloud my mind.
With a wry smile, I retorted, "How am I supposed to do that? It's not as simple as you make it sound."
Erasmus understood, meeting my sarcasm with empathy. Placing a gentle hand on my shoulder, he exuded unwavering faith through his eyes.
"Trust me," he said softly, "I'm usually right about these things."
I looked into his eyes, searching for any hint of doubt or deception, but all I found was sincerity and conviction. His unwavering belief in my potential challenged my own. Maybe, just maybe, there was more to me than I had previously believed.
"But first," Erasmus continued, his voice growing serious, pointing a finger at me.
"Act like you know nothing and play along with their charade."
His words resonated with purpose. To uncover the truth and find my own path, I had to continue playing the naive girl. Taking a deep breath, I nodded, determination again rising within me. I would blend into the elaborate facade, embracing the role of an unknowing pawn.
"And what's next after we deal with Addie?" I asked softly.
His smile stretched wider than anything I had ever seen, sending a chill down my spine. A foreboding aura emanated from him as he spoke, his words laced with an unsettling certainty.
"Return to your room and leave the rest to me," he replied.
In that moment, a deep, sinister laugh erupted from his lips, and a dark, shadowy abyss materialized out of thin air. It consumed him in an instant, swallowing him whole. And just as quickly as it had appeared, the abyss vanished, leaving no trace behind.
The room fell into an eerie silence, and I stood there, frozen, trying to comprehend the dramatic and unsettling scene that had unfolded before my eyes.
*
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To Be Continued.