Violet didn't get a single moment of reprieve as she glanced around, realizing with a sinking heart that she was in the Upper Zone—the wealthiest and most heavily-guarded part of the district. Worse yet, a mile ahead loomed the grand silhouette of Lord Cain's mansion.
Her hands clenched at her sides as she forced herself forward, her breath shaky but her steps determined. Fear coiled tightly around her chest like a venomous snake, its bite still fresh from the memory of Rexter nearly sinking his fangs into her. She tried to shake it off, but the terror clung to her like a second skin.
A line of young men stretched toward the gates of the estate. Their simple, unremarkable attire blended in seamlessly with the surroundings. Taking a deep breath, Violet joined the end of the line, her shoulders squared and her expression set in a determined frown. She hoped she looked convincing—her attempt at appearing masculine was all she had to rely on now.
When her turn came, the two towering guards stared down at her with an intensity that made her want to shrink away. Their sharp eyes seemed to probe her very soul, as though they could unravel her disguise with a single glance.
"Name?" barked one, his deep voice a thunderclap in the oppressive silence.
Violet's throat tightened, and for a moment, her mind blanked. Panic surged through her, but she managed to stammer, "Za-zane!" It was the first vaguely masculine name that sprang to mind. She resisted the urge to touch the band at her throat to ensure it was still disguising her voice.
To her surprise, the guards merely stepped aside, allowing her through without further scrutiny.
"You can go in," one of them said, his voice gruff. Violet nodded, her legs trembling as she crossed the threshold.
That was too easy… she thought, relief washing over her. Maybe this isn't going to be as bad as I thought.
As she stepped further inside, a sharp voice called out to her.
"THIS WAY!"
Looking ahead, Violet saw a young man in a crisp white shirt and black pants waving her over. His attire marked him as different from the guards, who were clad entirely in black.
"I'll take you to the main hall where the servant test will be conducted. There, you'll meet Lord Cain," he explained, his voice calm but commanding. Extending his hand, he introduced himself, "My name is Harry. I'm a worker here."
Forcing a smile, Violet shook his hand, introducing herself with the same fake name. "Za-zane."
Harry raised an eyebrow but said nothing, instead gesturing toward a part of the mansion she hadn't noticed before.
"Before we go any further, I need you to look up there," he said, pointing to a grim display.
Violet hesitated before tilting her head. Her breath caught in her throat at the sight of bodies—scarred, mutilated, and hanging lifelessly.
"If you look closely, you'll see the scars on their flesh," Harry continued in a detached tone. "They were whipped, slashed, their fingers diced. They were made to eat them."
Violet's stomach churned. She averted her gaze, but Harry's piercing stare pinned her in place, forcing her to confront the horrific scene.
"Their eyes were gouged out," he added grimly, "and they were made to eat those too."
Violet swallowed hard, the bile rising in her throat. Her knees felt weak, but she refused to collapse.
"Our Lord has… moods," Harry said, his tone unwavering. "One day, you might face his wrath. You can still turn back now. No one will stop you."
For a fleeting moment, Violet considered running—escaping to a place where no one would find her. A place without this nightmare. But the image of her family, her parents, and siblings being slaughtered because of her failure struck her like a blade to the chest.
Steeling herself, she shook her head. "Th-thank you for the warning, Harry, but I'm here to serve Lord Cain."
Harry studied her for a moment, then nodded. "As long as you don't regret it." His muttered words were barely audible, but their weight lingered.
The walk to the mansion's interior felt like an eternity. Violet barely noticed the opulence around her, her mind haunted by the grotesque images she'd just seen. When they reached the main hall, she was struck by its grandeur, though the unease in her chest dulled her awe. Dozens of others were already gathered, their curious gazes flitting toward her as she entered.
"You are to remain here until the test begins," Harry said before leaving as abruptly as he'd arrived.
This doesn't seem so bad, Violet thought, attempting to soothe her frayed nerves. But her fleeting optimism was dashed when the room was suddenly plunged into darkness. Only a single spotlight remained, illuminating the top of a grand staircase.
Violet's breath hitched as her eyes fell on the figure standing there.
Tall and broad-shouldered, the man exuded power and authority. His perfectly tailored suit did little to conceal the sheer strength of his physique. His tanned skin seemed to glow under the light, and his striking light-brown eyes surveyed the room with an intensity that made her feel exposed.
He's… he's the most handsome man I've ever seen, she thought, her mouth going dry. She couldn't tear her gaze away, her heart hammering wildly in her chest.
"Welcome," a booming voice interrupted her trance, snapping her focus to a dark-haired man standing a few steps below the imposing figure. "The test will now commence."
The speaker's deep brown eyes scanned the group as he continued, "There are thirty of you. Each of you will step forward and state your name, family structure, residence, and your reason for wanting to serve Lord Cain."
One by one, the applicants moved to the center, their voices echoing in the grand hall. But Violet's focus drifted back to the man at the top of the stairs—Lord Cain. Her cheeks flushed as she realized she had been staring at him unabashedly, her thoughts running wild.
Is this… love? she wondered, never having experienced such a feeling before. Her body felt foreign to her, her heart betraying her resolve. She barely registered the others as they spoke, her mind consumed by the overwhelming presence of the man who loomed above them all.
.