Amidst the pitch-black forest, the golden glow of lamps seems to float like two lonesome fireflies. Beholding each of them is an old lady dressed in housekeeping attire and a young man with a wooden suitcase on the other hand.
The old woman walks two steps before the other as she leads her on the dark, spooky path only she is familiar with. The young man, on the other hand, simply follows her from behind, making an effort not to turn his head an angle away from her — in spite of all the movements and sounds that've been calling his attention from the unknown.
"I assume you've already scanned through the documents I gave you and burned them after," the woman said in a monotonous voice.
"I did, madame."
"No one shall know of her condition, and you must protect her and her reputation no matter what happens. Understand?"
"Yes, madame."
Several minutes have passed since the carriage dropped them in this remote area to be swallowed by darkness. Since then, not a single sign of human activity has ever greeted their sights. Not until the peak of an old mansion started to show from behind the crown of the tall trees.
At that moment, the old woman came to a halt and faced him.
"I shall leave you here. Follow this trail and you'll see the mansion in no time. There's a maid in there, but here's a key; use it if she does not respond immediately." The tinkling sound of metal keys hitting each other
The metal keys tinkle as they hit each other within the round steel that binds them. It took seconds before the young man caught the keys from the woman's clutch, for the thought of being alone from this point on took away his senses for a brief period of time.
"G-Got it."
With that response, the old woman proceeds to walk away from him while the young man watches his back get devoured by the murk.
The young man sighed and swiveled his feet forward as he declared that the courage he needed to continue had reached its full capacity.
However, along with the first step he took, the rustling sound of the bushes from his left side surprised him so much that he could not ignore it at all.
"Who's there?"
Beads of sweat started to form on his forehead, slowly dropping down from his chin to the floor of dirt.
The young man repeatedly cursed in his mind — the old woman did not leave a warning on any potential harm that he might encounter on his way. What on earth could this be?
After a short while, the persistent, enigmatic sound finally stopped. And while it does, he instantly plans to run his way out of the woods, but then —
"Aah!"
It happened too suddenly for him to devise a course of action. The only thing clear to him was that his eyes came across a mysterious figure that fell from above. Its black cloak twisted in the air, and a foot knocked him down as it plunged into him with great force.
His body dropped to the ground while his belongings lay open in his rectangular suitcase.
The same foot that kicked him unconscious gently tapped his face, perhaps to confirm his insensibility.
Satisfied with his discovery, the assailant took his cloak off, revealing the face of an undeniably striking man. He brushed his shoulder-length, jet-black hair with his fingers, showing a pair of emerald green orbs.
"Phew. That was easy. But I trusted the duke would hire someone more competent for my dear fiancée. This is beyond disappointing." He commented and threw his cloak over his shoulder, where another man watched him over.
"Take care of the boy, George."
"Leave it to me, Your Highness," his companion answered.
"Now, let's see. I wonder if the damsel in distress misses her faceless prince."
Eyes piercing the old mansion before him, the side of his lips curled into a devilish smirk.
***
"Are you done yet, my lady?"
A few minutes of silence gave Anne the impression that the lady might have finished her 'meal' already. Knowing how frequently she has spaced out lately, she took the liberty of bringing her back to her senses.
"I'll be taking a bath now," she replied, taking a sip of the last drops of the crimson-red fluid in her wine glass.
Her voice has always been soft, but now it's rather monotonous and devoid of emotion. Anne was not around that night, as it happened to be one of her days off. Although the situation was adequately explained to her and she has already witnessed 'those episodes' herself, the lady's sudden transition still won't sink into her head.
The perfect lady they once knew has lost everything there is to lift her head up once more.
"It's all prepared now, my lady. Oh, it's time." Anne almost jumped as she noticed the time.
Meanwhile, Lucille, who was about to leave, turned around once again. "They really have sent another one."
The young maid lowered her head and gently massaged her nape. "I... I know how serious this matter is, but please do not blame yourself, my lady. I'll make sure to guide the new one properly to avoid such an unfortunate outcome," she said as she brushed those horrific memories off her mind.
Lucille reached for her hand. "You don't have to consolidate me, Anne. Also, it must've been tough for you, getting yourself into such risky circumstances against your will."
"Don't say that, my lady. Nothing about this is against my will. Hee hee. I'll go check on our new companion."
The two parted ways at that point.
With a gas lamp in her hand, Anne made her way into the front door. Having heard the bell ring halfway, she fixed the hem of her dress before opening the door.
The previously sent men were only a few years older than her, probably in their late twenties. However, this one seems to be around her young master's age. Besides that, an unmarried young woman like her could not help but internally compliment his captivating looks.
Did the recruitment agency really pick him from the slums? She could not disagree more.
"A pleasant evening, Sir Lucas, is it?"
"Greetings, lady," he replied with a gorgeous smile.
Anne pulled the door open to leave a space for him to enter. "Please come inside; I am Anne. I'm afraid it's too late for the lady to show herself, but you'll surely meet her tomorrow."
"I'm looking forward to it."
Eros, who's taken the identity of the man called Lucas, heeded her invitation and allowed himself to be engulfed by the darkness that lies ahead.
***