Rebecca noticed Draven's hesitation, but she gently reached out and took his small hand in hers. His fingers were cold, trembling slightly, but she gave his hand a soft squeeze, hoping to ease the fear she sensed in him. "Let's go," she said, her voice light, trying to make him feel safe.
As they walked together down the hallway, Rebecca spoke about simple things—like the weather, the garden outside, and how peaceful the mansion seemed. Draven stayed mostly quiet, only nodding occasionally, but she could feel his grip on her hand loosening, the tension slowly easing.
The butler, who had been watching them from a distance, quietly stepped away to prepare breakfast. He seemed to be the only one caring for the vast, old mansion, and Rebecca wondered how long it had been this way.
Once they reached the dining area, she glanced at Draven, who was still clinging to her hand but looked a bit less nervous now. She smiled at him, hoping he felt a little more at ease.
After breakfast, Rebecca planned to ask the butler to show her around the mansion. She didn't want to push Draven too much at once, knowing he might feel overwhelmed if she did. Taking things slowly seemed like the right choice.
Rebecca took her seat at the head of the long dining table, glancing at Draven with a soft smile. She could see his hesitation, his small figure standing uncertainly by the chair.
"Come, sit here," she urged gently, patting the seat next to her. Draven hesitated for a long moment, biting his lip as if unsure whether he was allowed to sit so close to her. But after her continued encouragement, he finally sat down beside her, his eyes darting nervously.
The room fell into an awkward silence, the air heavy with unspoken words. Just as Rebecca was about to speak, the door creaked open, and the butler appeared with trays of breakfast. He placed a medium portion in front of each of them, nodding slightly before stepping back to let them eat in peace.
Rebecca glanced at the simple but nourishing meal. She looked over at Draven, who was staring down at his plate, his hands resting awkwardly in his lap, unsure of what to do.
"Let's eat," Rebecca said warmly, trying to ease the tension that still lingered between them.
Rebecca finished her meal and patiently waited for Draven to finish his. She watched him quietly, her mind racing with thoughts of how to approach the sensitive topic. Once he was done, she gently set down her fork and turned toward him, offering a soft smile.
"I should tell you something," she began, her voice calm. "I don't remember much, especially after being attacked by our enemies. Things are still a bit blurry for me. So, for now, I'm in your care, Draven." She kept her tone light, trying not to overwhelm him as she spoke.
Draven's eyes widened a little, his body stiffening in his chair. His gaze shifted down, and he fidgeted nervously. Rebecca could tell he was unsure how to respond.
"I was wondering…" she hesitated for a moment, not wanting to scare him off but needing to know. "How have I treated you before? I just want to understand."
Draven looked even more unsure, glancing quickly at her before staring down at his hands. He opened his mouth to say something but no words came out. Before he could answer, the butler, who had been quietly standing by the door, stepped closer.
"Madam has always been kind to the young master," the butler interjected smoothly, his voice steady and calm. "She has taken good care of him, always looking out for him."
Rebecca glanced at the butler, immediately realizing what he was doing. He was trying to smooth over the situation, perhaps sensing Draven's discomfort, and using her supposed memory loss to bridge the gap between them. It was a well-meaning lie, but Rebecca could see the truth in Draven's hesitant, fearful demeanor.
She gave a small, knowing smile. If the butler was going to play along, she could do the same. It would help her grow closer to Draven, and it seemed they both had the same goal—taking care of the boy.
"Thank you for telling me," she said softly, her eyes warm as she looked at Draven. "I'll try my best to take care of you from now on too."
After a brief silence, Rebecca turned toward the butler, her voice steady and polite. "Would you mind showing me around the mansion? I'd like to get a sense of where we are."
The butler nodded without hesitation. "Of course, Madam. I will show you around."
They rose from the dining table, and as they walked out of the room, Rebecca took in the surroundings. The mansion was old, but surprisingly well-kept. The furniture, though clearly worn from time, was still solid and neat. Dark wooden chairs and tables sat in their places, polished and free of dust. There were no spider webs in the corners, no signs of decay. The walls, though bare and lacking any decorations or paintings, seemed sturdy, their stone foundation strong and secure.
The hallways were dimly lit, sunlight barely filtering through the small windows that lined the walls. The windows themselves looked old but were clean, letting in as much light as they could in the middle of this dense forest.
As they walked, Rebecca noticed that, despite its age and the quiet, almost eerie stillness, the mansion felt well-maintained. The floors didn't creak underfoot, and there was a sense of careful upkeep, as though someone had taken great care to preserve it.
"This mansion is quite old, isn't it?" Rebecca asked, her voice echoing lightly in the spacious hallway.
The butler nodded. "Yes, Madam. It has been here for many generations. Despite its age, it has always been kept in good condition. It may look worn, but it is strong, just like the forest that surrounds it."
Rebecca glanced out one of the small windows as they passed. The mansion sat in the middle of a thick, quiet forest, its tall trees forming a protective canopy above. It seemed isolated, far from any towns or cities, with only the rustling of leaves and the chirping of distant birds to break the silence. Despite its location, the mansion felt secure, its strong foundation holding firm against the wilderness outside.
"There aren't many decorations, though," she remarked.
"No, Madam," the butler responded. "It's a simple place. Functional, without the need for extravagance."
Rebecca nodded. Though it lacked the grandeur of other places she'd been, there was something reassuring about the mansion's simplicity. It stood tall, untouched by time, a safe haven in the heart of the forest.