**Narrator:**
Two more days passed, and the seemingly endless journey had begun to wear on Sai. The dry, cracked earth stretched out in all directions, and the constant swaying of the carriage only heightened his growing frustration. He stared out the window, watching the monotonous scenery, feeling his patience slipping away.
**Sai:** (grumbling, his voice sharp with irritation)
"When will we get there? I'm starting to get bored of this endless desert!"
**Hana:** (calmly, with her usual composed demeanor)
"Be patient, my Lord. We are almost there."
**Narrator:**
Just as Hana finished speaking, a knight rode up beside the carriage, his armor glinting in the harsh sunlight. He saluted Sai with a swift motion before speaking in a clear, firm voice.
**Knight:**
"My Lord, we've arrived."
**Narrator:**
Sai's mood shifted instantly from irritation to curiosity. He leaned forward eagerly, looking out the window. As the carriage creaked to a halt, he squinted to see further ahead. What lay before him was a dry, barren land, its soil cracked and lifeless, much like the rest of the cursed region they had traveled through.
However, as his eyes adjusted to the distance, Sai could make out a town in the distance. The town had larger, more formidable walls than the crumbling outskirts of Zarador, though the heavy wooden gates were old, worn, and weathered by time. There was no vibrancy here—just a lingering air of decay.
**Narrator:**
The carriage moved forward, crossing through the old town gates, which creaked ominously as they passed. Inside the town, Sai saw people—locals who seemed to have long since given up hope. They moved slowly, their eyes downcast, their clothes tattered and patched. Faces lined with weariness and despair glanced at the passing procession, but none held any sign of joy or relief at the arrival of their new ruler. Their hollow expressions spoke volumes.
**Narrator:**
Sai's eyes roamed the streets, taking in the state of the town. The houses were in various stages of disrepair—roofs sagged, walls were cracked, and some buildings were nothing more than collapsed ruins. The streets themselves were little more than dirt paths, cluttered with debris and broken carts, as though the town had long been abandoned by prosperity. The atmosphere was heavy with the weight of neglect.
As they traveled further into the town, Sai's eyes were drawn to a massive mansion that loomed over everything else, situated at the top of a hill overlooking the town. It was grand in design, but age and decay had left their mark. The once-pristine walls were chipped and stained, vines grew unchecked, and parts of the roof appeared to have collapsed. Yet despite its dilapidated state, there was an air of dark majesty about it.
**Narrator:**
Suddenly, the artifact on Sai's wrist—an ancient bracelet imbued with magic—began to glow faintly. The light pulsed in rhythm with his heartbeat, signaling something more than just a coincidence. Sai narrowed his eyes, realizing what it meant.
**Sai:** (to himself, his voice low with realization)
"The curse... its core lies here, in that mansion."
**Narrator:**
The closer they came to the mansion, the stronger the glow became. As they pulled up to the front of the building, the full extent of its neglect became even more apparent. Crumbling stone pillars, shattered windows, and an overgrown courtyard greeted them, but even in its state of ruin, there was an undeniable aura of importance to the place.
A group of maids and a single butler stood waiting at the entrance, their clothes clean but simple, their expressions carefully neutral as they bowed in greeting.
**Butler:** (with a formal bow, his voice steady and polite)
"My Lord, welcome to Zarador. We've prepared your quarters. It is best you rest for now. Once you have settled, we can discuss the details of the estate and the land."
**Narrator:**
Sai's gaze swept over the mansion once more, taking in its broken grandeur. He knew this place held secrets, and whatever lay within would be key to unlocking the mystery of Zarador's curse. For now, though, rest was needed. He turned to Hana, who had already sensed his next order.
**Sai:** (his voice sharp but with an undertone of trust)
"Hana, go and instruct the knights to rest and take up their positions around the town. I want them ready in case of anything."
**Hana:** (bowing slightly)
"Of course, my Lord."
**Narrator:**
As Hana moved swiftly to carry out his orders, Sai followed the butler into the mansion. The interior was no better than the outside—dust coated the furniture, and cobwebs hung in the corners of the high ceilings. But underneath the decay, there were signs of the mansion's former glory. Grand chandeliers hung from the ceilings, and the marble floors, though worn, still held the remnants of intricate designs.
The butler led Sai to his room, a spacious chamber with a large, though somewhat threadbare, bed and a fireplace that had not been used in years.
**Butler:**
"Please, my Lord. Rest for now. We will speak of Zarador when you are ready."
**Narrator:**
Sai nodded, taking in the room, knowing that rest was only a temporary reprieve. The true battle was about to begin—not just to restore Zarador, but to uncover the darkness that had gripped this land for so long.
**Narrator:**
When Sai entered his room, he couldn't help but notice the contrast between the old, worn-out furniture and the cleanliness. Despite the room's age, it was spotless, as if the staff had worked tirelessly to maintain whatever dignity remained. The large bed was simple, with an old-fashioned canopy draped in faded fabric, but it looked comfortable enough. Sai sighed, exhaustion from the journey catching up with him.
He lay down on the bed, the mattress creaking slightly under his weight. For now, sleep was all that mattered. The mysteries of Zarador would have to wait until tomorrow. As his eyes closed, thoughts of the cursed land swirled in his mind, but soon, sleep overtook him.
---
**Narrator:**
The next morning, Sai awoke to the soft sound of footsteps nearby. Blinking away the haze of sleep, he turned his head and saw Hana standing beside his bed, her usual calm demeanor intact. Sunlight streamed through the cracked window, casting a pale glow across the room.
**Hana:** (softly, her voice gentle)
"Good morning, my Lord. You should get ready. I will go and prepare breakfast."
**Narrator:**
Without waiting for a response, Hana gave a polite nod and swiftly left the room. Sai stretched, feeling the stiffness in his body from the long journey. The bed, though old, had given him a much-needed rest. Rising from the bed, he dressed quickly, eager to start the day. There were too many questions swirling in his mind about Zarador, and today, he intended to get some answers.
---
**Narrator:**
A little while later, Sai made his way down to the dining room. As he entered, the maids working in the mansion stole quick glances at him, their eyes widening with surprise. Standing before them was a man with jet-black hair that contrasted sharply with his golden eyes. His sharp features and composed expression gave him an air of authority that demanded attention.
**Maids:** (thinking to themselves)
"He's so handsome... the new Duke of Zarador..."
**Narrator:**
Sai, oblivious to their thoughts, took a seat at the large wooden dining table. The room was large, but the emptiness of it only added to the eeriness of the mansion. The table, like the rest of the house, was old but kept clean. Soon, the butler entered, bowing respectfully before standing at attention near Sai.
**Sai:** (as he begins eating, his voice calm but commanding)
"So, tell me, how is Zarador's condition? I need to know the truth."
**Butler:** (standing straight, his expression neutral)
"My Lord, Zarador is... not what it once was. The land is barren, the people broken, and the town is barely functioning. The curse has drained this place of its vitality. Most of the crops that once thrived here have withered, and trade has nearly stopped. The people survive, but only just."
**Narrator:**
As the butler spoke, Sai listened intently, his mind racing with thoughts of how to turn things around. His eyes flicked up occasionally, meeting the butler's steady gaze. The man was clearly hiding some of the harsher details, but the message was clear—Zarador was on the brink of ruin.
**Sai:** (his voice low, determined)
"That will change. Whatever the curse is, we'll find it and put an end to it."
**Narrator:**
The butler nodded, but there was a flicker of doubt in his eyes. Sai noticed it but said nothing. He would prove his worth in time. For now, he needed more information, and breakfast was just the beginning.