Luciana awoke to the from the sunlight of the early morning her head heavy with unease. She replayed the visit to Yvette in her mind. Though her daughter's fragile smile had brought her brief solace, there was something unsettling about the night—a sense that someone or something had been watching her.
As the sun rose over the town, painting the rooftops in hues of gray and gold, Luciana pushed her doubts aside. Her duties as Glenn Kingsley's maid demanded her full attention, and she could not afford to falter. Slipping into her uniform, she tied the apron tightly around her waist and made her way to the manor.
Meanwhile, Glenn sat in his study, surrounded by his collection of rare artifacts and curiosities. His fingers drummed rhythmically against the mahogany desk, his mind replaying the sight of Yvette. Her luminous eyes haunted him, their crystalline beauty an anomaly that defied explanation. She wasn't just a child; she was a marvel, a creation too extraordinary for the squalor in which she had been found.
"Mr. Kingsley?" A voice interrupted his thoughts. It was Mr. Hathaway, a fellow collector and politician who had arrived for their scheduled meeting. "You seem distracted this morning."
Glenn shook off his reverie, standing to greet his guest. "Not at all, Hathaway. Please, take a seat. We have much to discuss."
As the two men delved into matters of trade and political maneuvering, Glenn subtly steered the conversation toward his newfound fascination.
"Tell me," Glenn began, his tone casual but calculated, "what do you make of genetic anomalies in humans? Traits that defy natural explanation?"
Hathaway raised an eyebrow. "A curious question. Are you referring to albinism? Gigantism, perhaps?"
"Not quite," Glenn replied, pouring them both a glass of brandy. "Imagine something far rarer—an attribute so unique it could rewrite our understanding of human potential."
Hathaway chuckled. "You've always been one for fanciful ideas, Kingsley. But if such a thing existed, it would be worth a fortune, no doubt."
Glenn leaned back in his chair, his lips curling into a faint smile. "Indeed."
The meeting continued, but Glenn's thoughts remained fixated on Yvette. He envisioned her not just as a trophy but as a tool, a weapon to secure his dominance in the cutthroat world of politics and power.
---
Luciana moved through the manor with practiced efficiency, her hands scrubbing, polishing, and arranging. Yet, her mind was elsewhere. She couldn't shake the sensation of being followed the previous night.
As she dusted the grand staircase, another maid, Annette, approached her.
"Luciana, you've been quieter than usual," Annette said, her voice low to avoid drawing attention from the other servants. "Is something troubling you?"
Luciana hesitated, then forced a smile. "Just tired, that's all."