[No I am and never attempt will promote criminal behavior, I have read the terms and conditions and I made sure to research the differences of the 2, I do not think its just to have criminal activity, I just wanted to say this and for further chapters in the story, and I do not glorify or promote gore, I do not condone those acts, I may include blood and that's it until further notice.]
Kaelin's attention was drawn to a small, crimson droplet that clung to the edge of an ornate bookshelf. He froze, his heart skipping a beat as he realized it was blood. A sudden chill ran down his spine, the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end. But before he could investigate further, the sound of footsteps echoed down the corridor, growing louder with each passing moment. The butler appeared, his countenance as stern as ever. "Good evening, Kaelin. Everything to your satisfaction so far? "Kaelin nodded, trying to compose himself. "Yes, sir. The mansion is looking quite... impressive."The butler grunted, seemingly pleased by the compliment. "Indeed it is. The Vanroys take great pride in their estate. Now, if you could just tidy up in here before retiring for the night, we'll be grateful."With that, the butler turned on his heel and strode away, leaving Kaelin alone once more.
The young cleaner's gaze returned to the small stain on the shelf, his mind whirling with questions. What could have caused the blood? And why did it seem to have been hastily cleaned up? Kaelin's curiosity got the better of him. He carefully wiped away the small droplet of blood, his heart pounding in his chest as he made his way to the kitchen in search of answers.
The warm, bustling room was a stark contrast to the eerie stillness of the corridors, the aroma of freshly baked bread and the sound of lively chatter filling the space. Kaelin approached one of the scullery maids, a pretty young woman with a kind smile. "Excuse me, miss," he said, trying to keep his voice steady. "I couldn't help but notice... is there something wrong? I saw a drop of blood earlier."The maid's smile faltered, her eyes darting nervously about the room. "Oh, that? Why, one of the young masters had a bit of a nosebleed, that's all. Nothing to worry about. Please, don't trouble yourself further with it, Mr. Kaelin." Kaelin felt a knot form in his stomach at the maid's words. A nosebleed?
It seemed an odd explanation for the fresh, unexplained stain of blood he had seen. He glanced around the kitchen, taking in the bustling activity of the staff as they prepared for the evening meal. There was a sense of normalcy here, a hum of efficiency that belied any hint of darker occurrences. And yet, Kaelin couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss, a sense of unease that lingered despite the maid's reassurances. He made a mental note to keep a closer eye on things as he continued his duties, his mind whirling with possibilities.
Perhaps he was simply being paranoid, his imagination running wild with tales of the Vanroy family's supposed dark secrets. But as he resumed his cleaning, Kaelin found himself increasingly attuned to even the smallest details, his senses heightened as he navigated the labyrinthine mansion. As Kaelin continued his cleaning, his eyes swept the kitchen floor, taking in the bustling activity of the staff. Amidst the chaos, a silver spoon clattered to the ground, the loud noise drawing Kaelin's attention. He bent to retrieve it, his fingers closing around the cool metal as he examined it for scratches or other damage.
But as he did, his gaze fell upon something that made his blood run cold - a small, almost imperceptible smudge of red on the spoon's surface. It was blood, and it looked fresh. Kaelin's heart raced as he stared down at the bloodied spoon. He had to be mistaken - it was just a small smudge, easily explained away as a nick from the many sharp edges and points that littered the kitchen. But the nagging sense of unease persisted, growing with each passing moment. He glanced about the room, taking in the bustling staff once more.
Were they all somehow in on some dark scheme? Or was he truly imagining things? Kaelin arises to his feet, the spoon now clutched in his fist like a small, ominous talisman. He would need to be careful, to keep a sharp eye out for any further inconsistencies. But for now, he would continue his duties as usual, all while unraveling the theories that lay at the heart of the Vanroy estate.
Kaelin approached the chef, a stout man with a bushy beard and a jovial grin. The chef was expertly filleting a large fish, the slick scales and glistening flesh a stark contrast to the silver spoon that still felt uncomfortably hot in Kaelin's hand."Excuse me, Chef," Kaelin said, trying to keep his voice steady. "I couldn't help but notice this spoon..." He held out the silverware, the small smudge of blood now unmistakable in the light."Ah, that old thing," the chef chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I needed to gut a goose for tonight's pâté, and the fool slipped from my hands. No need to trouble yourself over it, young man.
Just be more careful with your cleaning, and we'll get along just fine." The chef's words were reassuring, and the matter-of-fact way he took the spoon from Kaelin's hand and disposed of it seemed to put the young cleaner's mind at ease. Perhaps he had been jumping to conclusions, letting his imagination run wild with tales of dark theories and sinister plots. With renewed focus, Kaelin turned his attention back to his cleaning duties. The kitchen was a whirlwind of activity now, pots clanging, utensils scraping, and the savory aroma of roasting meats filling the air.
It was a familiar scene, one he'd encountered countless times in his previous life as a street urchin. As he worked, Kaelin found himself settling into a routine, his mind no longer consumed by the mystery of the blood. He was a cleaner, and his job was to keep the Vanroy estate spotless, inside and out. Whatever schemes the family might be hiding, they were not his concern. His task was to serve, to do his job well, and earn his coin.
With that thought in mind, Kaelin lost himself in his work, the worries of the day slipping away as he scrubbed and polished with renewed energy. As the evening drew to a close, Kaelin made his way to the study, where he knew the butler would be waiting to settle his account. The long hours of cleaning had taken their toll, his hands raw and his back aching. But he was proud of the work he had done, the mansion now sparkling like new. And soon, he would be rewarded with the coins he so desperately needed. Kaelin knocked on the door, the butler's voice inviting him in. "Ah, Kaelin, an excellent job today. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed." The butler counted out the coins, handing them to Kaelin with a small, respectful bow. "Thank you for your diligence. You may take this as a token of our appreciation."Kaelin accepted the money with a nod of gratitude, tucking it safely into his belt pouch. With a final bow, he took his leave, the heavy doors swinging shut behind him as he stepped out into the cool night air. The stars twinkled overhead, and for the first time in a long while, he felt a sense of hope. Things were looking up, and with determination and hard work, he knew he could build a better life for himself.