In the somber aftermath of that fateful night, the air in Archer Manor seemed to thicken with an unspoken sorrow. Ophelia, once vibrant and full of life, became a mere echo of herself—a shell devoid of emotion, as if the very essence of her being had been extinguished.
The servants, who had grown accustomed to the lively presence of their mistress, were now met with a chilling transformation. Whispers of concern and confusion circulated among them as they observed the drastic shift in Ophelia's demeanor. Their queries were met with cryptic responses from Samuel, who, with a carefully crafted excuse, alluded to a traumatic incident that had resurfaced painful memories of Ophelia's late family members.
The servants, left in the dark about the true nature of the tragedy, carried out their duties with hushed tones and sidelong glances. They tiptoed around their mistress, careful not to intrude upon the fragile cocoon of grief that enveloped her.
