As Barbara wandered through the estate, her thoughts churned, but the tranquillity of the surroundings was hard to ignore. The crisp air cut through her cloak as she followed Alina through the winding paths. The towering trees and the distant rush of water created a hauntingly beautiful backdrop.
The plants were covered in a layer of snow, and the stone pathways leading through the hedges were cracked and uneven. The place itself was a fortress in the middle of a forgotten wilderness, isolated from everything but the wind and snow.
